A Former Harpsichord Studio in Australia

Name: Genevieve Wearne
Location: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia
Size: 70 square metres
Years lived in: Owned 5.5 years

Genevieve and her husband Sonny made the move from Melbourne to Kyneton, in country Victoria (approx 1.15 hours from Melbourne), almost six years ago. After a series of events—including a next door neighbour’s renovation gone wrong (which led to the condemning of their own home) they packed up and escaped city life—for a slower pace and country lifestyle and they couldn’t be happier.

Once an old harpsichord studio situated in the yard behind the main house, Genevieve set to renovate and update the interior so that they could live in the studio, whilst they renovated the main house. Well once the harpsichord studio was finished, Genevieve named it a “flop house” and soon after they began renting it out for weekend and short term accommodation.

Genevieve took inspiration from European summer houses and Scandinavian design, with the beautiful timber trusses and ceiling maintained and creating a simple open space with an additional loft bedroom. It is super comfortable and cozy with a view to the rear garden and deck. The artwork in the bedroom and living space were painted by Genevieve’s Aunt, who was an artist that lived most of her life in Denmark. The change to Kyneton led to a complete lifestyle and job change for Genevieve; since renovating and decorating the Harpsichord House, she has opened her own homewares shop called Upstairs in Kyneton, as well as managing several other boutique accommodation homes too through her business The Flop House.

Our Style: Scandinavian design, textiles and humble souvenirs.

Inspiration: Finnish Summer Houses.

Favorite Element: Open plan and view to garden.

Biggest Challenge: Spiral staircase that had to be installed for safety reasons and takes up more space than the previous ladder to the mezzanine.

What Friends Say: Everyone feels incredibly relaxed and welcome here.

Biggest Embarrassment: The tiny lab sink in the kitchen that was supposed to be a bigger farm style sink (online shopping mistake).

Proudest DIY: Designing the bathroom on “Reece’s bathroom planner” and helping our builder with some of the stages eg: waterproofing. Also enjoyed painting the mezzanine floor with milk based shaker style paints from local chairmaker’s Rundell + Rundell.

Biggest Indulgence: The Danish style king bed from Captain Snooze in Fitzroy.

Best Advice: Don’t scrimp on baths and make sure they are metal to keep the heat in.

Dream Sources: Finnish Summer Houses, Nowness, my Great-Aunt, Tante, an artist who lived most of her life in Denmark.

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