I have been so drawn to these barn house living rooms recently (Remember our home tour of this Martha’s Vineyard Retreat last fall??) Maybe because it is such a departure from my Hollywood Hills Cottage? (I mean can we all take a moment and imagine if my cottage had these high ceilings and expansive living rooms…a girl can dream right??) I continue to find more and more ways to incorporate the classic touches that are distinctly ‘Barn House’ with the modern, minimalist, clean lines that I love. It can be intimidating to try to work with the Barn look, especially in Southern California (although venues like the Lombardi House have perfected it recently.) One of the traits I love about the barn house is that it should be minimalistic! So much of the character comes through the wood paneling and the high ceilings and large doors alone…keep that in mind when working with barn house elements in your own living room…it should be functional and the materials should speak for themselves..let the exposed wooden beams, sliding barn doors, and stone fireplaces stand out as focal points in the room…they’re grand for a reason!
What do you think of these barn house living rooms? Any you like? Any you love? Any you would leave behind?
xo
Coco
Photo Credit: Sumich Chaplin, Berkshire Smart Home Design, Indulgy, Paul Massey, Tillman Long Interiors
Hi Coco-Your timing, as always, is exquisite. My architect and I are just finishing up on the drawings for our LAST (and I mean last) house here in Colorado. A small ranch property with a house, barn and 2 horses…..no chickens. Your first photo has the look and feel of ours, but a touch more minimal, less wood, and just a tiny bit more formal. It is based on the white ranch houses (most very large) in my area, growing up in Southern California. Now, that white ranch style is taking over the ranch lands of both Southern and Northern California ….. Napa, Sonoma, Ojai, Santa Ynez Valley. All of those luscious places. The architect Howard Backen (Sonoma) has been my professional inspiration. If you don’t already know him, take a look at his book, FROM THE LAND. It is just beautiful. And, I cannot leave out the inspirations of Brooke and Steve Giannetti (Ojai) the interior design and architect pair that created PATINA FARM. Check out their new book of the same name if you have not seen it. My pages of these 2 books are wearing thin.
Please keep sending us your inspirations. they are greatly appreciated.