“One of our friends, Georgie (who was also one of Polly’s bridesmaids) encouraged us early on to come up with three words that we wanted our day to be,” says Polly, 31. “The words we came up with were: joyful, warm, and treat.”

Using these words as their north star, Polly and Jack, 34, were able to plan a day of celebration in an intimate setting, while providing plenty of indulgent moments (or treats) for their 170 guests.

“When we were making decisions, we asked ourselves: ‘Does this really feed into those words? Is it still going to be a warm, love-filled day that is a treat for our guests?’” says Polly.

Coming together on a 43-degree day in December 2023, the couple relied on their tight-knit group of friends, family and the local community to pull off a remarkable wedding, despite the extreme weather.

That support was invaluable given that Jack’s career as a professional polo player took him away for the spring polo season in the months leading up to the wedding.

“In terms of Jack’s work, he got back a week before the wedding and he left in mid-August,” says Polly. “But we knew we didn’t want a winter wedding, so we had slim pickings on the time of year if we wanted it to be warm.”

Doubling down on planning to mitigate challenging circumstances, Polly says: “We had big market umbrellas, handheld paper fans, a late starting time, plenty of cool drinks, and margaritas to provide some relief from the heat.

“I also worked with our florist to choose flowers that would be heat-resistant.”

Polly’s only regret is that she didn’t listen to some of her instincts sooner. “But the outcome was everything we could have hoped for,” she says. “So, we wouldn’t change anything.”

Photography: Abbie Mellé
Viedeography: Eddie Blake from Ripple Weddings
Bride’s dress: Eisen Stein, fitted by Scone dressmaker Narelle Smith
Jewellery: Peggy & Twig
Make-up: Emily Morgan from Face Envy
Hair: Georgia Hull
Groom’s suit: MJ Bale
Groom’s shoes: Country Road
Rings GP Israel Diamonds and Gabrielle Jewellers
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jillian Boustred
Celebrant: Pip Best from In Light Ceremonies
Florist: Abby Schofield from Once & Flor’al
Caterer: Merv McRobert from The Hunted Gourmet
Cake: Alicia from Vanilla Lane

BEHIND THE SCENES

“My favourite part of the day was knowing it was the beginning of the rest of my life with Polly,” says Jack.

“Our friends and family are just the best,” says Polly. The bridal party was made up of childhood friends and Jack’s two older brothers.

A celebratory moment.

Polly’s father walked her down the aisle.

Cherished moments with friends.

The gorgeous bridesmaids and flower girls.

Beautiful floral arrangements by Abby Schofield.

Elegant bridal shoes by Sam Edelman.

See more on weddings

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The whimsical garden wedding of Poppy and Dean in Longford, Tasmania

Bea and Morgan’s serendipitous wedding in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges

How to dress your best as a wedding guest

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If, like us, winter draws you into the kitchen and inspires you to cook comfort food that feeds the soul and satisfies the sweet tooth, these winter baking recipes, some of which have been passed down through generations, will keep you busy and well-fed.

13 warming winter baking recipes

Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry

Maggie Beer shares a hearty, delicious braised beef pie recipe that can also be made with gluten-free pastry.

Get the recipe

Mandarin cake with mascarpone

This decadent, layered creation features a layer of velvety mascarpone cream sandwiched between two moist layers of cake. It’s all topped off with a delicate layer of candied orange.

get the recipe

Espresso choc date pudding

This winter-warming chocolate pudding is topped with espresso toffee sauce, a dust of icing sugar and a generous dollop on thick cream.

get the recipe

Classic bacon and egg pie

When plain old toast or porridge just won’t do, these moreish bacon and eggs pies make for a warm and fulfilling breakfast, brunch or even lunch.

get the recipe

Classic country chicken pie

From the buttery, flakey pastry to the creamy chicken and vegetable filling, this chicken pie makes the perfect winter lunch or dinner and is guaranteed to please even the fussiest of eaters.

get the recipe

Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie

This traditional Maltese dish combines two classic comfort foods – pasta and pastry – to create a hearty, wholesome and delicious pie the whole family is guaranteed to enjoy. “Nanna’s timpana was a staple at family get-togethers as well as a regular dish at home,” says Tamarah Pienaar, who shares her grandmother’s special recipe.

get the recipe

Wholemeal date scones

You can’t go wrong with a fresh scone and hot cup of tea on a chilly winter’s morning or afternoon. Doreen Taylor’s date scones disappeared at ladies’ guild suppers and sold out at church fetes.

get the recipe

Scandi-style whole baked apples

This delicious recipe combines the tartness of whole-baked Bravo apples with almonds, cardamom and buttery goodness – all dopped with a good serving of cream.

get the recipe

Family-sized cheese and spinach pie

This heirloom spinach pie recipe has sustained Josephine Smith’s family for more than 30 years. A hearty vegetarian dish that is as delicious at it looks.

get the recipe

Cinnamon sponge cake

Is there anything quite so warming as spicy notes of cinnamon in a freshly baked treat? This recipe has been passed down through generations by Delphine Perrett, who is remembered for her flair for baking.

get the recipe

Apple and blackcurrant pie

While you can’t go wrong with a classic apple pie, blackcurrants give this go-to cool-weather dessert a tangy twist and rich purple colour.

get the recipe

Mini vegie pasties

A humble vegie pasty is the perfect cold-weather lunch. Hearty and delicious, they can be eaten piping hot from the oven, or even cold. Its versatility makes it a great lunchbox or picnic staple.

get the recipe

Rhubarb apple crumble

In this classic winter crumble, apples and rhubarb make for a slightly tart filling that pairs perfectly with the golden Anzac biscuit top. Serve hot out of the oven with vanilla ice cream and savour each spoonful.

get the recipe

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Nutty plum and frangipane tart

Amanda Cordony’s charming rose buttermilk cupcake recipe

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Situated in the heart of Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula wheatbelt, on traditional Barngarla lands, “the old doctor’s house” has seen generations of families. Lisa grew up on the family farm just outside the town and recalls many trips to the doctor’s house to see the visiting dentist.

Years later in Western Australia, with Lisa working in corporate communications and her husband Andrew, 43, working in the mining industry, the thought of moving back to Kimba was as remote as the town itself. “But when the idea took hold, it took hold hard,” says Lisa.

The plan involved Lisa’s emerging copywriting business, The Good Copy Company, and a new Kimba venture, Workshop26. As a microbusiness incubator full of local creatives, Workshop26 offered the perfect place for a career change – one that involved Lisa sharing the stories of rural businesswomen. And better yet, the doctor’s house across the road was vacant, patiently waiting for an owner. “I’m a sucker for old houses. I love the proportions and the design, and the way they were just built to last,” Lisa says.

After leaving WA with a stop at Roxby Downs, Lisa and Andrew and their three sons, Heath, nine, Liam, six, and three-year-old James, were ready for a fresh start.

With a gorgeous stone frontage, sash windows and Baltic pine floors, the doctor’s house had held onto its old-world charm but needed a major revamp.

“It was terribly rundown,” Lisa admits. “It had a bright yellow laminate kitchen and a rabbit-warren of rooms, but plenty of potential and lots of original features just waiting to be uncovered.”

One such feature was the terrazzo floor in the main bathroom. Although the bathroom itself was in bad shape due to sustained water damage, Lisa was adamant that they could save the terrazzo. “I love it,” she says. “Once it’s gone you can’t get it back, and there’s just no substitute for quality.”

However, preserving the floor meant they had to keep the home’s original footprint, and this presented a challenge as several rooms felt poky and cramped. Expert restructuring involved removing the walls to the doctor’s waiting and consulting rooms so that a larger main bedroom could be created. Likewise, the living room was opened to the hallway with double-width barn doors – which had one unexpected consequence.

“They basically do laps!” Lisa jokes, referring to Heath, Liam and James. “It’s super easy to run or ride your little pedal bike and chuck laps of the house… but it’s nice to have a beautiful, happy home for three boys.”

Not only that, when the family first moved in, the old dentist chairs were still in place, offering the lively youngsters the perfect opportunity to race them up and down the verandah. Other heritage features include ornate fretwork, decorative ceiling roses, and dappled glass doors that infuse the rooms with delicate shafts of light. These features pair beautifully with Lisa’s penchant for vintage decor, which lends the home a warm, lived-in feel. Curated gallery walls, timber fixtures and Art Deco mirrors stand out on the classic white backdrop, with many items sourced from Lisa’s mother, who runs a vintage store in Workshop26.

“My sister and I work with Mum, sourcing and styling pieces from all over South Australia,” explains Lisa. “Lots of those beautiful pieces, if I’m honest, never actually make it into the shop.”

At home, the only thing left to add was a touch of colour – a deep, forest-green hue in the main bedroom for a soothing tone. “The green makes it feel enclosed in a really lovely way. The old fireplace was a bit of an ugly duckling, but the green just makes it pop and now it’s the star of the room,” says Lisa.

A velvet chair beside the fireplace is a cherished spot for downtime, with Lisa often gazing out the window and seeing her sisters over at Workshop26. It’s here that she spends time writing, telling the tales of her country clients – including a few articles featured in Country Style.

As for the doctor’s house, its story is far from over. “For now, we’ll just keep loving our little home, making it the best we can for our little family,” Lisa says.

Visit thegoodcopycompany.com.au and workshop26.org.au

See inside more country homes

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A brick country home refreshed with a colour scheme taken from the land and mighty Mount Macedon

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An artist’s 1940s country homestead that serves as inspiration for her work

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While Nellie never wrote down a recipe, fortunately, her two daughters Olwen and Thea did, with Olwen eventually passing down her recipes to her own children Bronny, Kris and Rod.

One recipe that went down a treat at local tennis parties throughout the 1940s and 50s was Olwen’s mother’s Frosted Ginger Cake.

“Whenever we make this cake, we are connected to the generations who made us who we are today,” says her daughter, Bronny.

Served plain or with a dollop of custard or ice cream, this classic cake is an afternoon tea crowd-pleaser.

See more heirloom recipes

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Heirloom recipe: Cinnamon sponge cake

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In addition to practical considerations, for many families, allergies and dust sensitivity is an everyday problem, and having carpet running through the entire home just won’t do. That’s where rugs come in, and give you the best of both worlds. A well-positioned rug will also work to create zones within an open-plan home.

Depending on your interiors, there are a few ways to style up your space with a winter rug.

Our favourite rug styles

Grey-tone and monochromatic rugs

If you stick to a monochromatic palette, you can explore the notion of layering rugs and furnishings in different patterns and textures. Aside from colour and pattern, texture is one of those concepts often lauded by interior designers. Even if you’re not quite ready to experiment with a geometric pattern, any soft grey rug is guaranteed to inject texture into a space while delineating an open-plan home. Grey is a naturally soothing shade and is unlikely to compete with your existing furniture and décor.

Berber-style rugs

Historically, Berber rugs were handwoven by the Berber people living in North Africa and the Sahara. Today, high-pile Berber-inspired rugs are popular in homes, channelling a monochrome Bohemian luxe style. These plush, soft-to-touch rugs tend to invite both family and friends to take a seat on the floor and talk the night away.

Moroccan-inspired rugs

Make a statement with floor coverings in warm autumn tones. The history of Berber and Moroccan rugs is interwoven (pun intended), but Moroccan decorating tends to conjure up images of rich hues, burnt oranges and vivid patterns. Turn your living room into a den of inspiration by layering up rugs in clashing colours and patterns.

Blue-toned rugs

Don’t feel blue! Allow these cool-toned rugs to add cheer to your home this winter. Strongly associated with tranquillity, blue is an uplifting colour that will keep the interior of your home feeling bright and light, even if the outside environment is acting otherwise.

Woven rugs

In a true testament to the current obsession with 70s-inspired design, sisal rugs are everywhere right now. Get on the bandwagon, too, with beautiful designs and patterns. The great thing about sisal is that it is durable and easy to clean. The only downside is that they’re not the most comfortable rugs to sit on, so they’re best kept for use in high-traffic zones or underneath dining tables.

Ready to rug up this winter? Below are the best rugs to shop in Australia this winter.

The best rugs to shop for winter 2024

01

Klara hand-woven wool rug

from $249, Temple & Webster

Plush, cosy, and incredibly soft, this natural wool rug from Temple & Webster is a winter must-have. Handwoven to perfection, it features an intricate diamond cut-work pattern that will add a touch of sophistication to any home.

