STATES OF GRACE

A humble country cottage has grown to become an American-inspired entertainer’s dream, where family and friends are welcomed with open arms.

- Chris Pearson

Sinking into their well-upholstered sofas, the owners of this hilltop homestead in central Victoria can truly unwind as they enjoy pastoral panoramas of rolling countryside. For an immersive sense of place, interior designer Diane Bergeron has filled the interiors with sky blues, cumulus whites and leafy greens, as well as florals and earthy textures, allowing inside and out to meld seamlessly.

When the couple bought the eight-hectare property near Daylesford as a weekend getaway in 2008, they were smitten with those vistas, which change with the months and the time of day. However, a 1980s cottage on the site belied the splendour spread out beyond. “It had poor insulation, rotting weatherboards, no proper laundry and no distinct front entrance,” says the owner. And, instead of a garden, there were just paddocks – which would later prove fertile ground ripe for a passionate gardener.

But for the couple and their teenage son and daughter (who are now aged 28 and 25 respectively), it clearly had a certain something, helped by spectacular views to the Grampians 130 kilometres away on the horizon. “With its sense of calm, we could see potential for a special retreat, a gathering place for extended family, with wonderful gardens,” says the owner. “We bought it on the spot.”

As they settled into the space, they wanted the house to up its game. “Our children and their families live interstate and overseas, so being able to spend quality extended time with them, staying here with us, became important.”