COU NTRY ST Y LE JUNE 2017 41Hart’s Farm in 2011, it was a long-time dream come true. It’s here that Penny whips up
meringues, cakes and all kinds of fare from the bounty of the farm’s kitchen garden and
orchards, as well as cooks meals for guests. She also runs cooking classes, caters for
celebrations and hires out the kitchen for corporate events and food photography
shoots. “We have guests virtually every weekend and I cook meals for them, or I might
do a lunch for an anniversary, always cooking in the commercial kitchen.”
At the end of 2015 they also finished renovating and extending the old farm cottage
that has been their country home since they first moved in. “The original cottage was
probably built in the 1940s and when we first looked at the property the agent wasn’t
going to show us the house as he thought we’d probably bulldoze it. But we said, ‘No,
probably not,’ so we just ripped up the carpets, stained and polished the floors, and
then did a minor renovation 12 or 13 years ago when we put some glass on the back so
we could see the view. Then a couple of years ago we decided to go the whole hog!”
Penny and Graeme briefed Melbourne architect Claire Scorpo, who had also
designed the commercial kitchen and bed and breakfast. “Claire’s parents are old, old
friends of ours and she has become a talented architect and we have kept her busy. We
added a couple of extra bedrooms with ensuites and opened out the rest of the place,
leaving the kitchen where it was originally.”
The house is flexible and works well regardless of how many family members are
staying. A favourite spot for grandchildren to sleep — Madelaine, who lives in the UK,
has two children and Rachael has one — is on a day bed in a little alcove, while one of
the new bedrooms, entered only from an external walkway, is also sometimes used as
overflow accommodation. “Family visit quite often — they are very helpful with
harvest and other jobs at certain times of the year — and Rachael pops down to see the
horses as often as she can. We can close off the bedrooms when there are just two of us
here. It’s now a great space and it’s very warm and welcoming.”
“I“I told Claire we’re not doing it again. But now she has just done a design for a new farmtoldClairewe’r enotdoingitagain.Butnowshehasjustdoneadesignforanewfarm
gategate space in the old dairy —spaceintheolddairy— and we’re thinking about another bed and breakfast...” andwe’r ethinkingaboutanotherbedandbr e a k fa s t ...”
For more information, telephone 0414 238 158 or visit hartsfarm.com.au