Sizes: 230 x 160 cm, 290 x 200 cm

Materials: natural wool

Key features:

• Handwoven diamond cut-work pattern
• Made from natural wool

Shop Now

02

Adisa Scandi diamond pattern charcoal flatweave rug

from $199, Miss Amara

This gorgeous charcoal rug features a simple woven diamond pattern that will look perfect in Scandinavian-styled homes.

Sizes: 180 x 120 cm, 230 x 160 cm, 290 x 190 cm, 305 x 244 cm, 330 x 240 cm, 366 x 268 cm, 396 x 268 cm, 400 x 300 cm

Materials: cotton, jute

Key features:

• Reversible flatweave
• Handwoven
• Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic

Shop Now

03

Tahlee cream and charcoal grey tribal shag rug

from $249, Miss Amara

Woven using modern looming techniques, this rug from Miss Amara is not only silky underfoot, but is also incredibly durable and stain-resistant – making it a great option for high-traffic zones.

Sizes: 180 x 120 cm, 230 x 160 cm, 280 x 190 cm, 330 x 240 cm, 400 x 300 cm

Materials: polyester

Key features:

• 100% super soft polyester fibres
• Stain resistant
• Ideal for high-traffic zones

Shop Now

04

Palmer table tufted cotton rug

from $199 (usually $299), Temple & Webster

Perfect for Boho-style spaces, this rug from Temple & Webster is perfect for living spaces in similar hues. Bring out the caramel tones of this rug by pairing it with similarly-hued throw cushions and home decor pieces.

Size: 200 x 300 cm

Materials: cotton

Key features:

• Hypoallergenic
• Handmade
• Tassel detailing

Shop Now

05

Sissa mustard and peach floral distressed rug

from $339.15 (usually $399), Miss Amara

Up the warm and cosy ambience while the weather gets cooler with this distressed rug from Miss Amara. Handmade by skilled artisans, it evokes old-world charm with its subtle floral medallion design.

Sizes: 200 x 160 cm, 280 x 190 cm, 330 x 240 cm, 400 x 300 cm

Materials: cotton, jute, polyester

Key features:

• Handmade
• Flat weave design

Shop Now

06

Karmen blue and ivory geometric patterned rug

from $159.20 (usually $199.90), Miss Amara

This warm ivory textured rug with a tribal geometric pattern is a unique design to feature in any space. With its navy blue background it will look great in Bohemian-style homes as well as coastal, seaside abodes.

Sizes: 180 x 120 cm, 183 x 122 cm, 225 x 155 cm, 244 x 152 cm, 280 x 190 cm, 320 x 230 cm, 305 x 244 cm, 366 x 268 cm, 396 x 268 cm, 400 x 300 cm

Materials: microfibre polyester

Key features:

• Geometric pattern
• High pile design

Shop Now

07

Weave Home Silvio rug in Oakmoss

from $1119.20 (usually $1399), RJ Living

Our love for the olive green hue seems to be sticking. The Silvio rug is a contemporary rug that is rich in texture with gorgeous micro-fringe edging. Inspired by nature and wonderfully cool, this rug will add a touch of sophistication to any room.

Sizes: 200 x 300 cm, 300 x 400 cm

Colours: Oakmoss, Sienna, Fog, Flint, Ecru, Dush, Dovecote, Dijon

Materials: 100% New Zealand wool

Key features:

• Made from 100% New Zealand wool
• Unique micro-fringe design
• Designed in Melbourne

Shop Now

Read more about rugs here:

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The best washable rugs for indoor and outdoor use

11 of the best stores to buy a rug in Australia

11 outdoor rugs to complete your alfresco setting

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Considering they are constructed to host gatherings of spiritual significance, these builds often contain features that measure up as such: towering ceilings, iconic craftsmanship, leadlight windows and sometimes even heritage details.

So, put country homes among the gum trees to the side, if becoming the custodian of a historical and cultural landmark — and converting it to something liveable — appeals, stop here a moment. Looking for a church for sale? These are the most breathtaking ones around Australia that have either received or are ripe for (respectful) renovation.

8 breathtakingly beautiful churches for sale

42-50 Church Road

Bellarine, VIC

Overlooking the rural scapes of Bellarine and sweeping across three levels, this renovated church offers an escape from the hustle and bustle with every luxury still at your fingertips. Within, soaring timber ceilings are met with a designer kitchen with premium appliances, a mezzanine, and a full-sized spa.

Take a look on realestate.com.au

205-207 Arthurs Seat Road

Red Hill, VIC

This property sale spans not just a landmark church, but also an 1885 historic home, ‘The Sunday School’, and main residence, making it a very lucrative investment with three potential income streams. The property has been updated respectfully, the main residence with its mid-century roots and the church and cottage with their charm. Set upon a private almost 3/4 acre, the homes are bordered by National Trust bushland.

Take a look on realestate.com.au

24 Ashton Street

Wynnum, QLD

If you think this cleverly converted church stuns from the front, just wait until you see what’s out the back. Originally constructed in 1890 as a Methodist church, the property has been carefully reconstructed to fit a residential purpose, and now spans six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a huge infinity-edge swimming pool, and a cutting-edge kitchen with a two-way butler’s pantry.

Take a look on domain.com.au

241 Koroit Street

Warrnambool, VIC

Located right in town, this stunning sandstone church has a commanding street presence. Already converted but with plenty of further potential, the five-bedroom property showcases all the character of Gothic-style architecture. There are beautiful timber floors throughout, heating and air-con, and a private garden with raised garden beds. Family home, restaurant, boutique accommodation… the options here are endless.

Take a look on domain.com.au

1/124 Napier Street

Fitzroy, VIC

This iconic bluestone church has already undergone a respectful conversion that makes it perfect for modern living. Most exquisite are the Ferguson & Ure stained-glass windows that filter light from the front of the building throughout the spaces.

Take a look on domain.com.au

274 Main Western Road

Tamborine Mountain, QLD

This adorable, powder blue weatherboard church sits in the lush forests of Mount Tambourine, nestled opposite Witches Falls. It’s part of the larger opportunity on offer, to own a slice of the lucrative Lisson Grove – both The Abbey and the main residence are up for sale. It’s only 100 metres from the National Park, 4km from boutiques and food hotspots and just 60 minutes from Brisbane.

Take a look on realestate.com.au

‘Dibley’ 1740 Kangaloon Road

Kangaloon, NSW

Built in 1882, this slice of history has been tightly held – until now. Situated in the green, grassy ‘scapes of the NSW Southern Highlands, ‘Dibley’ features soaring ceilings, a stone exterior, exposed beams and Colonial architecture. DA Approval has also already been granted for an architecturally designed home and separate garage to be located upon the property.

Take a look on realestate.com.au

494 Molesworth Road

Molesworth, TAS

Previously known as St Aidan’s Church, this gorgeous property was converted into a residential dwelling back in 1975, and now enjoys an established garden, wood fire, outdoor entertaining area, loft-style bedroom and full kitchen, while still retaining its charm.

Take a look on realestate.com.au

The post 8 heavenly churches for sale around Australia appeared first on Homes To Love.

The house was built in 1901, and by the 1940s, Phyllis McDonald and her husband moved in. New in town and keen to make friends, Phyllis opened Wahroonga’s door to the community in 1946 by establishing the Ionian Club, a women’s social network with chapters worldwide. She also ran deportment classes in the home’s lower level. “We’ve met so many beautiful people who have popped in and shared their debutant photos, and told us stories about Phyllis and the finishing school,” says Leeroy.

At their first viewing of the home on a quarter-acre block cut into the slopes of a now-decommissioned bluestone quarry, Anthony and Leeroy, who both work in education, saw past the unsympathetic, tired updates and were itching to reinstate the building’s original beauty. They had just spent seven years renovating their previous home, a 1940s weatherboard cottage in a neighbouring suburb, and were keen to revive a larger, more historic build.

The very day the duo received the keys to Wahroonga, they opened up the enclosed verandah and revealed the old turned posts crafted from Huon pine. “That really brought more light into the rooms,” says Leeroy. “The house breathed again and came to life.”

• The exterior of the home is painted in Grey Pebble Half by Dulux, while the interior walls are coated in Grey Pebble Quarter.

• The guest bedroom is finished in the moody shade of Mineral by Porter’s Paints, while the Airbnb accommodation features Signature by Dulux.
• The kitchen is fitted with Super White Quartzite benchtops and Perrin & Rowe tapware.
• Leeroy and Anthony source artwork from Stockton & Co and Madeline Gordon Gallery, both in Launceston, and Bett Gallery in Hobart.
• Leeroy’s brother, who runs Shape Contractors, completed the landscaping work; shape.mitch@gmail.com

About the house

The two-storey building was wrapped in scaffolding for the next six months while it was repainted and the roof was updated. The overgrown garden was groomed and terraced with grey travertine paving, and the couple reworked the interior layout, refinishing the surfaces but retaining the ornate period details.

The kitchen, formerly a dated fit-out at the back of the home, is now a magnetic, daylight-bathed space at the front of the north-facing block with spectacular views across Launceston. The window seat laden with soft vintage textiles and pillows is a favourite gathering spot for the couple and their springer spaniel, August, and German shorthaired pointer, Campbell. “We spend so much time there, relaxing with the dogs, reading or working,” says Leeroy. “It’s really such a family space.”

“I moved to Tasmania as soon as I met Anthony,” Leeroy adds. “I didn’t need convincing.”

Art and cut flowers, says Anthony, are two of the many things Leeroy has brought into his life. “I would never spend money on them before, but I do now and have a full appreciation for them,” he says, smiling.

Meanwhile, the couple’s impressive art collection mainly comprises work by Tasmanian-based artists or relatives and close friends. “I love the company of artists and being surrounded by creative people,” says Leeroy, whose parents are artists. “Through art, you can talk about things happening in society in a beautiful, non-confrontational and creative way. It brings people together, teaches them, and makes them feel something.”

A love of rugged landscapes propelled Anthony’s move from the ACT to Australia’s island state in his early 20s. As a keen landscape photographer, he was spellbound by the breathtaking naturescapes and the prevailing bohemian world view: “There’s a long history of Tasmania being a place where people come to escape, and I think that’s true today. You end up with a lovely mix of people, which makes for an interesting, culturally rich community.”

This sense of togetherness and openness weaves into the fabric of Wahroonga on Bourke, creating a home and accommodation destination that radiates a welcoming, elegant spirit. Phyllis McDonald would be proud.

To book Wahroonga on Bourke, visit Airbnb or wahroongaonbourke.com, or follow @wahroonga_on_bourke on Instagram.

See inside more homes in Tasmania

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A century-old seaside shack with rustic French style and plenty of charm

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A new country home that meets the past with a cache of vintage finds

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See more of Steve Cumper's recipes

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Slow roast pork shoulder recipe with cauliflower puree

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Now, while I like to entertain the notion of being the type of mother who sends a lunch box entirely made up of homemade, virtuous and inventive food to school each day, in reality, this is rarely the case. Under my daughter’s tutelage, I have quickly learnt to let go of my own lofty ideas and instead favour the foods that she will actually eat. There really is nothing like a lunch box returning completely untouched to teach you this quick-smart. I’m sure that this, in no small way, is payback for my own fussiness when it came to school lunches as a child (sorry, Mum). I point-blank refused to eat sandwiches at school, meaning my mum had to, with ever-increasing resourcefulness, come up with nutritious alternatives every day (which she always did). Thanks, Mum.

Now, one of the things that I know is sure to be a solid lunch box hit (for at least three of the four people in our house) is the good old muesli bar. Never having warmed to the commercially produced variety, may I just say that a homemade muesli bar is something of a revelation. I’m just sorry that it has taken me this long to discover. Not only can you choose to include just the ingredients that you really love (and feel free to experiment here), but they are also stupidly easy to make. And the result? A deeply satisfying, caramelly, nut-free (school-friendly), chewy and delicious bar. Pass me the lunch boxes!

See more sweet recipes from Tilly Pamment

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Tilly Pamment’s perfect pound cake recipe

02:09

Nutty plum and frangipane tart

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Tilly Pamment’s fresh, citrusy and spring-perfect lemon slice recipe

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For most of us, winter signals the arrival of cosy throws, open fires, slippers and warming soups. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for our feathered outdoor friends. While granted, chickens aren’t opposed to a bit of mud and even rain, there comes a time of the year when body fluff just doesn’t cut it anymore. And when that happens, it’s worth stepping in to ensure your chickens are kept warm and cosy.

