AR Design Studio took a historic, unused, and dilapidated stable in Headbourne Worthy, UK, and renovated it into a modern and minimalist three-bedroom home called Manor House Stables, all while keeping its original character intact.
Once home to a retired champion racehorse in the 1940s, the stables had fallen into a state of ruin as it sat vacant. Luckily when the main house on the property was being refurbished, the stables were discovered and AR Design Studio took on the challenge to bring a little love to this countryside structure.
While keeping with the original equine charm, modern elements were brought in to make it work for a family. Using the original layout allowed for many of the existing interior wood walls to remain, giving a cohesive feel throughout.
I love the look of the worn wood with its history showing through, juxtaposed with the clean white walls and light-colored, polished concrete floors.
The kitchen fits into an individual stable and remains open to the dining room
The old horse troughs were converted into sinks in the bathrooms!
Before:
Photos by Martin Gardner.

7 Comments
Olithee on 04.26.2013 at 07:22 AM
wow !
Dave on 04.26.2013 at 10:17 AM
What a space with potential!
The outside has promises that the interior designer has failed on miserably. The space is cold and uninviting. They could have done so much to make the place feel like home rather than some sterile museum or even dare I say, dungeon..
I’ve seen converted barns and stables that were done for likely a small fraction of the price this owner paid, and done with 100% more taste. These were places I wanted to stay or buy.
Tim Boyle on 04.26.2013 at 10:40 AM
Fantastic re do of something so close to my heart
Mylinda on 04.28.2013 at 01:14 AM
Incredible save! The metal work and wood are so interesting and history is preserved through these efforts. One company that provides historical reproductions for home decor is http://www.lookintheattic.com They offer rustic iron hardware for projects such as these!
Emily on 04.28.2013 at 09:47 AM
@Dave: I couldn’t agree more. I clicked on the link expecting to see my dream house but was sorely disappointed to see a complete lack of design in a structure with so much inspiration and potential. What a fail!
PLYWOOD on 04.28.2013 at 14:36 PM
Mmmmm having your house smell like a stable for eternity. Yum.
The Polyurethanes Team on 05.10.2013 at 10:28 AM
That is absolutely beautifully done. How’d you overcome the, I assume, poorly insulated nature of the original structure?
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