Before Jack Shapiro and Georgina Young had children, they considered themselves ‘outdoorsy’ types. Camping, mountain biking, kayaking and bushwalking were some of their favourite activities prior to the 2011 arrival of their first child, Billy, now 11. Carving out time to explore nature was hard with a newborn, then became a bigger challenge in 2013 when Max, now eight, came along. By the time Luna, now six, was born in 2016, it felt almost impossible to navigate the wilderness with three littlies in tow – but the Hobart-based couple was determined to take family camping trips throughout Tasmania.
Lush views lie just beyond the entrance hall, which features a preloved table and a jute rug from Zebra Home.
“Georgina loved mountain biking, but it became difficult to get out on a bike with little kids to look after,” Jack, 40, says. “I loved kayaking, but getting out for a paddle took up most of the day and I didn’t want to spend time away from the kids.”
However, Jack, a lawyer, and Georgina, a town planner, had heard about Derby – on the traditional land of the Indigenous North East nation – and its spectacular biking trails and rainforests. In late 2019, Jack was invited on a mountain-biking trip in Derby with friends – a weekend away that became a catalyst for major change.
In each of the three bedrooms are second-hand beds topped with linen from Bed Threads, and charming vintage prints.
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Upon his return home, Jack booked a trip for Georgina to experience the town for herself.
“We’d heard about Derby over the years, mainly from friends who went to camp and ride with their kids,” Georgina, 47, says. “We finally visited with our family in January 2020, and we bought the house in February 2020! I was smitten with Derby after spending 24 hours in town, so I rang one of the local real-estate agents… and the rest is history.”
Classic novels rest atop a set of drawers from Margate Train Traders, which doubles as a bedside table for two single beds. The sweet vintage art was bought second-hand.
Located just a few seconds’ ride from biking trails, the family’s miner’s cottage – built circa 1900 and named One Church – has views across the valley and over grazing lands, right up to the bush where the infamous ‘Trouty’ mountain-bike trail peeks out. The property itself was quite run-down, with a kitchen and bathroom that had seen better days, and an outdoor toilet.
In February 2021, Jack and Georgina consulted with interior stylist Belle Hemming Bright, of the Belle Bright Project, and began renovations to create a comfortable space where the family could relax, with an indoor toilet, a functional kitchen and a cosy living area.
A view to the entry hall from the living room.
Georgina and eldest son Billy are keen to hit the trails.
ABOUT THE HOUSE
Jack and Georgina replaced the corrugated iron roof on the weatherboard house, but retained the exterior paint colour, interior wall panels and original Tasmanian oak floors.
Nick Bicanic from Bicanic’s Joinery built the cabinetry in the house, while the benchtops were crafted by Andrew Sydes. The builder was Scottsdale-based Darren Hopkins, while Bridport’s DB Electrical managed all the electrical repairs. Interiors styled by Belle Hemming Bright of Belle Bright Project.
Dulux paint was used throughout the home: Lexicon quarter- strength appears in the bedrooms, kitchen, hallways and on the living room and dining room ceilings; Black Olive was also used in the living room. Porter’s Paints in French Green features in the dining room, while Porter’s Paints Emerald brightens the bathroom walls.
Georgina and interior stylist Belle sourced the majority of second-hand furnishings from Facebook Marketplace, but many new products were purchased from Tasmanian retailer The Black Hen. “And I always go to Wildes Antiques in Campbell Town on my way to Derby,” Georgina adds.
The living room holds a sofa from Margate Train Traders and cushions by Macey & Moore and L&M Home, with a floor rug from The Rug Collection.
The family’s home is surrounded by tranquil bushland.
Unfortunately, problems arose once structural works began. “A lot of money we didn’t budget for went into things that aren’t visible,” Georgina explains. “The concrete slab out the back had to be ripped up, the ground dug down and the concrete replaced to stop water coming into the house, as it rains a lot in Derby.”
Meanwhile, the couple had to manage the renovations from their house in Hobart, three and a half hours away. “We had a great builder who kept us in the loop, and we just tried not to worry too much about the small stuff,” Georgina says.
An Early Settler armchair by the wood fire in the living room calls for a cup of tea and a good book.
Porter’s Paints Emerald and a beautiful hanging tradescantia create an earthy feeling in the bathroom, which has luxurious under-floor heating. The sleek tiles are from Rossetto Tiles, while the stool was sourced at Wildes Antiques.
Determined to maintain the integrity of the cottage, they kept the exterior, the boards on the bedroom walls and the original timber floors.
“Derby is an old mining town and our house is an old mining cottage. We didn’t want to change the look or feel – just restore it and make it cosy,” says Georgina. “We didn’t want to do a modern-style renovation and turn it into something that it isn’t.”
“A lot of the vintage knick-knacks are from a house that my husband inherited from his late godfather,” says Georgina.
A Bosch oven fits snugly among the kitchen cabinets, which are painted in Porter’s Paints Bayleaf. A Belfast sink is paired with taps from Restoration Online.
With Belle’s guidance, a rustic country aesthetic was chosen to create warmth while celebrating the heritage of the home. A timeless palette of white and green works harmoniously with the original timber architectural features, which are complemented by furniture of similar design.
“We wanted to keep the bedrooms simple and white worked well. I love green and thought it would create a warm vibe,” says Georgina. “The new kitchen maximises space without looking too busy. The skylight has really opened it up and there’s a beautiful view up to the bush and hills out the back from the kitchen sink.”
Derby suspension bridge above the Ringarooma River.
Nature-inspired decor.
While the cottage now provides the family – and their beloved pet blue-tongue lizard, Rocky – respite from their busy lives in Hobart during weekend breaks and school holidays, it’s the access to nature that has truly enriched their lives.
“I feel content when I’m there, whether I’m on my bike surrounded by the silence of the bush or drinking coffee (or gin!) on the porch with friends – it’s so special,” says Georgina. “We’ve reconnected with people who are passionate mountain bikers, but Derby and the house is particularly special to our eldest son. He has dyslexia and finds school challenging, and mountain biking is his escape. It’s been so wonderful for his self-esteem.”
The table, chairs and meat safe in the dining area were second-hand finds.
“There are quite a few antique bottles in the house, which my kids found buried in the backyard,” says Georgina. A trio of flying ducks – inherited from Jack’s godfather, who passed away in 2019 – adorns the wall beyond.
The laid-back lifestyle and sense of belonging in Derby has won the family over, and they enjoy sharing One Church with others in between stays. “There is a lovely community of families in our street; the kids ride together and play together – and the adults are pretty great, too!” says Georgina.
For more, follow @one_church_derby on Instagram.
