Daylesford couple reveal how they turned ‘s***hole’ into gold
A Daylesford couple have revealed the exhaustive reno that turned a “s***hole” that smelled like “beer, drugs and stale sweat”, which they bought off a bloke at the pub, into their dream home.
A Daylesford couple who bought a “s***hole” cottage off a bloke they met at the pub have revealed how they transformed it into a $1.65 million dream home.
Graeme and Dawn Barnes bought the 15 Basin Rd cottage after the Farmers Arms Hotel barman steered them to one of his regulars who was looking to sell a rental that “stank of beer, drugs and stale sweat” in 2006.
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“My comment to Dawn on seeing it was ‘do you really want me to buy this s***hole’,” Mr Barnes said.
“The next Friday night we did the deal.”
The publican witnessed the $220,000 contract, which was sealed with the Barnes slipping the former owner $100 and shouting him a few drinks in lieu of a deposit. The three became regular drinking buddies.
About 14 years and three extensions later the house now literally has gold on the ceiling, with the couple deciding to coat the pressed-tin above the bar they added to the home with gold-leaf infused paint.
It’s a nod to an old gold-mine shaft rumoured to be filled in somewhere on the property.
There’s more glittering pressed-tin in the kitchen, a glass conservatory, custom-designed 2m-wide fireplace in the “grand room”, plus their bedroom has a private gym, glass-topped ensuite and a 20sq m dressing room.
“People are continually wowed as they move through, and that was what we were after,” Mr Barnes said.
Ms Barnes, who has long regretted turning down an offer to undertake a European apprenticeship for interior design in her youth, came up with the home’s unique decor which includes enough artworks to fill a small gallery.
“What made us do it like this was the creativeness of Dawn, and I love her being able to surprise me with it,” Mr Barnes said.
Hocking Stuart Belle Property agent Nathan Skewes said the home and its unique styling had been immensely popular since he posted photos of it online.
“Dawn has just got an eye for it,” Mr Skewes said.
Walking distance to the lake and about 1km from the heart of Daylesford, the house on a 728sq m block was a once in a lifetime offering, he said.
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Originally published as Daylesford couple reveal how they turned ‘s***hole’ into gold