A couple have revealed how they converted a hay barn into a picture-perfect farmhouse with extensive gardens and 360-degree views of the Ancona Valley.
Situated atop a hill in Victoria’s high country, the ultra-modern farm is owned by Lek and Steve Domoney.
The couple who bought the 49-hectare property and hasty hay barn conversion in 2009 told FEMAIL they “walked there every weekend to soak up the sun and take in the views”.
They also turned the simple building into a stunning visual masterpiece, making the most of the sun reflecting off the nearby Strathbogie Ranges.
‘We treated it as a barn conversion and built it around the hay barn. We wanted the space to really stay true to its rural setting, so we used mainly local stone and galvanized iron on the exterior,” said Mr Domoney.
‘The property, Ancona, quickly turned into a permanent home and we wanted it to become a kind of resort, as if we would never need anything else again.’
The two-storey residence now also includes an enchanting garden designed by Paul Bangay, a private gym and pilates studio, a swimming pool set between stone-clad walls and an orchard just off the main house.
A picturesque farm sits atop a hill in Victoria’s high country, with extensive gardens, striking pavilions and 360-degree panoramic views of the Ancona Valley
The two-storey residence now also includes an enchanting garden designed by Paul Bangay, a private gym and Pilates studio, a swimming pool installed between stone walls
Lek and Steve Domoney walked around every weekend to enjoy the sun reflecting off the Strathbogie Ranges and taking in the impressive 360 degree views of the valley
The couple’s design plan envisioned an extensive civilian-style house with individual pavilions connecting the different spaces.
Ancona has separate living, dining, kitchen and sleeping areas – with the original hay barn buried within the house.
A cardinal feature of Ancona is the home’s commitment to open space and connection to nature.
Most rooms have glass walls and giant windows that let in natural light, with the sun’s rays reflecting off the chic, modern décor and beautiful marble tiles.
The couple also managed a Japanese garden and several spacious balconies around the house.
A key feature of Ancona is the home’s commitment to open space and connection to nature; the design gives priority to natural light
Ancona has separate living, dining, kitchen and sleeping areas – with the original hay barn buried within the house
Mr Domoney’s favorite aspect of the home is the lounge pavilion as it is the result of a ‘real element of craftsmanship’.
Famed stonemason Peter Sheen worked on the area’s interior, mainly sourcing natural stone from a local quarry.
Castlemaine brickwork is featured throughout the house, with light-coloured, textured walls enhancing the property’s international appeal.
“It was so much fun to see it being built,” Mr Domoney said. ‘I love the fireplace, it’s just a magical place to be as you look out over the valley.’
Castlemaine brickwork is featured throughout the house, with light-coloured, textured walls enhancing the property’s international appeal.
Mr Domoney contacted award-winning garden designer Paul Bangay to design the surrounding grounds
Mr Bangay designed the garden’s master plan and Lek did most of the physical work, planting each flower and shrub individually.
Mr Domoney contacted award-winning garden designer Paul Bangay to design the surrounding grounds.
Mr Bangay designed the garden’s master plan and Lek did most of the physical work, planting each flower and shrub individually.
“My wife has a magical touch,” Mr. Domoney said. ‘She has so much knowledge of plants and has taken the lead in bringing the garden to life. The creation of the garden in terms of labor and heart was all Lek.’
Therefore, the garden is one of the most prominent aspects of the property – with a unique plateau style design that shifts as you descend the steps and tiers.
‘Our brief to Paul was that we wanted a garden that offered privacy, but was landscaped in such a way that we did not lose any of the views of the mountains surrounding the house.
“He created these brilliant levels and layers that divided the site into different sections with different themes.”
The rose garden has more than 350 different roses that Lek planted himself over five years
The garden is one of the most prominent aspects of the property – with a unique plateau style design that shifts as you descend the steps and tiers
The upper part contained the swimming pool and a flat lawn leading to a lily pond, the perfect viewing spot for the whole site and the valley beyond.
It then flows to a rose garden and a working fountain – with more than 350 different roses planted by Lek himself.
Many professionals describe the garden as ‘Alice in Wonderland-like’ because of its unique layout.
“It gives a very calm feel to the space,” Mr Domoney said. ‘It creates a feeling of ‘other worldliness’ and escapism. A place to refresh, replenish and reinvigorate.’
The next layer begins to weave its way into the natural landscape of the area and features exotic and native plants that coexist around the boundaries of the house.
Most rooms have glass walls and gigantic windows that let in natural light, reflecting sun rays off chic modern furnishings and beautiful marble tiles
Stonemason Peter Sheen worked on the house, sourcing natural stone from a local quarry
‘It is a very personal house, my wife and I were very hands-on in creating the garden and parts of the house.
‘The original intention was for it to be our forever house, but we are designers. Once we reached the end of our vision, even though it took over ten years, we immediately wanted to make something else happen.”
Lek and Steve Domoney are currently conducting a similar exercise at another country house in Victoria, hoping to achieve perfection once again.