Shell and Grant Mills thought they would never move from the first home they created together. ‘We ploughed so much love into it and it held so much sentimental value,’ remembers Shell of the three-bedroom cottage they bought in the Cornish countryside in 2005.
But with a growing family – having just welcomed Renzo, their third child – and an energetic dog, they were beginning to feel the squeeze: ‘We needed somewhere for the children to play and for each of them to have their own room, and we were also craving more outside space, which we didn’t have at that point.’
Shell and Grant had often driven past a cluster of derelict barns just ten minutes from their cottage, always wondering if they’d ever be brought back to life. ‘My parents converted a Grade II-listed barn in Warwickshire when I was growing up, so I’ve always been drawn to the rustic charm of these buildings,’ Shell explains. ‘The old, weathered stone, exposed beams and vaulted ceilings – my heart has always been in a barn!’
So when the development came on to the market just as the couple were seriously beginning to think about moving, the timing couldn’t have been better. ‘It felt like fate – we went to view it the next day and immediately knew we had to go for it,’ says Shell.
The property comprised three connected barns with a vast garden and ticked every box for the family. ‘It was a big step and a bit daunting,’ Shell admits, ‘but it had all the space we needed, with lots of potential to extend in the future. It was too good an opportunity to pass up.’
The barns were in the process of being converted by a small local developer and, because they came in early in the process, Shell and Grant were able to shape the interiors. Working closely with the developer, they made tweaks to the plans – reconfiguring rooms for better flow, adjusting the kitchen and utility layout and choosing the finishes, from the cabinetry and flooring through to the sanitaryware and tiles in the bathroom: ‘We didn’t have to take on the build ourselves, but were able to adapt the design to suit our family’s needs – it really was the best of both worlds,’ says Shell.
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What had once been the main barn is now home to a charming kitchen and a spacious living room. On the other side, the kitchen leads to the dining room, laundry room and playroom. ‘Everything has its place, and the flow between the rooms makes our busy day-to-day life so much easier,’ explains Shell. One side of the living area leads to the children’s bedrooms and family bathroom. ‘I love that the kids’ rooms are close to the main space – it means that even when they’re playing or sleeping, they’re nearby,’ Shell says.
When they first moved in, the barn had been decorated in soft neutrals to complement the timber floors, and Shell experimented with a minimal, Scandinavian-inspired look. ‘But it just wasn’t me,’ she smiles. ‘I thought I wanted everything to be calm and neutral, but I realised I crave colour, print and personality, and once I started decorating, I couldn’t stop!’
The kitchen was one of the first rooms to be transformed, with a mix of panelling, artisan wallpaper and handmade details. ‘I fell in love with the Bindi Flower wallpaper from Dado Atelier x Daydress and paired it with wooden panelling painted in a pretty pale blue. Then I decorated the space with paintings from local artists, colourful accessories and vintage finds, which brought in so much warmth and character.’
This playful, textured approach continues throughout. The dining room, housed in a light-filled glass link between two barns, features the same panelling and another Dado Atelier wallpaper, with a bold red cabinet adding a joyful pop of colour. ‘I’m a big fan of the unexpected-red theory – it brings instant energy to a space,’ says Shell.
‘The living room is still a work in progress; we’re planning to expose internal Cornish stone walls and add a fireplace, but the soft-pink panelling and rusty-red trim, which were inspired by my favourite painting by local artist Sammy Little, already make the space feel cosy and characterful.’
Upstairs, tucked under the eaves, the main bedroom provides a calm and peaceful retreat for the couple, with exposed beams, roof lights and custom wardrobes designed to work with the sloping ceiling. In the ensuite, buttery yellow panelling is teamed with rich chocolate-brown woodwork, matt-gold fixtures and heritage-style tiling. 'I’ve always loved these colours – it just feels right for the space,’ explains Shell.
Her love of colour and print can also be seen in the children’s rooms. Renzo’s small but stylish bedroom channels a cosy cabin feel with striped wallpaper and panelling in rich olive green, while Valli’s room is a magical blend of soft pastels, playful patterns and layered textures.
Throughout the barn, Shell champions brands with a sustainable focus, such as Coat Paints and Tom Raffield – from where she bought stunning sculptural lights – as well as local businesses and small makers, incorporating everything from vintage textiles to artwork by Cornish creatives that reflect the barn’s beautiful surroundings. The garden, now home to five lively Indian Runner ducks, is an extension of that connection to nature, and is a place where the children roam freely and the seasons shape daily life.
‘Our home is an evolving process and forever changing,’ concludes Shell. ‘When I stop to look around, I feel so proud of what we’ve achieved. We wanted more space, more nature and more connection as a family – and we’ve found it all here. It was a leap of faith, but this place just felt meant to be. It’s chaotic, creative and colourful – it’s our home.’
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