Interiors retailer Home Barn has announced the opening of a new Cotswolds store in November. The new store occupies a former agricultural barn, rebuilt in keeping with its original form and transformed into a generous, light-filled space.
Distinct in character from Home Barn’s historic 17th-century tithe barn in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the new space’s relaxed proportions provide a fitting backdrop for the brand and its ever-changing collections, says the retailer.
Founded by sisters-in-law Sally and Sarah Wilkie in 2010, Home Barn grew from a shared creative instinct and a love of English country antiques and traditional farmhouse furniture. The Wilkies travel widely in search of antique furniture and decorative pieces, bringing a subtle global influence to Home Barn's English country roots.
Sally and Sarah Wilkie comment: “Finding the right home for our second store has been quite a journey. We spent three years searching for a barn with the character and space to bring our collection to life, somewhere we could create the same sense of discovery that has always been at the heart of Home Barn. When we found this beautiful spot in the Cotswolds, we could immediately imagine what it might become.
“There's something very special about the setting. Tucked away in such a peaceful corner of the countryside, away from the bustle of the nearby towns, it feels like a little retreat. Somewhere you can take your time, explore and find inspiration, surrounded by pieces with character and stories of their own.
“Most of all, we're looking forward to becoming part of the local community. Some of our loveliest relationships have grown from customers who first walked through the doors in Marlow and have since become familiar faces and friends. The thought of building those same connections here, and creating somewhere people genuinely love returning to, makes this a very special next chapter for us.”
The new store has been conceived as an interiors destination, with antiques and one-of-a-kind finds sitting alongside Home Barn's signature own-design dining tables, reclaimed furniture, handmade English upholstery and a considered edit for the home. Rather than traditional retail displays, the collection unfolds through a series of layered room settings, where "the character, texture and patina of each piece can be appreciated in context", says the retailer.
Sally's husband James now works alongside her and Sarah, with all three sharing a hands-on approach to shaping its future.
James Wilkie comments: “Creativity has always been something that bonds us as a family. We share a love of interiors, art, design and travel, and we're constantly exchanging ideas, discovering things and inspiring one another. That shared curiosity has shaped Home Barn over the years, and it's what makes working together so rewarding.
“There's also an enormous amount of trust between us. We're all equally invested in the business, with the same ambition to make it as special as it can be. To be opening a second store together feels like a wonderful milestone, and one we're incredibly proud of.”
Pictured: Home Barn's Marlow showroom
