Debbie Lawrence and David Wakulchik have remade a barn at the 200-year-old Hares Hill farm in East Pikeland Township into an art studio and guesthouse, writes Diane Fiske for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Three years ago, the husband and wife moved from Ohio to Chester County after deciding to buy the three-acre farm with a farmhouse and barn. The barn was especially attractive to them, due to its original beams and wisteria-covered patio.

“I immediately saw the barn as a future art studio and workspace,” said Lawrence, an artist who works on century-old linen bought from European dealers.

The couple turned to builder Mark Janiczek of Villanova to convert and modernize the barn. He made sure to preserve as much of the barn’s original features as possible.

“All the wood ceilings are original to the barn, and we used an original door, which was stripped,” said architect Anthony Miksitz.

The redesigned barn has two levels, with the studio located in the former hayloft. The barn also has two sleeping areas and a kitchen.

“Our kids love to visit and sleep in the guest beds,” said Lawrence.

Read more about the transformed barn in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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