We loved working with Phil and Fiona on their idyllic barn in the Hampshire countryside which features in this week\u2019s Sunday Times Property.<\/p>\n
\u201cSet in 10 acres, the trio of barns \u2014 the oldest dates back to 1850 \u2014 form a courtyard, with a vast sunny kitchen overlooking a paddock where sheep graze and chickens forage. (The loudest one is called Kirstie.) The gardens, planted this year, are just beginning to bed in. The swimming pool shimmers. Vegetables are growing in the greenhouse and there are fresh eggs for breakfast. Next week, three beehives are arriving.<\/p>\n
The only thing he misses about city living is the convenience. \u201cIn London, we\u2019d walk to dinner parties, to school, to the shops. Now we spend a lot of time in the car, but it is absolutely worth it to come back to this.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s another living room through the kitchen, \u201cthe winter living room, where we have big parties\u201d, a cinema room with a giant screen \u201cfor Sunday-night movies with popcorn\u201d and a gym. His favourite space is the extensive boot room. It smells leathery and manly, and is full of saddles, guns and cartridges, which he isn\u2019t keen to be drawn on. Live things? \u201cEr, clay,\u201d he says firmly, moving swiftly on to the stables, which have had an equally swanky makeover, and are home to three ponies, Skye, Challice and Rocket.\u201d<\/p>\n