Natural Attraction In northern NSW, a sympathetic renovation has transformed a tired project home into a serene sanctuary.
Out-of-the-box thinking transformed a tired project home in northern NSW into a sophisticated yet down-to-earth abode. Design doyenne Meryl Hare shares the journey.
This beautiful property is situated near Armidale in the New England High Country of NSW, about half way between Sydney and Brisbane. The traditional owners are the Anaiwan people and the region is famed for its cool-climate wines, tree-lined streets and many fine examples of colonial architecture. The owners bought this home on impulse, having recently made the decision to leave life on the land and retire. The grounds were large but the existing home was a rundown and rather dated 1970s brick project home with dark timber ceilings, small rooms and little connection with the landscape.
We had worked with the owners on the renovation of their farm a couple of years prior, so we understood their aesthetic, their love of beautiful art and artefacts, deep colours and natural >
textures, which gave us a head start on the design concept. However, the renovation wasn’t without its challenges.
Belinda Chippindale [Hare+Klein’s concept designer] and I were slightly horrified when we first visited the house. But horror soon gave way to excitement about the possibilities. Belinda led the project, keeping faith with the interior design requirements that then influenced the exterior envelope. Essentially, it was decided that the basic rectangular footprint needed to increase in order to create comfortable, generous spaces for the couple’s furniture, art and lifestyle.
The budget was limited, so that had to be factored into the design decisions. Instead of knocking down and rebuilding entirely, the home was thoughtfully extended. The additions take the form of extruded boxes, which give theexteriorelevationsanewrhythmthathadbeencompletely lacking. We retained the pitched ceilings in the original structure, with flat ceilings in the extension.
After almost 50 years of neglect, there were structural, electrical and plumbing issues to be tackled before the interior transformation could begin. The entire house, including the extension, was clad in western red cedar to unify the structure and disguise the original pitched roofline. The cladding adds an element of intrigue, too: the apex of the pitched ceiling is visible from the inside, making it seem as though it appears from nowhere. The cladding is stained a rich earthy colour that instantly nestled the building into the landscape. Our clients are enthusiastic and talented gardeners and enjoy the challenge of creating a lush garden from parched earth, and the blackened palette of the house is a wonderful foil to the new foliage.
The layering of texture and depth of colour continues inside, where charcoal-toned walls create a soft yet dramatic backdrop for the owners’ eclectic art collection. Oak flooring ties in with the plywood joinery. Meanwhile, a wood-burning fireplace delivers ambience and physical warmth during the chilly highland winters.
“The owners’ warm personalities, their enthusiasm for beautiful design and their complete trust in our process gave us a unique opportunity to be playful and creative,” says Belinda. “We chose honest and earthy materials, combining them with a bold depth of colour. The project came together with ease and it was a joyful experience for all involved, from start to finish.”
Best of all, the owners are thrilled. “We’d rather stay at home than travel, as it’s better than any hotel we’ve ever stayed in,” they say. And that is music to our ears. >
Hare+Klein, Woolloomoolo, NSW; (02) 9368 1234 or hareklein.com.au.
“WE’ D RATHER STAY HOME THAN TRAVEL. OUR HOME IS BETTER THAN ANY HOTEL .” OWNERS