Maree and Mark Coleman knew they’d found a keeper within minutes of arriving at Rosebank, a 300-hectare Angus cattle farm just outside of Orange, NSW, on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. Mark, 48, who is the owner and director of Colemans Equipment, was “sold” as soon as he laid eyes on the home’s magnificent, century-old gardens.
“His mother instilled a love of gardening in him, so he fell in love instantly,” recalls Maree, 43. It took her a few extra minutes to be convinced, but ultimately, they agreed it was the perfect place to raise their three children, Alex, 12, Ivy, 10, and seven-year-old Annabelle. “After a 10-minute look around inside I said to him, ‘This is the one – get it done before anyone else inspects it!’” says Maree.
Maree and kelpie Patch stand at the entry, where cement encaustic tiles from Di Lorenzo Tiles have been laid over the existing concrete. “I love how it creates a decorative look and a nod to the home’s heritage,” says Maree. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
This unplanned introduction to their future home felt serendipitous for the Colemans, who had initially visited the property to view a parcel of subdivided land. Two days after inspecting the homestead, Maree went into labour with their youngest daughter.
A garland from Balsam Hill winds its way up the staircase of Maree and Mark Coleman’s home in Orange, NSW, while a wreath from Balsam Hill adds sparkle to the front door. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
Warm-stained reclaimed oak floors by Enoak are a striking feature in the kitchen and breakfast nook. “The imperfections and distressed look hides the everyday dirt,” says Maree. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
“There were some lengthy negotiations while I was in hospital, but by the time I came home with baby Annabelle, we had secured Rosebank,” says Maree. And with that, a two-year renovation began with another “no-brainer”: the decision to hire Maree’s childhood friend Louise Spicer, creative director of OneFour Interiors, to bring the old dame into the 21st century. “I know people would say not to mix friendship with business,” says Maree, “but not for us – it was the perfect working relationship.”
Louise agrees. “I guess it could’ve been a disaster, but it never was,” she reflects. “Maree’s a beautiful, calm soul, and Mark is super-professional. We have a lot of trust in each other, so we could bounce ideas around easily.”
Bright and spacious, the kitchen features an Arabescato island and benchtops from WK Stone, cabinetry in white melamine from Laminex and a Falcon freestanding cooker from Winnings. “I saw an image of an amazing skylight over a kitchen island bench in a magazine when I was perusing for inspiration. It was definitely a must-have, along with a parquetry floor,” says Maree. “Both things, once completed, exceeded our expectations. I also love black steel, so when the feature windows in the breakfast nook and arch windows went up in the kitchen, it was a nice moment.” (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
Step one of the restorations involved removing a poorly designed addition, probably from the 1980s, and replacing it with a modern extension housing an open-plan kitchen, living and dining space. “The house, when it was original, was very room-oriented; it was very dark and it had a tiny kitchen for the size of the home,” explains Maree. “Now, the extension is open plan and flooded with light. Growing up in an Italian family, cooking and food is life, and I love it when family and friends congregate around the island bench.”
Ivy, Annabelle and Alex sit at the banquette table laid with candles from Studio Billie, plates by No. 22 Home, glassware by Waterford and a Gluggle jug from Martha’s Food & Home. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
A three-tiered fountain dominates the courtyard setting. The lush gardens – with plantings guided by Henrietta Hood from The Avid Gardener – hold myriad varieties, including Manchurian pears, Himalayan cedars, Kashmir cypress, Weeping Monterey cypress and Dawn redwood, plus native ribbon, snow and willow gums. Spring bursts with flowering quinces, dogwoods, crabapples, cherry plums and stone fruit trees. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
“There’s a real sense of old and new, and it fits together calmly and sympathetically,” says Louise of the interiors scheme. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
Another important aspect was creating a tangible connection to the surroundings, something Louise achieved by extending the rebuilt addition further into Rosebank’s 100-year-old gardens. “It feels like the garden has been built around the house, but we actually kind of built the house into the garden,” says Louise.
Pressed metal ceilings, decorative wall moulding from Intrim and a marble mantelpiece lend an air of formality to the living room. Maree lights candles from Studio Billie. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
The table is set with plates from No. 22 Home and calligraphy tags by Wells Ink Lettering; Maree favours a traditional table setting, which almost always features fresh flowers from her garden. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
“We grew up with a real tree and I just love that scent of pine needle,” says Maree. A star topper from Pillow Talk sparkles on the Christmas tree. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
French doors, a large steel-framed bay window and an enormous skylight create an enviable indoor-outdoor flow that the whole family enjoys. “Sitting in the breakfast nook feels like you’re sitting in the garden,” says Maree. “I really love the kitchen and breakfast area; we’ve had many meals and made many memories around this table.”
A Vermont White Spruce Foliage garland glows on the mantelpiece; gifts are wrapped in paper from Martha’s Food & Home. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
On a mission to change as little as possible in the original part of the home, Louise focused on marrying old and new while preserving as many heritage features as possible, including the marble fireplaces, pressed metal ceilings and external brickwork. “It was all about connecting the original building to the extension,” she says.
A drinks cart holds favourite tipples, a Studio Billie candle and a lamp by Studio 2804. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
A walk-in robe and ensuite were added to the main bedroom. Hat by Fiona Schofield Millinery. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
This sensitive approach meant the project went surprisingly smoothly for a heritage restoration. “The minor remodelling we did within the old house was sympathetic enough that nothing felt overwhelming,” Louise adds.
Having realised their dream, there’s nothing the Colemans enjoy more than sharing their private sanctuary with friends and family, especially on special occasions. “We moved in on December 24, 2020, and have hosted Christmas every year since,” says Maree. “It’s busy and big, but lovely.”
Patterned tiles feature throughout the house. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
A Maileg deer, Christmas bunny (stylist’s own), Christmas tree from Pillow Talk and lamp from Pottery Barn Kids add festive charm. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
With plenty of room for everyone to relax, and a pool and gardens for the kids to run wild, Christmas Day is always a resounding success at Rosebank. As always, this year the extended Coleman clan will enjoy a traditional festive lunch with one highly anticipated inclusion. “I always make Christmas pudding using a Coleman recipe gifted to me by one of my husband’s aunties,” says Maree.
Originally a mishmash of red bricks, the external brickwork was painted white for a softer, fresher look. The courtyard table holds plates by No. 22 Home, a Gluggle jug from Martha’s Food & Home, and Waterford glassware. (Photography: Monique Lovick | Styling: Ainsley Sullivan)
For more, visit onefourinteriors.com.au and follow @onefour_interiors on Instagram.
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Rachel White
Features Writer
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