Houzz Tour: A New Take on the Aussie Tin Shed
This home that sits firmly in the Australian countryside has been modified to suit the changing needs of the family that lives within
Emily Hutchinson
27 May 2016
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More
Peter Wood of Inspace was asked to design a home that was in keeping with the farmhouse-style cottages that once populated the land surrounding Shoreham in Victoria. The homeowners were also keen to use as much of the land as possible for vegetation and their animals, which include cats, chickens, ducks and dogs. The result is a true Australian home, with distinctive corrugated cladding stealing the show and beautiful vistas of the surrounding countryside acting as a reminder of the Australian environment.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two cats, chickens, ducks and two dogs
Location: Shoreham, Victoria (just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne)
Size: 200 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a garage/workshop and pool
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two cats, chickens, ducks and two dogs
Location: Shoreham, Victoria (just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne)
Size: 200 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a garage/workshop and pool
Wood commenced the design in 2000 and completed it in 2005, only to continue modifying it up until 2015 when the kids moved out of home. He says that it was important for the home to “sit well within its local and historical context, be a comfortable and easy home year-round, and be adaptable for catering for visitors.”
The design consists of three separate buildings – the garage/workshop, a laundry/studio and the main house. Council restrictions on height also meant that the house had to be cut into the site.
Exterior lighting: Ikea and Custom Lighting; exterior paint: Dulux; mud brick paint: Grimes and Sons
The design consists of three separate buildings – the garage/workshop, a laundry/studio and the main house. Council restrictions on height also meant that the house had to be cut into the site.
Exterior lighting: Ikea and Custom Lighting; exterior paint: Dulux; mud brick paint: Grimes and Sons
The architect explains that the building’s external palette reflects the surrounding environment, and echoes the colours of the day. “The materials, including the natural-edge weatherboards and mud brick, contrast with the sharp vertical lines of sustainably harvested board and batten timber cladding, and the odd bit of corrugated steel,” says Wood.
One of the homeowners maintains her garden well and enjoys the fruits of her labour. Some of the vegetation she grows on the property include Nashi pears, peaches, loquats, plums, mandarins, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, avocado, macadamia, mulberries, olives, tamarillo, hazelnuts, almonds and heritage apples.
One of the homeowners maintains her garden well and enjoys the fruits of her labour. Some of the vegetation she grows on the property include Nashi pears, peaches, loquats, plums, mandarins, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, avocado, macadamia, mulberries, olives, tamarillo, hazelnuts, almonds and heritage apples.
Inside, the home is decorated with collected pieces, or items handed down to the couple by their families. The entrance features a high ceiling – higher than that found in the other downstairs rooms – and stairs made of pine treads with hardwood rails.
The second living area was originally established as a library, but is now used as another space to relax in. The curved pine ceiling, hardwood walls, terracotta tiling and combustion fireplace make this area extra cosy during the colder months of the year. As it gets warmer, the glass doors can open up to let in fresh air.
The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a relaxed country style. This was achieved with the use of natural timber, cabinets and panelling painted with bright and happy colours, as well as rustic touches including the Baker’s combustion stove by Nectre.
A large bench area and pantry were also features requested by the homeowners, to provide them with ample storage and space to cook. The cooking and storage areas cover two walls, with food preparation space taking over another two.
Ovens: Neff; coffee machine: Barazi; tapware: Grohe; dishwasher and range hood: Blanco
A large bench area and pantry were also features requested by the homeowners, to provide them with ample storage and space to cook. The cooking and storage areas cover two walls, with food preparation space taking over another two.
Ovens: Neff; coffee machine: Barazi; tapware: Grohe; dishwasher and range hood: Blanco
A set of timber-lined bi-fold doors lead from the kitchen out onto the deck, which serves as an outdoor lounge and entertaining area in good weather.
The aim of the open-plan living area was to allow visitors to see the layout of the room immediately. A straw-lined ceiling defines the living and dining areas and visually separates them from the kitchen. “The overall aim was to make it multi-spaced in a visual sense, only with lots of northern light from the louvre windows and French doors, which also promote ventilation,” says Wood.
The materials used in this room also provide the space with natural heating and cooling systems. “The terracotta tiles heat up with sunlight … while the straw in this room also insulates sound from upstairs and is soft to look at,” he says.
The materials used in this room also provide the space with natural heating and cooling systems. “The terracotta tiles heat up with sunlight … while the straw in this room also insulates sound from upstairs and is soft to look at,” he says.
Upstairs sit the main bedroom and the bathroom. The bedroom features simple natural colours and shapes, giving the space a calming feel. The straw ceiling and pine walls are repeated in this room, which opens to a void area. This is closed off with timber shutters that promote ventilation while providing privacy. Alongside the main bedroom, a private north-facing deck gives the couple a space of their own to sit and enjoy the sun.
Bedframe and wardrobe: Ikea; bedside furniture: Freedom
Bedframe and wardrobe: Ikea; bedside furniture: Freedom
The main bathroom is also a simple and calming space, with a Japanese-style bath that makes this a nice spot to while away the hours. Wood explains that the ceiling in here is raked, so it appears larger than it actually is. A frameless glass shower screen also adds to this effect.
The outdoor area is frequently used by the homeowners and the 17.5-metre-long L-shaped pool by Aquarius Pools is particularly popular during summer. It is also heated with solar energy, increasing the sustainability of the home.
The three-door garage also doubles as a workshop for the homeowners, offering them a space where they can dabble in DIY and tend to their cars.
What Wood says he is most proud of with this design is merging old and new architecture. “The marriage of old concepts with a contemporary twist and the way the house now nestles into the site is what I’m most happy about,” he says.
TELL US
What area of this country home would you most like to spend some downtime? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US
What area of this country home would you most like to spend some downtime? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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lol I agree with Colleen I tried the straw ceiling ended up with dust and spiders believe me it went out fast!
This showcases a beautiful use of custom glass dividers at the pool! Beautiful home.
My first trip to my (then future) husband's home in Adelaide, Australia was in 1978, and those straw ceilings were extremely common --and were often a key part of the 'insulation' of metal or tile roofs. As noted above, the straw is chemically treated and compacted; you have to work to get a screwdriver in it. The ceilings weren't buggy or cobwebby, since most of the creepy crawlies walk in the door like anywhere else. In fact, at the time South Australia was suffering a plague of introduced millipedes, and they much preferred tiles and plaster walls.
I wasn't a huge fan because the ceilings feel very dark to me. The texture and color means they don't reflect light like painted sheet rock (plasterboard). Add that to the Aussie propensity to have ceilings slope down towards the windows (following the slope of the roof) and to avoid overhead lighting, and things inside can be pretty dim. Note all of these pics were taking on a sunny day, yet the lights in the rooms are on.