comScore
ADVERTISEMENT
Your browser is not supported. We do our best to optimize our websites to the most current web browsers. Please try another browser.
Skip to main content

How a Ramshackle Barn Transformed Into a Jaw-Dropping Country Cottage

When Brett Van Sickle, a retired ballet dancer, first laid eyes on this barn, there wasn’t much to see. He’d bought a beautiful stone farmhouse in Greensville, Ontario as an investment, and the barn at the back of the property was more or less an afterthought. It was used as a garage for years until a previous owner installed a cramped loft upstairs. Besides the rudimentary electrical and plumbing, the space was barely livable. But Brett had a hunch he could do something with it – maybe convert it into a rentable apartment. He’d flipped a Toronto garage into a living space, and he knew his little barn had serious potential. On a $60,000 budget, Brett tore the place apart and (with the help of YouTube videos) rebuilt it into a one-of-a-kind, Balinese-inspired countryside escape. He liked the apartment so much, he decided to move in.



Latest News

The team overhauls a bland backyard for an artist in beautiful Bay Roberts.
November 19, 2024
Here is everything you need to know about Amazon's big event (and early deals to check out right now!).
November 19, 2024
Unwashed pillows are hotbeds of mites, bacteria, fungi and more — here's how to keep your sleep environment clean.
November 19, 2024
These cloud couch dupes will fit any space without breaking the bank.
November 18, 2024
Where do Canadians live the longest? Find out which province tops the ranking.
November 15, 2024
The Bank of Canada is lowering its rate, but what does that really mean for you?
November 15, 2024
This dreamy gazebo is the perfect space to unwind and take in Newfoundland's beauty.
November 15, 2024
Eight years later, you get to decide if the Ravine House lives up. Spoiler: it does.
November 15, 2024
There are five big laundry mistakes that are ruining our clothes with every wash — so here's how to fix them.
November 13, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
This content is restricted to adults of legal age.
Please enter your birthdate to confirm.
Date of Birth