Every time Kathryn O’Connor took a road trip, she found herself obsessed with every barn that she drove past. She dreamed of having one, but living in suburban Wilmington, Delaware, it seemed more of a pipedream than a reality.
With a slight nudge of encouragement from her youngest daughter, Kathryn decided to take a risk and build her very own backyard barn for her family of four.
In 2014, Kathryn’s youngest daughter Elle overhead her mother talking about an antique locker she wanted to buy. She mentioned that if they ever decided to build something, she’d buy it. Elle took note and secretly purchased the locker to give to her parents on Christmas. There was a note attached that said: “Do it.”
It took six months for Kathryn and her husband David to build the “Suburbarn,” which now serves as the perfect hangout spot for her friends and family. It has also been a dream retreat for David’s drumset and Kathryn’s art supplies.
Kathryn’s goal with the space was to make it a barn on the outside and a camp on the inside.
“I’m so grateful that we had the guts to build it,” Kathryn told Country Living. “I always tell people that when it was all finished, I went through a little ‘post-barnum’ depression.”
Upon entering the barn, there is a welcoming front porch which can comfortably seat six people. Of course, the barn doors are red.
The living space features exposed wood to give it a rustic feel. The plush sofa and personal touches with the decor make you want to kick back and relax.
Decor includes collectible games from the 1950’s that Kathryn found at The Zeppelin & The Unicorn Antique Shop. There are also painting of landscapes which Kathryn loves because “they’re reflections of where I wish my barn really was.”
The dining space also doubles as the concert hall. Tall, vaulted ceilings make the barn feel large and open.
Food made in the main house’s kitchen is transported via wagon while the family enjoys watching David’s band, Chester and the Bedford’s perform.
A backyard party space isn’t complete without a bar. David is the neighborhood weekend bartender at the “Suburbarn.” “He announces the drink of the week every Friday via text,” Kathryn says.
Kathryn used a non-working stove to use as a shelf for her art supplies. She enjoys painting farm animals on acrylic.
Of course, the barn needs to stay warm during winter gatherings. A wood-burning stove offers plenty of natural heat.
Out-of-town guests can head up to the loft after a night of libations and dancing, for a good night’s rest.
“We like to spend weekends here when the weather is nice,” Kathryn says. Although they have to return to the main house to use a restroom.
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