maybe you can get some ideas from my stuff.

THIS IS MY DREAM STUDIO!

I know what you mean Deborah! I want one!

metal roof it. custom made wood windows. shiplap flooring. sliding glass doors .. one of my kitchens and your set.!!!!!!

Kevin- are you an artist?

Which Kevin ? lol

Deborah, (Kevin #2) I have a studio at the beach "unplugged" where I work on design projects. Always wanted a "barn" to play in. This project is amazing but full of challenges as noted. Best advice go into it with eyes open, and heart to see it through.

what a stunning space you have to work with! I have no suggestions for you, but I cannot wait to see the results!

I like to idea of doing modern on the inside, but I might suggest using natural materials to finish the interior. Like lime plaster, natural stone, soapstone countertops, this will tie the building together with the feel and look of a modern finish, but with using materials that are normally used in a structure like this.

Modern country home would suite the outdoor atmosphere :)

You say you are in Poland. If you speak German at all, there are articles in " schöner wohnen" magazine / website, see photo.
There is also a book by Thomas Drexel called "Faszination Bauernhof" which means "farm fascination". Hope that helps!

Sorry the book is called "Faszination Bauernhaus" which is more a farm or country house. You might be able to hire some German architects or tradespeople, even just for advice, not necessarily the work. Best of luck!

Thank you all for opinions and sugestions.it is very helpful to see that others has also wide mind and fun ideas. I realise the hard part of it. I know that sometimes is easier to build it from the ground that renovate and restore.but it is the same like with the old cars that i love. New one doesnt have the soul and where is the satisfaction of bringing the history of putting little brain and heart to it. I want to have open space for family time but not to huge because poland is getting pretty cold in winters and will be difficult to keep warm at all time. I will think about all the new technology like warm pumps,recuperators,solars and good fireplace. It would be nice to have windmil to have extr electricity.i want to make the house ergonomic bu putting good windows isolate the walls and so on. I have no idea how much it can cost. is all depend of what you want to put inside and out.I just worry a little about that there is 3 flors to the roof in the big building and 2 would may be better. I havent buy the place yet but i am first in the line;) The yard is big and green even with tennis court and volleyball court prepare;) somebody wanted to do a agroturistic place but i guess resigned. Any more ideas and links would be perfect and welcome. I checked some of you web sites and you are great of what you doing. Thanks and later..i go back to thinking...;)

Here is some more photos from inside...

Igner11, the photos are amazing! And very exciting to hear you talk of "soul" in buildings. You know I try hard with new architecture to develop a "story" when starting from scratch. Most new structures lack personality and character! I know why you are drawn to this... Enjoy...

And to libradesigneye.yes the house has great water right by the house,mineral from the ground,electric system available,sevage system and in future gas system. I am looking for ideas because i see it in my head a little what i want but put it together without experiance is very difficult for now. I am looking for things to go for or against. I have also a nice yard with the view on the lake but not much room around with other houses. I want to feel totally free so nobody has no idea what i am doing;))

I like your work Kevin. I know what you talking about. I also build some apartments (i am not architect but doing it part as hobby part as income)and while doing it wanted that people can feel little diferent. is easier maybe to build one house then 80 little apartment but the most interesting for me is to restore an old one;)i know that you want to meet people expectations you see the land you know the style they like and so on but restoring this is like adapting to what already have happend . You have to walk thru and in it ,thinking how to change it and how to make it work from what its left ,in this case some big ,probably old german house. Is not very uniqe building or place but i feel somhere that something nice may happen to this one;)

It's exciting to hear you talk of this building like you are talking about a friend. You have a "soul connection" with it! It will be fun to see you progress. Please update houzz with your progress photos and write about your challenges. I think people would enjoy that, I know I will! Have fun!

I love your new home...landscape? Great!...modren interior would be perfect with a twist of rustic just to pay homage to the exterior..just dont over do rustic...oh my what fun it will be to decorate...looking forward to all the after photos....

I would keep as much of the original stone walls on the interior as is possible and do everything else quite contemporary, with chrome and stainless steel finishes. I know that contemporary design is popular in Poland so you should have no problem finding what you need. best of luck!

Exactly Carolyn, those stone walls are amazing! This would be a fun project!

What an absolutely wonderful building. I can see a very contemporary home inside that exterior. Such great wood beams and stone walls. This would be a real delight to design. I am quite jealous I would love to be on the team that brings this project to life.

Yes it would be cool to work on this barn! Wish I could find something like this in California! We have old barns but not with this much great stone work!!

Kevin...you'd have nothing left after the engineers got finished with you!

