FIELD TRIP
A beautifully restored Tasmanian workers’ cottage makes for a chic home away from home for this Sydney-based family
A quaint Tasmanian farmhouse gets a super-chic renovation.
TUCKED INTO THE ROLLING HILLS OF NORTHERN TASMANIA, entrepreneur Lucy Hosken’s newly renovated, part-time residence redefines farmhouse living. Awash with light and a fresh, airy atmosphere, you would never guess that this white weatherboard cottage once lacked its quaint charm. Four years ago, when Lucy and her husband Stewart (who both grew up in nearby Launceston) and their children, Amelia and William, first stepped foot in the home, it was in obvious need of repair. But Lucy could see the potential. “We loved the character and bones,” she says.
Determined to faithfully restore the cottage, the couple created a floor plan consistent with its idyllic setting. “We knocked down the shanty at the back of the house and rebuilt it into a modern space that allowed us and our guests to totally relax in the surroundings,” Lucy says. “I’d been collecting tear sheets of farmhouses and country escapes since high school, so I was thrilled to put all of that into play when we got our hands on the house.”
Lucy relies on a clean, tonal colour palette and large windows to keep the home open and inviting. “Neutral colours work beautifully down here, as the surrounds are so lush and speak for themselves,” she explains. “I love using shades of beige, white and soft grey – they make me feel calm.” Reclaimed timber and natural fabrics add warmth to the space, while potted plants enliven each area with a burst of colour. Also helping to link the interior with the natural surroundings are the images of wheat, wild poppies and grass seed, all captured by Stewart, that line the walls. “His photographs give a really moody and honest feel to the house,” says Lucy.
The custom bunk beds were something Lucy has always dreamt of, and with the cottage doubling as a boutique luxury accommodation known as Quamby Home (quambyhome.com.au) when the family return to their Sydney base, they also provide plenty of extra sleeping space. But Lucy says it’s not actually her favourite spot. “I love lying on the daybed on a sunny day, reading. It’s quiet, warm and I can look out the windows.”
The overall effect is a space that’s simple and serene but still family-friendly – just what the couple intended. “This renovation allowed us to do what we had planned for years,” says Lucy. “My passion is styling and decorating, so for me this project was a dream come true.”