Ashe & David’s Australian Farmhouse

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updated Feb 20, 2019

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About this tour

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Home Type

House

Location

Australia

Style

N/A

Bedrooms

N/A

Square feet

180

Sq ft

180

Name: David and Ashe Pellew and their three children
Location: West Coolup; Western Australia
Size: 180 square meters (1,938 square feet)
Years lived in: 14 Months; Owned

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One afternoon Ashe and David, along with their three children, drove past an old farm that was for sale in a tiny town in the south of Western Australia. At that moment, they fell in love with its charms and promptly bought it the next day, thus fulfilling a dream that they had had together since they were only 17 years old. At first it wasn’t the romantic, slow farm life Ashe had in mind—this family of five had to tough it out in the 1950s shack that was on the property while they renovated the original 115-year-old homestead. The results were worth all the hard labor and discomfort, though, for the family now has a home that is full of that alluring country grace they worked so hard to attain.

(Image credit: Hayley Kessner)

Both Ashe and David love antiques and pieces that tell a story. In fact, much of the furniture was actually bought from the original owners of the farm, as it fit so perfectly in with the way they wanted their home decorated. Everything else was found much the same way—the bath was taken from the demolition of another old home, as was the vanity and mirror in the bathroom. Other pieces have been upcycled and reused, filling this farm cottage with as much warmth and character as you would expect.

Most of the interior of the home is finished now, although living in a 115-year-old farmhouse means the work is never truly done. The homeowners plan on tackling the outdoor spaces next. When renovating, they wrapped most of the house in a wide verandah, giving them a lot of extra floorspace to work with. For now, it is the perfect place to look out on their paddocks full of cows, sheep and ponies.

What they love most about their home, though, is that it is the ultimate reminder that working hard and dreaming big can make anything possible. Ashe and David have finally created the country haven they wanted all those years ago.

(Image credit: Hayley Kessner)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Upcycled, Eclectic and Vintage

Inspiration: I love things that tell a story and have been loved by previous owners. Inspired by all things vintage and country. Pinterest and Country Style mag were always a good references while renovating.

Favorite Element: My kitchen and dining room and definitely my bathroom.

Biggest Challenge: Renovating this 115-year-old homestead to be practical and livable to fit all five of us but still embracing Old World charm and tradition.

What Friends Say: Some friends says “This is the coolest house ever,” whilst the others say, “Oh my god, how do you even live like this?”

Biggest Embarrassment: That it’s a constant work-in-progress and never feels quite finished.

Proudest DIY: I love, love, love my upcycled kitchen island bench, which has been wrapped with 50-year-old rainwater tank stands from a farm down the road. Also, the restored 1902 claw foot bath turned out so good.

Biggest Indulgence: The heritage pressed tin in the kitchen, lounge, laundry, and bath.

Best Advice: Let your house speak your personality, and fill your home with things that you love and make you happy. Own your own unique style even if it’s not on trend. Don’t feel the need to have a home straight out of a magazine or the same as everybody else’s.

Dream Sources: Inherited family heirlooms

Resources

(Image credit: Hayley Kessner)

PAINT & COLORS

Interior walls: Dulux Light Rice 50%
Exterior weatherboards: Dulux Desire

(Image credit: Hayley Kessner)

ENTRY

Old key hanger: gift
Buffet: Classique
Knobs on buffet: Ashdown & Webber Antiques Pinjarra
Vintage tin signs: Pinjarra Pharmacy Giftshop
Photo trio: D.Kelly Kimberly via Broome Markets

(Image credit: Hayley Kessner)

LIVING ROOM

Brown leather lounge: Gumtree
Side tables: found in the old dairy on the property
Vintage-style lamp and light fittings: Beacon Lighting Mandurah
Large floral print: Minkz Mandurah

(Image credit: Hayley Kessner)

DINING ROOM

Dining table: handed down from David’s parents
Crochet tablecloth: op-shop
Leather-back chairs: vintage
Floral seat cushions: Ashdown & Webber Antiques Pinjarra
Metal grill-framed chairs: purchased by David’s great-grandfather from the old Perth Town Hall and then handed down through the generations
Yellow kitchenette: left in the original farmhouse
Washstand used as record player stand: gifted
Record player: JB Hi-Fi
Handwoven wall hanging: Ruby Jane
Candle: The Boho Co Geo Candle
Coal scuttle: op-shop
Handmade concrete pot: Three Little Gems
Moon watercolor art: Hayley Gemma
Lighting: Beacon Lighting
Moss balls: Little Petals Floral Design, Jarra Infusion
Blue glassware on top of bookshelf: MINK Mandurah
Clock: Mitre 10 Pinjarra