At Home With Natasha @our_kentish_barn
This week I'm at home with Natasha the lovely lady behind the popular instagram account @our_kentish_barn where she shares beautiful images of her grade 2 listed barn conversion. Read on to learn more about Natasha, her home, lifestyle, and top tips for home styling.
Tell us about you
My name is Natasha and I am a Primary School Teacher. I am married to Alan and have three older children, Ellie (22), Grace (20) and Ethan (19). I live at the bottom of the North Downs in a little village in Kent.
Tell us about your home
We live in a Grade 2 Listed Barn which was converted about 35 years ago although it is around 350 years old. It is attached to the Oast House which used to be used for drying hops, as well as other things, and our barn was where the animals used to live.
How would you describe your home?
Our home is country/rustic with a few hints of modern furnishings.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
This is a really hard one. I think it would have to be our living room because of all the beams and characters and stories it must hold.
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
I certainly have a passion for interiors and styling and I think my home definitely reflects this.
What are your favourite items in the home?
There are so many to choose from but I do love all my vases and flowers as I love to faff and rearrange them.
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
We moved in 15 years ago and we thought it was the finished article with a few minor tweaks, but since joining the Instagram community it has definitely become a project as there is so much inspiration out there.
What renovation and decorating have you done?
We have done so much renovation and decorating these last three years. Two years ago, we started the biggest project which was the kitchen and installing bifold doors from the kitchen to our courtyard area.
This was one of the best decisions we made as it brings so much light in and makes you feel part of the outdoors.
We then renovated our shower room, dining room, hallway and, more recently, our living room. Once one room looks new, you have to do the others.
I am not sure I have learnt any new skills, but my husband has learnt loads on my behalf – panelling has been the main one.
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
Not disasters, but a few hasty accessories that I have brought and then regretted.
What is your top home styling tip?
My styling tips would be to choose your accessories and colours wisely. Add textures to create depth (for example, panelling), add pops of black to create sophistication, use textiles such as throws and cushions to give a soft look, use different tones such as wood with stone accessories, add lighting such as lamps and candles and finally, the pretty details such as seasonal plants and flowers.
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
Probably my woodburner.
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
I think it portrays me as a family person who loves being at home and that is cosy and welcoming.
The Home Edit
Lived-in or showhome?
Lived in
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
Strong White Farrow & Ball
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Things not put away!
Favourite front door colour?
Sage
Carpet or Floorboards?
Carpets
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Formal
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
Wallpaper
Want More?
If you enjoyed being at home with Natasha, you might like to take a look inside other popular home styling accounts on instagram and find out more about the people behind them. You can see more of these "at home with" articles here
You can catch up with Natasha's instagram account here. It's well worth a look!