At home in the country

Renovated by Dave Chilton, Chilton + Mayne

From the building designer:

Project description – brief

This project was a close collaboration with our homeowners to transform a tired, weathered home into a refined modern country residence – one that complements their lifestyle and embraces its park-like surroundings.

Originally designed by an architect in the mid-1990s, the home had good bones but lacked natural light, spatial flow, and contemporary presence. 

Our approach sought to modernise its form while respecting its architectural origins. 

We reimagined the scale, composition, and functionality of key areas, including the entry, kitchen, dining, and living spaces. 

A critical focus was on enhancing transitions between these zones to create a seamless, intuitive flow throughout the home.

Beyond aesthetics, the project required a delicate balance between preservation and transformation. 

We addressed historic weather-tightness issues while maximising the potential of the existing structure. 

The result is a warm, contemporary family home – one that offers intimate spaces for daily life yet effortlessly expands for entertaining, redefining the modern country residence.

Design features and creative solutions

The interior design prioritises warmth, comfort, and calm. 

Rooted in a contemporary country aesthetic, the house expresses a refined yet restrained palette – offering a quiet refuge from the bustle of daily life.

The layout flows openly and intuitively, with reconfigured zones that better support family living. 

Large windows in the central living spaces allow natural light to pour in, drawing attention to the rich timber flooring and subtle country finishes. 

T&G raking ceilings, level changes, and varied ceiling treatments reinforce a sense of volume and spatial rhythm, giving each space its own identity while maintaining cohesion throughout.

A subdued material palette unifies the interiors, while select moments of colour, texture, or material shift create focal points, define zones, and evoke mood.

These layers – soft furnishings, panelling, and textural surfaces – contribute to a harmonious and restful environment, adaptable to the changing dynamics of family life. 

The result is a home that supports both communal gatherings and personal retreat.

Outdoor living spaces extend the interior experience through continuity in materials and detailing. 

Sheltered dining areas, an outdoor fire, a pool and pool house, and a private courtyard off the games room foster relaxed entertaining and family connection.

Stonework provides a subtle yet tactile contrast to hardwood decks and white-painted surfaces, grounding the outdoor experience in the same calm sophistication as the interior.

The master suite has been completely reimagined. 

An extended ensuite and walk-in robe deliver improved function, while new timber doors introduce generous natural light and lead to a private hardwood deck. 

The pairing of internal wall panelling, soft furnishings, and filtered light transforms this area into a serene and luxurious retreat.

Sustainability

Given the project’s scale, we evaluated the feasibility of a new build against the environmental value of a substantial renovation. 

A core driver of the design was the retention of the existing structure and its embodied carbon, which became central to our sustainability strategy.

To enhance durability and energy performance, we reroofed and re-insulated the home. 

The exterior was fully reclad in H3.2 timber weatherboards over a 70mm PIR board super-insulated warm wall system, significantly improving thermal performance and long-term resilience.

We also replaced all windows and doors with new timber-framed, double-glazed units – enhancing insulation while maintaining a consistent, carbon-conscious material palette.

Internally, sustainability was further prioritised through the use of reclaimed timber flooring to match existing materials.

Where feasible, existing joinery units were reused and repositioned to suit the new layout – preserving character while improving function.

Story by: Trendsideas