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…no, but maybe I wish I were. Did that comment ever come up in your childhood, when you’d leave the door open and you ran outside to play? In my family “born in a barn” was always mentioned when doors were left open. Sorry, I digress. This post was inspired by a friend’s son and his fiance who originally thought they wanted to have their 2014 wedding in a barn.
They choose a different venue but the seed of inspiration was planted…I started looking at barn images. There are some incredible barns. Working barns, as well as barns that have been converted into amazing homes.
Most of these barns reeled me in.
Granted, this barn would make for an enormous home, I love the main entrance of the barn and could imagine the upstairs being a grand master suite with a few extra bedrooms thrown in for guests.
This is one of my favorites, I love the barn doors and the cupola. I’m also fond of the weathered wood finish on the planked walls of the barn.
Architectural Digest has several articles featuring barns. As expected, each one is spectacular and very livable, if not luxurious.
{AD Gil Shafer; photo Billy Cunningham}
{Photo – Mary E. Nichols}
{Photo – Matt Wargo}
{Photo – John M. Hall}
I love the looks of this 2-story beauty, built in 1895 in Connecticut, orininally to house horses.
{New England Barn Company Homes}
I’ve saved the best for last…I love the inside of this barn…
Could you live in a barn? I think I could. I love this final picture. The dining chairs, antler candlestick, even the horse sharing the space is so appealing to me.
Note: If you have an extra minute, would you visit Apartment Therapy and vote for my site (if you think it worthy) for the Homies Awards? Here’s the link, I’d be thrilled if you would!
Garden, Home & Party 
debra phillips @ 5th and state said:
love this post karen! oh my how many times did i hear that refrain. now it is my husband saying “did you close the barn door?”. we have a massive wooden barn that he built by hand but it is utilitarian, give me an old barn, and the reply is YES!
i had the pleasure of visiting the 2nd barn, it is brand new in a winery and pub in charlottesville, va…….stunning!!
xx
debra
Karen B. said:
Debra, What a great addition to your lovely property…a barn. I love the 2nd barn and will have to list it as one of the places we see when we tour the eastern portion of the U.S. Hope your foot is much better. xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 19, 2014 at 6:54 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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around the table said:
I’ll vote for you Karen! Yes.. I could live in any of these barns:) I do like the weathered wood and that top photo from a wedding is lovely. Hope you are enjoying your week! xxL
Karen B. said:
Thanks for the vote, Leslie. I think my favorite image is the one dressed for a dinner with the horse looking on. 🙂 The week is zooming by, but when the first day of the workweek is Tuesday, it’s always a nice short one. I hope your week is going smoothly too! xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 19, 2014 at 8:02 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Jeannine said:
Voting for you now!
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Jeannine. It’s nice to get a few votes of confidence. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Feb 19, 2014 at 2:33 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
The whole wedding-in-barn thing makes me both sad and grateful that Pinterest did not exist when I was planning our wedding. I LOVE the images with Café lights strung over the delightfully rustic tablescapes.
HOWEVER, I KNOW that I would have spent months cutting burlap, growing wildflowers and hoarding mason jars.
PS– I voted for you, because you are awesome.
Karen B. said:
I don’t think you could have chosen a more perfectly suited venue than the one you choose. It was movie-worthy and you and Paul looked fabulous in your formal garb.
Thank you for nominating me…we might as well have fun in this blogosphere we exist in. Xo, Karen
Sent from my iPad
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D'Arcy H said:
This made me laugh because I heard that question SO many times as a kid! My stepdaughter is getting married in a barn in Vermont this spring. I can’t wait–I’m sure it will be lovely!
You got my vote–good luck! 🙂
– D’Arcy
Karen B. said:
D’arcy, You are so kind to vote, no way will I win, but I didn’t want to be dead last. 🙂
After seeing so many wonderful wedding images in association with the barn post, I think a barn would be a wonderful setting for a wedding. I hope you’ll share some details when your step daughter weds. Karen
Sent from my iPad
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Keri | Ivy Clad said:
Oh my.. I tho’t I just left a looooong comment, but I don’t see it. I hope my iPad didn’t eat it. Anyway, just in case… I voted for you over at the Homies & love these barns!
Karen B. said:
Keri Ann,
For some reason it came in to be “moderated” which I don’t understand. I answered with a long reply and am not sure it was published either.
Just know how much I appreciate your vote for me and I’m with you on the barn as a second home idea.
xo,
Karen
Ricki Jill Treleaven said:
Karen, I could definitely live in a barn. Sometimes I think I spend most of my time at one anyway! ;P
LOVE the inspirations you’ve shared with us.
One of Shelley’s trainers lives above and in her barn. It is so gorgeous! It looks like something you’d see in Provence, and she has the prettiest country French kitchen in it I’ve ever seen in my life.
I love this post!
xo,
RJ
Karen B. said:
RJ, I love the idea of a barn with minimal walls and a French country vibe. How fun to know someone with just that. xo, Karen
On Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 11:04 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Marilee Friedrich said:
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Marilee Friedrich said:
Hi Karen! Love these barns! I cast my vote for you! I look so forward to your blogs! Xo
Karen B. said:
Thanks so much, Marilee. I do have fun tracking down pretty homes and gardens. Happy Friday! xo, Karen
On Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 10:01 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Linda Coble said:
Karen, I’ve always LOVED barns and thought it would be wonderful to live in one . . or an old church . . . or an old railroad station. I’ve always loved the barn from For the Love of a House. It’s so inviting! My favorite was your final photo with the horse peeking in. What a hoot!
Karen B. said:
That was my favorite too. I loved the warmth that image conveyed. xo, Karen
On Fri, Feb 21, 2014 at 11:33 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Gretchen said:
I would gladly live in any one of those spectacular barns! Wouldn’t that be a fun and challenging project to convert a barn into a lovely home?
As soon as I hit send I’ll place my vote for you. I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Your blog is consistently creative and inspiring with beautiful images.
Karen B. said:
Gretchen, You’re the best, thank you for your unending support in the blogging biz. 🙂 Karen
On Fri, Feb 21, 2014 at 9:41 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Taylor Greenwalt said:
I would love to live in a barn….love the feel!
Karen B. said:
Julie, I might need two barns, one of the farm animals and one converted to a home. 🙂 Karen
On Sat, Feb 22, 2014 at 7:41 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Sharon said:
These barns are gorgeous! I would very happily live in a barn. I like the simplicity and spaciousness. Off to go and vote for you now. Have a lovely week. X Sharon
Karen B. said:
Thanks so much, Sharon. I think a barn could be fun too! xo, Karen
On Sun, Feb 23, 2014 at 6:17 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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