The Capertee Valley cottage, originally built in the early 1900s, is situated on a 100-acre plot of farmland in the Capertee Valley, approximately 3 hours north-west of Sydney. The client brief sought to maintain the period character of the existing sandstone cottage, but introduce a considered interior renovation that was timeless. The design response is refined and modern whilst being sympathetic to the history and site context of the existing residence, achieved through the simple and considered interior palette and subtle yet high level of detail. The colour palette is light and bright with accents of sandstone, neutral tones, and soft white hues. The Australian landscape is reflected through a raw, honest and humble material palette where materials are layered throughout, including rendered wall finishes, handmade tiles, soft linen curtains, and warm timbers.
The existing spatial layout of the cottage remained unchanged, however significant modifications were made to the kitchen and central bathroom. The bathroom is centrally located with the living/dining space immediately adjacent. A new fixed timber bookshelf was designed to conceal the central bathroom behind, and provide for an unassuming space to display books and household objects. Linen curtains hang against the perimeter walls within the combined living space, softening and framing the views to the landscape beyond. A new fireplace becomes the focus of the room. Adjacent to the living/dining is the generous central kitchen. Its layout is simple yet effective and with the use of pure and light finishes, stands as if it was always there. It is tempered by warm timber elements including a tall pantry unit and fixed timber shelf, as well as aged brass detailing.
A new antique smoked and limed timber floor throughout links the spaces together, and allows for a fluid and seamless spatial flow. New custom operable solid timber shutters have been designed for each room to allow flexibility with privacy.
Facilitating a project with the designer, client and site all geographically separate proved challenging, but ultimately informed the scope and overall result. The remote site location provided for the opportunity to utilise local trades and develop creative means of accessing the site whilst considering the specification of materials, not only in relation to the design intent, but which were also economically viable. In turn, this meant that the fulfilment of the Capertee Valley cottage brief came down to process and communication as much as the development of a design concept.
The Capertee Valley cottage demonstrates a sophisticated and careful interpretation of the Client’s brief. A deep conceptual & site analysis has provided for a design response that celebrates the existing site, its context and history. Further, it shows a holistic approach to the overall design aesthetic including a deep understanding of process and communication. The design of the Capertee Valley cottage considers the rough and raw qualities of the existing residence and the surrounding Australian landscape and retains and reinvigorates it with minimalistic gestures, a considered and refined material palette and clever spatial planning.
Material Used :
1. Travertine – Bathroom Flooring – Teranova (Sydney)
2. Antique Smoked and Limed Floorboards – Timber Flooring - Woodcut
3. Caesarstone 'Fresh Concrete‘ – Kitchen & Bathroom benchtop - Caesarstone
4. Mutina 'Mews' Chalk Wall tiles - Kitchen splashback – Academy Tiles
5. Solid American Oak stained to match floor – Joinery – By Builder
6. Navurban 'Sherwood‘ – Timber Veneer joinery – New Age Veneers
7. Laconia Air 'Linen‘ – Sheer Curtains – James Dunlop Textiles
8. Yokato Tapware weathered brass – Kitchen and Bathroom tapware - Brodware
