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On the day architect Tash Clark and her husband, documentary filmmaker Ivan O’Mahoney, heard Big Sky Farm in Roberston, NSW, was listed for sale they drove through a storm to take a look.
‘It was very cheeky’, says Tash. It wasn’t an ‘official viewing’, but it was the first time the property had ever been on the market and Tash and Ivan knew it was an opportunity not to be missed.
The 25 acre property had everything they were looking for; uninterrupted views of rolling hills, privacy, and a home they could make their own; ‘We called the agent and put an offer on the spot,’ she says.
The family lived in the home for a year before embarking on some renovations. — ‘What architect can resist?’ says Tash.
She first tackled the separate cottage, installing huge double-glazed picture windows to take in the view. She also sourced reclaimed materials such as slate slabs and arched windows to re-introduce some character.
Then, inspired by a friend’s barn, which was a regular hang-out for the kids, Tash and Ivan built a separate studio. ‘It’s big enough for all kinds of life events; sleepovers, studying for the HSC, in-laws visiting, and Christmas dinner,’ says Tash.
The main house was reconfigured with a new kitchen and bathrooms. Tash also added skylights and big double-glazed windows and doors.
But the addition that rivals all, is the new deck. ‘It’s everyone’s favourite feature,’ says Tash. ‘Hardly anyone stays inside anymore. From coffee in the morning to a glass of wine at sunset, it all seems to be on the deck nowadays.’
Not wanting to interrupt the views from the deck, Tash and Ivan chose to forgo a fence line and instead opted for a ha-ha wall on the edge of the lawn to separate it from the paddock. Now, when they play music in the evenings, the cattle wander up to the edge of the lawn to listen too.
‘I will definitely miss that’, says Tash. But, with the ‘architect bug to build again’, she and Ivan have decided to put their beloved property on the market in order to tackle their next project.
5020 Illawarra Highway, Robertson, NSW 2577 is listed for sale with Bradley Cocks from DiJones Southern Highlands and will go to auction on Saturday April 6.
