Set in a quiet suburb just 1.5 hours outside Chicago is the Red Barn House by studio DecoRoom. Envisioned as a weekend retreat, the home’s wholesome atmosphere is set by a large communal room with floor-to-ceiling heights — the perfect setting for family gatherings.
Lacking any historical value, the original barn served as inspiration for the new structure rather than a building to preserve. The red volume is a nod to the barn vernacular of the Midwest, while a smaller black bedroom wing echoes the silhouette of a silo. Together, they read as one harmonious, working structure.
With its open layout and 16-foot ceilings, the main room is the heart of the home. Architectural cues divide it into zones: a kitchenette complete with an undercounter fridge and wine storage, a comfortable sofa made for movie nights, and a corner dedicated to playing music. An indoor-outdoor lifestyle is encouraged by folding glass walls that open onto the landscape and a private golf course beyond. Sunlight filters into the bedrooms in the morning, while the last embers of daylight settle over the main volume come evening.
Carefully curated materials shape the clean, minimalist, yet cozy interiors. The ceilings are clad in pine, the floors in white oak, while red, terracotta, and teal accents pepper the space, reflecting the owners’ blended cultural background: American architecture on the outside, European-inspired interiors within.
A refreshing escape from the city, Red Barn House delivers exactly what it set out to: a peaceful family retreat that fosters connection and slowing down. Discover more by DecoRoom.
Photography © Capture Studio