Inside The Grounds Estate

with Stephanie & Gareth Jones

How long have you lived on the Mountain? Stephanie: I grew up on the Mountain and my family heritage dates back to pioneering times, with my great, great grandfather, Stanley Rosser being one of the early settlers. Gareth grew up 'down the road' in Canungra.

What brought you here? S: After meeting each other as young adults, we moved to Europe for Gareth's career and ended up staying there for 9 years, before returning home to Australia.

Gareth: We knew we wanted to live close to family, particularly to participate in our niece and nephew's childhood, so we bought the property from my uncle. The land has always been important to us, as my grandmother 'Mere', who grew up here, played such an important role in my childhood and so it holds deep sentimental significance to us both. It's really the only place we could imagine laying our roots.

What was the inspiration and what influenced the design? S: We started with the ground work in 2016, establishing the gardens first. The layout of the property was planned in micro detail - considering the seasons and sun's movements throughout the year. The house began in 2020 just as Covid hit, business halted and we finally had the time to build. We have watched Grand Designs as a couple for many years, discussing what our dream house would look like, so the design came very organically. Our time in Europe heavily influenced our ideas, as we wanted to bring a little of what we called ‘home’ back with us.

How long did it take to build your beautiful home? S: Gareth's skills as a builder meant we were able to realise quite an unusual style and complicated project; we executed everything from the foundations up; from architecturals, structural work, painting to fit-out... with a little help from our tradie mates.

G: For most of the build it was just us and Steph's dad, our mums helping with painting and cooking hot meals to keep us going. We feel very blessed to have such great family and friends to support us! From the start of ground works to moving in, it took us just over a year. Upon completion, we felt an overwhelming satisfaction that every nail and little detail was done with our own two hands.

Your furniture and antiquities are divine.... where did you find a lot of them? S: Most of our house has been repurposed from garage sales, markets and auction houses both overseas and locally. You wouldn't believe what you can find by looking online! We wanted to give a second life to the things we bought and we feel that it makes the house more homely and 'lived in' for a new build.

Favourite tunes on a Sunday morning? G: Our music taste is varied, but if we're not working or in the farm. On a slow Sunday morning, we'll be playing some kind of cruisy mixed soundtrack.

Favourite features of the home? S: Our favourite and also the hardest part of our house to execute was the front vista design, as we needed to maintain symmetry throughout - staying true to the traditional Georgian rules. Our front vista includes set-back French doors and windows which maintains an exact proportion, even down to the panes of glass.

Favourite season? S: My favourite season is Autumn after the heat of summer, everything slows down - most importantly the weeds.

G: Steph loves Winter and Spring, mainly for how dynamic the gardens look. We have formal deciduous trees so the aspect is beautifully stark in winter and then bursts into colourful life come spring.

What is next for your property? S: With great excitement we are able to announce that The Grounds Estate will be opening soon for weddings and special events. Having been in the events industry for the past several years it was something we hoped to achieve, and so we look forward to welcoming our first couples in the not too distant future!

Email thegroundsvenue@gmail.com INSTA thegroundsestate