Transform Your Space With Colours, Materials And Textiles

Colours, materials and textiles – these elements can help transform a space, and they all come into play beautifully in this Victorian home.

-  Ali Heath

This striking rural home, owned by Fran Derham and Michael Robertson, is a lesson in nurturing the seed of an idea until it surpasses the original vision and becomes something altogether different, yet better. The Wensley, known affectionately as The Shed, is located high on the rolling hills of rural Victoria, in Wensleydale (just a 20-minute drive to the iconic Great Ocean Road). The house is set on a 32-hectare farm and blends perfectly with the natural vernacular.

Within the design and build, the couple has channelled their dream of creating a unique family bolthole that doubles at times as an exclusive Airbnb retreat that sleeps 10. Their approach to curating is restrained, the effect rustic yet sophisticated. The look is sparse and collections are limited.

But what gives this home its character and a sense of unity is the use of one particular material – timber. It’s ever-present within the home and is the raw ingredient for both the build and its bespoke storage. The textural palette informs all the spaces and creates frames for the breathtaking picture windows that negate the need for art. It also represents a repurposing of Michael’s long-collected salvaged timber stock.

“Timber lies at the heart of it all. We have worked hard to keep clutter at bay, allowing the materials and the architecture to inform the space,” explains Fran.