Photography: Georgina Morrison
Stepping through the door at Kinvonvie, where dappled sunlight plays across pale oak floorboards, you’re met with quiet, understated luxury. The worn boots, polo mallets tucked into an Indian grain vessel, a collection of Akubra hats and baskets brimming with pine cones offer visual cues that this home’s heart is in the country; a working sheep property and the base for homeowner Tim’s stable of thoroughbred polo ponies.
Tim bought Kinvonvie, located in Hamilton, Victoria in 2012, continuing nearly a century of ownership for his mother’s family. With his father retiring and three other siblings to consider, the family’s decision to sell the property publicly was, Tim says, a fair one. “If I was going to buy it, I didn’t want other family members to feel I’d been given a discount,” he says.
Having spent much of his life as a stockbroker in Melbourne and London, he hoped to keep the property in family hands. “I drove up and walked over the property for a few hours, and fifteen minutes before the sale deadline, I walked into the estate agent and put my offer in,” recalls Tim.
Fast forward to 2025 and Kinvonvie is thriving. “When I took the place on, the homestead needed a large makeover. Virtually on the day I settled, I had the bulldozer in.” Within a year, the back of the house boasted a new kitchen, dining area and bedroom wing, built by Ron Huf and designed by Melbourne architect Russell Barrett to suit the original 1912 and 1920s rooms.
The result is a light-filled homestead, framed by flourishing banks of hydrangeas and a series of courtyards leading to a rambling garden. Privet and cypress hedging enclose the auto-irrigated lawn – which, Tim notes with satisfaction, “can be controlled via mobile phone from London.”
Inside, Tim’s love of classic English interiors is unmistakable. With the help of Melbourne interior decorator Lill Reid, he created timeless, functional spaces, filled with carefully sourced antiques. Memorabilia, photographs and portraits add to the home’s layering and welcome family members returning for the holidays.
“It’s a sanctuary and my escape from a busy life in stockbroking,” says Tim, who acknowledges his role in the property’s legacy. “My father, Michael, did a great job managing and expanding Kinvonvie for my mother. He’s always been a tough taskmaster, but he’s always said, ‘You leave the property in better condition than you found it’. That’s what I hope to do.”
Entry
Weatherboard cladding extends a warm welcome at the entry.
Tim is a fan of British design doyenne Kit Kemp’s art-filled interiors. Inspired, he curated a diverse art collection, choosing pieces that “get people talking”. A work from Graham Geddes Antiques & Antiquities oversees the entry.
The hallway is lined with framed artworks of a ram and merinos, including copies of photographic prints from the archive of the Art Gallery of NSW. Beautiful, natural vignettes bring the spirit of the land indoors. The Canadian oak floorboards are by Royal Oak Floors.
Polo mallets are put to good use in the rear hall, forming the perfect spot to hang one’s hat.
WE LOVE…stylish window seats
Tim deliberately kept the diamond leadlight windows free of blinds or curtains. “I like to have as much natural light as possible and not feel closed in when I’m in the country,” he says. Without any overlooking buildings to contend with, he embraced the light and views, even encouraging restful moments to pause and ponder the scenery by adding a window seat, styled with comfortable seat pads and scatter cushions.
Kitchen
Tim’s architect, Russell Barrett, selected the olive green hue on the panelled kitchen cabinetry. “He got it right,” says Tim.
In keeping with the home’s country aesthetic, the long kitchen island is topped with warm-toned timber.
Dining
Roman blinds in a striped fabric by British designer Vanessa Arbuthnott dress up the kitchen windows and adjacent casual meals area.
“I just love horses. They make me calm,” shares Tim, who decorated the dining room with a portrait of his polo pony, Mombassa. “He was my favourite. Before he retired I had him painted by Geelong artist, Deb Fisher. He is still alive, down in the paddock.”
Living
“After taking layers of wallpaper off the walls, we discovered a cream paintvbeneath,” recalls Tim. “I had it matched atvHammonds Paints and it’s now a colour of itsvown: ‘Kinvonvie Cream’.” The antique lanternvwas ‘electrified’ by Tim’s electrician.
A portrait of Tim’s mother, Virginia Twomey Stewart by Polish artist W Cybulski, hangs above an antique oak chest of drawers in the sitting area near a sofa in Brunschwig & Fils fabric.
Tim saw the tartan carpet in the billiard room at an Irish-themed Emirates Marquee during a Melbourne Racing Carnival. “At the end, I asked if I could buy it as it was otherwise headed for the tip. So I had it steam cleaned, rolled up and stored in the stables here. I had the idea that when I did up the homestead, I could use it.”
Bedrooms
The main bedroom is a restful study of neutral tones and duck egg blue. The grey acorn fabric on the curtains and Roman blinds is by British designer Vanessa Arbuthnott. Tim purchased the African prints above the bed while on safari in Tanzania.
Outdoors
Rhys and Taylor, the children of Tim’s farm managers, with their four-legged friends.
Tim’s beloved polo pony, Sarabi.
Tim enjoys entertaining in the alfresco.
Abutilon blossoms happily in the garden.
Architect Russell Barrett, russellbarrett.com.au.
Builder Huf Builders, hufbuilders.com.
Source Book
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
