The Modern Country Home
Country homes are characterised by rustic aesthetics and a strong connection to nature, typically achieved with open kitchens, natural timber, farmhouse sinks and large verandas that optimise outdoor living. Today, country homes are embracing a harmonious blend of timeless beauty and innovative solutions – designs that prioritise comfort without sacrificing style. Here, Sydney Home Design + Living’s Jessica Muller chats with Lewis Reardon, the owner and operator of Reardon Building Group, about how to seamlessly incorporate the latest modern design trends into country home design.
The Reardon Building Group started in 2014 as a small carpentry business. “We built our foundations on quality work and systems that have continued to grow and
improve over the years. We are quite proud of how far we have come,” Reardon says. “We have grown into a strong team that specialises in building unique architectural homes and transforming existing homesteads into beautiful fresh homes that embody today’s design principles and features.”
The timeless appeal of country homes is unbeatable, and it’s possible to achieve the warm, rustic look while maintaining the comforts of modern technology. From energy efficient features to creative use of space, Reardon lends his expertise in how to find the perfect balance of aesthetics and modern innovations in country homes.
CORE ELEMENTS
At the core of all country home designs is warmth, simplicity and a strong connection to nature. This is achieved through the use of natural materials such as timber and stone, as well as incorporating fireplaces, open living space, large windows and a natural colour palette. “The charm of a country home is in its exterior design and features, while inside, it’s about balancing open-plan living with intentionally closed-off spaces,” Reardon explains. “In terms of floor plan, we appreciate a design that focuses on spaces for the whole family to connect and live.”
Reardon says the country style flows through material choices – timber flooring, detailed trims and windowsills add warmth and character while keeping things functional for modern living. Incorporating fireplaces, engineered floorboards and captivating stone features helps to create the cosiness of a country home. “We believe in utilising the northern aspect and designing as much glazing into the build where possible to bring in the surrounding environment and landscaping,” Reardon describes. “We believe dollars are best spent on building a quality home that performs well, rather than focusing on a large footprint.”
INCORPORATING THE MODERN
Though country homes have a classical feel, modern technology can be blended seamlessly into a build to keep the home looking timeless
while adding serious comfort. “As long as the floor plan ticks all of the boxes for the family, then it is about creating little features that help the home to be clean and efficient in day-to-day life,” Reardon says. “Our designs are heavily focused around the requirements of each family.”
One feature the Reardon Building Group often incorporates into its builds is in-slab hydronic heating, which is a game changer in winter. Other features that make a home more enjoyable include integrated speakers, creative lighting and smart home tech. “Even
appliances like fridges, dishwashers and entertainment systems can be integrated to keep that country aesthetic intact,” Reardon describes. Spaces like mudrooms and somewhere to store work clothing and jackets are also great for upholding an uncluttered appeal. Reardon also advises using smart home automation for lighting, security and climate control to avoid compromising aesthetics, and installing underfloor heating, energy efficient appliances and water-saving fixtures for modern convenience.
BRINGING IT TO LIFE
Reardon emphasises the importance of prioritising a thoughtful design to make your country home effortlessly functional. “Embrace traditional elements like gabled roofs, wraparound verandas and natural materials for an authentic country feel,” he suggests. He also advises incorporating “open-plan living with large windows to connect the indoors to the surrounding landscape.” Using high quality, timeless materials is also just as important. “Choose a reclaimed timber, natural stone, metal roofing for durability and a rustic aesthetic,” Reardon mentions. “Opt for sustainable and locally sourced materials to enhance longevity while reducing environmental impact.”
“Design a home that works with nature, not against it,” he emphasises. This can be achieved through maximising indoor-outdoor living, and designing spacious outdoor areas with covered alfresco spaces, fireplaces or outdoor kitchens. “Incorporate landscaping with native plants for a low-maintenance, natural look,” he adds.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY
To make your home as functional as possible, use passive design principles, such as natural
ventilation, thermal mass and strategic window placement to enhance efficiency. Reardon also recommends investing in high-performance insulation and double-glazed windows for year-round comfort.
“In our area we experience sizzling summers and freezing winters, both of which are important to consider,” Reardon notes. “Energy efficiency starts with a well-designed home, taking in northern aspects, shading and room function. We believe this is an integral part of any build.” Once the design is finalised, it is crucial to make selections that align with the desired performance outcome of the home.
CASE STUDY
Reardon describes a standout project the Reardon Building Group recently completed, an award-winning custom-built home which embraced its natural surroundings with neutral tones and classic materials. “The use of rich timber floors, high cathedral ceilings, sandstone features, and warm furnishings made this home a timeless and elegant family home for our clients,” Reardon details. “This project was particularly successful because it was an efficient use of the land, which we turned into a split-level block, divided by a grand two-metre-high sandstone wall. This allowed full use of the land parcel without a cumbersome slope.” The design incorporated a mix of large open-living spaces for the family to mingle and spend time together, with the L-shaped house surrounding a beautiful concrete pool. “I think the floor plan paired with the design has allowed the blend of functionality and country appeal to work well,” Reardon says. “From the front, the façade maintains a traditional weatherboard look with symmetrical French doors and sandstone features.”
Images courtesy of Reardon Building Group
