Sometimes finding your perfect property feels like it’s just meant to be, and all the challenges and heartbreak as part of the process of finding a dream home melt away- all the loved properties that you lost to another buyer become a distant memory when you find ‘the one’.
Samantha and Darren Bull from Stroud were desperate to move to a stunning rural spot in Wales to enjoy living a country life and running a holiday business.
But the first challenge was actually finding a property that was not only suitable but within their price range, had the potential they needed to add value and, maybe most importantly, they fell madly in love with.
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Samantha, 48, says: “Our first house fell through at the point of exchanging contracts and we felt like we wouldn’t find another property. Then we saw this house for sale, a traditional farmhouse with a converted barn and a derelict barn attached.
“We totally fell in love just coming up the drive, we didn’t care what the properties looked like, we were in love! We were totally smitten by what we saw, we put in an offer of the asking price and never saw the property again until four weeks after we completed the purchase, five days before Christmas in 2016.”
After moving into their dream home in the country the couple decided to settle into their new way of life and new location and take time to think about what they wanted to do with the barn and adjoining cottages, laid out in an L-shape and overlooking spectacular rural scenery near Corwen, Denbighshire.
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Samantha and Darren could see the potential of what the derelict barn could become, but sensibly did not want to rush into any project before making a decision on what future for the wreck.
They started by refreshing the inside of the adjoining barn that had been converted by a previous owner and was one of the income sources the couple were going to use to help live at the former farm and convert the derelict barn next door.
Samantha says: “I’m sure our friends thought ‘what are they doing starting this new life 125 miles away?’, they thought we were mad! But we could see the potential.”
Samantha and Darren Bull are all smiles now, but the barn renovation had its challenges
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
The roof off exposed rotten wood structure
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Starting the roof again
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Over the many years of the barn being derelict, the Welsh weather had taken its toll, and the couple knew after a few years of living at the farmhouse that the time had come to save it when part of the roof collapsed.
Samantha says: “Over the next few years the barn was getting into further disrepair. The weather was causing slates to fall off and there were large holes appearing in the roof to patch up but the purlins and battens were rotting, and the wall plate had bowed off the wall.”
The incessant rain, day after day, caused the site to get very muddy, which was not a welcome visitor for the couple.
Samantha recalls: “The rain, wind and occasional snow was a challenge. My worst moment that was getting me down was the rain, mud and trying to avoid stepping in the mess that surrounded us – both Darren and I don’t like mess, haha!”
Large open-plan space meant creative thought to create a first-floor but retain the spacious feeling
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
First floor starts to take shape, even though it’s roofless
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
But, at the time, the barn site of shifting mud and rain puddles was no laughing matter when it actually caused a serious injury and had Samantha doubting what the couple had taken on.
She says: “I fell into a manhole. It housed the macerator pump and was quite deep, I thought the lid was secure, it flipped over as I jumped on it to avoid the mud.
“I fell in up to my chest, cracked a rib and broke my finger in the fall, all just before Christmas. I really thought then, ‘what are we doing?’ I think this was my lowest point and Covid meant we didn’t have family support to fall back on.
“And this is why I wanted to do the work in the summer months when the weather would have been better.”
The access for large lorries was a challenge
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
The snow looked pretty but was an unwelcome visitor, along with lots and lots of rain
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
The two holiday lets finished, but then Covid struck
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Another of the biggest challenges to the renovation project, as well as the weather, was the access to the site, with companies regularly misjudging the size of the vehicle they sent to the site, despite being told. It meant any one of the deliveries could get stuck if the lorry was too big.
Samantha says: “The site has unsuitable access for anything larger than 3.5t lorry and this proved a challenge, despite insisting on telling deliveries not to come in anything bigger than 3.5t, they were often sent back several times until the lorry size was suitable.”
Then the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020 and added a financial challenge to the project, as the holiday let bringing in income had to be closed.
Samantha says: “We’d borrowed the money to renovate, we never thought we would be shut for such a long time. We had to be very careful with the budget.”
The location and elevated position of the property means mesmerising rural views
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Incredible transformation from wreck to gorgeous, including the mezzanine with feature staircase
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
The mezzanine means the living area has impressive double-height ceiling to keep sense of space but log burner for cosy comforts
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
But it was the building itself, comprising of the two holiday lets, that kept the couple going through the hard times and motivated them to finish the project.
