This contemporary farmhouse was built on a property rich with precious memories

“That’s why Adam chose to put the house in this spot,” Amanda explains. “It made me cry when he told me!”

The 50 hectare property at Lucknow, near Orange in Central West New South Wales, is full of meaning for the couple and their daughters, Matilda, 11, Molly, 10, and Heidi, seven, although they came across it by chance. In 2017, the pair were hunting for a block to build their dream home but hadn’t had much luck finding a property that met all their needs. Adam, who owns an earthmoving business, mentioned their search to a client, who said he had a parcel of land they might like. When they visited, they realised it was next door to Adam’s maternal grandparents’ former dairy farm, Trevanson, and had also hosted many fox-shooting and camping adventures for Adam, his father Garry and paternal grandfather, Reg. “To me that was pretty special. It felt like we were connected,” says Amanda.

Just 10 minutes’ drive from Orange, the property ticked all their boxes: it was conveniently close to town while feeling secluded, with plenty of space for their girls to run around. “I wanted to live on a farm — I love the quiet. The kids can go outside and play. I love seeing them use their imaginations and be creative,” says Amanda, who grew up in Orange. Adam, also an Orange local, craved a country life too. He spent his teenage years riding motorbikes and bobcats on the family farm, and worked as a jackaroo in the Northern Territory after finishing school. They now run around 70 head of cattle on the property. “We bought a stud bull so Adam’s started to get into breeding higher-calibre cattle. I’m just along for the ride!” says Amanda, who laughs about keeping an eye on the paddock during calving time while in online meetings for her job with the Natural Resources Access Regulator.

When it came time to build their dream home, their vision was for a contemporary farmhouse that blended with its surroundings. Although they were experienced renovators — having transformed three previous properties — building came with a whole new set of challenges. “It took us a long time to be happy with the plan,” Amanda admits. “I wanted a simple country look, but I didn’t want it to be too modern. Maybe you do overthink it a little bit when you build for the first time, but when everyone’s coming to you for the answer, you want to make sure you’re giving the right answer for you.”

Luckily, they had professional help: Adam’s sister, Louise Spicer, is an interior designer and creative director of Onefour Interiors in Orange and Sydney (their sister-in-law, artist Whitney Spicer, was featured in Graziher’s Winter 2021 issue). “To have Louise there was absolutely amazing. She would give me her honest opinion,” Amanda says.

Jumbled’s Pip Brett talks to Graziher’s Life on the Land about her love of colour. Article continues below.

Louise translated Amanda and Adam’s ideas into a practical design. She helped them plan the floorspace to maximise the beautiful outlook; guided them through joinery decisions; designed the bathrooms with their custom-made basalt baths and vanities; and incorporated a gentle country feel with tongue-and-groove panelling in the kitchen, outdoor area and bathrooms.

Keeping the interiors soft and simple was key to successfully mixing contemporary and country styles, notes Louise. “What’s happening outside in the paddock is what’s on show, so inside we were quite sensitive in keeping the palette neutral and earthy,” she explains. “It’s got a little bit of rustic charm in a contemporary way.”