Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: From Bush Church to Snow Country Getaway
This rundown former 1800s church and shearing shed in NSW has been lovingly renovated to preserve and respect its unusual history
This 19th-century Australian church has been through a lot in its lifetime. Once the main church for the town of Laggan, located in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, south-west of Sydney, it was decommissioned in 1943, then used as a farmer’s sheep-shearing shed for more than 50 years. But when architect Michael Sandberg drove past the vacant, rundown building, he saw the potential for its new life.
Over a year of design and construction, Sandberg restored the church’s historic exterior and transformed the interior into a sleek, modern home that still makes use of the building’s original materials. Meanwhile, a grassy acre and a eucalyptus grove surround the building, making it the perfect private weekend getaway.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a weekend home for Michael Sandberg; it’s occasionally rented out.
Location: Laggan, New South Wales
Size: 115 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Budget: About $140,000
Over a year of design and construction, Sandberg restored the church’s historic exterior and transformed the interior into a sleek, modern home that still makes use of the building’s original materials. Meanwhile, a grassy acre and a eucalyptus grove surround the building, making it the perfect private weekend getaway.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a weekend home for Michael Sandberg; it’s occasionally rented out.
Location: Laggan, New South Wales
Size: 115 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Budget: About $140,000
Despite the fact the structure had been used as a shearing shed for half a decade, its exterior was in remarkably good shape. Sandberg was careful to maintain the original solid local granite buttressed walls, pointed-arch wood windows and original handmade double entry doors.
The interior now has fully modern appeal. "We wanted to insert a very contemporary interior into the original structure to represent the new life it was being given," Sandberg says.
Floor finish: Rubio oil; sofa: Copenhagen modular lounge, Glicks Furniture; dining table: Sean Dix, Matt Blatt
Floor finish: Rubio oil; sofa: Copenhagen modular lounge, Glicks Furniture; dining table: Sean Dix, Matt Blatt
BEFORE: Inside, the barren church had few details worth preserving. Besides renovating the basic structure, Sandberg also had to install water tanks, sewage disposal and electricity, because the building isn’t connected to the town’s facilities.
AFTER: The hardwood flooring, pointed-arch window shape and doors are original to the church. The windows were replaced for better insulation.
A new wood-burning stove with a local black granite hearth adds an authentic vibe to the now-contemporary space. Sandberg also outfitted the home with a gas heating system for the winter.
A new wood-burning stove with a local black granite hearth adds an authentic vibe to the now-contemporary space. Sandberg also outfitted the home with a gas heating system for the winter.
A subtle but striking cross shape is visible as soon as you enter the front door. “I really wanted to have some fun with the idea that this was built as a church,” says Sandberg. The graphic white cross – highlighted by the kitchen’s orange cupboards and splashback – references the building’s history. The kitchen’s custom orange colour was inspired by the original coloured glass in the arched window over the main door.
Lighting fixtures: Mercator Scanlan, Bunnings Hardware; kitchen cupboards, benchtops: Bunnings Hardware
Lighting fixtures: Mercator Scanlan, Bunnings Hardware; kitchen cupboards, benchtops: Bunnings Hardware
Solid Australian blackbutt hardwood stairs lead to an open bedroom on the mezzanine.
The door to the left of the kitchen leads to an adjoining shed and a mudroom area, with access to a small outdoor courtyard.
BEFORE: Although it wasn't added to the church until 1943, the adjoining shed is a big part of this building's history. "The farmer that owned it was a well-known local character who lived in the area his whole life," says Sandberg. "It was important for the locals that his memory was also remembered in the building."
AFTER: The shed is now a full bathroom. Most of the wood framing in the old shed was replaced, and a concrete floor was added for durability. The new walls got a layer of thick insulation and then were lined with corrugated metal for the same rustic shed style.
The freestanding bathtub has a clear view of the secluded lot, but the window can be covered if necessary. The mirror frame above the sink is recycled from floorboards reclaimed from the old church.
Bathtub: Vizzini Phoenician; tile: Earp Bros; lighting: halogen downlights, Philips
The freestanding bathtub has a clear view of the secluded lot, but the window can be covered if necessary. The mirror frame above the sink is recycled from floorboards reclaimed from the old church.
Bathtub: Vizzini Phoenician; tile: Earp Bros; lighting: halogen downlights, Philips
Since it snows in this part of New South Wales during most winters, Sandberg added a fireplace to the bathroom for a touch of luxury. Heat lamps help keep the space warm, too.
On the other side of the shed, Sandberg made room for a full, private bedroom. All of the shed's new windows are framed in Australian hardwood.
The church’s elevated position makes for great views down the hill into Laggan. Located in the outskirts of the town, the church is surrounded by farmland for sheep grazing and a few small vineyards.