Twelve years ago, when retired civil engineer David bought a weatherboard homestead on five acres north-west of Sydney with his late wife, he had no idea it would one day become a home for him, his daughter Adrienne, her husband, Bryson, and their three children.
While David and his wife had often stayed at the property, they didn’t live there, but when he found himself alone, he decided to sell their family home and build a house on the acreage. Meanwhile, in 2020, Adrienne and Bryson were staying at the homestead while rebuilding their house, and an idea to share a home bubbled to the surface. “It seemed the ideal opportunity to have more space, and enjoy the support and company of each other, so we decided to sell our block.” says Adrienne.
"The island is designed to feel substantial, like the modern version of a farmhouse table."
Since David is an engineer, Bryson a building project manager and Adrienne a town planner, the trio made the dream team. “We wanted an energy-efficient, well-insulated home with natural airflow and an abundance of light,” says Adrienne. They lived at the homestead during construction, an 18-month build slowed by pandemic restrictions and incessant rain.
This story is from the May 2024 edition of Australian House & Garden Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2024 edition of Australian House & Garden Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WORLD of roses
These symbols of peace, joy and love are said to be more than 35 million years old.
Time TRAVELLER
A Sydney family gives their heritage home the garden it deserves, with help from a dream team of experts.
Calming canopy
INVITING THE OUTSIDE IN HAS TURNED THIS EXPANSIVE ENSUITE INTO A BLISSFUL RETREAT.
A CERTAIN CHARM
A young couple enlists the expertise of a savvy team to refresh and expand their original 1930s Brisbane worker's cottage into a light-filled family home.
UP TICK
Creating better connections inside and out through clever design brought this family's vision to life.
MOODY beauty
Gently curved forms and shadowy grey tones give this Edwardian home, in a leafy neighbourhood of Melbourne, a refined character.
SEASIDE story
A creative couple design a relaxed yet refined coastal getaway for their family on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Luli Farrell
Having developed an appreciation of beautiful surrounds from a young age, the ABI Interiors co-founder and designer has found her calling.
WITH love
What better way to turn up the romance than with this delicious Valentine's Day dinner menu for two from The Cordony Kitchen.
A COLOURFUL LIFE
Design duo Bonnie and Neil have turned their creative hands to their own home with the same exuberance and passion they bestow on all their projects.