Best of both worlds: French-inspired farmhouse near the coast

Imagine waking up every morning to views of endless rolling hills, basking in fresh country air and living the rural lifestyle you’ve always dreamt of.

No.40 Bundewallah Road was inspired by the timeless architectural beauty of traditional French stables and barns, and is a superb contemporary home nestled on three idyllic acres beneath Mt Hay on the fringes of Berry township.

The walls of the four-bedroom house – plus two-bedroom guest accommodation – are steeped in history, having been built with recycled bricks from an old warehouse in Sydney’s heritage Rocks precinct. Locally sourced ironbark timber that has beautifully weather to a silvery-grey is also used, and European-style nail-strip roofing with copper tones.

Selling agent Tim McGoldrick says the use of these special materials means that there is a story to every corner of the residence.

“From the polished-concrete flooring, recycled bricks and the exposed scissor trusses made from recycled telegraph poles, the home has a very earthy feel to it,” he says.

“Something that can’t be experienced from photos alone.”

There’s a sense of arrival from the front door of the main house, as the view down the entry hallway carries on through the living pavilion to the magnificent views of hills beyond.

It’s a bitter-sweet goodbye for the current owners, who say this has been their dream home, but they need more acreage to start the next chapter for them in the racehorses industry.

“Over the years, we’ve built and lived in many homes,” say the current owners. “We designed this house as our ideal home many years ago, but couldn’t find a block of land to suit.

“The floorplan is designed so there is no wasted space. The house is also built for comfort year round, with heated, polished concrete floors inset with Shoalhaven River rock.”

There is commercial-grade airconditioning, tinted double-laminated windows, automated blinds and a stylish double-sided fireplace between the living and dining areas.

The separate bedroom wing features a three-metre wide double-brick entry into the master suite, with a custom-made concrete-rock bath and twin basins handmade in Bali.

In the open-plan living pavilion is the heart of the home and a gathering place for the whole family, with bespoke timber lining drawing your eyes to the high-raked ceilings.

As if one kitchen wasn’t enough, outside on the terrace is an outdoor kitchen with drinks fridge, barbecue and wood-fired pizza oven – all under a covered entertaining area beside the solar-heated swimming pool.

A home of this calibre is no easy feat, and its expert craftsmanship and design was recognised in an award from the Housing Industry Association in 2015.

“It’s an exceptionally high-quality, custom-built home, with privacy, views and a second dwelling, but only a couple of minutes from town,” McGoldrick adds.

The separate guest house perfectly complements the main residence and incorporates two bedrooms and a living space with a fireplace opening to a north-facing terrace. Attached to the guest house is the laundry and three automated lock-up garages with parking for five cars, plus a workshop space.

Outdoors, three fenced paddocks are currently used for resting the owners’ racehorses. There is also a dam and a chook shed to put the finishing touches on your modern farmhouse.

Berry

40 Bundewallah Road

Price guide: $3.7 million

6 bed, 3 bath, 5 car

Private sale

Agent: Elders Real Estate Berry, Tim McGoldrick 0414 157 794