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Dream farm renovation project creates unique holiday cottage

August 18, 2021 Leave a Comment

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Creating her own unique farm stay has been a dream of reno queen Naomi Findlay’s for as long as she can remember and she’s finally done it! You won’t believe what she started with to create what is now a comfortable, stylish and peaceful country escape at Waukivory Estate! And we’re excited to exclusively bring you the first episode of a video series following the progress.

One of the transformed bedrooms

Naomi has done countless renos, but this one is special. It’s more than buildings; it’s about creating an experience for many other people to enjoy too. “This is my dream project because it’s creating a destination. As we move through the project, it’s about creating experiences. I want people to create memories when they come to stay, whether that be singing happy birthday on the deck overlooking the mountains, watching their dog playing in the creek or being able to bring their horses on a holiday with them. Or it might be getting to visit some of the amazing things I plan to build there or meet our beautiful donkeys.”

Waukivory Estate is in the midst of dairy and cattle country and 20 minutes from the heart of Gloucester, being the closest town to Barrington. Just three hours north of Sydney, at the same time if you head east, it is just over an hour to the popular Seal Rocks and Blueys Beach. 

Ever since she was a little girl, Naomi dreamed of owning a B&B and baking scones for visitors! Then, 2.5 years ago, she decided to try and make it a reality. But the rundown farm buildings were certainly not picture perfect. “I’m a sucker for something that’s broken and for re-energising and reimagining things; anything that involves injecting positivity, personality and kindness into a space.”

BEFORE Bedroom 3
AFTER Bedroom 3

The previous owners had fled over a decade before as they were ageing and had discovered extensive termites. “Afterwards, the husband passed away and the wife was unable to sell it because it reminded her so much of their time together. To be shown this property and then to be entrusted with this property and the dreams and memories that it held for the previous owner was kind of an honour. All around the property you see evidence of the type of man husband was. You know he loved to tinker with cars and he was a farmer who loved fixing things.”

BEFORE Bedroom 2
AFTER Bedroom 2

Most people would have been overwhelmed by the scale of the restoration required, but not Naomi! “It was actually the structures and their state of disrepair and all the relics of the life people had had in them that was left there that inspired me! I imagined the bell on the back door being rung for lunch and the kids climbing the trees. Even though getting out all the old leftover belongings was a huge task, it truly helped me see that this was once a place of life and laughter.” 

The surrounding landscape was a clincher too; the hills, the view of the valley, the rambling creek. “I remember the first time I saw the property (as she took some hard work to buy), standing in the long grass breathing in the silence thinking if I love her enough and give her all the energy I have, I know it will be amazing.”

The master bedroom at Waukivory Estate

She couldn’t do it alone though, teaming up with construction partner Josh Ferris of Ferris Building. “He loves to build and, deep down below his pro surfer faรงade, he is a full tilt farm boy! Our skill sets are directly opposite to one another so we are a perfect partnership but we both overlap in that we are very determined (that is the kind way of saying crazy stubborn when it comes to getting the outcome we want!), hands on and believe 100 percent in the vision.” 

Finishing the project as lockdowns continue around the country has of course been disappointing, but Naomi is confident that once people can, they’ll be desperate to enjoy a domestic escape like this, especially as international borders will no doubt be closed for a while longer.

“Families, singles, groups of friends, dog owners and horse lovers (once the stables are done) will love this place,” she says. “From Christmas, we will be able to sleep 16, so it’s also ideal for retreats and events.”

More than anything, Naomi wants guests to feel like they are going back to a more simple time, with simple country comforts; a place that feels like home to them and hugs them when they walk in.”

We hope you enjoy the video below, which tells the full story of the first part of the transformation. And stay turned for next week’s reveals: two bathrooms completed on a serious budget!

CHAT TO NAOMI & JEN! We’re going live on Instagram for a chat at 7.30pm next Tuesday 24 August! Join us to ask Naomi any questions about Waukivory, renovating rundown buildings, renovating for holiday accommodation, bathrooms on a budget or anything else you fancy! Or send your questions in advance to [email protected]

Book your stay at Waukivory Estate

Watch more of the reno | Follow Waukivory Estate on Instagram

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This week, Naomi Findlay shares the second finished room in the rundown 1880s stone cottage she is renovating. If you missed room one, check it out here. Over to you,…

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

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Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

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The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

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Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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