Farmhouse Fields by Studio Hallihan

Meticulously crafted from the ground up, Farmhouse Fields reflects the clients’ vision of an enduring family home, featuring high ceilings and framed natural views. Drawing inspiration from American designs, Studio Hallihan balances shared and private spaces to create a harmonious living environment.

Located on the Victorian surf coast, just 15 minutes from Torquay, Farmhouse Fields overlooks a grassy landscape rolling towards Zeally Bay. Prior to construction, the hilltop site lay vacant, presenting an opportunity for a new building tailored to the clients’ lifestyle. The design brief detailed a robust home that could effortlessly accommodate generations to come. “The project is something we can grow with and grow into,” explains Rhys Stanely, one of the homeowners of Farmhouse Fields. Thoughtfully oriented to maximise views, the house provides a place to retreat from the cold coastal wind and embrace northern sunlight.

Prior to construction, the hilltop site lay vacant, presenting an opportunity for a new building tailored to the clients’ lifestyle.

Inside the home, an open living and kitchen area forms the primary social space, complete with oversized windows and 6.4-metre-high ceilings. In the kitchen, large pieces of European stonework are complemented by limestone-clad walls, which echo the rich tones of the clay soil on the site. “When we were designing the kitchen, [Tanya] from Studio Hallihan brought the idea to the table of a more American-style kitchen, where it is open but still feels like a separate space with that lower ceiling and the bulkhead,” says Rhys. The added butler’s kitchen, accessed through Blum pocket doors, allows clutter to be kept away from the main entertaining space, enhancing the functionality of the home.

From the kitchen, a long hallway leads to the parents’ retreat. Specially requested by homeowner Kirsten Stanley, the space includes a picture window that offers a charming view of the outdoors. While Oregon beams visually lower the ceiling height, creating a sense of intimacy, wire-brushed oak floors ensure consistency with other parts of the dwelling. In the parents’ bedroom, soft furnishings – including a plush day bed – and herringbone flooring evoke the gentle contours of the external terrain. The adjoining bathroom highlights a custom sink base cabinet. “Blum has done such a good job of fitting that out with some beautiful hardware,” says Rhys. “It functions so well for the way we live.”

Thoughtfully oriented to maximise views, the house provides a place to retreat from the cold coastal wind and embrace northern sunlight.

In contrast to the parents’ retreat to the east, the western side of the house is dedicated to the children. The garage opens to a mudroom and laundry space where they can drop their bags before continuing to their bedrooms and shared bathroom. “For our eldest son’s bedroom, we designed these beautiful shelves around his window because, ever since he was a little kid, he’s always played with his toys along the window sill,” says Kirsten. Nearby, a rumpus room is crafted with sliding doors, allowing the children to incorporate outdoor space into their play.

With high ceilings and distinct zones, Farmhouse Fields embodies a bespoke family home that adapts to evolving needs over time. Delivering both architecture and interiors, Studio Hallihan encourages residents to shift their focus outward, deepening their connection with the natural landscape.

Architecture and interior design by Studio Hallihan. Build by Galloway Building Group. Joinery by Hammer & Stone Creative Workroom and Windsor Kitchens. Storage systems and hardware by Blum. Cladding by James Hardie and RMS Traders. Rugs by GlobeWest. Stone and tiles by Artedomus, GatherCo and Aeria Country Floors. Appliances by Fisher & Paykel. Artwork by Emma Itzstein.