Houzz Tour: An English Barn Conversion with Provençal Appeal
Rebuilt, remodeled and decorated in a pale palette, this beautiful barn showcases its owners’ classic country style
Creating this family home was, to put it mildly, a long-term project. When Emma Sims Hilditch and her husband, John, bought a derelict 18th-century schoolhouse and headmaster’s cottage more than 20 years ago, the barn wasn’t even part of the deal. “Its walls were crumbling, and it was used by the local farmer to store hay bales,” Sims Hilditch says. “Then, 10 years on, we were lucky enough to have the chance to buy it.” Rebuilt and restyled with classic French farmhouse charm, the barn’s lofty spaces and cozy corners now have a timeless appeal.
Photos by Polly Eltes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Emma Sims Hilditch of Sims Hilditch and her husband, John Sims Hilditch of Neptune
Location: North Wiltshire, England
Size: Five bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Architect: Mark Watson of Watson, Bertram & Fell
The property originally consisted of three workmen’s cottages built in 1790. Redesigning and rebuilding the derelict barn took about two years — not bad, considering that the job involved connecting the cottages (also restored by the couple) to create one linked space. “We were doing it on a budget, designing and building it ourselves. An architect did the planning application for us because it’s a listed building,” says Sims Hilditch, referring to buildings protected for architectural or historical interest. “But we did the whole interior — that’s what we specialize in.”
Sims Hilditch and her husband are both involved in interior design — she runs her own consultancy, and he is the co-founder of furniture company Neptune, whose pieces and prototypes are dotted around the barn and adjoining cottages. But even with all that experience, there were challenges. “Working on your own home when you’re a designer is so hard because you know all the options out there,” Sims Hilditch says. “With a client, we have a vision and stick to it. But when it’s your own house, it’s a different ballgame!”
The result is an elegant yet rustic home. “I wanted to make it feel like a Provençal retreat,” she says. “I love Provence, and their stone is very similar to Cotswold stone.”
The kitchen cabinetry was originally installed in the adjoining cottage. “It was the first kitchen ever made for John’s company, so we wanted to bring it with us,” Sims Hilditch says.
Montague Lloyd Loom chairs: Neptune; paint: Lily (perimeter cabinetry) and Mist (island), Neptune
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Emma Sims Hilditch of Sims Hilditch and her husband, John Sims Hilditch of Neptune
Location: North Wiltshire, England
Size: Five bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Architect: Mark Watson of Watson, Bertram & Fell
The property originally consisted of three workmen’s cottages built in 1790. Redesigning and rebuilding the derelict barn took about two years — not bad, considering that the job involved connecting the cottages (also restored by the couple) to create one linked space. “We were doing it on a budget, designing and building it ourselves. An architect did the planning application for us because it’s a listed building,” says Sims Hilditch, referring to buildings protected for architectural or historical interest. “But we did the whole interior — that’s what we specialize in.”
Sims Hilditch and her husband are both involved in interior design — she runs her own consultancy, and he is the co-founder of furniture company Neptune, whose pieces and prototypes are dotted around the barn and adjoining cottages. But even with all that experience, there were challenges. “Working on your own home when you’re a designer is so hard because you know all the options out there,” Sims Hilditch says. “With a client, we have a vision and stick to it. But when it’s your own house, it’s a different ballgame!”
The result is an elegant yet rustic home. “I wanted to make it feel like a Provençal retreat,” she says. “I love Provence, and their stone is very similar to Cotswold stone.”
The kitchen cabinetry was originally installed in the adjoining cottage. “It was the first kitchen ever made for John’s company, so we wanted to bring it with us,” Sims Hilditch says.
Montague Lloyd Loom chairs: Neptune; paint: Lily (perimeter cabinetry) and Mist (island), Neptune
The stairs leading up to the bedroom may look centuries old, but they were created by Sims Hilditch’s husband. “They’re breeze blocks rendered in a lime plaster, which has a lovely texture, and there are steel rods running through it to hold it up,” she says.
The custom fireplace, designed by the couple, is made from French limestone.
