Turns stone barn into minimal hideaway with stealth furniture-rooms

Africa Lao had spent her career designing homes from an office in Barcelona, so when she moved to the country to get closer to nature, she was inspired to transform a crumbling 18th century stone hayloft into a small, minimal dream home. Located in the middle of protected forest, the location was an urban refugee's dream, and she was unperturbed by the requirement to only restore what already existed here, which meant remaining within the original 602 (645 sq. Ft.) footprint.
The original barn had two rooms of 30 square meters each so, leaving this unchanged, she dedicated one room for daytime and the other for nighttime. To create a bathroom and closet without affecting the original layout Africa added a simple half wall of oak wood that houses both a bathroom and walk-in closet, and also serves as a headboard for the bed. Since this intervention was on the coldest (north) wall it also helps to insulate the home.
Far from any electric grid, the home relies solely on solar panels, a pellet stove to run a radiant floor heating system and a small wood-burning stove. Water comes from a well so the home is completely independent.
While the 18th century stone walls were still intact, the roof had collapsed so Africa restored it to its original state with terra-cotta tiles and chestnut beams crafted from debarked tree trunks. To restore missing stones from the home's walls, Africa used rock from local rivers as they would have done 400 years ago. The few new elements in the home - the kitchen cabinets and the bathroom wall and floors- were crafted from the same aged oak wood boards. The shower walls and floor are natural limestone and the sink is stone.
The original arch on the building's south side was left intact for a window-door that now provides the majority of the home's daylight. The north side of the home has only two tiny windows perforating the nearly one-meter stone walls so despite below freezing temperatures in the winter, the home stays warm with just heat from the pellet stove.
Africa Lao: / africalao_interiordesi...
On *faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/turn...

[@Mikey_Films]

I've always loved stone homes, such a beautiful place. Well done

[@thelifeofeli1]

These notices of good behavior are insulting. They imply that I've insulted this channel I have always praised these videos.

[@kelleyhawk6595]

My husband & I spent some time in Barcelona, it’s so beautiful! The temps r mild & the people were so warm & welcoming!!! The food is so fresh & delicious, without any preservatives!! The Christmas markets were such a lovely change from our commercial American Christmas!!! We’re now considering retiring there! Ty for sharing this beauty and keeping its history! ❤

[@detroitdiscussion9495]

Lovely simplicity. Maybe a skylight

[@Erika-gm2tf]

Yeah. I would have installed some skylights if possible.

[@dianeforbes6080]

Stunning home and presentation! Thank you!

[@MrPhotodoc]

Every episode is like being transported to another dimension to escape the abnormal hectic world. Thank you!

[@blueman5924]

Beautiful aesthetics. The exposed stonework in Europe has so much character and a sense of history hewn. 👏🍁🤙

[@gerhard6105]

My Belgium Ardennes house from 1870 also is made from stones like in the video. They are 20", 50cm thick. It is never warm inside during the summer. Above some windows in the barn, there are still the wooden beams. The upstairs bedroom, 5, doors are the original ones from 1870. From the smallest bedroom I took out the ceiling (small wooden strips with plaster, like they build during those days) because it was hanging. The ceiling beams are not square made beams but just like thick brenches. The hight difference was 12cm, 5". Ofcourse I left the beams and leveled it out to horizontal. I will reuse the nice 5" high plinths. I think that one of my front windowsills is actually an old stone sink, because of the stone work chisel grooves and the shape. I will take out the wooden windowsill soon and see if I am right. When yes, I will reuse it in my kitchen. My roof beams are all original and I have 90 year old slates on it. They are much bigger and thicker then the newer ones. Outside in my front garden I put two old rusty milkbins that I found on the attic and put them on natural stone and I put hay sheafs in them. The Dutch word is almost the same: hooischoof. Double oo sounds like the o as in over or oven. Over and oven are the same words we use in Dutch for the same things. And I found an old broom like a Wich broom and put it outside next to my front door. My front yard table is an old wood chop block with a bigger a bit square about 2" thick natural UN worked stone on it. Costs me nothing. Best regards from the Ardennes

