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Home: Escape to the country

The home

"Vintage House" is a renovated 1860s weatherboard home in Daylesford, Victoria, with two bedrooms and a studio guesthouse.

The home is on a sloping block, so the living room looks into the treetops through arched windows that Kali had custom-built for the space. “Lots of people advised to cut down the trees to optimise the view, but I love the feeling of being in the treetops,” she says.

The home is on a sloping block, so the living room looks into the treetops through arched windows that Kali had custom-built for the space. “Lots of people advised to cut down the trees to optimise the view, but I love the feeling of being in the treetops,” she says.

Photo: Armelle Habib

Who lives here

Interior designer and stylist Kali Cavanagh, her partner, Paul, and their four-month-old daughter, Evie.

"Sadly, we don't get to live here full-time," says Kali, "but it's our country escape and we get here as often as possible."

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Kali with baby Evie in the lounge she transformed by opening up a series of smaller lean-to€ rooms, and installing a fireplace and custom-built windows.

Kali with baby Evie in the lounge she transformed by opening up a series of smaller lean-to€ rooms, and installing a fireplace and custom-built windows.

Photo: Armelle Habib

What I did

"The home was falling down when I bought it eight years ago, and everyone assumed I'd knock it down," says Kali.

"But I fell in love with the history, so I renovated it, opening up the back and restoring the dilapidated shed to create another bedroom."

In the industrial-style kitchen, a pale-blue vintage oven was “the starting point for the whole room,” says Kali. “I designed everything else around it.”

In the industrial-style kitchen, a pale-blue vintage oven was “the starting point for the whole room,” says Kali. “I designed everything else around it.”

Photo: Armelle Habib

Favourite room

"I love them all, but when I sleep in the studio I enjoy waking up and looking through the large window – there are gum trees, pines, birds and even the occasional kangaroo."

The master bedroom was extended to include an ensuite, which is accessed through a sliding barn-style door. It also features a free-standing claw-footed bath Kali found at a salvage yard. The walls are painted in Antique White USA by Dulux. “I’ve actually added three bath tubs to the home, as everyone loves to relax when they get out of town,” says Kali.

The master bedroom was extended to include an ensuite, which is accessed through a sliding barn-style door. It also features a free-standing claw-footed bath Kali found at a salvage yard. The walls are painted in Antique White USA by Dulux. “I’ve actually added three bath tubs to the home, as everyone loves to relax when they get out of town,” says Kali.

Photo: Armelle Habib

The 'hood

"Daylesford and Hepburn Springs have a brilliant variety of shops, restaurants and people," says Kali. "Manteau Noir has to be my favourite shop, and I love Larder for lunch and Kazuki for dinner."

Using a mix of vintage, country and industrial pieces, Kali has completely transformed the 19th-century cottage. “I so badly wanted to bring the home back to life,” she says.

Using a mix of vintage, country and industrial pieces, Kali has completely transformed the 19th-century cottage. “I so badly wanted to bring the home back to life,” she says.

Photo: Armelle Habib

Best advice

"Choose a statement piece for each room and decorate around it with more subtle and complimentary items," says Kali.

“I designed the basin stand, using industrial steel legs from a desk and reclaimed wood,” says Kali. A marble bath surround enhances the monochromatic decorating scheme.

“I designed the basin stand, using industrial steel legs from a desk and reclaimed wood,” says Kali. A marble bath surround enhances the monochromatic decorating scheme.

Photo: Armelle Habib
Morning light streams into the main bedroom, which Kali has kept light and bright with white walls and floorboards. Antique wooden shutters and furniture add a warm, rustic feel.

Morning light streams into the main bedroom, which Kali has kept light and bright with white walls and floorboards. Antique wooden shutters and furniture add a warm, rustic feel.

Photo: Armelle Habib