Having worked in the industry for close to a decade, Amy Dalrymple, creative director of Dalrymple Studio, has spent the past few years working in high-end residential, hospitality and superyacht interiors. With a long-standing passion for the trade – her mum is an interior designer, her dad an architect, which, naturally, led her to study interior architecture at university – her summer holidays were often spent between site visits and design meetings. 

She was thrilled when she first set eyes upon a derelict Cotswolds barn – its windows smashed and the floor strewn with hay – with the brief to turn it into a party pad. “I was so excited,” she explains. “I could instantly see how it would look and work, so my imagination kicked in. The bigger the challenges and changes the better!”

With a brief to create a fun entertaining space for all the family – especially one that would grow and evolve with the children as they got older – the possibilities were endless. “We wanted it to be an extension of the house, but a space to fill with friends or escape with the family for movie nights and a sleep over. The overflow bedrooms were designed for guests, as they’d have their own kitchen. The bar and kitchen were to be open plan, but also with the option to slide across the wooden shutters. They love cooking, so it wasn’t to feel too separate from the main space.”

Working with a ‘California meets the mountains in the Cotswolds‘ theme, it was vital that the team considered how to link the spaces, making the open-plan ground floor feel cosy, yet with enough space to dance. The soft furnishings sport a roster of natural fabrics, mixing patterns with plain linens and fun trims, paired to pull through the themes of each room. “We wanted every room to feel like a playroom: resilient to parties but also timeless and classic”. Warm tones combine with soft colours, lime wash paint and rustic wood (all made locally with a lot of care and weathering) to create that ultimate contemporary countryside feel. “For me, the bathrooms in particular have such a beautiful feel to them,” says Dalrymple. “And the view and light throughout the day is dreamy in the way it hits the different textures and finishes.” 

For her, standout pieces include the pebble tiles in the bathroom, the bespoke bunk beds, (designed by her eponymous studio) and the extra-large dining table, perfect for entertaining. “The dining table is a locally fallen tree. Using locally sourced produce is so important to us. Also, the bunk beds hide one double bed within the three single beds, which work around the chimney breast from the ground floor. It’s a clever design which perfectly suits the space.”

From the ottomans, sofas, beds and chairs to the stunning, woven-front chest of drawers and all the rugs and runners, the furniture and joinery have all been made bespoke for the barn. “They bring in additional texture. I love the look of pairing vintage and new. We feel bespoke elements bring an extra level of love and detail to the space, especially with elements like the incredible stone sinks and bespoke bathroom vanities. We really had the chance to push patterns and textures with this party barn, mainly because it wasn’t the owner’s primary home, so we had the opportunity to create a much more playful design.”

With a personal love for lime wash paint, clashing patterns and bold stripes, for Dalrymple, homes are to be lived in, and should reflect that important detail. “Don’t be afraid to play with the scale of items: adding larger pieces, and not conforming to open plan. Think of a room like an art canvas: layer, have fun and stop just before you think you need to.”

Away from the countryside life in the Cotswolds, Dalrymple is continually inspired by the capital. “I love the amazing history, which you can read as you walk through London, how each area or borough has a different feeling. From the pillars of Pimlico to the terraces of Fulham and the grids of Southfields. I also think we are so lucky with parks and green space. We love Battersea Park, and Hyde Park and St James’s Park are fantastic.”

Her favourite building is Buckingham Palace, and she loves City Social, mainly for its incredible views (as well as the cooking). She’s looking forward to a busy year, with lots of exciting projects both in London, the mountains, and the south of France. “Growing the team is a focus as well as exploring what we can change or bring to the interiors world.”

Visit dalrymplestudio.co.uk

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