The Wensley

The Wensley is a rustic abode set on 80 acres of rolling hills in Wensleydale in Victoria’s Surf Coast Shire. The property – co-owned by Fran Derham and her husband Mike Robertson – is inspired by the quintessential Aussie shed, only more chic.

It blends the look of leading Australian architect Glenn Murcutt’s Marie Short farmhouse in Kempsey, NSW with the aesthetics of American ski chalets.Timber is undoubtedly the star of the show here. The shed is made with ironbark and reclaimed Oregon salvaged from demolished projects in Melbourne and coated with silver top ash.

Inside, the warmth of the timber continues throughout high ceilings that dip as you enter the kitchen. Natural finishes – raw brass, leather, linen, terracotta – complement the wood’s dark tones to add a touch of softness. There’s room for 10 guests with two bedrooms downstairs and a loft-style room upstairs. A sleek, angular concrete chimney around a free-standing Cheminees Philippe fireplace separate the living room from the dining and kitchen area. And light floods through almost all sides of the property.

Outside, there are two decks: one at the front for sunrise views with a fireplace overlooking the dam, and the other for sunset lounging. The latter is complete with a wrought-iron bath and couches where you can zone out and soak in the breathtaking views all around.