Samantha says: “We were completely exhausted. But we are in awe of the barns. I’d get up early, make a coffee and go and sit in the barn as the sun would rise, thinking, ‘this really is what I thought it would be – our piece of paradise’.”
The result of the couple’s hard work are two characterful holiday lets called The Shippon and The Barn, one updated and one saved from total dereliction and collectively known as Bryn Deicws Holiday Barns.
Let those views, as well as the sun and summer breeze, flow in
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Kitchen is cleverly tucked under the mezzanine level
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Great view of the open-plan ground floor from the kitchen island
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
The stunning views from the elevated location of the duo of barn units, which may have been a challenge for lorries, is now a mesmerising selling point.
Hilltops line the horizon, undulating fields stretch out for miles in all directions, and the distant roof tops remind you that you may be enjoying a peaceful rural spot in the heart of Denbighshire, but civilisation is not too far away.
The Barn is now a super stylish, two bedroom updated property that includes a sociable kitchen diner, a lounge with cosy log burner and French doors out onto a terrace with an alfresco dining area and a very tempting hot tub with arguably the best views from bubbles in the area.
Interior style is classic, tasteful country inspired that is timeless and won’t date
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Ensuite to the bedroom
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Next door to this unit, the derelict barn has gone from the shell that the building once was to a beautiful property called The Shippon, and the transformation is impressive.
The ground floor is an open-plan triumph, with the kitchen tucked under the bedroom and ensuite mezzanine and the beautiful stairs to get up there a major feature, all flanked by the huge former barn doors that is now a wall of glass from floor to ceiling.
The mezzanine level means the lounge area has impressive double-height ceiling to keep sense of space but an added log burner for cosy comforts nestled in the corner and French doors to a garden to connect to those stunning views.
The interior design throughout is tasteful and country classic, and features an array of natural materials and a palette of restful shades.
Samantha was adamant that the interiors be as quality as the build itself, and it may have been the final element that pushed the project over budget.
She says: “I haven’t totalled it up but I think we’re £35k over budget, that does include furnishing it. The curtains were a huge expense, but I couldn’t compromise, I love them.
Next door to the derelict barn is the original holiday let, called The Barn
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
This larger unit has two bedrooms sleeping up to four plus an open-plan kitchen diner
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
The lounge in The Barn has a log burner and French doors too
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
“I had an image in my head of what I wanted it to look like, what furnishings I wanted, what paint colour I was using. I had been collecting images and fabric samples for two years so it was set in my mind and I wasn’t changing or straying from that.
“I wanted a classic homely feel, but it needed to ooze charm and not wanting to go contemporary – I wanted a style that would last.”
Despite the challenges and broken bones, the couple are still very much in love with their home and with the converted barns that are now their full-time jobs and full-time income.
Samantha says: “I love the vaulted ceiling and the wood burner in The Shippon, though not a huge room the height gives you the sense of space.
“The large window, with my most scrumptious handmade curtains are also my favourite part, and not forgetting the view. When we opened the rear wall to form the opening for the French doors, that view became real.”
French doors out to the sunny terrace with dining area and hot tub at The Shippon
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
The outside space of The Shippon has been landscaped and is a fabulous bonus
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
Watch the sun set while relaxing in the hot tub
(Image: Samantha and Darren Bull)
It has been a learning journey for the couple but they couldn’t be happier living their Welsh country dream, living and working in an area they love. Samantha is keen to pass on some advice from their experience for anyone else looking to be brave and take on a derelict property for conversion as a home or a holiday let.
She says: “My advice would be to be resourceful and shop around for the best prices. Also take loads of photos as it progresses – this is very important when the young labourer/carpenter puts plasterboard over the plugs and the bathroom light switch and the electrician can’t find them.
“Certain aspects of the work Darren and I did ourselves, like putting in the new oil tank , parking areas, fencing, land drain and curb edging and updating the water supply to save money, but it’ll always go over budget.
“And whatever you do, keep a sense of humour. Darren is such a funny man he really kept us going.
“Would we do it again? We’re never moving. We wouldn’t change anything- everyday we wake up, look at the views, and we’re so grateful.”
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