When Emma and Tom Lane of The Farm in Byron Bay first set about designing their own home on this property, they envisaged a brand new dream house. But halfway through the project, Emma started to question the environmental impact of the development. When she learned that the debris from the demolition would be buried on their paddock, the family reassessed, and set out on a new path more aligned with their values, and with special consideration of the environment. With a new mindset, they worked towards adaptive reuse and recycling, creating a new home with a robust history, by ‘rethinking how to use our finite resources.’
Located 10 minutes from Bryon Bay, on 120 acres, The Range is perched on one of the highest points in the area. Emma and Tom first encountered the property around ten years ago, and fell in love, but it wasn’t for sale. Eight years later, the stars aligned and the site was up for grabs (after 35 years with one family!).
The Spanish-influenced Australian homestead was eventually designed and built upon the concrete slab of the pre-existing home. In Spain, a ‘Finca’ is the name of a farmhouse with outbuildings and an orchard, and The Range is the Byron Bay version! Emma explains ‘the surrounding environment and nature-inspired our inside/outside living, and the majority of the materials used are natural and not manufactured.’
Old basalt rocks that were found on the property have been used to create features and boundary walls, and the house and external walls have been finished with European style soft warm renders. The large feature shelves are made from old Oregan roof trusses, and Australian hardwood and local spotted gum have been used throughout. These earthy tones are echoed in the terracotta roof tiles, sourced by their friend Sonya from Jatana Interiors. Natural linens bring soft, cosy and simple comfort to the bedrooms, and Emma highlights that ‘the conversation pit has a luscious natural palette, influenced by old basalt rocks.’ Our stylist Annie reflects ‘it was truly such a calm and serene space!’
The home is nestled amongst 4500 productive macadamia trees, and Emma describes ‘the property has a beautiful energy to it… we are very fortunate, it is really is a magical place to live.’ While working with a pre-existing building footprint proved slightly more difficult than a brand new build, the home is now infused with the history of the site. Importantly, the final result, with its emphasis on natural and recycled materials, reflects the values of the Lane family. Emma sums it up – ‘this all took much time and much deliberation, but a strong ethos of sustainability encouraged us to think outside the square.’
We’re so grateful to Emma and Tom for hosting our art director Annie Portelli, and photographer Caitlin Mills during their time in Byron!
The custom-designed mousehole entrance to Emma and Tom Lane’s spectacular Spanish-inspired home in the Byron Hinterland. Dragon tree in custom-designed corten pot. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The living room. 300-year-old Croatian roof tiles sourced by Sonya from Jatana Tiles line the floor. Oregon timber shelves made from the old roof trusses in the original house. Sunken lounge designed in partnership with Sarah Ellison Studios. Rafters made from recycled spotted gum from a bridge in Goulburn. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The living room. This place is NEXT LEVEL! 300-year-old Croatian roof tiles sourced by Sonya from Jatana Tiles line the floor. Oregon timber shelves made from the old roof trusses in the original house. Sunken lounge designed in partnership with Sarah Ellison Studios. Coffee table from Ha’veli of Byron Bay. Solid stone Byron Bay-built fireplace made from basalt rocks foraged on the property. Rafters made from recycled spotted gum from a bridge in Goulburn.Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The Lane family (minus Tom!). From left – right: Lulu (8), Charlie (15), Ranger the Hunagarian Viszla, Emma Lane, Matilda (10) and George (12) in front of Oregon timber shelves made from the old roof trusses in the original house. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The living room, overlooking the expansive property. Sunken lounge designed in partnership with Sarah Ellison Studios. Coffee table from Ha’veli of Byron Bay. Solid stone Byron Bay-built fireplace made from basalt rocks foraged on the property. Rafters made from recycled spotted gum from a bridge in Goulburn.Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Copper and corten kitchen designed by Tom and Emma. Concrete bench poured on site by the family builder Forty Four constructions. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Copper and corten kitchen designed by Tom and Emma. Concrete bench poured on site by the family builder Forty Four constructions. Avant Toi wall hanging from Island Lux. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Looking through from the kitchen to the living area. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Left: Ceramic vessel details in the kitchen. Right: Avant Toi wall hanging from Island Lux. Bench from Tigmi Trading. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Dick Ward painting just visible. Tigmi Trading rug. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Linen from Hale Mercantile. Blankets from Bemboka. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Linen from Hale Mercantile. Beehive lamphades from Island Luxe. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The bathroom. Australian hardwood vanity by Berni and Co. Belgian beehive lampshades from Island Luxe. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The pool area overlooking the Byron Hinterlands. Eco Outdoor sun lounges. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The front deck was made with upcycled railway sleepers. 200-year-old handcrafted table created from 2 x 5.2m of old Australian teak by S. Lambourn-Hull Studio from Island Luxe. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Wine vat from Fossil Vintage in Byron Bay. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The front deck was made with upcycled railway sleepers. 200-year-old handcrafted table created from 2 x 5.2m of old Australian teak by S. Lambourn-Hull Studio from Island Luxe. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Swings by Luther and Co Newrybar. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The stairway lined with 300-year-old Croatian tiles greets you on the left as you walk through the entrance, taking you up to the Macadamia field. Tigmi Trading kiln. Table by Ha’veli of Byron Bay. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The simple, beautiful entrance way. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
The pool area. Eco Outdoor directors chairs and sun lounges. Custom-designed corten steel pool fence. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Rosewood deck built by Forty Four constructions and custom-built sun lounges. Magnesium mineral pool and spa. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Rosewood deck built by Forty Four constructions and custom-built sun lounges. Magnesium mineral pool and spa. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Sunset over the Western orchard. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
Sunset over the Western orchard. Photo – Caitlin Mills. Styling – Annie Portelli.
