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!

Hi, sorry I always get to these things at night. So to the West of the house is on the very border of the plot so we can't go that way or put windows on that side. We could go to the North on the courtyard area & had thought about this for maybe creating a new downstairs loo and access hallway to a "music room" in a half converted garage. To the East, by the current kitchen the plot is quite tight. It would be out of proportion to go too Far East there. By the time you get to the sitting room the house has really opened up. There is tons of space south - it's really the special views and light there we want to maximise... It's tricky we thought of a plan to move the stairs to the garage area and double heighting the garage - this would have allowed us to open the current living room on west to the galleried hall area to make a big long room and create an office/bedroom above the current garage. ] But my other half really liked having the stairs in the middle of the galleried hall in heart of the house. He's open to changing the stairs but doesn't want to move them unnecessarily. I feel like the natural place to put the annex is in the current kitchen/utility wing of the house. It's just how do we then remodel to create a big open plan kitchen/diner/living area that gives outside living vibe inside?? Also its a really bit plot the house is on, and bc it's a barn I feel like some big open space /height in the house would be really cool. We're open to ideas but just can't seem to figure out a layout that works. Can we do something to make the galleried hall a wee bit bigger as well? It's the wow factor of the house but needs something creative to optimise it. This is the house from above showing the front garden. Hedge to LHS of pic shows the west boundary- we can't go that way bc of neighbour. RHS of pic you can make out a fence to RHS of yellowy grass - that's our east boundary. as you follow it down it goes diagonally out to RHS/east. it's a bit tight near the RHS top of house where current utility is, but could maybe extend a bit off current kitchen/closer to main house to create annex in current kitchen bit? This next photo shows more of the back. Note to the LHS/west of this pic the neighbour's place is really close to our boundary wall. SO very grateful for any ideas, thank you!

Now everyone is installing soundproof walls. Thanks to these walls, the sound penetrates less into your apartment. The other day I downloaded two sound measurement apps that my neighbour suggested. The first was the decibelpro.app application. I know a lot of hearing problems come from noise. I am amazed that there are such applications that make it possible to measure sound and walls that can be installed in your home for complete sound insulation. I noticed a difference in noise with the sound meter.

Hi Jonathan, thanks for your comments. The building to the right is attached and is ours . However we aren't able to extend into it. Partly due to budget but the barn has to stay smaller than the main farm house for the planning permission. This is so it can be classed as an ancillary building. If we are able to get planning permission in the future we would be looking to convert that end into. A holiday cottage. Our parents live in the main farm house. Good point regarding the plant store, we do hope to make this smaller but it all depends on how far we can dig out without undermine the building. That end of the building is higher up and has a thicker floor so wouldn't have as much head room but sufficient for a plant store. If we are able to dig it out enough(my partner seems positive) then we would be looking at extending the living room to incorporate an office or play room area. I hadn't even considered moving the plant store to the basement but that's an excellent idea thank you, I'd have to see what regulations etc and if it's possible . There are three outdoor doors on the front of the building. One t o the boot room, one centrally and one in the corner. We plan to use the one in the living room as a window but looking like a door from the outside. On the back of the building there are also three doors to the outside garden area. One in the kitchen, one opposite the front central floor and one in the plant store room . We'd like to keep the boot room to the far left of the building as this is next to the gate which leads into the farmyard. If the bootroom was at the top of the building then I think my husband would to would just yplebut wouldcentrally and walk the the closest door and track the straw and muck everywhere 🙈