On our mission to find our next photo shoot destination, we drive through little country towns and delight in the landscape flushed with sunshine. Our mood is light and as we pass the next bend in the road, we see the exquisite house that awaits us.
This lovely home was built by ex-South Africans who had been living in Australia for the past 5 years.
The project to build this entertainer’s dream, took two years to complete, but was certainly worth the wait!
VSD: What attracted you to this area of NSW?
We received work opportunities in the Central Coast and looked for a place where we could find peace and solace. This is our dream home, overlooking a lake just meters from our house. This is where we sit on the verandah, sip coffee and watch the cattle and horses graze in the valley.
VSD: Where did the farm’s name “Braeside” come from?
Braeside means “on the side of a hill” in Scottish. This house is built right on the side of a hill.
VSD: How did you decide on the design style for the house?
We’ve taken all the items we’ve collected over the years and combined it in the design of the house. We wanted it to not only work together to create a comfortable living space, but also fit our need for a farm/holiday/weekend home and blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment.
The custom made barn door entry and colourful water boots give the home a welcoming country feel fitting for the rural area.
VSD: We see that you are an avid collector of antiques. Do you have a favourite piece?
We’ve been collecting for many years, but some pieces have a special story attached to them. During the Boer War in South Africa, English troops invaded the Boer farms and burnt it to the ground. My great great grandmother had holes dug into her back yard, covered her furniture in sisal and buried them to protect them from the English troops. She left the furniture pieces buried in the ground for the entire Boer War in an attempt to save the pieces. She was sent to a concentration camp and was released after the war. She had the furniture restored on her farm “Oskraal” in the Free State, but died shortly after as the conditions in the concentration camp have taken a toll on her health. We were fortunate to inherit these pieces that were passed down through five generations.
VSD: We love the paint effect on the kitchen cupboards. Who did this for you?
We met a local artisan, Deborah Buckley, in the village of Yarramalong. She specializes in all kinds of paint effects and did a fantastic job. She has a factory in Tuggerah, not too far from here.
The use of tractor seat chairs creates a more informal atmosphere around the formal marble kitchen counter top.
The elegant tap ware add to the French Country feel of the kitchen and bring an old world charm to the space.
VSD: Your dining table is magnificent! How did you come across it?
We needed a substantial table to not only integrate well with the timber beams and columns, but to easily fit a number of guests. We sourced the table from Burning Mountain Antiques just north of Scone in NSW. It took twelve men to carry the table into the house. It’s made of Siberian Cypress which was salvaged from a Russian Orthodox church that was burnt down. The table was handmade by the owner of Burning Mountain Antiques and a poem is added to the under side of every table he makes.
The high ceilings are accentuated by an elevated dining area which overlooks the lounge area. The ceiling beams were sourced from the Northern Territory and adds grandeur and substance to the space. Furnishings and accessories are kept to a minimum, but does not affect the homely, unpretentious feel of the interior.
The main part of this house consists of two wings with two bathrooms and bedrooms each. The main bedroom and bathroom in both wings are bathed in natural light and utilised to full advantage by adding cabinets full of character and accessories to match.
The second wing’s guest bed and bathroom portray a real French charm and are filled with antiques, among it a beautiful French armoire, sourced locally.
A delicate feel in the girls’ bedroom is created by adding a pale blue palette to the dominantly neutral colour scheme. The birdcage lighting and subdued artworks add a feminine touch and soft furnishings and upholstered headboards make the surrounds feel sheltered and cozy.
The verandah and living areas are reminiscent of “Out of Africa” and this is where the owners tend to spend most of their time. This comes as no surprise, as a relaxed atmosphere is created by a sandstone fire place, comfortable furniture and animal hides.
VSD: Where did the antelope horns come from?
The Gemsbuck was hunted in Namibia and the moose in Canada. The deer head is from Scotland.
A daybed on the verandah and a few tucked away nooks with plush pillows invite you to be enveloped and rocked to sleep. These hide aways make it very easy to get in a few winks before the party gets started.
VSD: You have perfected the concept of the man cave and it seems like a great place to entertain. Is this where you gather after a long day at the office?
We enjoy the man cave mostly on weekends and love to barbeque and watch rugby on the big screen while playing billiards, pool or snooker. What makes it extra special, is that this area also adjoins the wine cellar, suffice to say, double trouble.
It is with a little bit of sadness that we leave this quiet slice of heaven behind, but we continue to reminisce over it in the weeks to come. We have another mission in mind… winning the Powerball!
Cheerio ’til next time
Lyndie & Eriana
*ALL PHOTOS IN THIS BLOG WERE TAKEN & STYLED BY VANILLA SLATE DESIGNS
*ALL PHOTOS IN THIS BLOG WERE TAKEN & STYLED BY VANILLA SLATE DESIGNS
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