Insights • Inspirations • Destinations • Design

Friday, December 9, 2011

Musk Farm Garden


As part of the ongoing series of posts about beautiful gardens, I thought I'd show you one of my favourite Australian gardens, Musk Farm, an enchantingly sweet country garden near the village of Daylesford, in western Victoria.

I first came across this garden when I interviewed the owner, the renowned Australian interior designer Stuart Rattle, for the Sydney Morning Herald and Age newspaper's Sunday magazine. It was for story on city professionals who had moved to the countryside. He told me that when he first set eyes on the old dilapidated school house that would later become his home (above), it gave him something of an architectural shock. "I was expecting Howard's End," he confessed with a laugh, "but this looked like the World's End". But then he returned at twilight and in that shimmering golden light, the old house made his heart skip a beat. "I no longer saw the reality," he said, "but the fantasy."

Having fallen head-over-welingtons with the idea of country weekends with roaring fires and lots of whisky, he set to work on restoring the building and overhauling the grounds. It took a herculean effort, but according to Stuart it was worth every breath. Others thought so, too. In fact, when he was finished, the place looked so stunning that many design writers were astonished. The BBC included the property in a documentary about outstanding international gardens. Other publications, such as Vogue Living and Country Style, rushed to feature it in their magazines. And when Stuart opened the property to the public on a special spring Open Day, the place was inundated with visitors.

The house, which was inspired by New England architecture, has now been transformed from a run-down school house to a dignified gentleman's retreat, while the surrounding 35.6-hectare estate has been rejuvenated and turned into a productive farm. It even features a herd of rare British whites, a breed beloved of Winston Churchill. Not that Rattle's transition from city to country has been completely smooth. "I'm still waiting for tractors to come out in automatic," he told me, with a wry smile.

Here's a look at his magnificent house and garden at Musk Farm.









{Last two images via Vogue Living and Country Style. I'm not certain of the photographer so if these images are yours please let me know and I'll credit them. The remaining images are my own.}

6 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful garden. I remember the interior being featured in VL or Belle a few years ago, and thinking how lovely it would be to stay there.

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  2. Hi Heide, Yes, it's gorgeous, isn't it? I actually found the clippings from VL today, after I'd posted this. The red summer house is the old school shelter shed, and the red seats are in the potager. I could easily move into this house. Stuart says he rarely uses his Melbourne residence anymore, and I can see why! Thanks so much for contributing - and for reading the blog. It's so lovely to hear from you. Janelle

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  3. I live not far from Musk Farm. My first visit was on a crisp, blue-sky morning and took my breath away! The design and the standard of maintenance are both impeccable. I have had the opportunity to go back once since, and I am eagerly awaiting the next opening.
    JJ

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  4. A beautiful Garden. Stuart Rattle and Paul Bangay have inspired me to get out an have a go and release my own hidden desire to design. If all people in this world touched the earth and got creative the world would be a better place.
    Such a pity the world has lost such an inspirational Designer R.I.P. Stuart Rattle
    Mitch

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  5. A beautiful Garden. Stuart Rattle and Paul Bangay have inspired me to get out an have a go and release my own hidden desire to design. If all people in this world touched the earth and got creative the world would be a better place.
    Such a pity the world has lost such an inspirational Designer R.I.P. Stuart Rattle
    Mitch

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just a beautiful Garden. Stuart Rattle and Paul Bangay with their creations have inspired me to let loose my own hidden desire for design in my large garden. They are and inspiration to all. I truly believe that if all people in this world touched the earth and let loose their inner self the world would be a better place.
    Such a pity the world has lost such an inspirational Designer R.I.P. Stuart.

    Michele

    ReplyDelete

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