“Chickens, for the most part, are hardy birds; they can tolerate temperatures below freezing. However, when rain, wind, and sudden temperature drops occur, your chooks do face a tough time,” says Ben Braithwaite, founder of ChickenGuard automated coop door openers. To help you get in the know, combat chill, and keep your chickens warm in winter, we asked Ben to share his expert tips and tricks.

Keep your chooks and their coop dry

“Minimising dampness should be the top priority as moisture build-up can lead to mould and cause respiratory problems in chooks,” says Ben. “Keeping a coop insulated is indeed important in the winter months, however, because the instinct is to keep our chickens warm, many flock owners make the mistake of creating an airtight coop in winter which doesn’t allow for proper ventilation. This leads to moisture, ammonia and mould build-up and keeps polluted air trapped in the coop.” Keep things nice and dry by leaving the coop door open when the sun is out and ensuring any wet litter or bedding gets replaced regularly.

Maintain your chicken coop

“To minimise draft without reducing ventilation, you can reinforce and insulate the coop walls with cardboard or straw and allow airflow to remain through the top of the coop,” says Ben. “Ensure your coop gets airflow during the day and is shut tight at night. Make sure you check regularly for odd holes and gaps in your coop so you can keep them covered and repair them.” According to Ben, you can also top up your chickens’ nesting boxes with extra bedding to create a super snuggly spot for them to rest at night.

Make sure your chickens are safe and secure

Much like for us humans, a secure home is key for your chooks, especially, it turns out, in winter! “Due to a depletion in food, during the winter months predators can become more active and turn their attention to your poor chickens,” says Ben.

While it can be pretty easy to forget to open and close your chooks’ door, using an automated system that is responsive to time or light will help to keep predators at bay. “As winter mornings are darker, it’s harder to get out of bed early. [An automated door] will not only keep your flock safe from predators but take the toil out of cold and dark winter mornings.”

The deep litter method

Referred to as the “deep litter waste management method”, this essentially involves creating a compost pile of the chooks’ droppings and bedding in their coop. “When done correctly, decomposing litter can produce heat, adding an extra layer of warmth for your flock,” explains Ben.

However, if you’re going to utilise this method you should be willing to maintain the compost properly to ensure it doesn’t pose a health hazard! This includes ensuring ventilation, monitoring the moisture (the litter should be equally moist throughout and certainly not too wet), and removal when it reaches about 12 inches in depth. Also, if one of your girls develops a disease, be sure to stop using the deep litter method as it may cause spread.

Feed them well

We all crave warm, carb-heavy food in winter, so it should come as no surprise that it is the same for our feathered friends. “Maintaining body warmth in colder months requires energy, so it’s imperative to feed your chickens more in the winter months,” says Ben. “Whilst keeping their diet balanced and nutritious, increase the amount of protein and carbohydrates in their diets by providing a scratch feed late afternoon.” You can even heat a portion of frozen veggies in the microwave for an extra treat!

Winter supplies for chickens

01

Friendly Earth straw 30L

$13.57, PETstock

Creating insulation in the coop is essential, especially in winter months. These natural chemical-free pine shavings have already had the excess dust removed, and will help to create a cosy nest for your chooks.

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02

Vetafarm Origins insect & mite ready-to-use spray 500ml

$34.97, PETstock

If your girls get infected with mites or insects, it’s important to treat them right away. This spray is easy to use, even for runaways who hate being caught and held. It will get rid of those pesky bugs, stat.

Sizes: 250ml, 500ml

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03

Peters Energy Block for Chickens with Dried Mealworms 280g

$12.48, PETstock

Pump up the protein for your chickens in the cooler months by giving them a little extra treat. This high-energy food ‘block’ contains mealworms, and is high in Linoleic Acid – an essential ingredient for healthy eggs.

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A guide to raising backyard chickens

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Country Style’s monthly book recommendations

01

Datsun Angel, Anna Broinowski

$34.99, Booktopia

Broinowski’s The Director is the Commander, a Country Style ‘Best of 2017’, was a world scoop. It’s an account of a film she made in North Korea. Kim Jong Un respected her freedoms (pretty much) and though sardonic at times, it showed us a unique view of what goes on there.

But this new book is a different sort of memoir. Broinowski resurrects her 1980s diary. The opening chapter shows her, aged 17, at Sydney Uni’s Orientation Week. Unlike the other young women at Wesley College, who asked, “Where did you go to school?” and, “What does your father do?”, Anna was an international, the daughter of diplomats. Her childhood was spent in the Philippines, Burma, Iran and Japan. She should have been worldly-wise, but she wasn’t; she’d been chauffeured and chaperoned.

Back to what awaited her in Sydney. Unbridled bullying and sabotaging by males ruined study objectives for the hapless female students. Two years later, she’d had enough. Headed off north with a guy. They made a vow: they would hitchhike to Darwin, stick together at all times, and remain platonic. D’oh. She was kidnapped by two very nasty men. However, nearly all the men up north were nasty. The women had their own consolations, but were ultimately in thrall.

It’s not news, of course, that Australia is riddled with misogyny – still. Few writers, however, have made it this real. Anna’s story ends sadly. She fell deeply in love. He did too, a lovely guy, but he spread himself around. Oh, the agony.

We are glad for her that when she got back, she switched from law to literature. However, the problem with Australian wild men and the deep seam of hatred which trashed Gillard and sent Germaine Greer and Julie Bishop offshore endures. Is escape the only path for ambitious thinkers?

In a postscript, Broinowski notes that the rampaging bullies rose to fame in politics and industry, and one is now a judge. And Peisley, the lovely guy, what happened to him? He settled down, is now an academic. So is Broinowski. Her speciality is fakery in the media and international affairs. She has a daughter currently at Sydney Uni. Forewarned, one hopes, by this stupendous testimony.

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02

Kit McBride Gets a Wife, Amy Barry

$22.99, Booktopia

Storytelling this good shouldn’t be read alone. Gather the family, read aloud. We’re back in 1886, and the location is Montana. Junebug, 14, sister to four towering brothers, wants to go fishing. Instead she’s locked in the kitchen outhouse with a sack of flour and orders to bake.

It’s a forlorn situation. Mother and three girls dead, father off roaming. The brothers mean well but, doggone, they expect Junebug to boil clothes, cook, clean and even give a hand in the hot, smelly forge where Kit toils. She’d like another woman around, to share the work and for company.

Kit’s the most presentable brother. He reads novels, too. Junebug, pretending to be him, advertises for a wife. The ad attracts a vile widow. And here the plot gets complicated. Let’s just say her maid goes in her place. An impostor? A surrogate?

Surely this novel will inspire the next, and still unmatched, Oklahoma-style musical. Toe-tapping, deliciously romantic and can’t you just picture the scene where Junebug sheds her overalls and wears a devastating dress?

As you turn the last page, a treat awaits. The first chapter of the next in the series. This time it’s Morgan, the eldest, who must be hitched
thanks to Junebug’s machinations.

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03

The Square, Celia Walden

$52.25, Booktopia

You’ll read her new novel the first time for pure enjoyment and again to relish Walden’s effortless technique. In Addison Square, Colette is the go-to person when a computer plays up. Licentious Adrian, elderly Sylvia, cash-strapped Zoe and Guy, a newly arrived psychopath, and househusband Hugo are six of her clients.

Naturally, she finds hidden files, happens upon shocking tendencies. But she’s a professional. Discreet. Until the day she opens a thread and sees how her clients talk about her behind her back. A murder occurs just at the point in the plot where everyone has a motive. Walden fans the reader’s curiosity and as Colette’s clients reveal inner oddities, the possibilities writhe and tangle.

If you’re wondering how Walden acquired so much rich material, maybe the fact that she’s married to notorious media-man Piers Morgan helped. And she’s been in a fair few scandals herself. Just saying.

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04

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, Samuel Burr

$32.99, Booktopia

Every year, hundreds of eager contestants gather at their favourite hotel to take part in the New York Times’ crossword puzzle bonanza. We don’t have anything similar here and we certainly should.

Burr’s novel takes place in Bedfordshire at a country house which is falling apart. It’s the home of a dozen or so puzzlers convened by Pippa Allsbrook. She’s Squire of London’s The Times and her crosswords are legendary. The assumption that Squire must be a man stings.

Puzzlers are essentially loners and when retirement looms most are still unattached. A single income does not get you a home to be cosy in – not with housing prices going through the roof. So, Pippa’s plan – a shared abode – has turned out well for everyone. She has adopted a baby found in a hatbox on the doorstep. He’s 25 when the story opens. When she dies, she leaves behind a megapuzzle which will lead him to his biological parents.

The narrative embraces a search for solutions to several puzzles, but even if you’re not a puzzler there’s still much to enjoy.

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05

Anita de Monte Laughs Last, Xochitl Gonzalez

$42.99, Booktopia

Told with chutzpah, this is a novel about two artists. Anita de Monte’s pinioned within the tightly manipulative art world of 1980s New York where her visceral paintings jar alongside the pure white, uneventful canvases created by her famous husband, Jack Martin. He wants her as a curvy Cuban moppet on his arm, but is sorely disappointed as she gradually upstages him.

Ten years later, in an art scene meshed with hip-hop and self-consciously non-white, another sassy Cuban is edging towards the limelight. Raquel Toro’s rising status is tainted by the luck of happening to tickle the fancy of two important insiders. So there are jealous mutterings among less-talented rivals.

Strong feminist and anti-racism themes sit alongside less urgent problems – Raquel wants her backside to be big enough to swing attractively yet small enough to look good in little black numbers. Don’t read too fast – the text is packed with jolting details that are too good to miss. A cornucopia of delights.

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06

The Radio Hour, Victoria Purman

$32.99, Booktopia

Purman’s novel takes us back to the 1950s; in Australia a decade of peak misogyny. The scene is the ABC radio station. Martha Berry, 50, a spinster, has worked there from the early days.

Some managers treat her like dainty china and have no idea that they’re being patronising. Others simply take credit for her meticulous work while ordering her about like a maid.

A radio serial which half the nation listens to at lunchtime is written by a woman who, because she’s such a good writer, was allowed to stay on after she married even though that was against government regulations. The ABC now wants a similar drama, slanted towards a younger audience. Who can turn in anything remotely as gripping as the revered rural saga? Well, it won’t be a woman; rules and attitudes have, if anything, narrowed in the past decade.

Enter Quentin Quinn. Male. Young. And Martha’s private opinion of him? “Almost fatally ill-equipped for the job.” Yet the high-ups, the suits, are fooled. You’ve guessed it: Martha ghosts the new serial. It’s wildly successful. However, this is a comedy, not a tragedy, so there’s plenty to chuckle over as Quinn gets his comeuppance.

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Lucy, a medical administrator and medical science student, and her husband Sebastian, a chef, live in the home with their daughter Birdie, six, and son Bleu, five, as well as Rosie the Maltese cross, Persephone, a rescue cat, and a brood of chooks out the back.

Not always the idyllic family residence it is now, Eden Cottage, which sits on a 763-square-metre block in Gladstone – on the traditional lands of the Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang Bunda people – needed a serious makeover when Lucy and Sebastian, 49, bought it. “We bought this house that was half falling apart and many people thought we were crazy,” explains Lucy. “But I always think we were meant to own this home. It sat vacant for 18 months before we purchased it and I like to think it was waiting for us.”

Determined to preserve the cottage’s historic charm, Lucy and Sebastian avoided decorating trends, instead opting for a considered, sympathetic restoration guided by the home’s original features. “We always said we didn’t want to take a beautiful old heritage home and make it modern,” says Lucy. “So, even though we’ve still got holes in the floors, we’ve retained a lot of the character and that’s all part of the enchantment for us.”

Choosing second-hand and period pieces wherever possible, Lucy sourced furniture and decor that felt in line with the home’s era from Facebook Marketplace and local antique dealers. Desiring a sustainable home with a low environmental impact, Lucy says: “I look for classic pieces that won’t need to be replaced. If I can source something second-hand or use a family heirloom, I will always choose that over a trending item.”

This sensitive approach has at times been a source of frustration for the family, as the combination of a tight budget and local trade shortages has meant the project is still in progress five years after it began. “Living in a rural town has pros and cons, but one of the biggest cons is you don’t have a lot of choices – especially for boutique and specialist tradespeople and products,” says Lucy.

