An Australian Family’s Farmhouse Reflects the Splendor of Its Surroundings
A young couple seek to maximize livability and sustainability amidst the rolling hills and vineyards of the Piccadilly Valley.
A young couple seek to maximize livability and sustainability amidst the rolling hills and vineyards of the Piccadilly Valley.
At the start, Michael and Teegan didn’t want to use an interior designer to help outfit their new address.
"We had huge reservations, because we feared that our home would not feel like ours—or that it would end up being too on trend," Teegan says. "But we were in a situation where we had a six-month-old daughter who didn’t believe in sleeping much—and the demands of our jobs—so it felt like we were on the brink of not being able to pull things together to make our home a reality."
Troppo Architects designed the Summertown House with a a gabled roof and a cross-like layout that maximizes space, light, and views.
Photo by Jacqui Way
That’s when their architect, Tain Patterson of Troppo Architects, said that they should look at the work of the design firm Fabrikate and its director, Kate Harry. The couple had made the hard decision to knock down an existing home due to all of the problems it had—and the project they were building from the ground up would be immersed in the beauty of the Piccadilly Valley, a region in southern Australia known for its vineyards.
Michael, who works in medicine, and Teegan, a viticulturist and winemaker, were drawn to the area for its light and nature—and they desired an address that complemented these features.
"If you find people you can be open and honest with about what you want to create, then their professional skill and exposure to products and craftspeople can elevate and refine your home in your desired direction," Michael says. Timber can be found throughout the home, and it’s charred in some locations (like the front door) for added texture.
Photo by Jacqui Way
See the full story on Dwell.com: An Australian Family’s Farmhouse Reflects the Splendor of Its Surroundings
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