Things are moving along at a pace now as the first floor is in and the upstairs partitions are about to go in. We have had a couple of challenges in positioning both the walls and velux windows as the plans don’t completely line up with the actual dimensions and the windows hadn’t been positioned on the plans with reference to the A-frames and so have had to be repositioned slightly.

Now if only I could decide on the heating system!

(and bathroom fittings and lighting and plumbing … )

One corner of the barn has been carefully rounded, it speaks to me of workmanship, care and simple good design (don’t worry I’m not literally hearing walls speak). The stones are arranged to offer no sharp edges, no right angles. My favourite reason for constructing the wall in this was is to save cows that round the corner from banging their hip bones – although friendliness to any animals or machines going that way is probably the real story.

Whilst the insulation continues to be installed into the roof of the barn, I have a admission to make… despite eco aims and intentions I’ve not been precious in ensuring that the insulation products we are using adhere to this ethos.

To be honest, I find the various pro’s and con’s of individual insulation solutions tortuous and often divisive. Questions such as:

• How far has it travelled?
• What chemicals have been used in its manufacture?
• Is local rock-wool greener than chemical impregnated sheep’s wool that has travelled far and wide chewing up carbon as it goes?

…serve to cloud issues and make decision making time consuming and potentially costly. That of course is an excuse and a pretty poor one at that! Our Quinn Therm roof insulation has a couple of saving graces, it’s manufactured in South Wales (I think) and it’s what my builder selected so he’s happy to work with it and knows what he’s doing with it, sorry but sometimes pragmatism has to win.

Anyone think I’ve done the wrong thing?

I’ve recently been undertaking some redecorating (not at the barn – we’re not that advanced yet) and as part of the healthy house ethos that I’m following, I thought I’d explore the possibility of using natural paints. I chose to use earthBorn clay paint as an alternative to a standard emulsion for painting internal walls. Not only can it offer the health benefits I seek, as in it:

# minimises condensation and deters fungal growth such as mildew
# [is] water-borne, VOC free, low odour
# [is] highly breathable, making for a more comfortable living environment and minimising the impact of damp
# [offers a] beneficial impact on health for many allergy and asthma sufferers
from earthbornpaints.co.uk

…but it gives a lovely tactile finish, to the touch – it has a warmth and the comfortable feel of an unglazed pot. In the room I’ve used it, the ivory finish is rich and smooth to the eye.

Whilst a little more expensive than a standard emulsions, it compares favourably with premium brands at £39 for 5 litres. A further benefit is that as it’s water-borne it washes easily off the brush or roller.

All-in-all thoroughly recommended.

The true proportions and dimensions of the final building are now beginning to appear. The wooden frame that will hold the insulation and boarding away from the original walls is now starting to take shape, the insulation is going into the roof, and the basic structure for the first floor is nearly complete. I approach the place with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Worries about size and choices and what the finished place will be like mix with excitement for the new building that is taking shape.