Transforming a home to retain its traditional charm while incorporating modern elements: This farmhouse renovation serves as a compelling illustration of the approach
Jobe Burns' Sensitive Renovation of an English Farmhouse
In the heart of the West Country of England, a 300-year-old farmhouse has been transformed into a stunning testament to the beauty of blending old and new, all under the expert hand of designer and sculptor, Jobe Burns. Burns approached the renovation project with a design philosophy centered on uncovering and preserving the building’s original character while carefully integrating modern elements.
The process was deeply attentive and slow-paced, spanning four and a half years. Burns described it as a studio where he "listened" to the building to understand its needs rather than imposing a new design.
Key aspects of the design process included discovery and respect for hidden historical elements. Burns found forgotten features such as a blocked-up doorway leading to two brick-arched rooms, which reframed the project from redesign to a sensitive uncovering and restoration of what was already present.
Extended structural stabilization was another crucial step. The first nine months were devoted to stabilizing the aging structure, addressing warping and settling that had left walls, floors, and ceilings uneven. This required custom-made cabinetry, doors, windows, and brickwork.
Preserving heritage while introducing modern craftsmanship was another focus. Oak doors and a 300-year-old staircase were restored, floorboards lifted, relaid, and polished by hand, maintaining the tactile and historical essence of the home. Simultaneously, Burns incorporated modern design touches that complemented rather than clashed with the farmhouse’s history.
Materials and craftsmanship stood out by combining traditional materials such as weathered oak beams, warm bricks, aged plaster, and stained glass, all rejuvenated carefully rather than replaced, with custom, bespoke fittings because no surface was level.
Burns’ philosophy can be summarized as an adaptive dialogue between old and new, where the house’s heritage draws occupants into a slower, more contemplative time. He stated, “You choose the building to adapt your behaviour to it… The architecture holds a kind of stillness, a patience, and, in turn, it asks the same of you.”
Rather than a quick fix or a total rebuild (which he casually noted would have saved two years), the project embraced the complexity and “fun” of preserving history. In essence, Jobe Burns modernized the farmhouse not by erasing its past but by revealing and enhancing it, allowing the building's story and materiality to inform contemporary additions with respect, subtlety, and sculptural sensitivity.
Interestingly, Burns chose manual electrics and plumbing over smart home technology, aiming to encourage a 'tactile ritual' and a slower, more deliberate pace in daily life. The renovated farmhouse can be described as an architectural Frankenstein, as it has been de- and re-constructed to form a time capsule that is, paradoxically, modern.
Notable spaces within the farmhouse include an 'in-between' room painted entirely black, containing only a fireplace and a piano, and the kitchen and dining areas with off-white walls and layered timber, creating a light and relaxed atmosphere. The bathroom is clad in terracotta, brass, and marble, giving it an earthy and meditative feel.
Materiality and tactility are prevalent throughout the renovated farmhouse, with soft corners, rounded window reveals, sculpted plaster skirting boards, lime washed walls, aged timber, polished plaster, and exposed stone. Materials that couldn’t be reused have been repurposed, with old roof tiles used in the fireplace, dead trees from the garden becoming tables and shelves, and bricks for new extensions sourced from a nearby demolished farmhouse.
In the end, Jobe Burns' renovation project is a testament to the beauty of preserving history while embracing the contemporary. It is a home that invites its occupants to slow down, to appreciate the craftsmanship, and to immerse themselves in the story of the building and its past.
[1] Design Boom: Jobe Burns' Sensitive Renovation of English Farmhouse [2] Dezeen: Jobe Burns' Renovation of 300-Year-Old English Farmhouse [3] Wallpaper: Jobe Burns' Renovation of an English Farmhouse [4] Architectural Digest: Jobe Burns' Renovation of an English Farmhouse [5] The Spaces: Jobe Burns' Renovation of an English Farmhouse
- The renovation project by Jobe Burns transformed the English farmhouse into a home that harmoniously blends interior-design elements with a historic lifestyle, creating a unique living space that respects the past while embracing contemporary aspects of home-and-garden.)
- The sensitivity with which Jobe Burns approached the farmhouse renovation, blending historical preservation and modern craftsmanship, has resulted in a home that showcases both interior-design elegance and a celebration of traditional lifestyle within the home-and-garden setting.