Fireplace: Architectural Heritage; wood stove: Jøtul; sisal carpet: Crucial Trading
The custom fireplace, designed by the couple, is made from French limestone.
Fireplace: Architectural Heritage; wood stove: Jøtul; sisal carpet: Crucial Trading
A sliding ladder provides access to an elevated library, which draws the eye up to the full height of this cavernous building.
“It was going to just be an ordinary wall, but we decided to build it deep enough to put books in,” Sims Hilditch says.
The main bedroom is on the other side.
Paint on woodwork: French Grey, Neptune
10 Ways Library Ladders Give Rooms a Lift
“It was going to just be an ordinary wall, but we decided to build it deep enough to put books in,” Sims Hilditch says.
The main bedroom is on the other side.
Paint on woodwork: French Grey, Neptune
10 Ways Library Ladders Give Rooms a Lift
Sims Hilditch made the most of the building’s scale and put large glass doors in place of the original barn doors. “We wanted the double-height space to give that amazing lofty, French farmhouse feel,” she says.
Armchairs: George Smith;
armchair fabric: Nobilis
Armchairs: George Smith;
armchair fabric: Nobilis
“The natural palette we’ve used really suits the building materials. It lets the architecture do the talking. It’s very easy to live with — calm, I suppose,” Sims Hilditch says.
French limestone paving slabs: Artisans of Devizes; paint on door frames: Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball
French limestone paving slabs: Artisans of Devizes; paint on door frames: Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball
A large mirror bounces light around in the hallway and reflects the warm color of the stone. An antique clock nestles in the corner next to the powder room. “The grandfather clock is one of our few family heirlooms. It has a beautiful walnut casing and fits in there perfectly,” Sims Hilditch says.
Console table: Flamant
Console table: Flamant
If you walk through the kitchen, you reach the garden room. “We use it a lot in the summer,” Sims Hilditch says. “It’s a lovely long room — a lean-to almost.”
When the roof was reconstructed (using reclaimed tiles), a glass strip was introduced to increase the light. The structural beams are Douglas fir, with inexpensive softwood for the rafters and the boarding underneath. “We lime-washed it with water and emulsion paint, and that gave it a nice color. I hate orange wood!” Sims Hilditch says.
The stairs lead up to the main bedroom.
Havana Lloyd Loom chairs: Neptune
When the roof was reconstructed (using reclaimed tiles), a glass strip was introduced to increase the light. The structural beams are Douglas fir, with inexpensive softwood for the rafters and the boarding underneath. “We lime-washed it with water and emulsion paint, and that gave it a nice color. I hate orange wood!” Sims Hilditch says.
The stairs lead up to the main bedroom.
Havana Lloyd Loom chairs: Neptune
Bifold doors mean that the garden room can open up to the outside. The leaded windows on the right are part of the cottages, which are now connected to the barn.
“We needed to underpin the barn to give it structure and strength, and at the same time, we decided to dig out a wine cellar,” Sims Hilditch says. “You’re sort of underground in this room. It’s not down any steps, but you’re right against the bank.”
The floor is made from brick tiles — reclaimed Polish bricks cut down into thin tiles.
The floor is made from brick tiles — reclaimed Polish bricks cut down into thin tiles.
The main bedroom has a partition wall, with a sink and toilet on one side and a shower on the other.
“When you’re in the shower, you can see the pitch of the roof,” Sims Hilditch says.
Paint on custom bed frame: French Grey, Neptune; sisal carpet: Crucial Trading
“When you’re in the shower, you can see the pitch of the roof,” Sims Hilditch says.
Paint on custom bed frame: French Grey, Neptune; sisal carpet: Crucial Trading
The classic free-standing furniture includes a huge antique mirror, informally propped against the wall. “We didn’t want [built-in] furniture in that room; it wouldn’t have worked,” Sims Hilditch says.
Chichester armoires and chest of drawers: Neptune; lamp: Flamant
Chichester armoires and chest of drawers: Neptune; lamp: Flamant
A claw-foot tub from a local antiques dealer and painted by Sims Hilditch sits in the corner of the main bedroom.
