Prime Highlights:
- Renowned designer David Hicks has turned a historic Woodend property into a stylish rural retreat, blending Australian charm with European influences.
- The interiors feature Christian Dior–inspired warm grey walls, custom furniture, and artful accents that complement a diverse global art collection.
Key Facts:
- Original features like the fireplace, stained-glass door, wall panels, and creaky floorboards were preserved or carefully recreated to retain the home’s historic character.
- Modern updates, including grid panelling, durable porcelain floors, and a new corrugated-iron roof, provide a fresh, comfortable, and long-lasting living space.
Background:
Nestled in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, one of Australia’s most scenic regions, a 19th-century country home has been transformed into a sophisticated rural retreat by Australian interior designer David Hicks. The property in Woodend, on the edge of the Black Forest, was once boarding houses for gold prospectors and had become a mix of rooms with historic charm.
Hicks, known for his elegant city penthouse designs, was tasked with creating a relaxed yet refined space that could complement the owners’ extensive art collection. “The brief was to design a home that blends the charm of the Australian countryside with European influences, while serving as a backdrop for diverse artworks,” Hicks explained.
Keeping the home’s original character was important. Original features like the fireplace and stained-glass door were kept, and French windows added more light. Old panels, ceilings, and floors were preserved, while modern touches give a fresh look.
The décor uses Christian Dior’s warm grey on the walls with cream ceilings and woodwork for a clean, elegant base. Accent colors echo the owners’ artwork: yellows in the living room are mirrored on custom Dedar velvet sofas, while the kitchen features sage cabinets and emerald-green marble surfaces. “These accents bring life to the interiors without overpowering the overall design,” said Hicks.
Bespoke furniture and fabrics were made to match the home’s antiques and unique items gathered from different parts of the world. The home features walnut-and-chrome dining tables, silk rugs, Javanese wicker chairs, oriental lacquer cabinets, and a Louis Poulsen light over the dining table.
With a new corrugated-iron roof and smart layout, the home now combines comfort, history, and modern style. Hicks said, “Every object has a purpose; the goal was to create interiors that feel both lived-in and thoughtfully designed.”