[@espnmk]

I agree such a beautiful ruin transformed into a amazing living space and to use natural resources such as the aged oak patina finishes and stone basins. Living with less and not being subjected to servitude to one's many belongings just the essentials. Thanks for Sharing

[@janlewis567]

Just LOVE going on your travels with you, you keep coming up with such a wide diversity of interesting homes. Brilliant, thank you ♥

[@zedudli]

Beautiful home, stunning location

[@CharityVictoriaJones]

Every part of this is so beautiful! From the seclusion in the forest to the richness of the natural materials and sunlight!

[@svenswwis436]

The window in the Archway looks really nice. As do the logs beams used for the ceiling. The entire place is very impressive. From my view here in California USA.

[@roberthayes8246]

Absolutely gorgeous stone building!!!

[@paranoidhumanoid]

It's so simple yet lux and warm in the midst of all the original stone. ❤

[@1FeistyKitty]

amazing place --- amazing job presenting -- whoever originally built that were not messing around --- i'm a bit confused ---- do people live in the other buildings ?

[@perecanyelles6469]

For sure. This is for when you have visitors or you want to go minimal, as if u were poor.

[@BorisLibeert]

I'm also wondering if they live there, or rent it as airbnb?

[@BorisLibeert]

The dressing does seem to be full of clothes.

[@guillermoherlt5141]

Baix Emporda is a very good place with lots of beautiful locations

[@roxelbr]

Extraordinario el esfuerzo de hacer un video en español, se agradece muchísimo!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@leandragilmour2806]

Absolutely stunning!

[@reader649]

I love how the hidden and indirect accent lighting adds so much warmth and brings out the texture of the stone work. I see this type of led(?) lighting more often in your videos and it adds to the beauty of unique interiors.

[@ludovic9477]

Superbe réhabilitation, Sobre, et raffinée à la fois, j'adore 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Merci pour le partage 👍🏻

[@StephanieJoRountree]

Such a great home!

[@fernandorafael7483]

Que privilegiada vive en un paraiso

[@sueg2658]

Beautiful livable home. Well done.

[@adelheidsnel5171]

Absolutely gorgeous ❤

[@murraywagnon1841]

Back to one of my favorite places on the planet.

[@deletezooi6398]

Very beautiful, but only for the extreem wealthy and influential people to get this done in a nature park, and we haven’t seen the main house yet or the pool and pool house … this is pure wealth, financially and i hope also mentally.

[@jamesmcpherson3924]

While I agree, I do think we undervalue things like thick walls in small spaces. Even without a door, and combined with storage, a thick wall can create the intimacy and privacy that we lack. It’s often this lack of privacy that has us searching for bigger spaces, being fooled in to open floor plans as the solution.

[@bethcollier3789]

Good one, thank you Kirsten. ♥

[@estebanguerrero682]

I love your videos, is always so eye opening watching and getting to know different build styles and methods to deal with the heat and cold from the elements, integrating natures own features and approaching a more sustainable lifestyle both economically and environmentally. I also love people's ingenuity, making use of the materials and techniques already known and even new ones that help us getting a better grasp of the physical properties both of the environment and the building materials. It's always a nice surprise to see a new video and even crazier methods that before went so over the top of my head

[@heidibear44]

So beautiful and simple. Stunning!

[@aaratijoly1067]

Hermosa renovación 💙 Una casa con alma ... 🤍

[@hr96gp]

Would be very interested to know the cost of this renovation. Just a rough cost would be great.

[@cliffordchristopher1]

So wonderful.

[@_JanetLouise]

GORGEOUS!!!

[@Roger-vu4by]

Hermoso !….una obra maestra…chapeau

[@Kim-lc3fv]

Very impressive, and Kirsten could show off her knowledge of Spanish. 😉👍🇪🇦

[@bernhardsklorz1091]

Minimalistisch, puristisch, fantastisch - einfach nur genial

[@namethem00]

Lovely! Well done!

