Mittagong House: A Considered Country Retreat

Set within the peaceful landscape of Mittagong in the Southern Highlands, this thoughtfully designed family retreat balances architectural clarity with warmth and liveability. Designed by Suzanne Green Interior Architecture & Design, the home is designed as a place to slow down — where generous proportions, natural materials and a strong connection to landscape shape the experience of everyday living. A much-loved rural retreat for a large and busy family, the property has evolved over many years, with the house and surrounding outbuildings thoughtfully renovated and the gardens carefully reimagined over time. The result is a home that supports both relaxation and entertaining, grounded in its natural setting. Materiality plays a central role throughout the project, with a refined palette of natural stone selected to support both performance and atmosphere. Carefully considered finishes allow each material to respond to its environment, reinforcing a sense of calm while meeting the functional demands of the home.

Inside, the home reveals a richly layered interior defined by scale, texture and character. Vaulted ceilings and exposed timber beams frame a dramatic living space, anchored by a striking stone fireplace that draws the eye and sets the tone. Natural light filters in from every angle, softening the architecture and maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

Beyond the architectural impact, the interiors unfold with warmth and individuality. Curated furnishings, statement artwork and tactile materials bring depth and personality to each room, balancing refinement with a relaxed country sensibility. It is a home that feels both considered and lived-in — where grandeur meets comfort, and every space invites you to slow down and stay awhile.

The indoor pool house is one of several outbuildings across the estate — and the final space to be renovated. Its generous scale required careful consideration, with material selection playing a key role in shaping both the functionality and atmosphere of the space.

As Suzanne explains, “the scale of the building meant that we had to bring much thought to the material selections — knowing that a carefully curated finishes palette would create a more intimate feel.” Replacing the existing concrete floor tiles with natural stone was a priority, setting the foundation for the transformation.

Ocean Grey Granite in a flamed finish was selected for the flooring and pool surrounds, providing a surface suited to wet environments while remaining visually connected to the broader design. The flamed texture offers natural slip resistance underfoot, while subtle tonal variation introduces depth and movement across the space.

“As soon as I was shown the Ocean Grey Granite I knew that was it,” Suzanne notes. “The subtle blue, grey and olive colouring felt like the ideal match to the bushland setting, and the slightly textured surface perfect for bare feet poolside.”

The material palette was also carefully aligned with the main farmhouse, where moody greys, crisp whites and dark timber elements define the architecture. In this context, the granite sits comfortably within the overall scheme, helping to unify the property.

The result is a pool house that feels both practical and refined — a space where material, light and landscape come together in a calm and considered way.

In contrast to the more robust expression of the pool house, the bathrooms introduce a softer and more restrained material palette through Santa Fe Limestone in a honed finish.

Here, the focus shifts to creating spaces that feel calm, timeless and quietly resolved. As Suzanne describes, “we wanted the bathrooms to feel elegant and timeless — so the finishes palette was kept very minimal.”

The Santa Fe Limestone, with its rich cream colouring and minimal variation, was selected for both floors and walls, allowing the material itself to provide visual depth without overwhelming the space.

“Used across both surfaces, the stone brought all the visual detail we needed whilst keeping the mood of the space very quiet.”

The honed finish enhances the natural character of the limestone, offering a smooth, matte surface that is both tactile and practical — reinforcing a sense of understated luxury.

The material palette throughout the home is deliberately resolved rather than uniform. Each stone has been selected in response to its environment, allowing different areas of the home to be defined by their own character and function.

Rather than seeking continuity through repetition, the design takes a more considered approach — where materials are chosen to suit how each space is used and experienced. This creates a natural rhythm across the home, with subtle shifts in texture and tone marking the transition between indoor living areas and the separate pool house.

The result is a palette that feels cohesive without being overly controlled, allowing the architecture and landscape to remain the focus while each material contributes to the overall experience in its own way.

Beyond the interiors, the home extends into a series of spaces designed for relaxed family living. The indoor pool, surrounding landscape and connection to the outdoors reinforce the home’s role as a retreat — a place to gather, unwind and spend time together.

Natural stone plays a key role in shaping this experience, grounding the architecture and contributing to a sense of permanence and calm. Carefully selected materials ensure the home will continue to evolve beautifully over time, responding to both its environment and the way the home is lived in.

The result is a home that feels both refined and effortless — where architecture, materiality and landscape exist in quiet balance.

Architect:                       Suzanne Green Interior Architecture and Design
Photography:               Bolt Media