This is a story of very clever upcycling. A property that once consisted of two kitchens, two living rooms and a corporate sales suite – and was set to be demolished – has been reconfigured into a modern holiday house.
Drummond Estate sits on 100 acres just outside of Kyneton, Victoria. The former modular display home was transported from the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne on eight semitrailers. Working with the existing materials, the owners reconfigured the display pods to create five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a spacious open-plan living room.
An enormous marble island dominates the kitchen. “It was a bench in the sales suite that was fitted with screens for people to choose finishes and layouts. We had a custom sink made to fit the existing cut-out and added a spot for the dishwasher,” co-owner Sarah Exner says. An existing butler’s pantry now includes laundry facilities and additional storage.
There were plenty of other quirks to work around. For example, the display bathrooms didn’t have toilets. And there were two extra kitchen benches to convert. “We used the marble benchtops from the display kitchens for the splashback and also to create the custom fireplace in the living room,” Exner says.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views over the Macedon Ranges. But the heated plunge pool also offers a pretty good vantage point. Decking, which wraps the rear of the living space, features outdoor dining and alfresco mod cons like a Webber and a bar fridge. There’s a trampoline and sandpit for kids to play in and two outdoor firepits primed for nights under the stars.
Each of the five bedrooms has its own colourful personality inspired by the house’s surroundings. “There’s a lavender haze that sets in with the sunset over the ranges that we wanted to capture,” Exner says. The green is for grass, a pinky-red shade reflects the rich soil the property is set on, and beige tones nod to the neighbouring llama. The master bedroom has an ensuite with a soaking tub, as well as a walk-in wardrobe and study nook.
Sleeping up to 10 guests, the owners see the house as a modern take on a classic farmstay. The black exterior casts an intriguing silhouette amid surrounding farmland. And the internal finishes have luxe appeal: brick tiles, panelled timber walls and smart furnishings, including sinkable leather couches.
Just over an hour and a half’s drive from Melbourne CBD, Daylesford and its surroundings make for the perfect weekender. Bed down with the family or book out the space for a getaway with a group of friends, and explore the area.
Book Drummond Estate via Airbnb.
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