FREE range

A contemporary farmhouse, built for multigenerational living, strikes the perfect balance between cohesive design and personalised spaces.

- Sue Wheeler

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.