Good point ironwood! Sadly many a great project goes "south" when reality rears it's ugly head! Maybe in Poland common sense prevails? Or maybe the Building Code is more "user-friendly"? ....I can dream can't I ?

Oh, I think Poland doesn't have our problems with the shifting tectonic plates, no? There are some gorgeous stone barns in Napa and Sonoma...they are pretty much just architectural follies (in the Victorian sense of the word) at this point as earthquake retrofit is out of the question.

Walk up this staircases

I love this

I guess your right ironwood, maybe fly low under the radar and live on the edge and RUN when the earth starts moving!! At least it would look cool (while its standing)!!

Perhaps, Kevin, you need a vacation home in Poland...or France or Italy.

Thanks Carolyn, or maybe friends with vacation homes?

Friends with money, Kevin!

My solution is to rent houses in Europe, with friends or just family.

That works Carolyn, just be sure to bring your "friends with money" along!!

I just watched that and it gave me a new idea of my place;) amazing results.chech this out
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xm27a8_grand-designs-s09e01-the-apprentice-store-somerset_tech#.UYVS7IwaySM

igner11, that was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon! Thanks so much for the link and it really does provide a look into the potential of your barn! I think they got off cheap at just over a million pounds!

@igner11, amazing! Thank you for that link. Following the heart gets us into trouble, but quality of life in the end is all that matters. Thanks again for the inspiration! Good luck, enjoy ....

what a wonderful building and site. Kevin Patrick O,Brian's comments are spot on. I agree that going with a contemporary interior could be striking but I would use bronze, antique brass or silver nickel rather than polished chrome as a metal.

Thanks @tres, hey watch that link posted by igner11, on post above! Very cool!! Almost scary if you read back thru the thread after you watch the show! We houzzers are crazy good!

I don't see this as a "barn" at all but more of a country manor looking home. With possibly a attached shelter for the animals and or servants in the smaller part. ??? But Barn ??? Nah IMHO

Hey Kevin (#1), if you get a chance watch the link that igner11 posted above! Great documentary of a young couple in the UK restoring a 200 year old stone "factory" building and converting it into a home with "soul"! Very cool.

Thanks Kevin O'Brien I will check it out asap K

hello Guys:) long time and many new ideas went thru my head. i finish one of my old projects and now i am back to idea of renovating this "beauty". i am a step of buying it and in few weeks starting to make plans and ideas. this link below inspired me of how more or less this thing has to look like:))
what you think???
any ideas welcome…
http://www.interiordesign2014.com/other-ideas/modern-renovation-restores-historic-private-estate-in-philadelphia/

That will work!!!

Oh, Igner, that's a beautiful inspiration house. I love almost everything about it except for the iron staircase railings which seem too ornate for the rest of the house. I will be one of many people looking forward to seeing reports of your progress!
Carolyn

Hi igner11,
That home looks exactly what you describe you want. Here are some loft style kitchen ideas you may like:







If you're in the area, come join us for breakfast and our free class every first Saturday of the month on kitchen budgeting: http://leichtwestchester.com/how-much-will-your-kitchen-cost-class-registration

Best of luck! Post photos as it progresses.
If you have any questions feel free to write us!

thanks Guys. my biggest concern is how to make such a house"warm" i mean i live in Poland and is pretty damn cold sometimes:) i have no experience about isolating brick and stone houses. big house i dont mind to cover in whatever it takes but the stone one i want to keep as it is outside. by the way i want to make my living room and kitchen in that stone house all the way up to the top ,open space big place. on the other building will be all the badrooms and other things. i want to open both buildings to outside wich is very green . big windows will be great but but trying to keep good taste of old buidings.it will be a big challange to connect botch roles. i want to connect both buildings witch glass only so it will give an softer look,and crazy look from inside.
isulation bu the way is my biggest concern for now. how to make this house as warm as possible so i can save energy , money and green:)

Our builders can give you ideas on insulation solutions.

I did not read all the previous comments, but you should invest in a local architect that can experience first hand the feel of the building and it's surounds. The ideas to renovate and old structure should be inspired by the building itself. Applying ideas that evolved from other structure can be superficial and pretentious. I know of an architect in Poland if you need one.

Hi there! Adding a touch of brick or stone to your home could be a great way to go given the surrounding that your home is in. Feel free to explore our products and design galleries to see how people with similar design dilemmas have made over their homes! Here's a link to our design galleries: http://www.eldoradostone.com/imagine/ and here is a link to our products: http://www.eldoradostone.com/products/ . Hope this helps!