However, instead of deflating the couple, all those challenging factors inspired Lucy and Sebastian to find creative solutions. “Our toxic trait is that we think we can do anything,” jokes Lucy. “During COVID when we started the renovation, there were no trades available, so taking on a lot of the work ourselves was born of necessity.”

Learning plenty along the way, Lucy says there were times when big jobs almost became too much. “We found out the hard way why no-one takes on so much of the work [themselves],” she says. “For example, restoring windows – you don’t realise until you do one for yourself what a big job it is.”

Although the work is ongoing, the duo has already achieved their endgame. “The goal has always been to create a haven to raise our children in,” says Lucy. “We have created somewhere that truly suits our personalities and lifestyle.”

For the Giardinas (whose name aptly means ‘garden’ in Italian), prioritising a connection with the outdoors and bringing nature inside was paramount. “I love to work out in the garden. It’s my happy place, with the chickens, vegies, bees and washing on the line. All these things feel very nostalgic and important to me,” says Lucy. “Sebastian is a chef and comes from an Italian family, so we enjoy cooking and eating, and growing our food as a family.”

Overall, Lucy describes the process of restoring Eden Cottage as slow, but immensely satisfying. “For me, the most rewarding part has been learning new things and challenging myself,” she explains. “I now appreciate how much work, time and energy goes into things, which you don’t get if you just pay someone to do it. I feel very proud of that.”

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Those who have owned chooks will attest to their quiet foraging and ability to produce a bounty of eggs. They also make great companions with many flocks rushing to greet their owner for a morning feed.

For these reasons, many find raising backyard hens a rewarding experience. There are however, a few things to take into consideration before taking the leap and setting up a chook pen at your place.

Can chickens be kept in a backyard?

First things first. Check whether your council’s by-laws allow chickens to be raised in a residential backyard.

Most local councils will allow a small flock of hens (usually up to six) but not a rooster. Hens will lay eggs without a rooster. If you want to keep a rooster, then you’ll most likely need to obtain a permit. There are also local restrictions on the location of the chook house (distance from neighbours being the main one).

How to protect chickens from predators

You may not see them, but foxes are around. Especially in rural, outer-city locations, it’s important to keep chickens safe from predators such as foxes, and other roaming neighbourhood dogs.

Protect chickens from predators by constructing a sturdy chicken coop that is both dog- and fox-proof. To make the pen fox-proof, extend the wire mesh enclosing the cage to form a 40cm long ‘skirt’ around the outside of the pen. This will prevent foxes from burrowing underneath the wire and into the pen.

• An adult fox can squeeze through a hole as small as 10cm in diameter
• Foxes and dogs have been known to chew through chicken wire, so choose wire that is at least 1mm thick
• Foxes and dogs can open basic chicken pen latches, so putting two latches, or using a bolt to secure them will offer extra protection

Fox facts

How to set up a chook coop

A concrete floor under their roost is a must so you can keep the area clean. The run, which is the area where the chickens forage and busy themselves during the day can have an earth floor but should be strewn with organic litter such as straw, untreated wood shavings or other material.

In addition to protection from predators, it’s important to protect your flock from the elements as well. Ensure the pen has adequate shade and shelter from both hot and cold winds. During heatwaves, ensure the pen is well-shaded and that the water supply is topped up regularly.

You might also like to invest in a nesting box, which provide chickens a safe, secure and weatherproof spot to lay their eggs. Nesty Boxes have a range of designs to suit different flock sizes and needs.

The best chicken breeds for Australian backyards

There are many different types of chickens. Large varieties do a lot of damage if allowed to forage unchecked in your garden, as they scratch vigorously.

Choosing the right breed of chicken for your family will require some consideration, including whether you intend to collect the eggs or whether you’d like them to be child-friendly.

Smaller varieties, including bantams and Silkies, create less damage but also lay smaller eggs. The most common backyard hen varieties are Australorp (black feathers, usually brown eggs), ISA Brown (brown feathers, brown eggs), Leghorns (white feathers, white eggs) and Light Sussex (white and black feathers, white eggs). All are good layers and make great pets.

How to care for backyard chickens

Clean out the chicken coop regularly. Put any mulch and chicken litter onto the compost heap and use as fertiliser in the garden later down the track.

Chickens will also need access to plenty of fresh, clean water and high-protein pellets (your vegetable scraps are not enough by themselves). They also require shell grit to aid their digestion and shell formation.

Getting started

Now that you’ve got a safe and secure chicken coop, it’s time for the hens!

Find pullets (young hens, usually less than a year old) for sale through poultry breed clubs and rural stores. There are also businesses, such as City Chicks that offer a small mobile pen and a couple of hens on a trial basis. This is a good way to see if you can cope with the daily demands of keeping chickens, know whether your kids will care for them or your dog will cope.

Beware of buying small chicks or adopting the ones reared at school or kindy unless they have been sexed, as you may end up with roosters!

Are backyard chickens worth it?

Whether it’s teaching kids how to take responsibility for animals, fresh eggs, sustainable food scrap consumption or simply companionship, backyard chickens are well worth it.

Just remember, however, like any pet or animal, they require daily care, attention and maintenance – so make sure you understand the commitment.

Read more about chickens

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If a home among the gum trees, creeks, orchards, vineyards, mountains or stretching fields is all you’ve ever wanted, take this as a sign: it’s time to submit to the quiet call of the country.

Start packing up your city digs, because we’ve rounded up 7quaint and charming country homes for sale around Australia that are sure to pull on your heartstrings.

The most charming country homes for sale around Australia

‘LAURISTON PARK’ 1634 TRENTHAM ROAD, KYNETON SOUTH, VIC

Luxury and exquisite history abound at Lauriston Park, a circa 1853, 40-acre property in Victoria’s sought-after Kyneton South. Immaculately manicured gardens feature a 15-metre mineral pool and full-sized tennis court. Inside the home, an AGA cooker, walk-in pantry, and wine cellar offer the ultimate living experience.

Take a look on domain.com.au

‘MILL RUN’ 83 AGARS LANE, BERRY, NSW

Sitting on a beautiful parcel of land between the famous Seven Mile Beach and the township of Berry on the NSW south coast, this sprawling homestead promises the best of country and coastal living. The main property spans six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a temperature-controlled 3000-bottle wine cellar, and there is a self-contained guest house with two bedrooms and a kitchen. Outside, a festoon-lit alfresco area sits next to a well-established kitchen garden.

Take a look on domain.com.au

139 KANGAROO VALLEY ROAD, BERRY, NSW

Beautifully renovated and serving as a successful Airbnb up until now, this home, set in the foothills of Berry Mountain, is country-meets-coast perfection. The well-appointed kitchen features a farmhouse sink, Vintec wine fridge and walk-in pantry, and flows onto the generous living/dining spaces. Outside, a swimming pool and outdoor fireplace invite, and the garage operates as a separate studio accommodation.

Take a look on domain.com.au

‘THE RACECOURSE’ 240 RACECOURSE ROAD, LANCEFIELD

Fittingly known as The Racecourse, this massive Victorian homestead owned by a prominent harness racing trainer is up for sale and includes – you guessed it – its very own racecourse. The property has strong historical significance, with the 1600m racetrack serving as Lancefield’s racecourse in the late 1800s, with plenty of local legends stemming from this location. The homestead is a five-bedroom, two-bathroom house, and the surrounding equestrian facilities include paddocks, a stable, a separate feed and tack room, a hot and cold wash bay and a sand-covered round yard.

Take a look on realestate.com.au

MARDI, NSW

Fringed by bushland and situated on 2.7 hectares of manicured garden, this home in Mardi, NSW, is quiet, secluded and the epitome of luxury country living. The six-bedroom home features a large swimming pool with an adjoining cabana as well as a two-storey pool house, ideal for guests or short-stay rentals.

Take a look on domain.com.au

‘TEFFONT’ 32 AITKEN ROAD, BOWRAL, NSW

Showcasing traditional Tudor charm, this impressive home sits on a lush half-acre corner block. Spanning multiple levels, the home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a home office and even a 12-dozen bottle cellar under the stairs.

Take a look on domain.com.au

19 UPPER MACDONALD ROAD, ST ALBANS, NSW

This beautiful heritage-listed property encompasses three boutique guest houses, presenting a great investment opportunity for those seeking country life as well as an income (the dream!). Perhaps the most impressive is The Courthouse (pictured), a circa 1890 sandstone building perched up above the Macdonald River and St Albans.

Take a look on realestate.com.au

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Located in the scenic foothills just outside of Milton on the NSW South Coast, Milk Haus was established in 2014 as a wholefood canteen, with owners Kitty and Nat coming onboard in 2020 to continue its story. The former corporate executives dreamed of offering fresh food in an idyllic setting while creating community connections.

Today, the garden-to-plate eatery is a sprawling operation offering a seasonal menu from their kitchen garden that includes citrus trees, herbs and vegies – all thriving under a no-dig policy. Inside, the eatery’s exposed beams and rustic windows remind visitors of the factory’s past, while events like Bake Club with Anneka Manning and retail pop-ups uphold its legacy.

Visitors can also stay at Farm Haus, a four-bedroom cottage with views of the garden and pastures. The dairy farmer’s cottage was built in the 1930s and boasts airy interiors while keeping its country feel with a farmhouse kitchen and wraparound windows. The well-appointed rooms are snug and private, while luxury comforts such as grazing plates, wine packages and an in-haus cook are available for those lazy days. The cottage is a welcome respite for travellers and conscious consumers alike.

Visit milkhaus.com.au or book via Airbnb.

Take a look around Milk Haus, Milton

Tea time on the pretty garden deck.

Weekend getaway essentials include a good book, a hot cuppa and an inviting day bed.

Prepare easy meals during your stay or request a feast from your own private chef.

Delicious breakfast provisions are provided for Farm Haus guests.

On the grounds of Milk Haus eatery in Milton, NSW, you’ll find Farm Haus, a charming four-bedroom cottage.

Kitty and Nat, owners of Farm Haus and Milk Haus, are very passionate about nurturing their land and offering visitors and diners the best quality fresh produce.

Garden scenery can be enjoyed from every room in the cottage.

Dairy cows graze in the neighbouring paddocks.

Two beautiful crimson rosellas perch on a branch in the kitchen garden, which evolves throughout the seasons. Any food scraps and garden waste will go into a trench compost, which enriches the soil.

The post Sprawling pastures and grazing cows surround sustainable eatery and holiday stay, Milk Haus appeared first on Homes To Love.

There are so many different varieties of pumpkin grown all over Australia, but you’ll only see a small portion of these represented on supermarket shelves. Whether you’re looking to grow your own or pick up a popular variety from the supermarket, there are usually options year-round. Here are 5 of the most common pumpkin varieties available in Australia, how to grow them, plus tips on how to use each variety in everything from salads, to scones and more!

For more pumpkin facts, check out our guide to prepping, cooking and storing in-season pumpkins.

If you want to transform pumpkin from a side-kick into a main meal, try these recipes:

• How to make butternut pumpkin fruitcake
• How to make pumpkin scones

Pumpkin recipes

Which month is the best to plant pumpkin?

Pumpkins are not lovers of cold weather or frost — so the best time of year to plant them is in December. You can purchase seeds, or attempt to use the seeds within a store-bought pumpkin. Many people have ended up with an accidental pumpkin plant this way!

What are the best conditions for growing pumpkins?

Pumpkin plants enjoy full sun, so select a non-shady spot with well-drained soil that is at least 1 metre square to allow the vines to grow outward.

Water reguarly when you notice dry soil or conditions, and mulch to help retain moisture. Harvest your pumpkins when they’re ripe. You can test your pumpkin’s readiness by tapping: a ripe pumpkin will make a hollow sound, and the stalk also should have withered and turned brown.

What is the best pumpkin for roasting in Australia?

Butternut pumpkin (called butternut squash in the US) tends to be the top choice when it comes to roasting. Butternut pumpkin has dense, slightly sweet flesh and is by far one of the most versatile varieties in the kitchen.

What is the benefit of eating pumpkin?

As well as tasting great, pumpkins are highly nutritious — they’re packed with proteins, good carbohydrates, carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. According to a medically reviewed article published on WebMD, the benefits of including pumpkin in your diet are huge; it’s great for your skin, is high in fibre, can improve both eye, gut and heart health, and supports your immune system.

