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.”

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.

“We wanted a modern farmhouse,” Michael says. “We both grew up in old farmhouses—and with parents who renovated them—and then we renovated several homes together. We love their rustic charm, but also found that they were often cold and dark. Many older homes end up with a big extension off the back that people do all their living in, and the old part of the home is used for sleeping quarters. We wanted something new, with layers of warmth and texture—something easy to live in.”

All paints and oils used throughout the home have low VOCs, and there are rainwater storage tanks and a solar system outside. The fireplace is made from Carey Gully natural stone, and a custom dining table stands above a Cadry rug. The chairs are by Agostino and Brown." layout="" credit="Photo by Jacqui Way" photoUserId=""/>

Patterson and his team devised a single-level floor plan resembling a cross, which would maximize eastern views of the valley and northern sun for solar power. The eastern wing would be reserved for Michael and Teegan, while the western wing would be for their daughter, Perse, and for guests. All living areas would be confined to the northern wing, close to the existing infinity pool, and the southern section would contain the laundry, mudroom, and carport.

“The cruciform plan did many things,” Patterson says. “It organized spaces while controlling light, ventilation, and views. The long, narrow form maximizes northern glass for sunlight, but roof overhangs control shade. We also found that having short north-to-south building depths minimized the chance of dark interiors.”

The home’s windows are all double-glazed, and sliding doors lead out to the backyard infinity pool. " layout="" credit="Photo by Jacqui Way" photoUserId=""/>

As much as possible, the couple chose local building materials that would blend into the landscape. Blackbutt timber appears throughout the house in various forms, particularly on the gabled roof, and its knots and colored layers contrast with the polished concrete floors. They also selected natural stone for the fireplace, and ceramic details in the bathrooms. As it turns out, Harry’s similar penchant for handcrafted forms and earthly palettes brought the entire project together.

“We were very swiftly at ease, and there was such relief that we had found someone we could trust to help us create the feel and vision we had,” Teegan says. “We didn’t want anything shiny or glossy, and Fabrikate reflected this in the level of textural elements in our home. The tiles all have speckles or tonal variations, and the light shades were made locally and have amazing natural tones.”

Harry and her team did all of the above to honor the landscape, and the type of sanctuary the couple was aiming to create for their family. “It was as simple as standing on the site and allowing it to inform and inspire,” she says. “My team chose items that reflected the clients and the vernacular of the hills. They will patina naturally, but still be durable, ageless, and full of character.”

The project’s three parties (the owners, the architect, and the interior designer) worked together over the course of three years—through “Covid, rain, and more rain,” says Michael—to finish the home in 2020. It has three bedrooms, a study, and two-and-a-half bathrooms, but most importantly, it’s exactly what the couple envisioned as their modern farmhouse on a hill.

“Having a close alignment with your collaborators and clients can produce the most outstanding results,” Harry says. “The patience and commitment we all had to design this outcome was worth it. When a boundary is pushed, the most wonderful things can happen.”

Related Reading:

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Before & After: A Vibrant Remodel Tunes Up an Australian Bungalow for a Family and Their Pets

Project Details:

Architect of Record: Tain Patterson, Troppo Architects / @troppo.architects

Builder: Hocking Constructions

Structural Engineer: Adelaide Structural and Civil Engineering

Landscape Design: Habitat Landscaping

Interior Design: Fabrikate / @fabrikate_creative_spaces

Cabinetry Design: Fabrikate

Cabinetry Construction: Kustom Joinery

Photographer: Jacqui Way

Stylist: Fabrikate and Emily O'Brien

Appears In

An Australian Family’s Farmhouse Reflects the Splendor of Its Surroundings