Entertaining in Style with a Custom Party Barn

When The Barn Yard was tasked with designing and building a party barn for Connecticut clients, the designers knew they needed to devise a modern structure that complemented the homeowners’ stunning 35 acres and private pond. The family also wanted a space that checked all the boxes for entertaining so they could host everything from intimate dinners to holiday events for a big crowd. The solution was the Bradway Barn.

The 5,185 square foot party barn was a landmark build for the team at The Barn Yard. Everett Skinner IV, president of The Barn Yard, says the structure is one of the most detailed the company has built.

“The most impressive feature of the barn is the timber frame design itself,” Skinner says. “The owner wanted an impactful space that was open to the ceilings above.”

Tailoring the project to this family meant constructing a high-class retreat away from their primary residence. The barn’s owners have a large extended family, so the team designed the Bradway Barn to prioritize entertaining and dining areas.

Walking into the Bradway Barn, with its welcoming atmosphere, reclaimed barn board ceiling, and wide-open spaces makes everyone feel right at home. The owners have everything they need for hosting parties and celebrations, no matter the time of year.

“The family wanted the party barn to be a self-sufficient space separate from the main residence,” Skinner says. “The barn includes a full kitchen along with a dining table and lounge areas. A second-floor gallery-style loft features table games to keep guests of all ages entertained.”

High-Tech Construction

The Barn Yard works with clients to customize their structure, adding dormers and other design elements to make the clients’ timber frame barn meet their individual needs and complement their existing residence.

One of the primary tools required to customize a structure of this size is a computer numerical control (CNC) machine. Skinner says there are only a few precise timber cutting CNC machines in the U.S., and two are at The Barn Yard’s Ellington, Connecticut, facility.

The Barn Yard team used a sling brace timber frame bent design to achieve the Bradway Barn’s open ceilings. The ceilings make the space feel even larger and leave room for the barn’s LED chandeliers. The Barn Yard also used ten-by-twenty-four-foot Douglas fir timbers for the party barn’s arches, which span twenty-eight feet.

Bringing Amenities and High-Design to Your Party Barn

There are plenty of extra features and design details that juxtapose rustic and refined in this barn. Crisp white shiplap walls and a large glass NanaWall that measures sixteen-by-ten feet frame views that include an outdoor terrace and pond. The family often gathers on the terrace to enjoy cocktails and watch the sunset as they cook dinner in the large outdoor kitchen.

The oversized kitchen island and dining area are a favorite gathering space inside the barn. An accent wall of Pennsylvania fieldstone adds another layer of natural materials to the building.

The ultimate luxury is warmth and comfort. This barn’s superior insulation makes it ideal for parties, regardless of the season. Even winter holiday gatherings are nice and toasty due to radiant heating under the floor and structural insulated panels.

Even with the rustic timber frame design, there’s no shortage of modern innovation inside the party barn. The designers outfitted it with smart home technology to make parties effortless and enjoyable.

“The barn features all the latest in smart technology,” Skinner says. “Features such as lighting, in-floor heating, audio, appliances, and security are all accessible via remote control.”

Without a doubt, this authentic timber frame structure with a modern design will stand the test of time and be enjoyed for generations to come.

Learn more about this party barn.

The Barn Yard, Bethel and Ellington, Conn., barnyard.com