Brindabella Station
House Renovation
Once the longtime home of the Franklin family, including Miles Franklin, the property had spent more than thirty years operating as a boutique bed and breakfast before our clients purchased it. Already familiar with our work from their Canberra residence, they engaged us immediately, seeking a sympathetic transformation that honoured the home’s character while elevating it for modern living.
What began as a modest brief to refresh the bathrooms, kitchen and windows soon evolved into a complete reimagining. Together we shaped a vision that balanced restoration with refinement, ensuring each decision respected the home’s story. All design, interiors and construction were carried out in-house at Vdara, with Amanda working closely alongside the clients to capture the authenticity they wanted to preserve.
Inside, every detail was intentionally crafted. Internally rendered walls, ornate cornices and custom ceiling roses re-established the home’s sense of grandeur, complemented by Spotted Gum flooring that anchors the palette. The kitchen became a centrepiece with a two-pac polyurethane green finish, Caesarstone surfaces and an eggplant AGA sourced from overseas. The bathrooms followed a timeless direction featuring patterned tiles, classic wall selections and brushed nickel fixtures, each space slightly unique while connected in tone. New double-glazed timber windows and doors improved comfort without compromising the original look.
Externally, the home received a full refresh including a complete render, a new metal roof, and a solid timber deck wrapping the perimeter. We reshaped the surrounds with new paving, garden beds and thoughtful finishing touches such as a custom coat rack made from re-used timber and a dedicated bar area. The result is a carefully restored and beautifully modernised homestead, tailored to its owners and crafted to stand proudly in its next chapter.
Photos by Kasey Funnell Photography