A luxe bathroom in a regional farmhouse.
When it comes to interior design, regional NSW carves out an aesthetic of its own, where the trends of minimalism and modernism are traded for something decidedly more romantic. In the city of Orange, artist Whitney Spicer has created a home that pays homage to this, where each room has an injection of nostalgia woven into its design.
For Whitney, her husband Tim and their three young children, their home has been a labour of love. Purchased four years ago as a restoration project, the renovation of the 50-year-old farmhouse has turned into an ode to their family and their farm, with natural materials drawing in the surrounding landscape.
Working through the project a room at a time, the family haven’t set out to match a particular style or aesthetic, instead the design has evolved of its own accord, a distinctive modern farmhouse look drawn a material palette of wood, wicker, iron and stone. The slower process has allowed the family to spend time sourcing pieces they love, resulting in a home that feels loved and lived in.
Most recently, the master bedroom has been the room in the spotlight. Originally the property’s garage, Whitney and Tim envisioned a luxe parents-retreat, allowing them space to relax and unwind away from the children. Featuring white wood panelling and natural oak floors, the bedroom is light and airy, with mismatched antique bedside tables and layered stone bed linen completing the look.
Where the magic really happens though, is the ensuite, where the space truly shifts from master suite, to a complete sanctuary.
Whitney designed her ensuite around the discovery of an antique bath, a treasured piece that sat in the farm’s garden shed well before any renovation work began. Originally cast in an eggshell porcelain with brass claw feet, the couple based their entire design off the bath centre piece, using natural tones and brass fixtures to create a seamless flow throughout the space.
The overall bathroom is spacious and luxurious. This was aided by a frameless shower screen, where the floating appearance allowed for an open flow through the space. Without the visual blockage of frames and fixtures, the natural stone floor tiles are able to run freely across the floor, creating a greater appearance of space.
Adding to this, the simple screen structure of a single wall gives the shower added width than a standard shower, with these grand proportions leaning into the luxurious feel.
All in all, this is a house befitting of its space, where the great sweeping landscapes and gastronomic experiences of Orange create a backdrop for a farmhouse that offers an elevated living experience.