KICKING GOALS

When this footballing family went into lockdown interstate, a trusted relative stepped in to help create their dream home – with winning results.

- Georgia Madden

When former Richmond Tigers captain Trent Cotchin and his wife Brooke embarked on an extensive renovation of their five-bedroom Federation home in Melbourne’s inner north, they had no inkling they wouldn’t be around to oversee it. Not long after purchasing the property, Victoria went into lockdown and the couple and their children Harper, eight, Mackenzie, six, and Parker, three, shifted to Queensland to live in the AFL’s Covid-safe bubble. Fortunately, they had a talented designer in the family who was happy to take the reins – Morgan Ferry, the partner of Brooke’s brother, Bryce.

Morgan had refurbished one of the couple’s previous homes so he had a good understanding of their style and what they wanted from their new abode. He also had his own country weekender to refer to. “Morgan and Bryce have a cute cottage in Berry [southern NSW] that we fell completely in love with. It’s simple, elegant and supremely comfortable, and we were hoping that Morgan could put a similar spin on this house,” says Trent.

That he could do, having already started sketching designs for the new house before Brooke and Trent had even signed the contract. “It was a grand house with lovely detailing, but it was hard to see past the drab, murky colour scheme,” says Morgan. “The rooms were large – with 3.6-metre-high ceilings at points – but the house felt dark and old-fashioned. We wanted to bring in light and flow and give the interior sharpness and clarity, while respecting the home’s history. A lot of work was needed to make this the home Brooke and Trent wanted.