Check out www.totalaccousticsolutionsuk.co.uk With the trend for clean lines hard surfaces and minimalism there has been a surge in the need for acoustic solutions, many architects being the culprits of the problem from new build to refurbished properties, residential as well as from small businesses to huge corporates in the city, there main objective is design and image where budget is concerned and don't seem to be interested in how a space really works, consequently they often don't work and acoustics being one of a variety of problems, there is so much to consider that as a client it can very easily be overlooked and you employ professionals to know it all. Everyone these days loves glass wood tiles and leather surfaces, uncluttered with clean lines which all add up to a whole lot of echo. Soft furnishings are the obvious solutions, rugs carpets cushion and curtains. There are a whole lot of solutions out there now, canvasses of all sizes with your own selected image make great pieces of art, if you have downlighting there are special coils that can fit above each light to absorb sound between floors, acoustic underlay under carpeted areas, ceiling panels can also be fitted in a colour of your choice, they can simply blend in or be a feature, even suspended shaped panels could be a feature to a high ceiling maybe in a kitchen, acoustic specialist can also fit a specific type of speaker system that give of a white noise that balances out your problem areas, the frequency will be adapted to specifically suit your problem, so as you can see there are many solutions to help you and the experts will find the best one that suits you. The website at the top has many solutions and is recommended by WHICH!! this is always a good sign, they will come and do a no obligation free no hidden charge site survey and quote for you too. I hope this was helpful to you. Kind regards Barbara

Perhaps wooden shutters installed outside would work. They'd look amazing and fit in with the look of a barn conversion too. Then, you could still consider the louvre drapes for the inside, but keep them open, only closing when you want privacy. So in this way, they are really being used for 'dressing' purposes only. The reason I'd put wooden shutters in, is that you wanted to dress your window, and since this is a barn conversion, the window rests on the floor and is not conventional, it calls for unconventional dressing. So, shutters will add interest and depending on how high they are from the bottom, outside, they could be used to close up for privacy, but if too high up, then used only for effect, and the louvre material drapes inside to match your décor. You could use short curtains, but as I said before, you'd have to tie them back so that your window can open, which would work find as well. perhaps draw it out, using the various options that you've been given by everyone, and see what appeals to you? You could make this window a feature, which is what I'd do, instead of 'just a mere small window' and really make it a 'wow' feature in your room! don't be afraid to be brave with your décor on this one. have fun with it!

Thanks for the comments, I like the idea and have considered an upside down house but have a very large dog and spend most of the summer in the garden, l like to relax and eat outside etc. so unsure if running up and down the stairs would suit me. Really like the idea of dark windows and would like to change the eaves and barge boards as well. I'd like to open up the downstairs either side of the stairs and put the kitchen in the existing bedroom and bathroom with doors out to the garden. As you can see the garden is to the side of the barn. Hoping this won't spoil the outside! Upstairs I want to take the ceiling out so its open into the roof exposing the beams and create an onsuite and dressing room! Turn the old kitchen into the 3rd bedroom and downstairs wc.

Hi Andre, what lovely pictures! Is this your new home or are these what you’re planning to work towards? The simplicity of a grey floor is very practical investment for any room in the home. Easy on the eye, and not a scene stealer, it makes a great base shade for rooms on floors, walls, curtains or fabrics and suits a range of decorating schemes. You can keep your greys warm, with amber and burnt sienna undertones, or cooler with blush tones and icy blues mixed in. If you’re wanting to enhance the country feel, we suggest you embrace the modern rustic appeal by drawing on the best elements of traditional country designs – such as light hues, distressed timbers, classic furniture and heritage fabrics – and offset them with a contemporary colour scheme and uncomplicated approach.