[@karstenmeinders4844]

Una casa fantástica ! Fenomenal !

[@flyoverurbangarden4315]

Excellent video, great drone work.

[@jetsilla]

So very- very cool and the location is to die for.

[@tiogoala7654]

Beautiful stone home.

[@carolewarner101]

What a stunning place...

[@chongseitmooi2593]

Wonderful house restoration 🎉ilov it

[@marykimberlyhayes]

Perfect!

[@kiukk9288]

espectacular!

[@RevdUp.Art.Fotografer]

HOLY SMOKE that is a gorgeous home!!!! I LOVE IT. I would add 1 thing a kitchen island (made of oak) on wheels where I could sit and chop vegetables and drink coffee. 😁

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

Stunning 🇨🇦 ❤

[@esku75]

Maravilloso 😍

[@marianfrances4959]

Wonderful!! 👍😎🇨🇦

[@toddincabo]

👍 love it

[@rebacarmack8335]

Beautiful

[@0M0S01A]

Lovely Home

[@pty1pty2]

Bello indudablemente,❤, pero para algunos como yo quizás un poco frio

[@cinnamon8884]

gorgous!

[@laurieedeburn2449]

thanks

[@Kara_2505]

Love the stylish/in style subtle renovation and the spaciousness they kept. . Is it a family holiday compound? Because of the other buildings and the relatively large number of solar cells?

[@sokram1]

espectacular

[@cmsmith3010]

I agree with other commenters; I would add loft space in both rooms. But I do love the old stone buildings with wood and tile. A simple but elegant space.

[@Brian-nt1hh]

Not a complaint about everything about this

[@gigi-iv4gj]

Wow, guys, you surprised me,!!! Speak Spanish. Great 👍

[@bige8549]

It’s great that the ruins were restored so thoughtfully. However, that park belongs to everyone; I don’t think it is right that one wealthy family should be able to live there as though it is their backyard.

[@SeaTurtle515]

The thick rock walls are the insulation.

[@Eliguitar1]

Beautiful place and impressive renovation. I always wonder if these types of videos are advertising an air bnb or if it's just a wealthy person who is really proud of what they built/have (or both). Either way, extremely nice place. Would be very pleasant to spend time there.

[@nicolasboullosa]

Her private home. She's a Barcelonian but moved to the hay loft home during Covid. Now she goes back and forth since she has her business in the city.

[@denisblack5689]

how about the other structures? will there be a video about that as well?

[@lunzie01]

I want to know how the pellet stove is hooked up to the radiant floor.

[@bigsarge2085]

👍👍

[@wildcountry.]

Beautiful execution of craftsmanship, though something rings hollow with "the simple life" coupled with bespoke architecture, handcrafted high end cabinetry, designer stoves, ditto bathroom and large oil paintings - not usual mainstays of off-gridders. One can question if pellet stoves are really self sufficient - unless one makes one's own pellets? That said it's a beautiful space and an impressive traditional artisanal reconstruction with few alterations to the original structure. I'm guessing the neighbour is a rental unit as it's unusual to be able to split properties in ES Natural Parc legislation.

[@iljavoronin163]

Испанская речь просто песня!

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

A beautiful designed and crafted home. I find it strange though, that she chose to put the blinds on the exterior side of the windows.

[@HilaryB.]

I love this home! The only thing I would have done differently would be to put the wood burner in the living area, which I think would look better, so I could screen off the bedroom with a curtain or something. But that's just me. It's really lovely though, and what a fantastic setting!

[@janetbaker3616]

No plastic or vinyl to be seen. Va bene.

[@gerhard6105]

Maybe the toilet lid.

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

And why did you not film the neighboring buildings? Your host was so confident, slightly elusive, and gorgeously graceful. Reminds me if the saying- women are elegent, men are sticks.

