Homeowners Victoria and John converted a dilapidated outbuilding into an inviting party barn with a dark green kitchen, ready for relaxed gatherings with family and friends – we find out all about it…

It was two years ago when Victoria and John moved to their new home, a Victorian house set in 10 acres of the Surrey countryside, in search of more space to share with their three sons, aged eleven, nine, and seven. “We chose an idyllic, rural location,” says Victoria. “It is fair to say, though, that the house and its outbuildings were tired and nothing had been done to update the property for at least 20 years.” Here, KBB journo Amelia Thorpe reveals the renovation journey of the now party barn and its stunning green kitchen.

The vision

There was something magical in the garden, Victoria explains. “Hidden by bushes was an old tin shed, covered in ivy and used as a dumping ground for old patio furniture,” she recalls. “Still, this was a large space with a wonderful, vaulted ceiling.”

Sensing its potential, Victoria and John decided to salvage as much as they could of the existing structure and create a usable space: a barn for parties, for the children to be with their friends as they grow, and to provide flexible extra living and socialising space.

The plans

The original plan was to do a relatively light modernisation, “but it soon became clear that the job ahead was extensive,” she explains. The existing ‘shell’ of the structure had to come off to make way for insulation and cedar cladding, then they discovered that there were no foundations. “It was just sitting on bricks, so we had to do quite a lot of work to make it sound and to reinforce the floor to make it flat – all of which ratcheted up the budget,” continues Victoria.

However, they were able to keep the prized vaulted ceiling, adding solar panels to the roof to provide power to the barn and other outbuildings. They also added sliding glazed doors and large picture windows to introduce more natural light.

The kitchen design

For Victoria and John, a key feature of the barn would be an inviting kitchen. “We wanted somewhere to make coffee and drinks and prepare food for friends, somewhere that would be the heart of the space where everyone could relax and enjoy being together,” she says.

The couple considered a few kitchen specialists before settling on local company Ella Austin. “I had driven past the showroom many times and saw a beautiful display in the window; I felt that something similar would work well in the barn,” she explains.

After meeting director Steve Collinson and designer Lily Reilly, they set to work in creating a practical, robust design able to withstand plenty of use – with a touch of fun, well suited to the ‘party barn’ nature of the brief. “They had such great suggestions from the start, down to the Kaelo countertop wine coolers and a bar unit with integrated lighting which add splashes of glamour,” continues Victoria.

Key details

Key to the success of the design was to build the tall cupboards to a slightly greater height than standard. “In such a large space, it was essential to create furniture in proportion to the scale of the room,” Steve explains. “We also designed a symmetrical layout to produce a clean, unfussy feel, and integrated appliances so that they are largely hidden – which we all felt was important in a space used primarily for socialising,” he adds.

Kitchen cupboard doors and drawer fronts are finished with bespoke fluting, while a dark green colour was chosen to echo the natural setting of the barn. “The main house is currently a building site, so the barn has become a wonderful escape for us all,” says Victoria. “I can’t wait for the whole project to be complete, so that we can throw a really big party in here.”

Photography: Katherine Malonda

This house tour was featured in the September 2025 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.

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