This website uses cookies to improve your experience navigating our site. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
OK, I understand
Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.
Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.
Award-winning Australian interior design, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top designers.
In depth features on Australia’s most beautiful gardens and landscape design.
Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.
Studio visits with Australia’s top artists, and unmissable art exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and beyond.
Weekly recipes and meal ideas from our favourite cooks, authors and foodies.
Unique travel destinations, design-led accomodation and day trip ideas in Australia and New Zealand.
Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.
Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.
Award-winning Australian interior design, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top designers.
In depth features on Australia’s most beautiful gardens and landscape design.
Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.
Studio visits with Australia’s top artists, and unmissable art exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and beyond.
Weekly recipes and meal ideas from our favourite cooks, authors and foodies.
Unique travel destinations, design-led accomodation and day trip ideas in Australia and New Zealand.
Today we're re-visiting another super popular Australian Home from 2011 - the country retreat of Melbourne-based stylist and visual merchandiser Luke Mortimer. This one struck a chord with you guys for more than one reason - when we first posted this story back in September Luke generously offered one lucky reader a weekend stay at this beautiful country retreat! Needless to say it was a very popular post!
As outlined in the original post, Luke fell in love with this beautiful block of land in Chewton, just outside Castlemaine in regional Victoria in 2009, after narrowly missing out on a similar neighbouring property. After snapping up the property, he worked with his partner (and architect) to design and the perfect home for this site - something that felt 'nostalgic and modern at the same time'.
We were particularly impressed that Luke managed to fit-out and furnish this generous two bedroom, two bathroom home almost completely with hard rubbish finds, op shop bargains and eBay treasures! Luke's obsessive / compulsive op-shopping and eBay habit has certainly come in handy! Even the bathroom basins and bath were vintage finds – picked up for a steal. Luke says this is one of his favourite aspects of the home – ‘it gives me a huge sense of satisfaction to know that there are so many recycled pieces in the house.’
As mentioned when we first posted this home back in September, Luke divides his time between this country property and a rented apartment in Melbourne. For this reason he is able to lease out this property for short stay holiday accommodation. It truly makes for the most perfect weekend getaway - all info over here!
Do pop back to the original post for many more pics, including our favourite detail - the peppermint green vintage enamel bath and pedestal basin, each picked up second hand in mint condition! That is what I call Ebay GOLD, people.
The Design Files acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
First Nations artists, designers, makers, and creative business owners are encouraged to submit their projects for coverage on The Design Files. Please email bea@thedesignfiles.net
The Design Files’ original content and photos are copyright protected. Please email us before reposting our content on other publications, personal websites, or Instagram. Feel free to share our images on Pinterest using the credit ‘via thedesignfiles.net’. Thank you!