PARTY HOUSE

At Christmas, the singing, dancing and laughter of their five children fills the rooms of this homely barn, converted by Maria and John Southwood

- MAGGIE COLVIN

Hall

A console table provides a festive welcome decorated with baubles and natural foliage. Baubles, Cox & Cox. Console table, Graham and Green. Lamp, Pooky

SOMERSET BARN

Dining area A new skylight has transformed the space, filling the room with natural light. Pendant lights, Holloways of Ludlow

Exterior

The converted barn acquired a new porch, larger windows and a Juliet balcony. Door and window frames in Studio Green, Farrow & Ball

AT HOME WITH

Owners Maria Southwood, a GP, and her husband John, a City financier, and their five children, Felix, nine, Ellie, eight, Sofia, five, Anna, three, and Louisa, 18 months.

House A converted cattle barn in Somerset dating back to the 1800s, with six bedrooms and a separate guest cottage, completed in 2019.

For most parents, Christmas shopping is a highly secretive affair – even more so when you have five children to conceal presents from. ‘I am blessed with a lock-up cupboard under the stairs,’ says Maria Southwood, although hanging stockings from the bannisters above must only increase the anticipation about what’s hidden inside.