Woodland Wonder

Consummate entertainers Chyka and Bruce Keebaugh are discovering the simple pleasures of a leafy weekender an hour from melbourne, where they can kick back and unwind in style.

- Deborah Grant

Two years ago, Chyka and Bruce Keebaugh were scrolling through Instagram when they discovered a property with promise on the Mornington Peninsula. “It was the Saturday night of Derby Day and Bruce rang the agent for us to see the place on the Monday, then we bought it at auction the following Saturday,” says Chyka, who runs a catering and events company called The Big Group with Bruce, as well as her own lifestyle brand.

The time was right for the couple. Their careers were ticking along and both their children were grown and living overseas, which meant no more Saturday sport to attend. Only an hour out of their base in Melbourne, the property offered a lifestyle where they could decamp for weekends and comfortably entertain or just suit themselves. Wedged between Red Hill and Flinders, it’s surrounded by dairy farms and vineyards yet is only eight minutes’ drive to the beach. Fresh produce, gourmet restaurants and nearby activities such as horseriding and wine tasting sealed the deal. “There are incredible vineyards and olive groves all around here,” says Chyka.

While they loved the look and feel of the house, both Chyka and Bruce wanted more space, and more light in some areas at certain points of the day. Bruce actually drew up the plans – “he’s a frustrated architect” says Chyka – and a draftsperson finessed them. Within the year they had doubled the size of the home to include a beautiful new main bedroom with a dressing room and sitting area, a bar adjacent to the family room and a large mudroom connecting the house and garage. “We used the builder who did the original renovation so he matched the style and materials perfectly. In fact, it’s hard to tell where old meets new.”