Friends and family love cozying up by the fire and gazing out the wall of windows at the same time.

Traditional balusters are passed over for an ironwork railing resembling tree branches. The motif carries over onto the oversize sconces that line the stairs. A pass-through bar links the kitchen to the main living areas and offers seating for intimate gatherings.

The fate of this 19th-century Leesburg, Virginia, barn seemed sealed when it was purchased a few years ago as part of a 400-acre horse farm. The new owners were told that it was hardly worth saving and should be razed. They didn't listen. Instead, they called in a pro, architect John Blackburn, and the stunning redo is full of historic character and contemporary comforts. The owners carefully salvaged original gems such as stable doors and floorboards. Then they put their own stamp on it. Down went one wall, replaced entirely with windows. How's the view, you ask? Spectacular.

Salvaged, Saved, and Restyled for Today
"I wanted people to drive up and have no doubt that this was a barn," says John. "I didn't want to lose what made this building special." He achieved this, in part, by concealing the residential doors behind the original sliding barn doors. By adding under-floor heating to the existing floors, ductwork does not interrupt the space above. The original ceiling, really just the underside of the roof, became an important element to the interior. Insulation was laid on top of the original roof before a second layer of roofing was installed, allowing efficiency for heating and cooling but maintaining the look of the time-worn rafters. The barn's single-board walls were restored and now form the interior walls. How's that for recycling? For the new exterior, a Structural Insulated Panel System (SIPS) was applied over the single-board walls. New wood board-and-batten was added over the SIPS.

Window of Opportunity
A spacious, open floor plan gives the barn an almost loftlike feel. On one of the gabled ends John removed the entire wall and replaced it with windows. Natural light now pours into the space. The treatment is modern, but, because the wall of windows stays within the original footprint, it does not seem out of place with the more historical facade of the barn. History certainly does repeat itself, even in design.

When Tackling a Preservation… There's nothing more romantic than the idea of restoring an old structure, but the romance can turn sour if you don't go into it with all the information you need. (There's no such thing as a restoration prenup, folks.) Before you start a big project, take these pointers into account to guarantee great results. • The project will almost always cost more than you anticipate. There are hidden issues that will arise with an old structure. Add a 15% to 20% cushion to your budget for unforeseen repairs. • Choose your contractor carefully. Make sure he or she has a history with and sensitivity to old structures. It's not the same as new construction, so experience counts. Ask for references, and check them out. • If it's not broken, don't fix it. Replace only what needs replacing and keep as much of the original building as possible. Wood doors, floorboards, windows, and light fixtures are just a few things that can often be salvaged.

"2007 Southern Home Awards: Best New Home" is from the October 2007 issue of Southern Living.