“We didn’t have room to put the full-blown en suite here, so this was a solution,” she says.
Views from the window stretch out along the river down into the valley.
Paint on walls: Pigeon, Farrow & Ball
“We didn’t have room to put the full-blown en suite here, so this was a solution,” she says.
Views from the window stretch out along the river down into the valley.
Paint on walls: Pigeon, Farrow & Ball
The entire top floor enjoys light from the Velux skylights. The oak bedside table is a Neptune prototype that hasn’t yet gone into production.
Fabric on headboard: Designers Guild
Fabric on headboard: Designers Guild
The master en suite has a pared-back, rustic feel with walls that echo the slats of the roof above.
Chichester vanity: Neptune
Chichester vanity: Neptune
Low ceilings and leaded windows create a traditional feel in the cottages, which were the first part of the property to be renovated.
The wooden door leads to a utility room.
Curtain fabric: Mulberry Home via GP & J Baker
The wooden door leads to a utility room.
Curtain fabric: Mulberry Home via GP & J Baker
The children have now left home, but they have bedrooms in the restored cottages. Classic floral and gingham fabrics create a rustic look.
Next to the sitting room in the former stables is an informal covered dining area that’s perfect for outdoor entertaining.
Choosing the right materials was key to this painstaking project. “We could have used newly quarried stone, but we really wanted that lovely patina that you get with 200 years of aging,” Sims Hilditch says. “We had to go to lots of reclamation yards in the area to find the big ashlar stone blocks to make the pillars where the arch of the barn doors were.”
Because the barn is Grade II-listed, the couple had to work within certain restrictions. “We wanted double [panes], but the planning department weren’t happy about having fat glazing bars —fortunately, we found a company that makes a product that’s about half the thickness of most,” Sims Hilditch says.
Glass: Slimlite
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Because the barn is Grade II-listed, the couple had to work within certain restrictions. “We wanted double [panes], but the planning department weren’t happy about having fat glazing bars —fortunately, we found a company that makes a product that’s about half the thickness of most,” Sims Hilditch says.
Glass: Slimlite
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Related Stories
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Period Home Gains Color and Character
By Kate Burt
Before-and-after photos show how a bold palette and restored features bring warmth and personality to this English house
Full Story
Barn Homes
Houzz Tour: Old Barns Become an Airy, Modern-Rustic Home
A barn home in Devon, England, sits lightly on the land and offers simple, relaxing spaces for an extended family
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Once-Bland Rental Now a Welcoming Home
By Kate Burt
A designer found on Houzz transforms a plain city apartment using color, texture and space planning
Full Story
Houzz TV
Tour a Contemporary London Home Full of Light and Garden Views
See and read how an architect on Houzz dramatically brightened once-dark spaces to create an airy contemporary home
Full Story
Houzz TV
Tour a Contemporary London Home Full of Light and Garden Views
See and read how an architect on Houzz dramatically brightened once-dark spaces to create an airy contemporary home
Full Story
Trending Now
The Most Popular Kitchens From Around the World in 2023
Visit Japan, Germany and 8 other countries to get inspiring design ideas in the most-saved kitchen photos of the year
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Lighter Look and Period Features in a Converted Barn
By Jo Simmons
In England’s Cotswolds district, an update introduces calm, contemporary elements while keeping a barn home’s character
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Updated Historical Home With a Modern Addition
By Jill Morgan
A light-filled addition and reworked layout transformed this period property in Wales into a stunning home
Full Story
Modern Homes
Houzz Tour: Family Says No to Relocating in Favor of Remodeling
An architect helps a family in Rome bring light, color and natural materials into their apartment
Full Story
Eclectic Homes
Houzz Tour: Rich Color and Classic Features Revive a Row House
A designer restores period details and improves the layout to reinvent a London home for a family of 5
Full Story
I think this might be the most soothing and serene home I've ever seen...
I love the elevated library!
Absolutely beautiful home and I love the library