A man transformed an abandoned barn into a dream home that millions aspire to live in (photos).
52-year-old Simon Baker sold his one-bedroom apartment in London to purchase an abandoned cowshed in the Machno Valley (North Wales, UK). The extensive renovation he undertook was so remarkable that it impressed the judges of the "Wales Home of The Year" competition. This was reported by the publication Daily Star.
Reflecting on his journey, Simon states that it was love at first sight.
"I have always wanted to engage in construction and restoration. When I first saw the barn, I fell in love with it immediately. It was a decision made by the heart, not the head. All my relatives thought I had lost my mind," admits the owner of the historic structure dating back to 1760.
Despite facing challenges, including the lack of building permits and issues with utilities, the Brit acquired the property at auction and soon got to work. For a time after selling his apartment in London, he even had to live in the trunk of his Ford Focus, but this only fueled his motivation to complete the project as quickly as possible.
Baker tried to preserve the surviving elements of the interior and exterior of the old cowshed and collaborated with local residents to understand how to restore it while maintaining its historical features.
"There’s no point in falling in love with this place and then changing everything. First and foremost, I wanted the old stone to be visible in every direction you looked. I also hired a fantastic local builder who had been working on such structures his entire life and knew how to preserve authenticity," the owner adds.
0 1 To thank everyone who participated in the renovation, Simon Baker entered the "Wales Home of The Year" competition on BBC One and even made it to the finals, scheduled for December this year.
"This is my home forever. I felt that I could save this little humble barn and preserve it for future generations," the man shared while giving journalists a tour.
2 Additionally, in the picturesque town of Sambuca di Sicilia, located on the island of Sicily (Italy), several abandoned houses are being auctioned for just $3. However, there is one catch to this deal.