House Tours
A designer elevates life on the farm in a barn conversion
House Tours
A designer elevates life on the farm in a barn conversion
A fresh, open living space occupies what used to be the second storey of the barn. Winter-white chairs in bouclé invite day reading, thanks to the room’s bask-worthy natural light. “The furniture shapes mimic the geometry of nature,” says designer Amanda Richardson. Glass walls with a black metal grid define the spaces, block sound and keep the apartment feeling open.
DESIGN, Amanda Richardson, Madu Interiors. Cocoon CHAIRS, Hauser. Beckham SCONCES, Wayfair.
After the reno, Amanda and partner Phil Lange (shown, left), who live part time in both Germany and Canada, became the clients’ first shortterm renters. Contemporary art beneath a minimalist fixture has a gallery vibe. The area under the loft is set up as a home office (below). “But it could easily be swapped out for use as a quilting area or grandkids’ playroom, if needed,” says Amanda.
Alex DESK DRAWERS, Saeljan COUNTERTOP, IKEA. Micah CHAIRS, Hudson’s Bay. Maud ART LIGHT, The Lighting Shoppe.
They don’t live here yet, but one day they plan to,” says designer Amanda Richardson of Madu Interiors. She’s referring to her clients, a forward-thinking couple who hired her to reimagine their barn as a place to retire. Currently, they live in the main house on the same breathtaking agricultural land. Since their four now-grown children grew up here, the hope is that the entire family, grandchildren included, will continue to share time here together. Until then, the apartment is a wonderful space for overnight guests and is also used as a short-term rental. Amanda’s challenge was to design the two-bedroom, open-concept home in such a way that it would suit guests in the short term and the clients in the long term. “To that end, I minimized my use of partitions and maximized natural light,” she says, adding that even as she worked, she envisioned her clients someday living there – one baking bread or quilting, the other heading out to make an ice rink for the grandkids.
“The Space Is ‘Earthy Contemporary’ To Honour The Rural Setting Without Being Farmhouse-Style.”
Soudan SCONCES, Bechtel SCONCE (above window), Wayfair, Bodarp CABINETRY, IKEA
An angular island is softened by pendants with fabric shades. “And the stools are wonderfully plush – a must for the kitchen, since everyone gravitates here to hang out,” says Amanda.
Linear elements, such as a slatted range hood and an awesome wall-to-wall shelf, are warmed with brass fixtures.
“The matte sage cabinetry grew out of a wish to play up colours from nature,” says Amanda. The millwork’s wood-lined niche was added for more character and to provide space for a clever coffee station. The Roman Clay storage unit required applying layers of plaster with a trowel. Says Amanda: “It’s a lot of work, but I wanted some natural texture to offset the bright, open spaces.”
“The Oversized Island Is Very Functional. It Offers A Lot Of Storage And Also Houses The Dishwasher.”
“This corner dining space is tucked beneath a sloped ceiling, so it feels really intimate,” says Amanda. In addition to contemporary chairs, it has a banquette. “You can play cards or sit around the dining table talking for hours.” Rough-hewn edges on the table give the space an approachable look. So does the naturalistic chandelier.
“At Night, This Little Corner Of The Home Just Glows.”
BANQUETTE, Phil Lange, Madu Interiors. Osso STOOL, Bok CHAIRS, Schreiter’s. Pritchard CURTAIN, Urban Barn.
A cozy sectional is tucked under the barn’s sloped ceiling. “To create more headspace, I added a knee wall, then topped it with a long shelf,” explains Amanda. “It’s a great spot to set down a drink or book.” The black coffee table lends contrast to throw pillows in mushroom tones. In the flex space, a cognac-coloured leather lounger invites relaxation. “Even Max, the cat, can see its value!” says Amanda. A bank of storage, stained black, runs along the wall. Reclaimed barnboard was used for the shelves in the Roman Clay shelving unit (below, and on page 85) near the kitchen.
Delano SECTIONAL, Structube. Porter COFFEE TABLE, Schreiter’s. Beckham SCONCES, Wayfair. Ivar CABINET BASES, IKEA. Brio LOUNGER, Hauser.
Pastoral views from the primary bedroom make it a sweet spot for waking. Amanda fashioned a deepset sill for the window. “It can be used as a vanity, a desk or, like this, for display,” she says. The woven lounge chair isn’t far from an equally laid-back bouclé stool. Who wouldn’t want a little quiet time here?
Rådviken ARMCHAIR, IKEA. Link ivory bouclé STOOL, Hauser. Vares RUG, Urban Barn.
“The bed frame is a rich, beautiful acacia wood. It has gorgeous knots and a live edge. I love its depth of colour against the white wall,” says Amanda. The shapely contemporary white lighting and bedside tables are counterpoints to the whisper-soft bedding.
Coastal BED FRAME, Structube. Droid SCONCES, Matteo Lighting. Lina linen THROW PILLOWS, Hauser.
“The Wall Treatments Are Simple Because In This Room I Wanted What Was Framed By The Windows To Be The Artwork.”
“The Bathroom Wallpaper’s Wavelike Pattern Goes With The Rippled, Watery Glass Pendants.”
Shape-wise, the round mirror and linear floating vanity are opposites, but by using wood for both, Amanda achieved a unified look. Although the integrated sink is sleek, its pairing with the wood vanity makes it look at home in this rural setting.
Wade Logan’s Molnar VANITY, Wayfair. MIRROR, HomeSense.
Clean lines define the laundry area and bathroom, a fitting choice for spaces that are all about freshening up. Overscale wall tile in a concrete style finish provides a contemporary backdrop for matte black shower fixtures. Their dark and linear silhouettes echo the dark cabinetry in the laundry area.
Metropolitan porcelain TILE in Glamour, Home Hardware. Eco-Performance SHOWER FIXTURES, Moen. Bee Box Mosaic FLOOR TILE, Centura. Lerhyttan LAUNDRY CABINETRY, IKEA. FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK
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