The 19th-century stone farmhouse is set a short distance from the Jurassic coast, within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and with unspoilt views of the rolling Dorset countryside in South West England.
The property had been in the same family for more than 60 years and was in desperate need of love and attention. But with its adjoining barn and series of dilapidated outhouses, plus 16 acres of wild gardens and meadows, it was a project that needed heart and soul.
The 19th-century farmhouse has been restored to its former glory and connected to the converted barn
‘We both have a passion for interior design and wanted to modernize the property in a way that bridged the gap between contemporary and traditional living,' says owner Alice Cobon. Converting the barn was high on their list.
'We quickly earmarked the large, adjoining barn as the new kitchen/living area, and drew up plans to maximize the space upstairs by reconfiguring the warren of small rooms connected by a narrow winding corridor.
'Restoring period character back into the property was also top of the list. With London as our main base and a trusted team of builders on site, we were able to jump into a full renovation without worrying about the impact on our everyday lives.’
The kitchen island makes the most of the barn’s large dimensions. ‘It’s the social hub of the house and we love to gather round it while preparing meals'
Over the following six months the farmhouse was transformed. A mezzanine level was knocked out in the barn, revealing the beautiful, vaulted ceiling (see above in the kitchen), while full-height doors and new windows flood the space with light.
‘Alice and I both love to cook, so it seemed fitting that the biggest and brightest room would be the kitchen,’ Matt says.
A glazed side addition was built, connecting the barn to the main house and outside space, with a hidden pocket door linking through to the snug (below).
‘The rest of the downstairs layout stayed the same, but we worked hard to restore the original features, including the inglenooks and flagstone flooring that had been painted over or covered up.
'The three reception rooms are all cozy spaces without a huge amount of natural light, so we embraced the darkness by decorating and furnishing them in rich, opulent colors and textures.’
The living room (above) comes into its own as the nights draw in. ‘We wanted the room to have a speakeasy feel, so opted for dark painted walls with maximalist décor and furnishings,’ says Alice.
The vintage signage, haberdashery drawers and cinema seats add the couple’s sense of fun and personality to the room
Upstairs, four rooms were knocked into one to create a primary bedroom with stunning views, and an ensuite, where a large copper bath now resides. There are also three more bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The freestanding copper bath, which looks striking against the royal blue tiles, was the first thing the couple bought for the house, adding that all-important touch of luxury
Now a family of four, the Cobons have continued to develop the house over the years, but with more of a family focus. The old kitchen is now a playroom and in the gardens you’ll find a play area, a big Mediterranean seating area and an outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven.
‘Our home is comfortable and stylish in equal measure. Breathing life back into its walls has been such an enjoyable and creative process,’ says Alice.
Find the farmhouse on Airbnb at Reinventing the Farm (opens in new tab).
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