[@nicolasboullosa]

Too big a story: it’s a house of a painter and an industrial designer, the conversation was very interesting but the day felt short. We are invited to get back with more time; hopefully we can show it to you soon. The surrounding forest is also interesting, old cork oaks mainly.

[@---up2iu]

Are the solarpanels also restored from befor? I never saw a solarruin 😂

[@AmishNinjaMaster]

#dreamhouse, #dreamlifestyle, #dreamwife

[@Corvaire]

Beautiful home. I am curious why other areas were not shown. ie, that pool looked nice.

[@veronherrera]

amazing restoration. your spanish is very good Kirsten!

[@kelleyhawk6595]

They speak Catalonian, which is similar to Spanish.

[@franciscocorrea2554]

No, they are speaking Spanish

[@rumbolzpunktde]

like it very much. I would add abigger table and more lamps.

[@jwebbw]

"But I would not feel so all alone",....everybody must go stone !!

[@TheUnheardVoices_]

What’s the market value of the home?

[@adamtash2891]

what was the cost of the project?

[@NeaFrea]

Money, money, money - must be funny - in the rich woman's world

[@serafinacosta7118]

Don’t ask. If you have to know h ow much it cost , then you cannot afford it. It is sunk cost and she is pleased to enjoy. That is all it matters to her.

[@adamtash2891]

@@serafinacosta7118 your response is stupid and insulting. don't make demands on my behavior. she wants to invite us all in and show off her project ....so share the cost. "all that matters to her"....then why make it public? no one watches the video to see what she thinks. no one cares what mtters to her. people watch bc of the project...dont fool yourself. maybe I want to do a similar project but want to spend as little as possible.....maybe I want to know the prices for such similar properties. your assumption that I cannot afford to fix up a ruined barn with free stones from the river is idiotic.

[@kelleyhawk6595]

@@adamtash2891 most likely it’s cheaper than a lot of America. My husband and I spent sometime in Barcelona and on food, medical, gift shops, clothing etc. there is NO tax. And the cost of everything was so much cheaper than the US. That was 4 yrs ago when we came back. But we didn’t buy property. Taxes are on the purchase of property and homes. Which can be higher than the US, ( I can’t remember what else), Just as an example, we went out to eat one night, had fresh oysters 12, a whole cuttlefish, calamari, 6 giant prawns, 6 large clams, and a whole flounder…😮‍💨caught fresh that morning. NO tax, it was in Euros that equaled approximately $30.00 USD.

[@serafinacosta7118]

@@adamtash2891 this is not a better homes and garden with a budget window. Costs estimates would not resonate any better since they are on the other side of the planet. They simply do not translate. This is about one person who bought some land and chatel and figured out to make an interesting and livable place to dwell. This “I scored so little , or I paid so much “ is an American habit. Of a very bad taste. On occasion, on this very channel , one might mention he /she saved a lot , but that is the extent of it. This is not your Home Improvement TV Channel with the Property Brothers. It is about best practices living solutions.

[@NeaFrea]

Absolutely beautiful and I am glad that the belt of her jacket hangs down, otherwise the perfection would be almost obscene. Absolutamente hermosa y me alegro de que el cinturón de su chaqueta cuelgue hacia abajo, de lo contrario la perfección sería casi obscena.

[@jimmytwizzle7836]

65 solar panels! That must be capable of generate around 30kwh. Why so much when you are off grid, you can’t sell it back to the grid!

[@adamtash2891]

more than one builidng there

[@grilnam9945]

Said purely as a joke (Grow Farm)?

[@EfficientEnergyTransformations]

Sometimes is puzzles me how people with much esthetics do not see an obvious choice of adding space, especially when they have 7 meters sealing. The living space could have easily be doubled for the expense of having a round stairs in the house, and that would also help, a lot, with the winter heating too, as we all know that the warm air rises up. Not sure if the owner wanted this, but for most homeowners using the enclosed house space efficiently is usually a big aim especially when basically starting with an outer shell of the future house.

