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Les Justices

Charming barn conversion in Dordogne

Marie A. (UK nationality) had owned a home in the Dordogne for many years with her husband, but after she was widowed six years ago she began looking for somewhere smaller in the same area. An unpretentious five bedroom converted barn with a large garden caught her eye and she subsequently asked Dutch designer Joris van Grinsven to update it, reducing the number of bedrooms to three in the process. She gave him an open brief - merely requesting that he make it as light and open as possible, reduce the number of bedrooms to two with a separate guest apartment in the annexe next door. Not a passionate cook, she said a fridge, kettle and a toaster was all she needed. Joris thought otherwise and installed a neat, practical kitchen with plenty of workspace. White Ikea glass-fronted cupboards and appliances sit beneath a custom-made concrete surface. In the bathrooms, he specified concrete slabs again, setting the Duravit washbasins on top with shelves belos. Accents of silver and gold bling lighten the minimal decoration in the bedrooms - the ormolu bed came from her former home, as did her own wooden bed which was transformed with a coat or two of silver grey paint. Other pieces from her former home include white-washed dining table, which is teamed with coloured, rubberized stools and white chairs. Outside, there is a dining area on the terrace with the half-submerged swimming pool beyond - stylishly simple it is a continuation of Joris' less is more approach to design.