Creating Character Through Art, Furniture & Objects

Project: Emily Barn
Type: Holiday cottage / hospitality interior
Scope: Art sourcing, furniture selection, decorative objects and styling

Emily Barn is a large barn conversion designed to accommodate groups of up to sixteen guests. The project focused on creating a warm, characterful interior that felt welcoming and relaxed while remaining practical for a high-use holiday property.

Working alongside the owners, I sourced artwork, furniture and decorative objects to help develop the interior scheme. The aim was to create a space that felt collected over time, combining antique, 20th-century and contemporary pieces to bring warmth, texture and individuality to the converted barn.

Several bedrooms presented challenges due to their smaller layouts. Through careful furniture selection, proportion and restrained styling, the spaces were designed to feel comfortable and functional while maintaining the overall character of the property.

The finished interior reflects my approach to sourcing and styling: creating spaces through thoughtful combinations of objects, materials and artwork, where each piece contributes to a wider sense of atmosphere, character and place.

Sourcing focused on finding pieces with character, craftsmanship and longevity. Artwork and decorative objects were selected to add personality and visual interest, while furniture choices balanced comfort, durability and aesthetic appeal.

Working within an agreed budget, the approach was to maximise value through considered sourcing — combining antique and vintage finds with carefully selected contemporary pieces to create a layered interior without feeling overly uniform.