When Leekim Stewart and her husband decided to embark on their next property venture, they had a clear vision: find a characterful converted barn that was anything but ordinary. Their search culminated in the purchase of a stunning six-bedroom home in Maldon, Essex, for £1,160,000, a property that perfectly channels their contrasting interior styles.
The Property Journey
Leekim Stewart, 43, alongside her husband, made the life-changing decision to sell their finance brokerage business. This sale provided them with the capital to purchase their previous home in Chelmsford outright for £540,000. When they sold that property for £600,000, the profit, combined with a mortgage, enabled them to acquire their dream converted barn in March 2023.
They discovered the property on Rightmove, drawn specifically to its vaulted ceilings and unique character. The family, which includes their two young children aged two and four, now enjoys the slow-paced countryside life in Maldon, a stark contrast to their previous life in Shoreditch.
Making a House a Home
The couple has masterfully blended Leekim's maximalist tendencies with her husband's minimalist preferences. Their inspiration comes from frequent visits to Soho Farmhouse and the nostalgic, worn charm of Shoreditch's Brick Lane cafes and bars.
Leekim's DIY skills have been central to personalising the space. She completely refurbished the master bedroom herself, a project so impressive it was shortlisted for a UFurnish.com Home Award in the Best Transformation Before & After category. She colour-drenched the room in a deep warm pink and even built a window seat using hacked IKEA Besta units.
Financials and Future Plans
The family's current mortgage stands at roughly £2,700 per month at an interest rate of 2.32% over 27 years, with monthly bills adding another £1,200. While the mortgage process was mostly smooth, they faced a challenge with the property's driveway, which was incorrectly registered to the council instead of the previous owner.
Like many older properties, their barn conversion came with its issues. The entire house required rewiring due to a dangerous fire hazard configuration, and they must maintain the thatched roof.
Looking ahead, the family has plans to extend the kitchen to create an open-plan living area, making it easier to watch the children while cooking. Ultimately, they dream of moving abroad, inspired by the affordability and style of housing available in other countries.
