Nestled gracefully in the rolling hills of the Southern Highlands, this elegant farmhouse blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The soft white facade in Dulux Rottnest Island is paired with crisp Dulux Vivid White trims and a roof in Colorbond Windspray. Natural cedar shingles under the side gable add tactile texture and rustic charm, perfectly marrying classic country style with the breathtaking pastoral landscape.
Photography: Abbie Melle
Yearning for a peaceful country escape from their busy city lives, Natasha and Brian set their sights on the scenic Southern Highlands in NSW. “We wanted a place where our then-young boys could ride dirt bikes, make bonfires, camp and help with non-city things like feeding and looking after cattle, fencing and starting a veggie garden,” says Natasha.
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Who stays here?
Who stays here? Natasha and Brian, their three adult sons and Louis the Latin Groodle. Where do you like to unwind? Natasha: “At the little round table in the front area of the house, doing a puzzle with family.” Do you have any favourite materials? “The stone on the fireplace, where I like to relax in front of the fire with our dog.” Which elements work particularly well? “I love to cook, and the kitchen and butler’s pantry work so well. The kitchen bench doubles as a servery for big groups.”
(Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle )
They chose the area for its “unspoilt” landscape. “It’s the nearest we could find to the green grass feeling of England, with especially colourful autumns,” she shares. The setting is so picturesque, it’s where the Australian film Babe was shot. As the couple’s three boys grew into young men, Natasha and Brian dreamt of building a spacious, welcoming farmhouse where they could gather comfortably for years to come. They enlisted Halvorsen Interiors and Life Home Builders to bring that vision to life, with construction kicking off in late 2023.
The process came with its challenges. “We had two boys do their final HSC exams and we had to deal with Covid-induced supply issues,” recalls Natasha. There were also months of rain, but a solid team and smart planning kept things moving.
A Bloomingdales Lighting ‘Blaze’ floor lamp and LED uplights from Lighting Collective add a wash of warmth. The hero, however, is the Stuv 21 fireplace clad in Eco Outdoor ‘Finch’ stone. (Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle)
“We wanted to build a family home that centred around a big fireplace that you could gather around”
Natasha, homeowner.
Set among rolling hills, the home was “thoughtfully designed to embrace its scenic rural surroundings,” says Jessica Halvorsen, interior design director at Halvorsen Interiors. With a generous single-storey layout and strong north-south orientation, the interiors reflect a relaxed, classic country style. The stone-clad fireplace with a recycled hardwood mantle bring rustic elegance, while crushed linen bedding and natural woven blinds invite a laidback, luxurious feel.
Clad in reclaimed timber, the carport houses farm vehicles and complements the home’s newly planted gardens. (Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle )
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These days, the couple remain Sydney-based for work, but escaping to their Highlands sanctuary offers a welcome change of pace. “We’re so lucky to have the best of both worlds,” says Natasha. They visit the cows, light a bonfire and enjoy the land with their sons – now grown – just as they once imagined. “We all love it. Our sons bring their friends. It’s perfect, whatever the weather throws at us.”
Entry
(Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle )
A Florabelle Living ‘Sass’ table and Canvas + Sasson ‘Sloane’ chairs in Moss greet the family at the entrance. The custom ‘Herringbone Granite Sisal’ rugs by Floorspace tone with solid timber shelves, crafted by Life Home Builders.
‘Fluted Spire’ table lamps from Bloomingdales Lighting add sculptural elegance on a teak buffet designed by Halvorsen Interiors. (Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle )
Cabinetry in Dulux Bogle offers a rich, grounding base, complemented by Di Lorenzo ‘Lily’ Moroccan zellige tiles on the splashback. An Athena White Marble benchtop from Art of Marble adds a luxe touch, while Rachel Donath ‘Grace’ counter stools bring natural beauty. The look is finished with Woodcut floorboards in Thistle and Astra Walker tapware in Iron Bronze, below four-metre-high coffered ceilings.
Living and dining
(Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle )
Around a coffee table from Indigo Love Collectors, Molmic ‘Sherman’ sofas upholstered in Zepel ‘Kanvas’ fabric in Cement are styled with Città and Walter G cushions . Custom curtains from Blinds by Peter Meyer frame the French doors, while sash windows feature ‘Urban’ Roman blinds from the same maker. An ‘Isla’ lamp from The Montauk Lighting Co tops the MCM House ‘Axol’ side table.
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A rustic table teams with Wisteria ‘Trent’ chairs.
Bedrooms
Soft, earthy tones introduce a sense of calm in the main bedroom. Custom curtains from Blinds by Peter Meyer in Mokum ‘Satori Stonewash’ fabric in Willow frame the windows, while linen bedding from In Bed Store in shades of Stone and White creates effortless texture. Canvas + Sasson ‘Fieldstone Privet’ cushions offer a tailored finish, complemented by a Città ‘Hutt’ wool throw in Ivy/Natural. The Aerin ‘Culloden’ lamp in Volcanic Ivory from Bloomingdales Lighting adds a sculptural, glowing touch. (Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle)
WE LOVE…four-poster beds
One of Natasha’s favourite pieces of furniture is the bespoke four-poster bed in the couple’s bedroom, designed by Halvorsen Interiors. Crafted from weathered oak and with an upholstered headboard, the bed frame exudes a sense of timeless luxury and quiet elegance. Even in modern homes, four-poster beds remain beloved for their ability to anchor a space, create a sense of retreat and evoke a romantic feel without being overly formal.
A woven Wisteria ‘Amara’ bedhead in Mud Grey teams with bedlinen from In Bed Store, chequered Città ‘Tasman’ cushions and a Pampa ‘Puna’ throw, bringing warmth to the guest room. A Regency ‘VN80’ rug (try Huset) adds a cosy layer. The Wisteria ‘Cunard’ bedside holds a vintage Eucan Home ‘Wabi’ lamp near bespoke Romans from Blinds by Peter Meyer.
“We’ve made sure there’s plenty of space for friends and family to visit and stay for a while”
Natasha, homeowner.
The serene guest room features a Florabelle ‘Lennox’ bedhead and Città handwoven ‘Miro’ cushions. A Tallira ‘Garcia’ rug in Oyster from The Rug Collection grounds the room, with an Emac & Lawton ‘Casablanca’ table lamp and French Country Collections ‘Saskia’ bedside table finishing the look. (Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle )
Bathroom
Dogal Light Grey tiles from Surface Gallery tone with the Smartstone-topped vanity in Dulux Strong Olive in the bathroom. Astra Walker tapware in Aged Brass adds character, while a ‘Dignity’ basin from ADP and ‘Mayfair’ sconce in Antique Brass from Emac & Lawton complete the luxe look. (Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle )
Laundry and mudroom
In the hardworking laundry and mudroom, Dulux Pozieres cabinetry pairs with SNB Stone Negresco quartzite benchtops and Surface Gallery ‘Toulon’ tumbled floor tiles. (Credit: Photography: Abbie Melle )
“We included ample open shelving to store shoes and boots. It’s a simple yet smart solution that keeps the area tidy”
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