Do you often change the décor, or does it stay the same?R:We are
forever picking foliage and wild flowers from the forest, so our home
often feels like the forest has come inside with us! I love this, as it’s
ever-changing and the colours are always so different.
Tell us a bit about the land around you. Do you spot much wildlife?
J: We wake up to a chorus of birds on the veranda. There are our
local King parrots that hang out, as well as cockatoos and galahs.
We also see kangaroos, kookaburras and echidnas regularly in
the valley. It’s a magical place to bring up three children, that’s for
sure! R: The only things that make us leave on the weekends are
the ocean five minutes down the road or a fun dinner party in town.
Other than that, we’re immersed in this place!
And are you keen gardeners? J: We love our veggie gardens, and
always have a nice little crop growing each season. The kids love
it, and it’s so delightful to watch them pick the herbs for a morning
breakfast, or the produce for a salad. R: We like showing the kids how
resourceful you can be with growing your own food and making whole
meals from what we have in the garden. I tend to go a bit crazy when
it comes to summer and tomato plants – I can’t get enough!
What are the biggest challenges of living on a property this size?
J: Luckily for us, we don’t have to look after the majority of the land.
But there are the usual things like bushfires in summer, snakes
(though we haven’t seen one yet), and general caution when living
out of town. It’s second nature to us now, and we feel so much more
at home on land than in the city.
What’s your favourite memory that’s taken place in the house?
J: My 30th birthday party! We had a ‘bohemian masquerade
extravaganza’. Everyone dressed up; there was a long table feast
under low-hanging lights, champagne towers, dancing under the
stars, laughing, singing and making the best memories. R:We
filmed our Frank & Dolly’s summer campaign video here last year.
I invited 25 girlfriends to our place, dressed them in the full collection,
and filmed us all having a feast in the valley as the sun set. Also,
our two boys were born in this house, so that was pretty special!Tell us about your studio. Is it connected to the main house?
R:The studio is a beautiful little shack sitting among the tall trees.
From the house, you have to travel down the valley, over a wooden
bridge, past the campfire, and into a little creative haven! There’s
no mobile reception, so it’s a place where I can disappear for a
couple of hours and truly get in my creative zone, dreaming up
new collections and designs. It also has a loft, which we’ve slept in
with the kids, and an old potbelly stove for cups of tea. J: We have
fabric samples on the walls, inspirational images, garments from
collections we are working on... it’s an incredible place to create.
Do you think where you live influences your clothing design at all?
R:I’m really inspired by nature. I love the natural colours found in
thetrees and wild flowers on our property, and the shapes formed
in the reflections on the river. I love watching the birds in flight,
and the sunbeams through the gums. Sometimes I’ll just sit and
take it in, then go back to the studio with a head full of new ideas
and palettes for a range. It’s the place where I get in my flow, for
sure.J:For me, after a huge day shooting a collection or working
onthe computer, I get to come home to a peaceful and serene
environment, which refreshes me to go again the next day.
What’s the most precious item in the house, and what’s the story
behind it?J:The people inside it! Our family, and all those who visit.
Beyond that, my surfboard, which Rachel and the kids painted and
had their fingerprints embedded in. It’s amazing. R: My mum has
mademany beautiful things for us – she is the most creative person
I know! So anything that she’s made: embroidered blankets, hand-
knitted jumpers, paintings, toys... the list goes on.
What does ‘home’ mean to you? R: Somewhere we can connect
andrelax, make memories and dream, amongst the joyful chaos
that is being a young family!around the house