East Barn
Blackmore End, Essex

SOLD

Designer: David Pocknell

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"The vast interior has been divided with thoughtful ingenuity - a series of partition walls, raised floors and a free-standing staircase, sensitively carved into the space."

Nestled in idyllic English countryside, this outstanding barn conversion forms a beautiful modern home, set within the walls of a Grade II-Listed 16th-Century agricultural building. The living space is built to impressive double-height proportions and spans over 4,180 sq ft internally, with a bright self-contained workspace separated from the main house by a south-facing courtyard garden. Additional outhouses and a workshop are also included, with an adjoining field available by separate negotiation. Ideally positioned on the Essex/Suffolk border, connections to the capital are excellent, with central London reachable in approximately one hour.

East Barn was designed and renovated in 2010 by the distinguished designer David Pocknell; stripping the barn to its frame, re-pointing brickwork and giving the buildings a new lease of life. Set back from a quiet country lane, the house is reached by a private driveway, flanked by front gardens laid to lawn and outbuildings set to one side.

A bright entrance hall opens into a double-height dining area, interconnecting the main body of the barn; a spectacular double-height, open-plan living space with exposed-timber beams cross-hatching the vaulted ceiling. The scale of the interior has been artfully divided with thoughtful ingenuity – a series of partition walls, raised floors and a free-standing staircase, sensitively carved into the vast space. Natural light floods through floor-to-ceiling glazing and solid-oak flooring with underfloor heating runs underfoot.

An expansive lounge area is loosely arranged around a large log-burner at one end of the room, with the scale of the space offering flexible reconfiguration. The principle bedroom suite is positioned on the upper floor; a beautifully executed mezzanine, supported by steel pilotis and an elegant free-standing timber staircase.  The sleeping area is concealed behind neat partition walls offering excellent privacy. A dressing room and en-suite bathroom have been cleverly built inside an oak frame, with handmade beech plywood cupboards, a white mosaic-tiled shower area, and white Carrara marble sink top.

A bespoke kitchen sits below the mezzanine; designed with an ease of everyday use in mind and built with high quality materials and exceptional craftmanship. Cararra marble worktops are paired with handmade oak cabinets made by local joiners. A separate pantry and utility room are interlinked, with a double bedroom and en-suite bathroom positioned adjacent.

The remaining rooms on the ground floor, arranged in an L-shaped layout, are currently configured as a study, bedroom and meeting room but offer great flexibility for a self-contained annexe for extended family or a nanny. A former stable, interlinking the main barn, provides invaluable office or studio space. The interior is bright and modern, with a poured-concrete floor and walls painted in milky white as an homage to the building’s former life as a dairy.

Pocknell developed his eponymous practice over 30 years ago, with a focus on the design and development of modern dwellings from former agricultural buildings. Pocknell’s approach is one of respect for the original historic structures, whilst updating in an elegant and considered manner to create spaces suitable for today’s living. Alongside the exceptional interior layout and decoration, the house, unlike many barn conversions of its kind, has been well considered for energy performance and effective insulation.

Blackmore End is a small, pretty hamlet surrounded by open countryside. Despite being entirely rural in character it is surprisingly well connected, with Braintree train station a ten-minute drive away, providing direct services to London Liverpool Street in approximately 45 minutes. A number of villages nearby, such as Finchingfield and Shalford, provide good country pubs and village shops. Great Dunmow, Long Melford and Lavenham – all of which have renowned restaurants and independent shops – are also within easy reach, alongside larger towns of Braintree, Saffron Walden and Sudbury. Stansted airport is approximately 35 minutes by car.

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.


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