Elegant and airy, and boasting wainscoting and windows for days, this Hamptons home brings a slice of the US east coast to Tahmoor, a small town 90km southwest of Sydney.
Built on two hectares of land, it’s a dream come true for Jody, her husband Michael, and their daughters, Stephanie, 18, and Stacie, 12. “I still wake up every day and can’t believe it’s ours,” says Jody, who was raised in Scotland and moved to Australia when she was 12.
Before building, the family lived close by on a ‘quarter-acre’ block, but they lost their beautiful views once it was subdivided. “I tried to create a Hamptons look in that house, but it had low ceilings and just wasn’t working, so we decided to start from scratch and build exactly what we wanted,” recalls Jody. Driving through nearby Picton one day, she spotted a home under construction, shouted “Stop the car!” and cheekily found her way into the site to peek through the windows. “I could see all the French doors and panelling, and I fell in love,” says Jody, who immediately contacted the builders, Riverleigh Homes.
“I’d seen pot fillers in lots of American homes, and while I didn’t think I’d use it much, I do. I love it!” ~ Jody
They started building in 2019 – and, a year later, the family moved into their Hamptons haven, comprising three bedrooms downstairs, a parents’ retreat on the upper level, an open living area, a separate dining area, media and games rooms, a formal lounge and a laundry.
Jody chose the designs, finishes and fittings. “I bought most of the furniture before we moved in,” she says, although Michael thought that was risky. “I had the measurements and a vision, and knew where I wanted things to go. I’m terrible because I want to redo the house all the time. I love restyling it.”
Jody has long admired Hamptons homes. “They look and feel homely and have so much character and charm,” she says. However, her other inspiration was more serendipitous. “I absolutely loved the house in the movie Something’s Gotta Give,” she explains. “I adored the coffered ceilings, all the French doors and I wanted to try and recreate the kitchen – white with black handles and knobs.”
One of the most impressive features is the wainscoting. Swathed in Dulux Vivid White, the Intrim timber moulding is a stunning backdrop and contrast to rich timber floors. “We have it everywhere except the bedrooms as we didn’t have the budget,” says Jody. “We might do it one day but building a swimming pool will come first.” Adding to the sense of splendour are the custom-made cabinets and joinery by Cobbitty Grove Kitchens and fireplaces in the family and formal lounges.
White steals the show in the home’s colour palette, as cream and beige play supporting roles and whispers of blue lend contrast to the neutral tones. Timber flooring and furniture warm up the interiors, which are constantly bathed in natural light, thanks to the bounty of deep casement windows and French doors.
“I chose not to have plantation shutters,” says Jody. “The windows are too pretty to cover up.” Now people drive past her beautiful house – no doubt longing to sneak a peek.