Cover The exterior of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
The exterior of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
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Blending an homage to architectural history with modern sensibilities, Munro transformed this Wiltshire, England barn into a family’s private getaway
With ingenuity and creative passion, a home can be built from the most unique structures. Such was the case for The Great Barn in Wiltshire, England, renovated by Munro to create a weekend escape turned permanent home. This historic threshing barn stands over fifty metres in length, establishing a grand presence that trumps any new build.
Yet when the Munro team first encountered the property, the conversion completed in the early nineties had left the interior dark and dated. All of its original beams, skirting boards, architraves, and winding staircase had been stained an orange tone, while narrow slit windows hindered natural light from entering any corner. Without question, the verdant landscape beyond its expansive walls barely factored into its second life.
For its third iteration, the Wiltshire, England home blended the design stories of an LA studio and a cosy Swiss mountain chalet. “The goal was always to soften the scale of the barn,” the designers reflected, “and make the large open spaces feel intimate and comfortable without losing the character of the building.”
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Above The living room of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
The living room of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
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One of their first steps was to remove some dividing walls and lower the height of the living area, as well as adding two new staircases to improve circulation between levels. With the usage of earthy tones, warm timber and dynamic textures, it felt more in-tune with its idyllic surroundings while maintaining the clients’ desired pops of colour all throughout.
The kitchen of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
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At the heart of the Wiltshire, England home is the kitchen, featuring cabinetry by Lewis & Hill atop green marble splashbacks. With a custom cooker hood, this calming and inviting atmosphere ensures the homeowners can create a wide range of delicacies for their guests.
Behind the front kitchen stands a working area with a preparation table, appliances, floor-to-ceiling storage and a pantry with a bespoke sliding ladder. Altogether, the flow is enhanced by bouclé and gold bar stools at the counter. Meanwhile, H2O pendant lights overhead create an atmosphere where daily rituals can occur with ease. The pair of upholstered armchairs nearby create an even more relaxing zone for such quiet moments before the day begins.
Above The living room of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
Above The living room of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
The living room of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
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Nearby, the living room features a bespoke sculptural fireplace finished in microcement. According to the Munro team, this was the most transformative element, adding the modern sleekness that the previous brick chimney lacked.
Underfoot, pale oak flooring contrasts with linen curtains that showcase the seasonal beauty of Wiltshire, England. A considered assembly of chairs from Vaunt Design, Maison du Monde, and NOR11 ensures that guests can create pockets of conversation at intimate gatherings.
Moving onto the dining area, anyone who enters is treated to the peaked ceiling and views of the countryside. Twelve Wish Wooden chairs from Cult Furniture surround a generous table, while a Bon Bon Oceano pendant from Artemest hangs above.
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Above The guest bedroom of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
The guest bedroom of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
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The more private spaces take a more muted turn. The understated elegance of the primary bedroom is maintained by the green-toned bed and headboard by Kirkby Design, and dark stained oak wardrobes from Roma European Oak add a grounding presence. The oak ribbed panels from Surface Studio pair beautifully with the Chase Erwin wallcoverings, revealing the homeowners’ more playful personalities.
In the primary bathroom, a Vetrina freestanding stone bath adds organic charm. This contrasts with the brushed nickel tones and porcelain tiles that create a soothing vignette in which to unwind after a long day.
Above The bathroom of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
Above The bedroom of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
The bathroom of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
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For the Munro team, one of the most innovative rooms in the Wiltshire, England home has to be the blue guest room. The unusual slope of the roof pushed the bed into one corner. As a result, they created an entire joinery scheme with a built-in headboard in light-stained oak. The area’s functionality was increased with integrated shelving and hidden storage nearby. The entire room is clad in Yves Klein blue, while the bathroom features a Lusso Stone freestanding bath and a Kulvir brass side table for some notable metallic flair.
Above The guest bedroom of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
The guest bedroom of a renovated barn home in Wiltshire, England by Munro
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The other bedrooms take a similarly experimental approach, with one featuring peach hues and the other enveloped in pops of mustard yellow. Altogether, each room is an exercise in materiality, with interplays of wood, metal and stone paving the way for a relaxing weekend experience.
Altogether, the Great Barn of Wiltshire, England required designers who would coax the warmth out of such an expansive property. With a steady hand and a discerning eye, the Munro team created an airy, inviting atmosphere for a family to honour both their personal and architectural heritage, setting the stage for more chapters to come.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
