A PLACE IN THE COUNTRY
Embrace the country environment with contemporary comfort & style...
I recently had the opportunity to undertake a refurbishment of a country house in the rolling hills of beautiful South Gippsland in Victoria. Interestingly, when people think of a house in the country, they typically think of large verandahs, period features and fireplaces. This place, known as ‘Dunbreck’ (meaning ‘speckled hill’ in Gaelic) has none of those features. Measuring no greater than 4 metres by 14 metres, the rectangular flat roofed sculpture looks at first glance, like it should be in the city rather than next to sheep and cows. With big windows and sleek modern lines, it however sits comfortably nestled in the grass on top of its own private hill. The house consists of one bedroom, an ensuite, a galley style kitchen and an open living and dining area. Of significance are the views from the big windows that face out east across the deck and the smaller picture windows that frame the hills to the south and west. The top of majestic Wilson’s Promontory also appears and disappears as the weather changes. Although the space is small, there is a feeling of it being part of the greater landscape.
“…the colour of the trees and hills, changing from various shades of greens, blues and greys. This formed my starting point. ”
One thing that struck me was how the surrounding colours and hues are ever changing. One minute the sky is a clear blue, then a grey haze and then white clouds move across. As the light changes, so too does the colour of the trees and hills, changing from various shades of greens, blues and greys. This formed my starting point. Grey, white and blue needed to be used so that the house would feel part of the sky and the landscape.
The house is used as a weekender – a place to retreat to. So it had to be restful and a place you wanted to spend time in. So the vision became clear; to embrace the country environment and to give the house contemporary comfort and style.
Being a small house (or perhaps a ‘tiny house’ as is the fashionable term), a challenge was to fit in a dining area, a lounge area as well as having ample storage. I began by dividing the main area into two zones using a light grey sofa and a custom-made sofa console. Details such as handmade leather handles, reminiscent of saddles were used on the console (and repeated in the wardrobes in the bedroom). The dining table was also custom made from reclaimed wood. A bench seat is on one side of the dining table so that it is easier to serve from the kitchen while contemporary white spindle chairs are on the other side and contrast with the rough finish of the table. Navy stools reminiscent of three legged milking stools are also used as both extra seating and side tables. The small hallway leading into the bedroom was utilized by hanging racks across the wall so that bulky jackets and sunhats would have their spot. A sand coloured jute rug in the living area provides comfort and a relaxed feel.
The house feels cosy but not cluttered. And the furniture certainly does not take away from the stunning views.
Certainly, nods are given to its location in the country, such as the use of tartan and check patterns on cushions. But this is balanced by the use of contemporary colours and furniture such as the woven tan leather low chair and the simple white bookcase and navy reading lamp. The house feels cosy but not cluttered. And the furniture certainly does not take away from the stunning views.
A cool white paint was used in the interior and exterior so the house blends in when the sky is grey but also looks crisp against a bright blue sky. Grey paint was used on the two internal sliding doors, the shelving in the kitchen and on a wall of the hallway.
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