[@mrdeanvincent]

I'm sure they would have considered another level, or at least a mezzanine. Personally I love that they decided to keep it one level with the very high ceilings throughout. It looks incredible and it feels so spacious. It doesn't really seem as though they have any need for more floor space. And ceiling fans are very effective at circulating warm air in winter, if they're spinning in the correct direction.

[@helenapacheco5740]

pena que tenha sido muito mal filmado, nem sequer foi mostrada a zona da sala de estar...

[@JakeRichardsong]

Cost?

[@NeaFrea]

ABBA: ... must be funny ....

[@briankuhl9314]

I would like a bit more explanation of the main houses and the relationship to the owner there. The isolation in the reserve, but with very close neighbours that are not explained was disconcerting.

[@nicolasboullosa]

We want to do a video on it. It’s a farmhouse that’s now a painter’s studio and her husband's, an accomplished designer. It’s another generation and deserves a calm narrative path on its own. Better not rush things. I understand this is YT but things stay, you have to do it right. 2 houses are independent, and are not the same owners despite being family.

[@user-zv9xm2ix3o]

this house is so spanish

[@MikeMoralesCalifornia]

A supreme disappointment your cameras were not invited to see the rest of the property. We know you wanted to. Oh well.

[@NeaFrea]

Money, money, money Must be funny In the rich woman's world Money, money, money Always sunny In the rich woman's world

[@kelleyhawk6595]

U r completely ridiculous! Who says this over and over in the comments!!! 🙄🙄🙄 nut job

[@Wigington24]

I don't know how you would heat that thing. Id put a rocket mass stove in there

[@kelleyhawk6595]

The walls r made to hold the heat and it doesn’t get that cold there. The rock and clay insulate it well. One meter thick is 3 feet. It’s probably better at heating than most modern homes.

[@Wigington24]

@@kelleyhawk6595 thank you all I saw was solid stone walls no insulation.

[@santiagofernandez3215]

It's not Michigan, it`s Spain! 😀

[@gerhard6105]

My house has 20", 50cm thick natural stone walls from 1870 and it keeps out the heat very good. I heat it with oil and wood. The wall inside is plastered and I have 20 °C in the living room. In the summer outside it might be 30 but inside it is still 20. I live in the Ardennes

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

No insulation?? Not sure that would work. Seems like a lot of wasted space where a second story could be added creating double the floor space.

[@deekang6244]

A loft….

[@joseguillermoovazquezherna3465]

Quizá porque quisieron conservar la instalación, si hubiera puesto aislamiento tendrían que poner elementos que les recordarían a su casa en Barcelona.........justo de donde vienen huyendo como dice el vídeo....haz vivido en una casa de piedra o adobe?🤔😒

[@adamtash2891]

the walls are a meter thick its also in a region tha never snows but i agree 7 meters tall should be 2 floors t least for part of the interior

[@Luigi_Vaz]

My grandparents own a 16th century house with stone walls that thick. Stone walls that thick are pretty well insulated themselves. The only issue is the apparent lack of insulation in the ceiling.

[@forestgirl9233]

maybe they simply don't need more space, this is exactly what they want and need.

[@aLadNamedNathan]

She wanted to preserve a ceiling that wasn't there?

[@nicolasboullosa]

Rephrase it as: the leftovers or the collapsed roof found within the building’s enclosure were basically the same type of roof and technique (beams, bricks, tiles, style).

[@elle50472]

Looks too dark in the entire building. Got an uninviting vibe and a clinical, not homey feel.

[@nicolasboullosa]

Not at all what we experienced. Light is beautiful inside, especially because *all* surfaces, with no exception, reflect the light beautifully. Unfortunately, cameras aren’t up to the task with reality. I love when my bedroom gets dark at night and my circadian rhythm adapts accordingly. Some people don’t like disco-style lighting or a blast of Mediterranean sun on top of the bed. I think it was wise to leave the window small as it was.