Project Of The Week
Architecture
Renovating
A Cosy Modern Farmhouse Designed for Now and the Future
Blending classic charm, modern touches and a versatile layout, this new-build farmhouse is designed for timeless living
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, Guy Holman, building designer at Holman Designs, shares the story of creating a modern-rustic farmhouse with three bedrooms and two bathrooms for a client who has an eye on the future.
What was here originally?
A paddock with a gum tree and dam.
Tell us about the location
Connewarre is a small-acreage community nestled a few minutes’ drive from Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula. This site is framed by an abundance of coastal gums and shrubs.
A paddock with a gum tree and dam.
Tell us about the location
Connewarre is a small-acreage community nestled a few minutes’ drive from Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula. This site is framed by an abundance of coastal gums and shrubs.
How did the client want to use this house?
This is our client’s dream home, designed to accommodate intimate gatherings now and the lifestyle needs of any children they might have in the future. It needed flexible spaces that can be used in different ways and a smooth indoor-outdoor flow.
Thinking of building a home? Find a local building designer on Houzz
This is our client’s dream home, designed to accommodate intimate gatherings now and the lifestyle needs of any children they might have in the future. It needed flexible spaces that can be used in different ways and a smooth indoor-outdoor flow.
Thinking of building a home? Find a local building designer on Houzz
Brief
To create a modern farmhouse that provided zoned sleeping quarters and shared living, fit for the couple now and a growing family in the future.
What were the client’s must-haves?
To create a modern farmhouse that provided zoned sleeping quarters and shared living, fit for the couple now and a growing family in the future.
What were the client’s must-haves?
- Cathedral ceilings in the main living area.
- Timber floors.
- An abundance of natural light.
- A relaxed and cosy feel.
What exactly did you do?
The client had a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve and a natural eye that helped them achieve their desired interior aesthetic.
The client had a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve and a natural eye that helped them achieve their desired interior aesthetic.
- We provided initial concepts translated from the client’s hand-drawn sketches.
- We coordinated the required consultants.
- We completed the construction drawings for the new home, including internal elevations.
What was your thinking behind the layout?
The oversize kitchen and living area in the middle of the house are places for people to congregate and enjoy the beautiful, natural aspect. We sought to create distinct areas within the one space where they could spend time together or alone.
Having separate bedroom wings to retreat to provides the client and their guests with privacy when they need it.
With forward-thinking in mind, the homeowners wanted a design that could be extended if required in order to accommodate family and friends in the future.
What was your thinking behind the colour and materials palette?
The client had a particular colour palette in mind – mostly naturally inspired pastels.
Timber floors and weatherboard-look cladding were chosen for their timeless appeal, while concrete adds a contemporary touch.
The oversize kitchen and living area in the middle of the house are places for people to congregate and enjoy the beautiful, natural aspect. We sought to create distinct areas within the one space where they could spend time together or alone.
Having separate bedroom wings to retreat to provides the client and their guests with privacy when they need it.
With forward-thinking in mind, the homeowners wanted a design that could be extended if required in order to accommodate family and friends in the future.
What was your thinking behind the colour and materials palette?
The client had a particular colour palette in mind – mostly naturally inspired pastels.
Timber floors and weatherboard-look cladding were chosen for their timeless appeal, while concrete adds a contemporary touch.
We love the charming touches – such as the window seat and the barn door – tell us about them
Our client grew up with a daybed in her family home and fondly remembers it as a space to relax and while away the day. The positioning of the window seat is purposeful; it has views to the south-west, encompassing the treescape, dam and winding driveway.
The custom barn door is used to isolate the bedroom wings of the home and is a playful nod to the modern farmhouse aesthetic.
Our client grew up with a daybed in her family home and fondly remembers it as a space to relax and while away the day. The positioning of the window seat is purposeful; it has views to the south-west, encompassing the treescape, dam and winding driveway.
The custom barn door is used to isolate the bedroom wings of the home and is a playful nod to the modern farmhouse aesthetic.
Tell us about the gorgeous fireplace
The Cheminees Philippe fireplace is a French design that delivers radiant heat throughout the home’s entire central living zone. Our client loved the look and design over more modern options. The charcoal colour of the fireplace ties in with the exterior and windows of the home, while contrasting with the exposed brick behind it.
