RURAL agenda

Stephanie Morton-Bullen has achieved the perfect balance of country and modern in this former farmhouse

- JULIET BENNING

Making their way down the cobbled drive that led to their future countryside home, Stephanie Morton-Bullen had strong instincts about the property immediately, but it took a while to get her husband, Gary Bullen, on the same page.

‘The house felt like it had been built in its own secluded nook. You drive down towards a turning circle and from there you can see the wonderful garden,’ Stephanie explains. ‘It was actually the first house that we viewed among a bunch of around 12, but it didn’t grab Gary because he prefers more of a finished product, whereas I could see it had brilliant bones,’ she adds. ‘There were lots of quirks that you just can’t replicate in more modern barn-style conversions. There are traditional internal doors, ceiling beams and I love the balcony outside the main bedroom. Somehow, I managed to convince Gary that this place could be brilliant for us.’