Designing a Modern Social Space Inside an Old Stable

About six months ago, I was challenged by a client who questioned whether an old, worn stable could ever become a true social space. It was structurally sound but had years of wear and tear — the kind of place you could instantly tell had lived a few lives. That challenge was all I needed to turn what looked like a tired outbuilding into something genuinely special.

The client wanted a social space away from the house — somewhere large enough to hold gatherings but adaptable enough to feel intimate for smaller ones. It also needed to be usable all year round, a space that didn’t lean too seasonal in its design.

Modern Social Space Inside an Old Stable

We started with the feature floor — a bold black and white checker pattern that instantly added character and energy. From there, the goal was to build a sense of calm balance using much of what was already there. By keeping the furniture neutral and the finishes subtle, the design could shift seamlessly between cosy evenings and bright summer get-togethers.

One of the most interesting challenges was blending the old with the new. The client wanted to preserve the natural timber from the original stables, but also introduce modern design features. Rather than trying to match the old materials, we kept what worked and replaced what didn’t with contemporary alternatives. This approach avoided the “fake old” look that can blur the line between eras — the space feels authentic because it is.

Lighting played a big role in shaping the atmosphere. With limited natural light, we wanted the space to feel highly adaptable — soft and warm in winter, but bright and open in summer. We achieved that by avoiding overhead lighting that casts shadows, instead using wall lights to create even illumination and feature lighting to highlight key areas like the bar.

The result is a space that feels social, balanced, and quietly confident. My favourite element is the central bar — the checker floor gives it a retro-modern vibe that draws you in instantly. When the client first saw the design, it was exactly what they’d hoped for — the perfect harmony between what was old and what was new.

The biggest lesson from this project?

If you’re designing a modern space inside an old building, don’t try to recreate the past. Use what’s genuinely old where it adds value, but where you can’t — go modern. The key is to avoid fake history. Authenticity comes from contrast, not imitation