How does exposed brick work well here?
It’s a great textural element that adds visual interest to the space. It’s a mix of handmade Hawthorne and Geelong reds in an old English brick pattern.
The bricks are a familiar element from both our homeowners’ childhoods, but they also double as an effective heat shield for the fireplace and keep the room warm long after the fire has gone out.
The Cheminees Philippe fireplace is a French design that delivers radiant heat throughout the home’s entire central living zone. Our client loved the look and design over more modern options. The charcoal colour of the fireplace ties in with the exterior and windows of the home, while contrasting with the exposed brick behind it.
How does exposed brick work well here?
It’s a great textural element that adds visual interest to the space. It’s a mix of handmade Hawthorne and Geelong reds in an old English brick pattern.
The bricks are a familiar element from both our homeowners’ childhoods, but they also double as an effective heat shield for the fireplace and keep the room warm long after the fire has gone out.
What look and feel were you after?
The owners grew up in cosy homes and wanted to have that ‘warm hug’ feeling here. The interior of the home reflects these roots; stalwart and familiar materials such as brick and timber are key, but they’re interspersed with more contemporary elements, including concrete and steel.
Tell us about the pitched roof
The dramatic pitched roof was one of the client’s must-haves. The height and angle of the ceiling really gives what is already a large space a sense of grandeur.
Triangular glazing was strategically incorporated to capture light from higher angles – especially important during the winter months when sunlight is at a premium.
The homeowners tell us that the ceiling also helps draw the heat up in summer, which is a bonus in such a sun-filled space.
The owners grew up in cosy homes and wanted to have that ‘warm hug’ feeling here. The interior of the home reflects these roots; stalwart and familiar materials such as brick and timber are key, but they’re interspersed with more contemporary elements, including concrete and steel.
Tell us about the pitched roof
The dramatic pitched roof was one of the client’s must-haves. The height and angle of the ceiling really gives what is already a large space a sense of grandeur.
Triangular glazing was strategically incorporated to capture light from higher angles – especially important during the winter months when sunlight is at a premium.
The homeowners tell us that the ceiling also helps draw the heat up in summer, which is a bonus in such a sun-filled space.
What was the budget?
This 2019 project was a few years ago but in today’s climate, the design and documentation would come in at around $40,000 and the build around $900,000 for a home of this calibre and complexity.
Browse more images of stunning Australian exteriors on Houzz
This 2019 project was a few years ago but in today’s climate, the design and documentation would come in at around $40,000 and the build around $900,000 for a home of this calibre and complexity.
Browse more images of stunning Australian exteriors on Houzz
How did you use Houzz for this project?
We really love being able to share and express ideas with our clients by using Houzz Ideabooks. It is helpful to be able to explain how you would adjust or draw inspiration from other homes that fit in with the context of this project.
We really love being able to share and express ideas with our clients by using Houzz Ideabooks. It is helpful to be able to explain how you would adjust or draw inspiration from other homes that fit in with the context of this project.
Tell us about the design of the kitchen
Though not extravagant entertainers, it was important for our homeowners to have space for casual drinks and dinner with friends. Because the home purposefully has one space incorporating the kitchen and living areas, it was important to have a practical kitchen that had ample bench space. The bench space accommodates family meals on the move or canapés before transitioning to watch the football by the fire.
What challenges did you have to work around during this project?
The form of the wings, verandah and main living area are supported by a portal frame structure that had to be ‘disguised’ across varying heights in the build.
Though not extravagant entertainers, it was important for our homeowners to have space for casual drinks and dinner with friends. Because the home purposefully has one space incorporating the kitchen and living areas, it was important to have a practical kitchen that had ample bench space. The bench space accommodates family meals on the move or canapés before transitioning to watch the football by the fire.
What challenges did you have to work around during this project?
The form of the wings, verandah and main living area are supported by a portal frame structure that had to be ‘disguised’ across varying heights in the build.
Is the house energy efficient?
The home was a balancing act between orientation for solar gain and energy efficiency, alongside views and amenity relative to other aspects of the property.
An enormous amount of natural light penetrates the home, providing natural heating all year round. Double glazing was used throughout to maximise protection and retention of light and heat as required. Maximum insulation was used in the walls, underfloor and in the ceilings to support climate stability in the home.
