CASA BLANCA

A former art gallery in NSW’s Kangaroo Valley has been transformed into a guest-ready designer getaway

CHEAT SHEET

Who lives here The Casa is guest accommodation owned by Suzy and Nick O’Rourke, together with Kylie and Paul Govers of PWG Constructions.

Style of home A 1990s mud-brick and cedar structure that originally functioned as an art gallery, located on a huge block in NSW’s Kangaroo Valley.

The renovation began in July 2020 and was finished by April 2021.

There’s no place like home is a phrase that evokes feelings of comfort and living in the moment surrounded by love and laughter. That was the sentiment driving all the design decisions for the renovation of a weary mud-brick art gallery and cottage in NSW’s Kangaroo Valley, setting them on a journey to serene multi-function guest accommodation.

Surrounded by picturesque landscape and rugged escarpment, the old treasure became the dream project for co-owner Suzy O’Rourke, who, as an interior designer, artist and owner of guest accommodation The Shed in nearby Gerroa, knew exactly how to create that ‘home away from home’ feeling for The Casa.

The house began life in 1994 as Galeria Aniela Fine Art. It exhibited and hosted world-class artists, including John Olsen, John Perceval, Charles Blackman and Ningura Napurrula, as well as receiving a visit from Sir David Attenborough. “I first spotted Galeria Aniela in December 2018 and instantly fell for its six-metre ceilings, extensive glass, northern aspect, textured walls and peaceful grounds, but it would be 18 months before we actually bought the property,” says Suzy, who already had a vision for what could be created there.

With design influences drawn from Mediterranean farmhouse-style homes and their paired-back simplicity, Suzy started the design process by creating a moodboard for the general look and feel, then narrowing down the specific elements to achieve her aesthetic. Working with the imperfect character of the home, she chose an earthy palette of organically shaped pieces in natural materials and raw textures, including stone, timber, brass, wicker, rattan, leather and linens, to evoke a relaxing environment for her guests.

Suzy and her husband, Nick O’Rourke, have built guest accommodation before and understood the risk and scope of work involved in taking on a renovation of this scale. As such,

they partnered with Paul and Kylie Govers of PWG Constructions for their insight and building experience.

The renovation began with structural repairs, stripping the home to its bare bones and removing non-structural walls. The existing kitchen and bathroom were demolished and refitted, the timber floors were sanded back, the slate floor in the kitchen and dining area was restored and new sisal flooring was installed upstairs. To make three of the bedrooms, one of the large original gallery rooms was divided up. An archway feature was created between the dining and reading room, and the walkway from the reading room to the kitchen. New bifold doors were installed to create that essential indoor/outdoor connection.

Surprisingly, however, it was the paint work that was key to the transformation. “The painting took a lot longer and was much more expensive than expected,” Suzy explains. “Timber tannins started to leach through the three coats of paint, so we had to experiment with the best undercoat and, in some cases, a total of eight coats of paint were needed!” Once the renovation was complete, the next step was installing the furniture and styling the place. With her background in interiors, Suzy had planned all the furniture several months in advance and had most of it custom-made in Indonesia.

Due to its versatile design and modern-rustic aesthetic,

The Casa has received a variety of bookings - from family gatherings, friends celebrating a milestone birthday and girlfriend getaways to wellness retreats and photoshoots – since opening earlier this year. “All our guests have loved the overall design and unique home-like getaway experience,” says Suzy.

“It’s been wonderful to receive such positive feedback.”

“The interior design was based on simplicity, taking guests back to their roots and the beauty of nature and its imperfections” SUZY O’ROURKE, HOMEOWNER

LIVING Using some of the existing elements and incorporating a warm-white palette featuring Dulux Natural White has turned The Casa around. “The floor is original African slate, which we were able to match and continue into the dining area,” says co-owner Suzy O’Rourke. “It was in amazing condition, so we just cleaned and resealed it.” Most of the furniture was custom-made in Indonesia, including the sofa, armchairs, coffee table, side tables, hanging chair and pendant lights. The rug is a design from Miss Amara. EXTERIOR (opposite) Though the structure of the building stayed the same, the mud-brick outer walls were colour matched to Dulux Haast with a breathable wash by Murobond. The magnificent timbers are cedar.

good news The Casa’s 25cm-thick walls have always had great thermal insulating properties, due to their mud-brick and cedar construction. Facing north warms the house in winter and breezes flow through it in summer. All the water comes from tanks on the property, and there’s an Envirocycle septic system.

LIVING (above) Dulux Natural White paint is continued up into the roof area; it’s a great foil for the slender black steel balustrade by Steel Edge Projects. Freestanding gas heater, Lopi Cypress GS2. All the furniture was made in Indonesia. PARLOUR ROOM (opposite) Suzy comes from a creative family and has painted some of The Casa’s artworks, including the tonal one on the mantel of this chill-out space. Brass vessels, Cabana Jo’s. Vase, H&M Home.

DINING AREA (this page and opposite bottom) The arch feature was inspired by Mediterranean architecture. Above the dining table is an oil painting by Suzy’s mum, Shirley Shapter, from about 1960. “I’ve been holding on and waiting for the right place to hang it — and it finally has a home,” says Suzy. The lights are vintage Murano glass, relocated from another room. KITCHEN (opposite top) Sitting in the middle of the main building, the kitchen is perfectly placed for cooking and hanging out. The Portuguese tiles on the bar are from Barefoot Living. Tapware, Streamline Products. Appliances, Artusi and Smeg.