When Tania Robinson and Matt Lousada, both 52, first drove through a tunnel of towering pine trees to inspect Blossom Hill Farm — a 95-hectare property near Rockley, about 35 kilometres south of Bathurst — they instantly fell in love with the property.
“The real estate agent kept apologising and telling us we could knock it down,” Tania says. “But I always knew it had potential and a really good feeling.”
While they retained their inner-Sydney terrace for work, Tania, a graphic designer and art director, and Matt, a Qantas engineer, slowly converted the shearing shed into an expansive communal living room with guest bedrooms in the former holding pens and Tania’s art studio in the loading bay.
Valley views can be enjoyed from this butterfly chair the couple bought in Argentina (similar available at Angelucci).
The salvaged style channelled in the shed is testament to Tania’s reputation as a ‘kerb burglar’.
“Everything in the shed is from the side of the road or has been given to us,” she says. “I also lived in the UK for 10 years and went to car-boot sales all the time. I love vintage. When I moved back, I brought a whole container over.”
Foil sarking and beams remain visible in the shed’s roof. The light shades are from Koskela.
A painting by the couple’s friend, Paul Ryan, a Wollongong-based artist, hangs in the shed. “I just love the drama of it,” Tania says.
Tania and Matt become regular hosts and the farm is often buzzing with guests.
“We do a lot of entertaining and have big dinners and bonfires with friends and their families,” says Tania, who loves to cook. “That’s what I love about living here.”
Lights from Fat Shack in Melbourne hang above the table in the shed.
The farm has also inspired a new business venture — this year Tania and her business partner Hannah Ley launched a home fragrance range called Southern Wild Co, inspired by Australian botanicals.
The range includes candles and oils and combines native fragrances with packaging that features the work of Australian artists and photographers.
“It’s an exciting new direction and it was living in the bush and being close to nature that inspired us to launch the brand,” says Tania.
Lanolin-enriched floorboards act as a reminder of the shed’s former purpose. The ‘love’ cushion is from Etsy.
