The local town store will always carry special significance for the owner of this imaginatively reborn house. What was once a 19th-century hub in Victoria, Australia is now the place she calls home.
Historically, this was a very busy gold mining area with about 6000 people living in the town. But a fire went through the town in 1968 and most of the buildings came down, except for this one made of white ironbark, so it survived the fire. The wood is so tough, it’s like concrete.
The property, dating back to 1856, has been a general store, a butcher shop and several other things. But it’s the latest metamorphosis by WOWOWA Architecture harnesses the best of old and new. “We were very careful to keep all the elements that made the original structure special, while turning it into a beautiful home – a country oasis,” says the architect.
At the rear of the home, an old lean-to was removed and replaced by twin light-filled pavilions – one containing the kitchen, the other the living domain – with an original exposed-brick fireplace cleverly bridging the two.
New walls and highly crafted columns constructed in rammed earth provide thermally-efficient natural material which was oxidised. The result is a layering of sunset-hued rubies, rose pinks and sandy ochres that presents mural-like within and out.
“We were passionate about the material, even featuring the rammed earth in one of the bathrooms in the original part of the house. We were also very specific about achieving these gorgeous pinky-sandy tones, which almost seemed to match some of the original timberwork. As you’re working with a natural material, it feels like a gift – all of the walls are uniquely different, with what seems like an embedded patina.”
The owner says, “I’ve been collecting things for 30 years. I have all of my favourite things, and gifts from people. I do love modernist furniture too, so I’ve ended up with quite an eclectic group of pieces.”
With the transformation complete, attention was turned to the cottage-style garden. The outdoor sanctuary is abundant with pretty pockets and seasonal delights. Cradling the home, the multi-layered planting palette forms the perfect partner to the expressive interiors.
The owner couldn’t be happier. “The house is like a warm hug,” she says, “It’s beautifully designed, and has a scale to it that doesn’t feel grand. Together with the garden, it brings me a lot of pleasure.”
You can read the original article at www.homestolove.com.au