A heat-pump hot water service was installed at the property, allowing water to be heated with up to three times more energy efficiency than a typical hot-water service.
A solar system was installed to minimise the occupants’ reliance on grid-based power sources, along with large water tanks for capturing and storing rain water.
The home was a balancing act between orientation for solar gain and energy efficiency, alongside views and amenity relative to other aspects of the property.
An enormous amount of natural light penetrates the home, providing natural heating all year round. Double glazing was used throughout to maximise protection and retention of light and heat as required. Maximum insulation was used in the walls, underfloor and in the ceilings to support climate stability in the home.
A heat-pump hot water service was installed at the property, allowing water to be heated with up to three times more energy efficiency than a typical hot-water service.
A solar system was installed to minimise the occupants’ reliance on grid-based power sources, along with large water tanks for capturing and storing rain water.
How important was it for the design to be sustainable?
Where possible, local trades, manufacturing and supplies were used to construct the home, reducing reliance on transport and haulage while bolstering local economies.
FSC-certified products were utilised where applicable, as well as renewable or recyclable natural materials.
Where possible, local trades, manufacturing and supplies were used to construct the home, reducing reliance on transport and haulage while bolstering local economies.
FSC-certified products were utilised where applicable, as well as renewable or recyclable natural materials.
What are the defining features of the house?
Why do you think it works so well?
Every aspect of the home has been considered as an entirety, rather than in isolation. Design decisions are purposeful and all contribute to meeting the client’s brief and lifestyle.
Interaction between the landscape and home occurs from every room, while the large open-plan shared space provides comfort and togetherness.
Natural materials pair with exaggerated forms, both inside and out.
The design reflects the owners’ childhood homes, while adding a modern edge. It’s a design that captures their hopes and dreams for the house that will evolve as their lives do.
- The asymmetry of the wings from the hub of the home.
- The inviting open-plan central living and kitchen space.
- Soaring ceilings.
- Natural and harmoniously focused interior selections.
Why do you think it works so well?
Every aspect of the home has been considered as an entirety, rather than in isolation. Design decisions are purposeful and all contribute to meeting the client’s brief and lifestyle.
Interaction between the landscape and home occurs from every room, while the large open-plan shared space provides comfort and togetherness.
Natural materials pair with exaggerated forms, both inside and out.
The design reflects the owners’ childhood homes, while adding a modern edge. It’s a design that captures their hopes and dreams for the house that will evolve as their lives do.
Key design aspects
Interior materials palette
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this cosy design as much as we are? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more inspiring homes? Check out this story: How a Shipping Container was Made Into a Luxurious Off-Grid Cabin
Interior materials palette
- Carrara marble-leaf mosaic tiles to the kitchen with mid-grey grout.
- Concrete kitchen benchtop and hearth.
- Jatana Interiors encaustic tiles to the bathroom splashback.
- Beton Charcoal Matt tiles from Elegance Tiles to the ensuite.
- Blackbutt and wormy chestnut flooring.
- Cheminees Philippe Radiante 700 fireplace from Coastal Fireplaces.
- Stegbar double-glazed windows with frames painted in Dulux Monument.
- Custom-made blackbutt barn door with steel frame and capping in Colorbond Night Sky by Vand Builders.
- James Hardie Scyon Linea weatherboards in Dulux Monument.
- Lysaght Custom Orb Galvanised roofing.
- Silvertop ash cladding.
- Dulux Golf Green to the kitchen island and range hood.
- Dulux Antique White to internal walls.
- Dulux Monument to the exterior.
Your turn
Are you as charmed by this cosy design as much as we are? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more inspiring homes? Check out this story: How a Shipping Container was Made Into a Luxurious Off-Grid Cabin
Answers by Guy Holman, building designer at Holman Designs
Who lives here: A couple and their two dogs
Location: Connewarre, Victoria
Size: Approximately 360 square metres (including verandahs and carport). The living area measures around 250 square metres.
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Building designer: Holman Designs
Cabinet maker: Jesse Watts at
JFJ Joinery
Builder: Vand Builders
Electrical design and layout: Matthew Tyrrell of GBM Electrix
Plumbing: Hugh McLaren Plumbing