The 5 most common pumpkin varieties in Australia

Golden Nugget pumpkin

This pumpkin variety is probably the best bet for a small yard or balcony garden: unlike its cousins, it is small fruiting and compact, making it perfect for a large tub. Particularly delicious when roasted, these pumpkins are also great for stuffing.

Jap or Kent pumpkin

Short for Japanese pumpkin, it also goes by ‘Kent’. This delicious member of the pumpkin family has been described as the ‘foodie’s pumpkin’ and for good reason: it has wonderful flavour and is very versatile. It has ribbed, grey-green mottled skin and is best suited to grow in warm or tropical climates.

Queensland Blue pumpkin

Flying the flag for Australia, the Queensland Blue pumpkin is home-bred-and-born but popular throughout the world. Besides its characteristic blue-grey and deeply ribbed skin, it’s perhaps best known for its amazing keeping time – 100 to 140 days. Pureed Queensland pumpkins are perfect for pumpkin scones.

Turk’s Turban pumpkin

This interesting-looking specimen is an heirloom variety grown more for aesthetics than dinner table glory, but still it is great roasted or made into soup.

Butternut pumpkin

One of the best-known pumpkin varieties for its shape, quick growing time and versatility. It marries well with strong flavours like blue cheese or spices like cumin and grows well all across most of Australia. Butternut pumpkin is also great for sweet dishes, like pumpkin fruitcake and pumpkin pie.

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Ingredients

Visit anniesmithers.com.au and australianpork.com.au, and follow @du_fermier on Instagram.

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As we transition from summer to winter, it’s time to cosy up your bedroom with extra layers, texture and comforting decor that celebrates the season.

From snug sheets to autumnal foliage, these decorating ideas will inspire you to turn your bedroom into a warm and inviting sanctuary where tea in bed, weekend sleep-ins and cosy nights in can be enjoyed in style.

Warm winter bedding

A place to pop your tea down, a puppy dog to cuddle and plump euro cushions to prop yourself up to read a book or the paper – this bedroom ticks all the boxes in terms of comfort and style with a quilted bedspread and basket of warm winter throws nearby.

Muted tones and texture

Let the season inspire your decor. Here, dried autumnal foliage, botanical illustrations and bedlinen in soft tones that you would would commonly see on an early winter morning or late afternoon, make this bedroom feel calm and connected.

Rug up

No one wants to step out of a warm bed onto a cold floor first thing in the morning. If you have floorboards in your bedroom, a rug beside or at the end of the bed will help to cosy up the space in winter.

Just add foliage

With layers of crumpled linen in lilac tones and rich purple foliage by the bed, this dreamy bedroom looks like an ideal spot for sipping tea in bed on a winter’s morning .

Keep the heat in

Window coverings don’t just keep light and heat out, they also help to keep the heat in… which is what we want in winter. With superior insulation properties and proven to reduce heating costs, Luxaflex® Duette® Shades (pictured) are king when it comes to insulation. The unique honeycomb structure traps air to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.

Warm earthy tones

Earthy, terracotta-coloured bedlinen and colourful artworks inject this bedroom inside an artist’s weatherboard farmhouse in the Macedon Ranges with warmth and personality.

Texture abounds

Who said an all-white bedroom can’t feel warm and cosy? A wall hanging in from Barefoot Gypsy and a rust throw from Pampa add an earthy, organic warmth to this cloud-like bedroom.

Whimsical wallpaper

Wallpaper can work wonders when it comes to transforming your bedroom into a warm and whimsical escape. Here, a forest landscape in soft grey tones ties in perfectly with the bedlinen and furnishings, creating a space made for rest and relaxation.

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The best thing about weddings is also the worst: they last a long time. That means comfort is key. We’re looking for pieces that are forgiving around the waist and don’t require constant tugging to fit right – seek out lower hemlines and higher necklines than you might otherwise pick. Soft fabrics and a good fit are vital; if you don’t already have a great alterations tailor, ask the staff in your favourite high-end shop if they can recommend one near you. (When I needed some Bianca Spender trousers altered recently, I emailed the brand’s customer care asking for tailors they used in my area, and received a list of options within half an hour. Top work, Spender staff!)

Aside from the perfect frock, the wedding-wear comfort mandate is most important when it comes to shoes – particularly at a country wedding, where you might be navigating paddocks, barns or gardens. Stilettoes are not it.

Good news: fashionable flats are everywhere. Mary-Janes are my current favourite shape, and because metallics will forever be the most fun neutral, Aeyde’s butter-soft Uma in silver is my pick. Fashion trends these days are entirely optional, but if you like the studded flats Alaïa and Miu Miu just sent down the catwalk, you can get the look with Loeffler Randall’s Leonie ballet pumps. Prefer a mid-heel? Edward Meller’s Dania slingbacks have a low block heel and roomy toe for all-night dancing.

To ensure that you’ll be dressed in the best outfit possible at the next wedding you attend, we’ve pulled together 5 wedding guest dresses that will make you comfortable, confident, and, most importantly, ready to celebrate.

5 country wedding guest dresses to shop

01

Klara shirt dress in Black

$799, Anthea Crawford

Elegant, polished tailoring is your truest friend. A crisp shirt dress is a can’t-fail option – try Anthea Crawford’s embroidered Klara dress, with a prim and proper collar and belt counterbalanced by sheer mesh sleeves for a hint of peekaboo appeal.

Sizes: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18

Key features:

• Designed and made in Australia
• Fully lined
• Concealed front button placket
• Hidden inseam pockets
• Adjustable waist belt

Available at:

• $799 from Myer
• $799 from David Jones

Shop Now

02

Cefinn Daphne velvet dress in Navy

$891, Net-A-Porter

For a winter wedding, I can’t go past velvet, and Cefinn’s Daphne dress has that interesting shape that British brand The Vampire’s Wife made popular – flared sleeves and a slim bodice, for a modern medieval feel – but at a much friendlier price point, and in an inky midnight blue.

Sizes: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16

Key features:

• Midnight-blue plissé-velvet
• 100% polyester
• Dry clean only
• Concealed zip fastening at back
• Midi length

Shop Now

03

Neutral Stance blazer and pants

$599 (blazer) and $399 (pants), Manning Cartell

You could even go all out with a trouser suit: Manning Cartell’s Neutral Stance blazer and pants (in a colour they call beige and I call oyster shell) has a great drape and a slight sheen that’s perfect for partying.

Sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16

Key features:

• Dry clean only
• Blazer features double-breasted design and front flap pockets
• Pants are 40% Polyester / 60% Recycled Polyester

Shop Now

04

Zimmermann linen wrap dress in Ivory

$695, Net-A-Porter

For most seasons, a floral frock ticks all the boxes. Zimmermann’s linen wrap dress has a pretty print and delicate details – ruched shoulders and wrists, plus a deeply ruffled hem add movement and interest.

Sizes: 00, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4

Key features:

• 100% linen; lining: 100% cotton
• Dry clean only
• Ties at side

Shop Now

05

Shona Joy luxe balloon sleeve knot front midi dress

$320, The Iconic

This sleek but forgiving cut by Shona Joy is ideal for weddings where the weather is mild. If Pine is not your tone, it also comes in several flattering tones, including a deep, moody Onyx and wine-toned Sangria.

Sizes: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16

Colours: Pine, Rose, Mocha, Sangria, Azure, Eucalyptus, and Onyx

Key features:

• 100% Recycled Polyester
• Invisible back zip
• Bias cut
• Midi length

Shop Now

Read more on country weddings

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The sale might have been simple, but Tim, 37, and Lauren describe their move to the country as a “journey”. They kicked it off by building a modest two-bedroom home on the 16-hectare property – on the traditional lands of the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people – and planning their wedding at the same time; the house was complete just two weeks before they exchanged vows.

They’ve since added a large vegie garden, growing most of their own food and living as self-sufficiently as they can. “We started with a bare block 10 years ago and it’s just been little ideas each weekend, and it’s evolved,” Tim explains.

Along the way they welcomed son Kai, now seven, and started their own construction company, Kai Konstruct – Tim is the builder and managing director, and Lauren is the business’s creative director. Then, just over a year ago, they decided to renovate their house to better suit their style and needs as a family. “We thought, ‘Let’s make it feel more like our own with the quality finishes we like,’” says Lauren. “At the time, we weren’t expecting a baby!”

The house was originally built as a granny flat – the plan had always been to extend in the future. But they had come to appreciate their small quarters and the way it encouraged an outdoor lifestyle. So, even with a second child on the way (baby Rue is now one year old), they kept the original footprint and simply gave the home a facelift. “We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out,” Lauren says.

They began by enclosing the deck to create more living space and a spot for a special heirloom – Lauren’s grandmother’s pianola: “I have memories of playing it when I was little. We had it inside, all bunched up, and we couldn’t even pull out some of our dining chairs. I was like, okay, we’ve got to do something here, because I’m keeping this!”

That quickly evolved into a plan to revamp the kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Before long, the duo was updating the window frames and building an outdoor kitchen.

Lauren says their tastes have changed since they first built their home a decade ago: “Looking back, everything was either silver or white. We did polished concrete floors, the kitchen was grey and white, there were no feature lights… There was nothing technically wrong with it, but it felt cold.” So, she added personality and warmth by blending traditional and contemporary elements to create a modern farmhouse style. The kitchen is a case in point: honey-coloured oak joinery is accented with black hardware and modern brass lighting, while a wall of reeded glass-fronted cabinets is a fresh take on an old apothecary.

In the living areas, VJ walls painted a bold charcoal offer a dramatic backdrop for the pianola. “I wanted a room that felt moody but warm,” Lauren says. Sofas from Maker & Son and linen blinds help to soften the contemporary edges. “It had to be very practical,” Lauren says of the upgrade. She worked out what storage solutions the family needed and then designed cabinetry to suit – along with a dedicated home office space. “It just feels calmer,” she says. “When you come home to a calm home, your head is clearer.”

The revamp took about a year across two stages, as Tim and Lauren slotted their own project in around their clients’ builds. “It was a challenge!” Lauren says, recalling a stint living in a caravan during winter while pregnant with Rue. “It boosted our appreciation for walls and hot water. Even though we’re in a small house, we are so grateful for it.”

They’re also grateful for the slow lifestyle their property offers. “We love the space, and that we can grow food; we can show Kai and Rue determination and persistence in growing seeds, planting things, failing, trying again, how to look after animals and collect eggs,” Lauren says.

The seeds for a farming life were planted earlier: Tim worked on a wheat farm near Toowoomba after finishing school, before returning to the big smoke for his carpentry apprenticeship. Meanwhile, Lauren took riding lessons as a child and completed an agriculture degree. They now have five horses, including palomino pony Prince Harry. “I didn’t know that Lauren liked horses before we bought the block,” Tim jokes. “Then horses started rocking up!”

“I love the work that’s involved,” Lauren says. “There’s nothing better than feeding horses in the morning, and picking up poo! I love all of it.”

A painting in the living room offers a clue: it shows a horse grazing in a paddock dotted with trees. The work was painted by Lauren’s beloved late nan, who also gave her the pianola that kickstarted the renovation. “She painted it for me when I was seven,” Lauren says. “We’re pretty fond of it. We always joke that she painted my life now.”

It seems fate was leading them here all along.

Visit kaikonstruct.com.au

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The post Fate led a city-dwelling family to this beautiful modern farmhouse in Mount Marrow appeared first on Homes To Love.

Instead of goat’s cheese, you can use smoked cheddar, if you prefer.

Recipe notes

This is an edited extract from Simple Slow Cooker, $35.45, Catch.com.au

See more soup recipes

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Dirty Janes has become a country town icon, a mecca for seekers of pre-loved furniture, homewares, clothing, jewellery, art books, and records. A beacon for travellers to Bowral, and later Canberra, the marketplace is the joint creation of Jane Crowley and her father, antiques dealer Athol Salter. And now, it’s opening a third location in what is likely one of Australia’s most visited country towns: Orange, New South Wales.

“I’ve been eyeing off Orange for a few years,” says Jane. “There is a real buzz to the town; the people, the food scene, the visitor economy. It’s a city with a fabulous artistic scene. It’s also a hub where people will travel for the weekend.”

Dirty Janes Orange location will operate in the same format loved and lauded at its Bowral and Canberra locations, featuring over 65 stalls manned by independent small businesses. Also on-site will be a cafe serving simple but delicious country-style food made from local ingredients; Salters, named after Jane’s father.

