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Bec and Angus Macdougall bought Dunmore Farm in 2018 as their personal holiday house, but the circa 1870 homestead (previously known as Rossmore) in north-east Victoria quickly became their permanent residence.
‘After a few months of splitting our time between Molyullah and Prahran, we decided to make the tree change and have never looked back,’ says Bec.
The couple went on to completely restore the homestead over a 12-month period, turning the former dairy farm into a boutique farm stay.
Bec personally designed the interiors within the original footprint, to preserve the home’s old world charm. Original features such as the fireplace, wood oven and roll top bath have been retained, while the kitchen, flooring and bathroom were updated to offer a more luxurious feel.
‘Curating a relaxed and understated space (often experienced on my travels) was my inspiration: a plump and incredibly comfortable sofa, battered leather chairs (which I brought back from my time London), heirloom portraits, natural sisal bedroom floors, French linen textiles, shutters, and beautifully aged wooden tables and surfaces are what make the cottage inviting and homely,’ says Bec. ‘We also prioritised insulating the exterior walls to ensure guest comfort no matter the season.’
Guests can appreciate the 150-acre property encompassing lush green vistas and an established orchid with apple, pear, quince, grapefruit, lime, lemon and pear trees. Vases, jugs and bowls indoors are regularly filled with an array of beautiful fresh floral and produce sourced from the garden, from banksias, to hydrangeas, roses, pumpkins and fresh eggs.
Beyond Dunmore Farm, guests can take a drive to nearby Glenrowan, Milawa, King Valley and other High Country towns renowned for their wine, cheese, olives, and charm.
It’s been a massive four years for Bec and Angus. Between moving to the country and restoring Dunmore Farm, the couple also got married on the property, welcomed a daughter, and relaunched their coffee business The Branded Coffee Co. In the near future, they plan to open an online store stocking travel and lifestyle products featured in their cottage. Also keep an eye out for Dunmore Suppers: seasonal long table collaborative dining experiences championing local growers and producers.
‘We love the idea that we are helping to raise awareness of our local community and collaborating with so many amazing producers to create a wonderful sense of connection,’ says Bec.
‘Our to-do list is very long but we couldn’t be happier and we are so very excited for what the future holds for us at Dunmore!’
