barn living made lovely

when i was a child we had good family friends who converted an old barn into their family home and i've been fascinated by the idea ever since. i love barns as they are anyway, having played in many when i was young ~ they are full of history, mystery & charm ~ but getting to live in one, infused with modern conveniences would be the ultimate grown-up child fantasy for me. hopefully someday i'll be able to do this type of renovation for my own home but until then, here are some inspiring shots of what others have done.

(a massachusets barn built in 1849 that's been chosen to be converted into a home for an episode of "this old house")

(a project progress shot of the same barn pictured above being converted into a home)

(george baker architects of victor, ny specializes in converting old, out-of-use buildings into functional homes)

(the rustic exterior of this guest house was left intact in its conversion from horse barn to house. designed by robert dean architects)

(this interior shot of a barn remodel shows off much of the original structure's framework, including old loft beams in the kitchen. the fireplace in the adjacent great room was added in the conversion, so cozy!)

(yankee barn homes focuses on just what their name implies ~ renovating barns into homes. they have several gorgeous projects on their website)

(two interior views of remodels by yankee barn homes)

(gary fudem turned a 200-year-old hay barn into this ocean-view home with the help of architect bruce macnelly)

(the offices of gehman remodeling in pennsylvania are lcoated in a barn they renovated for the purpose)

(a barn turned in to a recreation house ~ it has a pool on the ground level & an office & game rooms upstairs. architect & owner brian shea)