“We have vintage dealers who sell furniture, artwork, LPs, china, gardenware. We have artisans who make sculptures, artworks, and hats,” says Jane. The store is situated in the former PCYC building that has been renovated to suit — bar the old scoreboard on the wall and basketball markings kept for their character.

And, there’s more to come. “We’re then going to tackle the upstairs rooms in about 12 months, creating room for more stallholders and a space for workshops.”

Dirty Janes Orange is open 7 days a week from 10am until 5pm, and can be found at 98 Byng Street, Orange.

Inside Jane Crowley’s Bowral home

It should come as little surprise that the brand’s namesake lays her head to rest in a home full of spectacular vintage finds with spades of history and familial stories. “…we’ve got some beautiful family pieces that aren’t necessarily flash, but they’ve got so many memories,” she told Country Style.

It was Jane’s handiwork and penchant for upcycling that brought back the c1920s home in Bowral from its garish 70s state. “It’s great because for the kids, it’s just a way of life. You don’t go to a shop and buy something new, you go to an op shop or you go to a garage sale – and you never know what you’ll find.”

You can see inside Dity Janes founder Jane Crowley’s home here.

See more on Orange, NSW

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Meet Pip Brett, the founder of Jumbled in Orange NSW

The best places to shop, eat and stay in Orange, NSW

A heritage-style garden and restored church in Orange, NSW

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Nonnie’s signature style flows effortlessly across her own home, a refurbished and extended weatherboard beauty dating back to 1901. Wherever the eye falls, vignettes of loved objects and patinated furniture represent flashbacks to people and places for Nonnie and her husband Paul, a real estate photographer who also assists Nonnie with Open House Property Styling.

Every piece tells a story – from the dining table the couple bought in Sydney’s Inner West in the 1990s when they first met, to the ‘Polling Booth’ canvas sign picked up for $20 in New Zealand. Paul is equally keen on living with second-hand pieces. “I might be the collector and treasure hunter, but I’m lucky to have a husband who loves our home and our junk as much as I do,” says Nonnie, 60. “He’s the hammer and nails behind the pictures that live in my head.”

The perfectly matched pair have lived here since 2015, in which time they’ve doubled the size of the original cottage and brought cohesion and structure to the landscaping on the generous 1530-metre-square, sloped block. Handy Paul, 52, and a carpenter friend have completed the majority of the construction work, with additional help from bricklayers for the garden’s retaining walls. The pair’s previous home in Leura, a 1930s-era double brick abode, was a nine-year-long renovation process. “We are up to year eight here, so hopefully we’ve only got a year to go. The front deck and gardens have been the latest improvements,” Nonnie says.

The front half of the dwelling retains the original layout, timber wall lining and flooring, while the expansive back extension steps down and opens up to a kitchen, dining and living space soaked in sunshine and a voluminous, airy feeling. Hemmed in by towering pine trees, the home is completely hidden from the neighbours’ sight, and lush, green views are evident through every reclaimed window and glass-paned door.

“I have no curtains, but it all feels really private,” says Nonnie. “I love nothing more than waking up to look out at the trees. It’s the perfect way to start the day.”

• Half Grey Pepper floor paint from Porter’s Paints finishes the floorboards in the back extension. In the front part of the home, a mix of Black Japan and walnut stain has given the original flooring a dramatic lift.
• Nonnie’s favourite shopping haunts include: Victory Theatre Antique Centre in Blackheath; Hazelbrook Cottage Antiques; “and for something special, Cobweb Collectables at Mount Victoria is wonderful.”
• During trips to Melbourne to see their daughter Marlie, Nonnie and Paul stop at: Nook Vintage; Waverley Antique Bazaar; The Mill in Castlemaine; and Red Cart Vintage at Kyneton: “Owner Kathy is so clever!”

ABOUT THE HOUSE

The bones of the revived cottage are settling once again, but the decoration is in constant flux. Vacations and market trawls inspire overhauls, and Nonnie will pull pieces from her home to bring a flourish to a property styling job. Her bowerbird tendencies tie back to childhood memories of looking through her grandparents’ collections arranged in bakelite boxes and timber cabinets. Nonnie’s mum was also creative – it wasn’t unusual for her to return home from school to find a new hand-sewn cover on the lounge or the bathroom transformed with paint and wallpaper.

Nonnie’s creative pathway took a detour through motherhood (her and Paul’s son, Julian, is 24, and Nonnie has two daughters from a previous marriage, Lacey, 39, and Marlie, 35) and years of office roles: “Now that I do property styling, I have a legitimate reason to be a bowerbird!” She is also well-placed to offer advice on bringing a home to life: “Surround yourself with the things you love and keep nothing for tomorrow – use it and enjoy it all today.”

See Nonnie’s work at: openhousepropertystyling.com.au

See more country homes

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Over the years we have received so many special recipes, accompanied by some heart-warming (and sometimes heart-breaking) stories and photographs of the relative or special someone who passed it on.

Some of these recipes were much-loved family dinners, some were only made for special occasions, like Christmas, and some have even won awards, but all of these recipes are worth sharing.

Here, we’ve picked out ten of the most popular heirloom recipes published over the years, so you can test out some of these classic cakes, beloved biscuits, hearty pies and celebratory desserts yourself.

Do you have a much-loved family recipe that’s been passed down through the generations? We are looking for unpaid submissions to appear in the magazine and online. Email us at austcountrystyle@aremedia.com.au with your recipe, along with the story behind it. If your story is chosen to appear in the mag, we’ll also need a photo of the relative who passed it on to you.

Share your family favourites

Our favourite family heirloom recipes from the pages of Country Style

Grandma Betty’s carrot and pineapple cake

Boorowa-based food blogger Lo Corcoran knew her grandma Betty’s carrot and pineapple cake was good, but winning first place in the local show proved it.

Read more

Grandmum’s jam drops

Country Style reader Ali Gripper says the appeal of her mother’s famous jam drops was the way the soft filling contrasts with the crunchy shortcake base. Ali’s mother learnt the recipe from her mother, Gladys Barber.”Apparently, she baked them often when Grandad came courting. He used to tease Grandmum that he married her because she made such lovely jam drops!”

Read more

Josephine’s family-sized cheese and spinach pie

A souvenir of a short-lived Sydney adventure, this cheese and spinach pie has sustained Josephine Smith’s family for more than 30 years.

read more

Old-fashioned lemon marshmallow slice

A crumbly biscuit base topped with layers of frothy marshmallow upon bed of zesty citrus curd make this old-fashioned lemon marshmallow slice recipe a family favourite.

read more

Bill Bevan’s passionfruit sponge cake

Bill Bevan discovered his talent for baking late in life. “When my mother became ill during her early 50s, Dad took over the cooking and began to bake the cakes Mum fancied,” says Bill’s daughter, Sharne Sjostedt. “Mum really loved this sponge cake — it was her favourite.”

read more

Maggie Vella’s timpana

Every Sunday, Maggie Vella would head to her small kitchen to cook two special dishes. One was a simple chicken-based soup that became known as ‘Nanna soup’; the other a baked pasta pie, called timpana, a traditional recipe from her Maltese homeland. “Nanna’s timpana was a staple at family get-togethers as well as a regular dish at home,” says granddaughter Tamarah Pienaar.

read more

Nanny’s cherry slice

Millie McAuley – otherwise known as Nanny – came to Australia from Ireland in 1934 when she was 10 years old, and never left the country again. “Whenever we had a family picnic, she would bring a big tin of her famous cherry slice – it was always a crowd-pleaser. I also have memories of her coming to our house and quietly putting a bottle of delicious chocolate sauce in the refrigerator for us kids to enjoy.”

read more

Delphine’s cinnamon sponge cake

Although Bronwyn Cocks has inherited her grandmother’s handwritten cookbook — which includes recipes with fascinating names such as flatters cake, orange crumb pie, Mayfield tart and coffee kisses — she did not acquire her baking skills. “I prefer to sew rather than cook, but I can make cakes,” says Bon, who occasionally makes this cinnamon sponge from Delphine’s cookbook.

read more

Margaret Ivory’s ginger fluff sponge cake

Margaret Ivory is famous for her ginger fluff and has baked this classic sponge cake recipe hundreds of times, for occasions ranging from family birthdays and school fetes to sports club functions and to cheer up sick friends. “Anyone who knows Mum, knows about the ginger fluff,” says her daughter, Gayle Donovan.

read more

Nan’s heirloom trifle recipe

For Winifred Smith’s extended family – which is made up of nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren – no family celebration, Christmas or birthday is complete without a rendition of her traditional fruit trifle, known affectionately as “Nan’s trifle.” Winnifred’s secret to the perfect trifle is “plenty of sherry.”

read more

Chocolate rum balls

A Christmas dessert spread would be incomplete without a tumbling display of coconut-coated chocolate rum balls. For Jasmin Midgley, who follows the tried-and-true recipe written in hand by her grandmother, Valma Olive McKane, they represent a particularly special treat. “They’re pretty simple, but delicious,” she says.

read more

Bill Bevan’s banana bread

Bill Bevan’s talents did not stop at his famous passionfruit cake. Also included in his regular rota was his ‘best-ever’ banana bread, a hit amongst his family, and a baked treat he regularly made for his fellow members at Corrimal Community Men’s Shed to enjoy during smoko. “If the guys knew he’d brought something up for smoko, no-one left early and often nothing was left,” says Bill’s daughter, Sharne.

read more

Green tomato chutney

Annie Agnes Daffey raised her family in Bendigo, Victoria, and was a dab hand at whipping up scones, fruit cake, sponges or fairy cakes – all turned out from her modest wood stove. But it was her green tomato chutney, made from home-harvested vegetables and lined up in jars, that her granddaughter Joan McDonald remembers most fondly.

Read more

The post 13 of the most-popular Country Style heirloom recipes appeared first on Homes To Love.

BRISBANE

VIP Preview (by invitation only)
Thursday 9 May: 12pm – 5pm

Public Opening Hours
Opening Night: Thursday 9 May: 5pm – 9pm
Friday 10 May: 10am – 8pm
Saturday 11 May: 10am – 5pm
Sunday 12 May: 10am – 5pm

WHERE
Brisbane Showgrounds Exhibition Building, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills QLD 4006, Australia

SYDNEY

VIP Preview (by invitation only)
Thursday 13 June: 12pm – 5pm

Public Opening Hours
Opening Night: Thursday 13 June: 5pm – 9pm
Friday 14 June: 10am – 8pm
Saturday 15 June: 10am – 5pm
Sunday 16 June: 10am – 5pm

WHERE
The Royal Randwick Racecourse Winx Pavilion Gate E, Alison Road, Randwick, NSW, 2031 

MELBOURNE

VIP Preview (by invitation only)
Thursday 29 August: 12pm – 5pm

Public Opening Hours
Opening Night: Thursday 29 August: 5pm – 9pm
Friday 30 August: 10am – 9pm
Saturday 31 August: 10am – 5pm
Sunday 1 September: 10am – 5pm

WHERE
Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053 

TICKETS

To purchase tickets visit affordableartfair.com

Conditions apply, see ‘Rules’ tab below or visit aremedia.com.au/competitions

The post WIN tickets for you and a friend to the Affordable Art Fair! appeared first on Homes To Love.

Built in 1887 on the town’s main street, it was the post office and postmaster’s family home until it was sold to its first private owners in 1997. “It had been on the market for about two years because an old house like this is quite an undertaking; it needed some love, repairs and redecorating,” recalls Sue. “It was perfect timing.”

This sea change also allowed Sue and Michael, both 58, to bring a little Francophilia to Moruya. Having lived and worked in France – they wed in Paris – Sue and Michael fell in love with the country’s provincial aesthetic and lifestyle. “The French just love life,” says Michael. “They love to eat well, drink well and spend time in the garden.”

With eclectic European antiques and family heirlooms in tow, it was with that joie de vivre that the duo gently transformed the Post and Telegraph.

After engaging local trades, structural issues were addressed, including holes in the rusting tin roof. A “drab and dark” Victorian colour scheme was rectified with bright, light hues by Sue, who has “a really good eye for interiors,” notes Michael. Walls were adorned with locally sourced artworks, including by Michael’s sister, Annie Franklin, and her husband, Gordon Robinson.

