When Rhys Stanley and his wife Kirsten first set eyes on an expansive acreage in Victoria’s Surf Coast, they knew instantly that this was the perfect place to build their forever home. With the intention of embracing a working farm life, the couple had been searching for land that reflected their love for wide open spaces and wanted somewhere they and their three kids could grow with and into.
Located around 15 minutes from Torquay, Farmhouse Fields is the first new build that the couple has undertaken and from the outset, Kirsten and Rhys knew they wanted to create a property that felt well-loved and well-lived in.
“When we first found the site, we drove to the top of the hill and knew instantly that this is where we wanted to build our family’s forever home,” recalls Rhys. “The project is something we can grow with and grow into. We’re hoping the farmhouse is going to be something we can love for generations.”
With a well-designed and functional family home in mind, the couple wanted to create a modern farmhouse enthused with rustic charm. They enlisted the expertise of local interior architecture and design studio, Studio Hallihan to bring their dream to life.
“We loved the combination of modern and old, with character. Studio Hallihan completely nailed the brief, guiding us through the journey of our first new build and connecting these styles seamlessly,” says Kirsten.
Blending a traditional farmhouse aesthetic with modern architectural and design elements, the home embraces natural materials, including wood, stone and a warm tactile palette. Exposed beams and polished wood features assist in creating a warm and welcoming environment, a crucial element for modern farmhouse design, while expansive walls, high-peaked vaulted ceilings and oversized windows harness the fluctuations of natural light throughout the day, which was an integral component of the interior’s design. The raw simplicity of natural stone cladding on the exterior adds further to the well-lived in farmhouse aesthetic.
The build has been configured into distinct zones with a separate parent and kids wing, complete with ensuite for the parents and a separate bathroom for the kids, ensuring that calm is well-balanced against the playful chaos of a life with three young children.
The home’s layout is both impactful and functional and its warm and tactile limewashed walls have been well crafted to meet the demands of every day family life. Using a high-quality plasterboard was essential to achieve a smooth finish that contrasted beautifully with the textured oak timber flooring and architectural features, while also meeting the practical demands of a busy household. Kirsten and Rhys chose Gyprock Plus Plasterboard, featuring optimised core technology, which will ensure long-lasting, durable and functional walls.
The kitchen area is the heart of the home. The main open plan living area of Farmhouse Fields has a large footprint for the family to be together, framed by high vaulted ceilings, with a modern and well-designed American inspired kitchen to satisfy the couple’s love of entertaining for family and friends. The large open-plan kitchen has been cleverly designed to feel ‘tucked away’ from the main room. “Built in cabinetry ensures we can hide away the mess and enjoy the beauty of the space while entertaining,” says Kirsten.
One of the standout design elements in the home is its use of soft curves, a feature that adds elegance and flow between spaces. To achieve this, Gyprock Flexible Plasterboard was used. “The designer had some fun with curves throughout the house, and they have turned out better than we could have imagined,” Rhys shares.
The house is designed to embrace nature, but just as importantly, is functional and practical. The ensuite bathroom is understated and elegant, with custom joinery, European-style brass tapware and a striking marble vanity providing a stylish mix of natural materials that blends with the outside surrounds.
The project took two and a half years to complete. “A whole lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this project,” Rhys reflects. “Seeing it completed and looking so beautiful, fills us with a lot of pride.”
