How an Antiquated Barn Loft was Transformed Into a Bright and Airy Living Space

When you think of a classic big red barn, you think of a farm. Barns are usually used to store hay and equipment or shelter animals, not as a guest room for the grandparents. The James family, however, saw nothing but potential in the old wooden barn on their property just outside of Calgary. The upstairs loft had been converted into a studio apartment at some point in the barn’s 60-plus-year history, but it was hardly livable. “It was dark, very dated, and it just wasn’t appealing to stay there,” recalls Lori Sellmer, a local designer the family brought in to transform the space.

Edmonton-based grandparents Irene and Randie James were the barn’s residents-to-be. They wanted a comfortable home away from home with a full kitchen, laundry area and space to entertain the whole family. That meant gutting the existing studio loft. Only the original tongue-and-groove ceiling was preserved. The beautiful vaulted ceiling, along with a few thoughtfully placed skylights, gave the space a fresh and welcoming vibe.

Angled roof architecture proved to be both a charm and a challenge as the Lori Sellmer Design team strategized ways to maximize living space in the loft’s lowest spots. They built deep, functional storage and tucked the washer and dryer into the sloped roof line to make use of every nook and cranny. In the kitchen, closed cabinetry reaches all the way to the ceiling at the home’s highest point, while open shelving under the ceiling’s slant creates both visual interest and eliminates the need for custom triangular cupboard doors.

Irene and Randie chose a coastal colour palette — the entire space is drenched in off-white with a few pops of grey, green and blue. Rattan pendant lights, an area rug and textured linens add warmth, as do the natural wood beams. “We did paint out a lot of wood, so we wanted to add some back in,” says Sellmer.

For the couple, the barn loft is an idyllic second home, a functional place to rest, reconnect and retreat during trips to Calgary. “We love everything about it,” says Irene. “The extra space is much appreciated by the entire family.”

“We’re there probably 30 per cent of our time,” says Randie. “And now we don’t have to kick a grandkid out of his bed.”

The Backsplash

Sellmer chose a durable quartz for the heavily used countertop but opted for marble in the kitchen’s backsplash for a more elevated feel: “It’s beautiful mosaic.”

The Wall Art

The framed photos, prints and paintings were collected from various local antique stores, as well as from makers on Etsy.

The Flooring

“Because it’s in a barn, we didn’t have any humidity control,” explains Sellmer. To address this, luxury vinyl plank flooring was selected over natural materials to ensure the loft’s durability (and it looks just like real wood).

The Sunroom

The James family owns Suncoast Enclosures; they collaborated with the design team to create a screen enclosure on the existing deck outside the bedroom, extending the living space and creating a fluid connection between indoors and out.

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