For the ground-level kitchen, a wall was knocked down to create a roomier space featuring three large windows, previously shrouded by thick velvet curtains. A traditional Falcon cooker, perfect for making Michael’s signature scrambled eggs, was installed in the original fireplace.

Rounding out the kitchen are new joinery, brass pendant lights and an array of accoutrements. “They’re all things we picked up on our travels, such as Spanish pottery and Dutch antiques,” says Michael. “It’s a mixture of practical things, like kitchen scales, and things that just look lovely.”

Vinyl flooring was also peeled away to reveal ironbark boards. “Ironbark is strong, but has those divots and knocks that point to its history,” says Sue. “We also have a beautiful old cedar staircase with a lovely patch in the middle, worn down from footsteps. There are bedrooms upstairs, where the postmaster’s family lived. We like to imagine their kids running up and down the stairs.”

Locals, past and present, love to share yarns about the post office, often when Sue and Michael are sitting on the verandah or pottering in the garden, gin and tonic in hand. (“We often fight over whose job it is to water the pots,” jokes Michael.) “A man was walking past with his wife one day and knocked on the door,” Sue remembers. “He worked in the post office in the 1970s, so we showed them around. He had such a lovely time reminiscing that he later posted us some old stamps.” The treasured stamps are now displayed in a living space dubbed ‘the library’, which once housed the first telephone booth in the region.

• Sue and Michael bought most of their furniture from Facebook Marketplace, Vinnies, garage sales and stores in France, while other pieces, such as the mahogany dining table and wrought-iron beds, came with the home.
• The kitchen joinery was completed by local business Ernie’s Creative Kitchens.
• On show throughout the home are artworks by: Gabriella Kandilla – “a fabulous Tiwi artist from the Munupi Art Centre on Melville Island”; Peta West; Annie Franklin; Gordon Robinson; Raewyn
  Lawrence; Dave Ramsland; and Stuart Whitelaw.
• The garden is a series of ‘rooms’ featuring star jasmine, camellias, lilly-pilly hedges and salvias, a favourite of the bees and birds.

About the house

The couple’s Canberra-based sons, James, 30, and Matthew, 28, and their partners are frequent visitors, although, “they’re only here for 15 minutes before heading to the beach,” says Michael. Completing the family is cat Tiffany and Josie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Sue and Michael also welcome guests to the Post and Telegraph, which previous owners converted into a bed and breakfast. Guests occupy three rooms upstairs, while Sue and Michael reside in a ground-floor apartment.

So much for slowing down in retirement. “It’s a different sort of busy,” says Sue. “We still get plenty of downtime. We don’t want to be flat out constantly – spending time out in the community is important to us. In just three years, we’ve made some beautiful connections and friendships.”

As the French say, ‘Mangez bien, riez souvent, aimez beaucoup.’ (‘Eat well, laugh often, love abundantly.’)

Visit postandtelegraph.com.au

The post An historic post office-turned-family home in Moruya appeared first on Homes To Love.

The pretty countryside, too, has been drawing people to the area for generations, but these days they’re as likely to come for the shopping as they are for a great weekend.

If you’re looking to explore the Southern Highlands, here are the best places to shop from Bowral, to Moss Vale and beyond.

Calling all fans of Netflix’s hit series, Bridgerton. From April 16th until 23rd April, Bowral is set to be dolled and gussied up for a glamorous week-long celebration of the show’s upcoming third season.

Fans are being treated to an exclusive early (and free) screening of the first episode at Bowral’s Empire Cinemas and to conclude the events on Tuesday 23rd April, Milton Park will be transformed for a regency-style Garden Party.

Netflix has put together a comprehensive guide for the events, which you can find here.

Bridgerton comes to Bowral

Where to shop in Bowral

THE BOOKSHOP BOWRAL

Top-drawer types flock here for its beautiful and useful round-up of titles on all our fave subjects: garden, interiors, architecture, food, travel, fashion. And jolly good novels, too. For more information, visit The Bookshop Bowral.

THE BRONTE TRAM

The place to come for personality pieces: old leather armchairs, mirrors, armoires, the odd bergere armchair, industrial lights, French baker’s stands, and furniture trinkets. For more information, visit The Bronte Tram on Instagram.

BARBARA’S STOREHOUSE

The key word is inexpensive. Fantastic-looking rattan chairs, metal pendant lights, sheepskin rugs, misshapen-style tableware, metal drums and watering cans, woven placemats, jumbo baskets, even timber dining tables that are heartbreakingly cheap. For more information, visit Barbara’s Storehouse on Facebook.

THE POTTING SHED

Garden genius Maureen Gardener always has a good stock of on-trend plants, (succulents, topiary, herbs, standard cumquats), plus lovely old pots, English-style benches, obelisks, willow ware, fire pits, arches, and more. For more information, visit The Potting Shed, Bowral.

DIRTY JANE’S EMPORIUM

Dirty Janes Antique Market is the Portobello Road of Australian shopping, with more than 60 shops and a mind-blowing collection of affordable enamel teapots, vintage bentwood coatstands, old tin pales, advertising signage, (think new, vintage, industrial, antique). You will find everything here from second-hand carved oak side tables to 1920s cane sofas, wicker whatnots, birdcages, and vintage chests. The Emporium is the place to find 1950s American upholstered furniture classics which won’t break the bank. A good hunting ground. For more information, visit Dirty Jane’s Emporium.

CLOTH AND GENERAL

It does the subtle blend thing on its ear, aimed at people who like things that are soothing and neutral. Everything from wicker chairs, to shell inlay trays, throws, knits, coral, candles, baskets, juju, even heavenly elixirs for the body. For more information, visit Cloth and General on Instagram.

COOKSHOP PLUS

The kind of quality staples serious foodies use when they entertain at home. Classic white plates, generous wine glasses, timeless cutlery that’s weighty in the hand. Plus everything you could possibly need for cooking (casserole pots to sauté pans; non-stick griddle pans, and copper-base oven dishes that are for keeps). For more information, visit Cookshop Plus.

Where to shop in Moss Vale

GREEN BRIDGE STUDIOS

A mod mecca of textile installations, macrame teppees and more made using hand-dyed Australian wool and top-grade rope by textile artist, Natalie Miller who has made her mark on the international craft scene. She’s created the world’s biggest macramé chandelier for Hong Kong’s Pacific Place, after all. For more information, visit Green Bridge Studios on Instagram.

THE GREEN HOUSE

Maureen Gardener’s The Green House, is situated in the former stationmaster’s house and brimming with gardenware, books, bee hives, cast iron urns, even mini gardens potted with crocus, snowdrops and hyacinth. Make a diary note to visit as soon as you can. For more information, visit The Greenhouse, Moss Vale.

MADE BY OTHERS

In a league of its own with a unique collection of handmade ceramics, cushions, bags, aprons, napkins, paintings, prints, textiles, jewellery, object design, lighting and more. For more information, visit Made by Others.

MOUNT MURRAY

Come to the gem of a nursery, where you can get a lifetime’s supply of trees in one hit. The family business, with wholesale and retail arms, is renowned for its quality exotic shrubs, pines, spruces, perennials, topiary, magnolia, fruit trees (peach, apple, plum, lemon, cherry). Also stone ornaments, water features – the whole bit. If you’ve got acreage, look no further. And trained staff are on hand to give horticultural advice. For more information, visit Mount Murray.

RABBIT TRAP TIMBER

The best handmade timber tables around. Renowned for hand-crafted timber tables, benches, and made of local timbers. We love the refectoray table with sturdy barn plank tops. Now there are side tables, breadboards, benches. For more information, visit Rabbit Trap Timber.

SALLY BERESFORD

Here you’ll find European grandeur, with serpentine-fronted commodes, oak-fronted bureaus, armoires, workbenches with vices, farmhouse plank tables (that can be custom built to order), urns with plinths, and dining room chairs. For more information, visit Sally Beresford.

SUZIE ANDERSON HOME

Anderson’s second shop in Moss Vale has developed a huge following since it opened (the original store in Bowral also remains popular). The place choreographs its wares as beautifully as any Ralph Lauren store. There are generous sofas, chunky-knit blankets, rattan chairs, indestructible woven rugs, metal pendant lights, stone bowls, and candles that can change the entire atmosphere of your rooms. All in a timeless palette of white, ecru, sable, coffee, grey, blue and charcoal that you can coordinate (or contrast) to taste. For more information, visit Suzie Anderson Home.

Where to shop in Berrima

MRS OLDBUCK’S PANTRY

Stock your pantry with homestyle jams, conserves, pickles, loose-leaf tea, sauces and condiments at Mrs Oldbuck’s Pantry. For more information, visit Mrs Oldbuck’s Pantry.

BERKELOUW BOOKS

The institution of a shop for old runs of books that are seriously cheap. It has a restaurant running around its shelves proving bookshops aren’t dead, they’re thriving. For more information, visit Berkelouw.

Where to shop in Welby

THE MERCHANT OF WELBY

Good pickings for well-crafted, traditional, brown furniture. Lots of mahogany, and good bookcases. Keep an eye out for solid pieces built before World War II, which are more likely to feature trad joinery techniques, better woods and less glue. English and Australian antiques are good value at the moment as the fashion has shifted to twentieth-century classics. Make the most of the opportunity, as they’ll be back. For more information, visit The Merchant of Welby.

Where to shop in Braemar

LYDIE DU BRAY ANTIQUES

A-list designers go nuts over this place. The huge emporium, barn and garden is chock full of one-off French antiques that will add instant pedigree to your digs. Strong on hero pieces. Go for a new shipment of Gustavian and Swedish chairs, side tables, commodes, tables, stools, mirrors, chandeliers, tapestries, and paintings. Oh, and beautiful garden furniture, statues, urns and vintage baskets, too. For more information, visit Lydie du Bray Antiques.

What to do in Canyonleigh

WINTER HILL TREE FARM: If you don’t want to wait years for trees grow, and fancy big, beautiful trees pruned into fab shapes, come here. The 70-acre Canyonleigh farm has more than 300 semi-mature and advanced specimen trees and dintinctive standards. (Hello cypress, beech, oak, plane, juniper, bay, laurel, maple as well as tulip and pear trees). Ideal for shade, hedges and driveways. The landscaper’s choice. For more information, visit Winter Hill Tree Farm.

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From heritage homes that have been lovingly restored, to more modern designs with all the same design features you would expect in a classic country cottage, only shinier, these beautiful homes celebrate the best of Australian country style.

What is the difference between a cottage and a bungalow?

The term ‘bungalow’ is used to describe a single-storey dwelling that typically has a tiled sloping roof. In Australia, the main type of ‘bungalow-style’ dwelling we have are California bungalows, which are quite different in aesthetic and style from cottages. Cottages, on the other hand, are usually smaller, historic dwellings with brick, stone (Georgian or Victorian cottages) or weatherboard (worker’s cottages) facades.

21 country cottages you’ll want to visit

Almost equally as beautiful as this charming weatherboard (dubbed Oak Cottage), are the gardens that surround it. Designed by Tim Pilgrim, who specialises in naturalistic cottage gardens, the landscape was designed to provide six “scenes” throughout the year, as flowers die off and bring forth new growth.

This sweet cottage offers its guests the best of slow country living. Dubbed Lottes Hjem (after its former owner), the home is full of pieces collected at op shops and antique stores. “We’re inspired by a typically European style, mainly French and Italian, so we’re always looking for pieces that add to this feel.”

Surrounded by fruit trees and delicate florals, this pink cottage in Queensland’s Toowoomba is full of much-loved vintage finds that remind the owner of her grandmothers, Eleanor and Ruby. “So much of the garden, the summer house and the main house are built on them and my love for vintage,” shares Leisa, who created the space alongside her husband, Serge.

Intoxicating star jasmine tumbles over the verandah at this country cottage in the Upper Hunter region. The original timber homestead was constructed in the late 1950s and purchased by Annie Bell off her parents in 1999. “I wanted to create a comfortable, functional home, with some lovely spaces to come home to,” she says.

Once “wildly dilapidated” and hidden behind a thick screen of overgrown ivy, this quaint cottage in the tiny town of Dry Diggings in Victoria was rescued by the loving and respectful hands of Sarah and Ben Fraser. “There’s something magic about the sense of history at the property,” says Sarah, 36. “It’s like stepping into another world.”

