Bundanoon NSW
The Next Phase
A MODERN FARMHOUSE IN THE NSW SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR PETER AND GAYLE COLLINS.
WORDS JESSICA BELLEF PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON WHITBREAD
“I wanted the house to be full of light,” says homeowner Peter Collins. “Especially in a Southern Highlands winter – the sun can make a huge difference.” Meanwhile, during the construction phase, a landscaper shaped the grounds with hardscaping, creating pathways and garden beds. Peter is now enjoying planting it out with farmhouse-style varieties that suit the cold climate. “I’m adding conifers and native grasses, and creating interest with colourful flowers and foliage,” says the hobbyist green thumb. “It’s all low-maintenance. If we had a fancier garden, it would chew up all my time.”
Timber adds rustic charm to the living room, with New England blackbutt flooring from Sydney Flooring and dramatic ceiling beams. “A builder told us we would save a fortune by not including the rafters, but they make the space feel so inviting and cosy,” says Gayle. Walls painted in Dulux Snowy Mountains capture the light, while sofas and armchairs from Alfresco Emporium complement the natural palette.