Take a tour of this coastal barn conversion in Cornwall

Look around this family-friendly barn conversion with its coastal chic interior and stunning views out to sea and open countryside

The owners, an interior designer and a cardiologist, bought this three-bedroom semi-detached converted 19th-century barn in Cornwall in 2008. It was dark and drab with unappealing interiors and rotting windows when the couple viewed it five years ago. 'We  knew we could completely change the look and feel of the rooms. And its Cornish location was ideal,' says the owner.

The couple and their three children had always enjoyed annual holidays in Cornwall, so finding a spacious, reverse-level property with sea views in such a great location seemed like an ideal opportunity.

Most of the homes we’d seen were tiny cottages, but the barn had been arranged with a large open-plan living room and kitchen upstairs and bedrooms downstairs - which makes sense, because we spend most of our time up in the living area, which has the best views.’

Structurally the roof and walls of the stone building were in good condition, but the seaside location meant that the existing timber windows had deteriorated beyond repair so needed replacing. The family didn’t make any other changes to the property until 2012, when they added a balcony off the kitchen. ‘The sun sets on this side of the house and we knew that a sheltered balcony would be lovely in the evenings.’

Two years later the interior of the house was given a complete makeover, which involved replacing the kitchen, gutting the bathroom, laying new flooring and redecorating throughout.

1/11 Exterior

house exterior with fencing and stone walls

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

'We didn’t want the interior to look too contrived but everything needed to tie together, which is where the blue and white colour scheme came in. It’s amazing how different the barn feels now - so much more light and welcoming - and having the balcony has really changed the way we use the space.

2/11 Hallway

hallway with wooden flooring

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

The freshly painted entrance hallway is now bright and welcoming with its muted colour palette of pale blue, soft grey and off-white.

Paint
Light Blue at Farrow & Ball

3/11 Living room

living room with blue sofa and wooden table

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

The couple chose new softwood floorboards, which were sealed and finished with white oil to give them a washed, timeworn feel. The soft blue and cream colour palette with weathered wood accents suits the coastal setting perfectly.

Similar sofa
Loaf
Similar coffee table
Alexander & Pearl

4/11 Reading area

reading area with white walls

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

Vintage shelving from an antiques shop has been teamed with a retro chair in this reading area in the living room. The shades, textures and open design of the shelving unit gives the space an easy-going, relaxed feel.

Similar chair
Swoon Editions
Similar shelving
Out There Interiors

5/11 Kitchen

kitchen with white cabinet and wooden worktop

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

Simple cream Shaker-style cabinets, wooden worktops and blue wall tiles give the kitchen a relaxed country look. The kitchen island unit was made to measure and takes pride of place in the family space.

Similar island unit
John Lewis of Hungerford
Similar tiles
Walls & Floors

6/11 Kitchen storage

kitchen storage with antique coffee mugs

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

A collection of patterned and plain mugs is left on show on an antique drying rack, which makes an attractive display in the kitchen area.

Vintage mug rack
Holly Keeling
Similar mugs
Royal Doulton

7/11 Dining area

dining room with wooden round table

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

A corner of the living room is used as a dining area, with a round dining table that makes the best use of the limited space. The colourful wall art is from a local artist.

Similar dining table
Oka
Chairs
Lombok

8/11 Dining storage

blue wooden vanity

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

A painted cabinet provides handy extra storage for crockery and glassware in the dining room area of the home.

Similar cabinet
The Cotswold Company
Similar lamp
Loaf

9/11 Main bedroom

main bedroom with white walls and wooden panelling

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

A painted metal bed and wooden wall panelling make this room a calming oasis. Soft furnishings pick up on the coastal theme with a muted palette of pale blue and grey.

Metal bed
Feather & Black
Cushion fabric
Vanessa Arbuthnott

10/11 Twin bedroom

twin bedroom with twin beds and wooden wall panel

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

Painted wall panelling and chunky knitted throws give the room a cosy feel. Cushions in gingham checks and florals co-ordinate with the cheery red bedside table.

Beds
Feather & Black
Cable knit throws
John Lewis

11/11 Bathroom

bathroom with white sink and shower area

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)

Patterned floor tiles bring interest to this white scheme. An old cupboard was stripped out to make room for the walk-in shower.

Floor tiles
Holly Keeling
Similar washstand
Bathstore

We hope you've enjoyed our tour of this seaside haven. Which space is your favourite?

Lisa Fazzani
Deputy Editor

Lisa is Deputy Editor of Style at Home magazine and regularly contributes to sister title Ideal Home. She has written about interiors for more than 25 years and about pretty much every area of the home, from shopping and decorating, crafts and DIY to real home transformations and kitchen and bathroom makeovers. Homes and interiors have always been a passion and she never tires of nosying around gorgeous homes, whether on TV, online, in print or in person.