Nestled in the heart of NSW’s historic town of Berry, this light-filled cottage makes for the perfect weekend country escape. Dubbed Sinclairs of Berry, the property is imbued with the personality of its creator, with no shortage of homely touches. “We designed and built the house to one day live in ourselves,” explains Caroline Sinclair, who makes a point of greeting all of her guests upon arrival.

In Queensland’s Toowoomba, this grandmillennial pink cottage underwent the transformation of a lifetime. Once a quaint corner shop, owner Caitlyn Mason did everything she could to maintain and honour the property’s origins. “I have a huge passion for old, historic buildings in Toowoomba. I try to keep everything I can, as I don’t like changing history,” she says.

Garden designer Tim Pilgrim took great care when crafting and creating the spaces surrounding The Estate Trentham, a gorgeous three bedroom Federation home owned by Lynda Gardener. As functional as it is beautiful, the garden spaces include kitchen gardens, fruit trees, and places for gathering, striking the perfect balance between planned spaces and a wilding meadow. “Most gardeners seem to choose one thing that they’re good at and specialise in that, but I like being across it all,” says Tim.

This charming 1910s cottage in the charming town of Picton, south-west of Sydney, is the home of professional globetrotters, Brent Wallace and Dan Ingram,plus their Golden Retriever, Abby. A home that has kept them rooted in Australia for more time than ever before, the pair have formed a deep sense of love and attachment to this gorgeous home, which plays host to their huge catalogue of keepsakes collected on their travels.

Situated on the flat farming country of the Liverpool Plains in NSW sits Little Kickerbell, a historic homestead that is nothing short of idyllic. Within reside Cathy Armstrong, spoodle Dixie, and Rowen Matthews, a prize winning artist. Together, the couple are besotted with their country change; Rowen drawn out every evening by sunsets at dusk and Cathy adoring the perfect sense of adventure the move has brought.

Built in the 1880s as a residence for the township’s primary school principal, this home had been transported by bullock dray to the farm property in the 1940s. It’s new owners have brought the cottage back to life as a well as the property, a former apple orchard which is now an organic permaculture produce garden, a small-scale orchard, a nursery and an education centre, known as Black Barn Farm.

Tucked behind a hedgerow in the town of Bowral, NSW, this vibrant weatherboard cottage is hard to miss with its dark exterior and sunny yellow front door. Inside, the owners have refurbished the home with white walls, dark floors and a vast collection of art and textiles.

Not all cottages are made from weatherboard or timber. This 1890s farm cottage in Capertee Valley, NSW, is made from sandstone, which is common for colonial homes. Many of the heritage features of this home have been restored and modern additions like a new bathroom and flooring have brought the old girl back to life.

A glass extension has opened up this Southern Highlands cottage, creating more room, a better connection with the outdoors and flooding the home with natural light. A sliding glass door spans the width extension, rolling right back to open the house to the garden and views beyond. “When we built this, it killed every other room in the house!” homeowner Michael says.

This classic Victorian weatherboard cottage in Riddels Creek near the Macedon Ranges has been lovingly restored by photographer and Country Style contributor Marnie Hawson and her husband. Adjacent to the 1890s house was a tiny cottage, formerly Riddels Creek post office – where Marnie’s photography studio is now situated.

This weatherboard farmhouse at Hart’s Farm on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula has been given a new lease on life with a modern timber extension. Architect Claire Scorpo has done a brilliant job of blending the old with new, connecting entrance to the original house to the new bedroom wing with a slatted timber walkway.

The owner of this white weatherboard cottage in rural Victoria repurposed these white gates to enclose her verandah. “They’re from my grandfather’s farm and were on the sheep-drafting race – I remember hanging off them as a little girl,” she says.

This 100-year-old cottage in Newrybar near Byron Bay was turned into a guesthouse and gallery, having belonged to a local florist for 25 years. Once the manse of a church, the weatherboard house features original wooden floors, pretty fretwork details and a tiled front verandah.

The front of this 1910 weatherboard cottage in the NSW Southern Highlands features white French doors and a beautiful cottage garden filled with lillacs, a hedge of teucrium and a cherry blossom tree.

Spargo-Creek-House39509111

The pretty, white-painted facade of horticulturalist Natasha Morgan’s 1800s-era timber cottage in Spargo Creek, Victoria. The building was once a rural post office that the couple have transformed into a beautiful home with French-inspired style.

Sandy McKinley knew she had found her home as soon as she saw her 1860s cottage in Trentham, 95 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. It was 2007 when Sandy bought a cottage on a rambling block of land that she now calls Acre of Roses — referring to the romantic garden of some 1500 perfumed roses that she has planted in the paddock behind the house.

The post 21 of Australia’s prettiest country cottages appeared first on Homes To Love.

On a 4 acre parcel of land that was once dedicated to cattle and dairy farming in Glenquarry, a town in the NSW Southern Highlands, stands one such accommodation. Enter: The Barn at Rangeview, a brand new build dedicated to sharing in the tranquil spoils of a simple country life.

Both the main house, freshly-renovated ‘Rangeview’, and ‘The Barn at Rangeview’ were listed for sale in August 2023, brought to the market by Dianna Reiche of McGrath Southern Highlands. The property comes complete with seven bedrooms (five in the main home and two in ‘The Barn’), a six-car garage, stunning alfresco spaces and a private soccer field – perfect for any budding Matildas or Socceroos players.

In April 2024, Wanita shared to her Instagram that The Barn had found new owners. “While we’re sad to see this chapter close, we’re immensely grateful for the memories shared within its humble walls,” she wrote, before teasing that there are more building adventures to come.

On the market

When Wanita and her husband Joe purchased the land in 2019, they were, as many are, taken with the relaxed and beautiful farmland that comprises the Southern Highlands, a New South Wales farming region located atop the Great Dividing Range. Though physically The Barn looks as though it truly belongs to its locale, it was not always part of the landscape.

However, like so many others, Wanita saw an opportunity and seized it. “When we purchased the land, we wanted not only to create an income stream, but to share a snippet of the relaxed, tranquil life here in the Highlands for visitors,” she recalls of the “ah-hah” moment that preceded The Barn.

Having previously renovated and constructed, the couple were brimming with experience and ideas – the homeowner equivalent to liquid gold. To help them materialise their dreams, Mittagong local, Justin of Solis Haus, was brought on board. And, as is the way with many collaborative efforts, things quickly snowballed. What began as plans to renovate and extend the onsite family home eventuated in the realisation of guest accommodation, with a creative design to match. “We knew the style and aesthetics of The Barn would have to be in keeping with the plans made for the main house,” says Wanita.

The brief given was simple; blend the current rural surroundings with a contemporary, yet respectful, self-sustainable build. Wanting to keep the environment front of mind whilst providing a shining example of luxury, Wanita worked with Justin to incorporate locally sourced, recycled brick from Brickscape to juxtapose a Colorbond Standing Seam wrap, with which you are immediately greeted upon siting the property. “We knew we wanted it to be different – fairly modern in style, clean lines, yet incorporating country charm.”

Though a brand new build, a mere glance at the property demonstrates what Wanita was trying to achieve. The deep, neutral palette both stands in contrast with and blends into the rambling rural landscape, as do the strong architectural lines. Around the north-eastern side of the barn, an almost-encompassing timber deck demarcates the property’s presence, upon which sits a barbeque area and purpose-built sunken fire pit (perhaps the most alluring aspect).

Whilst the property enjoys its natural environment, gardens were also carefully planned to include oaks, olives and maples, which, according to Wanita, provide a pretty spectacular autumn display of colour. Setting the accommodation apart, an artificially turfed soccer field was also added, unsurprisingly a hit with guests.

Internally, the overarching theme can be described as “creature comforts”. Wanita has brought to life the best of natural and textural elements, utilising soft linens in almost every space alongside rustic timbers and natural wool, a suggestion made by the team at Bowerbird Lane Interiors, whom were brought for the project, to tie the spaces together. And, like any exemplary Airbnb, luxuries have not been spared in the process. Built-in storage acts as a stage upon which the property’s winning element – a Cheminee fireplace – sits, there is a TV in every bedroom, and the bathroom plays host to a gorgeous timber vanity, freestanding bath, and underfloor heating.

The concrete floors, white painted brick walls and dark cabinetry make for an industrial touch (in contrast to other interior features) that echoes the steel exterior and outdoor fire pit zone. It becomes apparent just how much Wanita and her team has considered The Barn’s design down to the finest detail; it’s both very much its own space and a reflection of its scape – a unique identity whichever way you spin it.

And though The Barn’s creation was something that overstepped Wanita’s plans for her own family home (wittily dubbed ‘Mother Barn’ and currently under construction), she has no qualms or regrets about its existence – nor in sharing her stunning property around.

“There is abundant space and privacy for both ourselves and our guests. We have loved welcoming them and sharing a bit of what the Southern Highlands has to offer. In turn, their feedback and appreciation for what we have created has made the experience worthwhile and an absolute pleasure,” she reflects. “Our hope is that our guests can spend their time away from home relaxing, unwinding surrounded by views and greenery, just taking the time to switch off and be immersed in nature.”

To book The Barn at Rangeview, head to Airbnb and follow on Instagram @thebarnatrangeview

Photographer: Mary Grace Photography

The post The Barn at Rangeview brings together country charm and contemporary luxury appeared first on Homes To Love.

Master the art of cooking the perfect roast chicken and you’ll never be short of dinner guests!

Our recipe can be customised to suit your own tastes. Stuff the chicken with different garden herbs (parsley, rosemary, oregano or basil would all be good) or rub the skin with your favourite spices to create your own signature dish.

About this recipe

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Resting time: 15 – 20 minutes

Roast chicken recipe

Ingredients

• 2kg free-range or organic chicken
• 1 lemon, halved
• 6 thyme sprigs
• 4 marjoram sprigs
• 4 sage sprigs
• 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled, bruised
• 20g butter, softened

How long does it take to roast a chicken per kg?

Roasting a chicken will take approximately 20 minutes for every 500g of weight at 200 degrees Celsius (180 degrees Celsius for fan-forced ovens). So if you do the maths, it should take a 2kg chicken about 80 minutes (1 hour and 20 minutes) to cook.

Method

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius (or 180 degrees Celsius fan forced).
• Using paper towels, pat chicken dry thoroughly.
• Season cavity generously with salt and pepper then stuff with a 1/2 a lemon, herb sprigs and garlic.
• With chicken breast-side up, tuck wings under shoulders.

• Wrap a 1m-long piece of string around legs twice and tie underneath. Pull up along insides of legs, so string runs along underside of breast. Loop over wings and tie tightly at back.

When do you add vegies to a chicken roast?

Many people believe a roast just isn’t complete without the vegies. To roast vegetables with your chicken, allow chicken to cook for 30-40 minutes then add vegetables to the pan. Try potatoes, baby carrots and shallots.

• Place chicken in a roasting pan. Brush with butter and juice from 1/2 a lemon. Season to taste.
• Roast for 1 hour 20 minutes, basting with juices and turning every 20 minutes, or until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierce.
• Before carving, allow chicken to stand for 15-20 minutes – this gives the juices time to settle. Carve the breast meat in long thin slices, then remove the legs with the thighs and cut in half at the joint.

Shop essential roasting tools

01

KitchenAid leave in meat thermometer

$24.95, Myer

If you want peace of mind that your chook really is cooked, you’ll need a good quality cooking thermometer. Simply insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken to measure the temperature. A fully cooked chicken should be 75 degrees celsius.

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02

OXO poultry shears

$85.95, Myer

A pair of sharp, heavy-duty poultry shears will help alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with roasting a whole chicken. With this tool you can easily cut the meat into sections, or butterfly the chicken for a quicker cook. Made in Germany, the metal blades of Zwilling poultry shears come with a lifetime guarantee and are even safe to wash in the dishwasher.

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03

Cast iron skillet pan 26cm

$49.95, Myer

A simple cast iron pan is a versatile tool cooks of all skill should own. To achieve a perfectly roast chook with crispy skin, simply brown the raw chicken on the stove in the cast-iron pan before placing it in the oven to roast. Once cooked, you can use the juices that accumulate in the pan to create a delicious, flavoursome gravy.

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04

Chasseur Escoffier 35x26cm induction copper roasting pan with rack

$265.50, Big W

Not only is this copper tray perfect for roasting, it’ll look impressive placed in the centre of the table too. The stainless steel, copper and aluminium construction ensures even heat distribution, while ergonmic handles and sealed edges make it easy to hold and clean.

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