A country Christmas, in a home built for their family’s evolution, was the dream for Kirsten and Rhys Stanley. The respective fashion model and Geelong Cats AFL player missed out on several farms before finding this regional Victorian property, where they live with their children Jagger, seven, Sloane, five, and Hudson, two.
The vacant site opened them up to a world of new build possibilities but it was the vistas of surrounding plains and bays that sealed the deal. “We drove to the top of the hill and got a glimpse of the view… That was enough for us,” says Kirsten.
Who lives here?
Model Kirsten Stanley, her husband, AFL ruckman Rhys Stanley, and their three children, Jagger, seven, Sloane, five, and Hudson, two.
What do you love most in the home? Kirsten: “The open-plan living space where we can all enjoy spending time together as a family. We love watching the kids run around in that room.”
What’s on your Christmas menu? “Christmas ham, prawns, crayfish (if we’re in WA), homemade gingerbread houses and pavlova.”
Favourite Christmas tradition? “Santa sacks around the fireplace, the kids making milk and a plate full of carrots for Santa and the reindeer, and our glazed Christmas ham.”
Kirsten and Rhys Stanley’s new build process
Every part of the build process was inspired by the locale, from the open design of the family home to the material palette. And with Tanya Love-Hallihan, principal of Studio Hallihan, at the helm, this organic beauty took shape.
After a delay due to Covid, construction began in February 2022, aided by the couple’s clear vision. They imposed a strict “no white walls” rule, with a European take on farmhouse style that infused the space with warmth. Of the must-haves, Kirsten lists “large windows, open-plan kitchen for entertaining and hardy materials to handle a busy family”. A generously sized north-facing window, with a built-in day bed across the base, maximises views underneath a vaulted ceiling that stretches up to 6.4 metres.
Those soaring heights certainly come in handy at Christmastime, allowing for a tall tree and strategic placement of baubles. “The kids seem to take as many decorations off as they put on, especially Huddi, so we need to put the majority of them up high and out of reach,” admits Kirsten.
The flexibility of the space is something that Kirsten and Rhys appreciate most. The home’s design suits them in this season of life but will also grow with them, nurturing all the stages to come. This is especially true during the holidays. For now, the focus is on an unbridled excitement for Santa Claus, while for Kirsten the greatest gift is simple: “The pure joy the kids experience and seeing it written all over their faces.”
Inside Kirsten and Rhys Stanley’s Christmas traditions
This year will ring in their second Christmas in the home, where festivities begin with a family outing.
“We have a few local Christmas tree growers so we go and cut down a tree with the kids,” shares Kirsten, who adds that this adventure creates memories while enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection they’ve fostered in the home. “The smell of a natural tree adds a nice touch to the festive season.”
While the family didn’t have a chance to do the annual hunt for a real tree at the time of Home Beautiful’s visit, it’s still a special part of their traditions.
Kirsten says they often spend Christmas Day at her family’s holiday home, but they still love to entertain in the summer months.
Guests spread out in the spacious kitchen, living and dining area, starting off with platters on the island bench before moving on to “dinner around the dining table and wines in front of the fireplace”.
Leaving treats out for Santa Claus
Christmas and Santa Claus are synonymous in Kirsten and Rhys Stanley’s household. As such, the respective model and AFL ruckman notice exclusively nice list behaviour from their young children in the months leading up to the day.
Decorating the Christmas tree
Kirsten prefers a palette of greens and golds. As such, a fairly traditional festive scheme of warm whites, sparkly golds and soothing neutrals mixes in with tactile touches befitting the modern farmhouse style.
The ‘Noelle’ LED Christmas tree is paired with gold ‘Noelle’ baubles and drop baubles, in a vintage finish, all from Provincial Home Living, as well as an assortment of ‘Lucia’ decorations from Mediterranean Markets.
But Kirsten and Rhys Stanley are not adverse to trends. An oversized bow graced their front door last year (tied by Rhys who has an unexpected knack for this task), and the children each paint a bauble for the tree every year.
The Christmas table setting
The dining table feels abundant, draped in L&M Home’s ‘Terrace’ tablecloth in Oatmeal. This creates a neutral base for an assortment of festive cheer.
A mix of Robert Gordon ‘Haven Heart’ tumblers and the family’s own wine glasses are ready for tipples. Each place setting features a set of Robert Gordon ‘Nest’ plates beside ‘Nolan’ cutlery in Soft Gold from Country Road. L&M Home’s ‘Riviera’ striped napkins in Jade are neatly clasped in ‘Haven’ napkin rings from Country Road.
Tour Kirsten and Rhys Stanley’s modern farmhouse
Where better to await a visit from Saint Nick than a daybed? The custom design by Studio Hallihan stretches across the length of the vast window, taking in views that stretch to the horizon. “Anchoring these views… was our core design objective,” says Studio Hallihan principal and interior designer, Tanya Love-Hallihan, who adds that they create an effect like a large artwork of slow-moving colour.
“Creating a home with views was always part of the plan. We think about how lucky we are every day” – Kirsten Stanley
Living
An organic palette grounds the home and deepens the connection between the interior and exterior. “Our materials were selected for their tactile qualities, natural imperfections and resilience,” says Tanya. Timber beams from Simply Oregon highlight the vaulted ceiling, while a dramatically veined Calacatta Viola marble from Artedomus graces the kitchen island and benchtops. Even the timber coffee table from MCM House is topped with a generous slab of travertine. This palette of natural materials is at once rustic and luxe, tactile and elegant.
An earthy colour palette complements the rural appeal, including the olive green MCM House sofa, topped with ochre-toned cushions and a ‘Matteo’ wool and silk lumbar cushion from L&M Home. “Stone washed linen, heavy woollen textures and classic stripes provide a timeless design and textures that sit comfortably in the rural property,” says Tanya of the soft furnishings. Beyond the living room, the MCM House ‘Galleria’ armless dining chairs in Caramel Rattan maximise views of rolling hills.
Hallway
Tactile touches abound with a custom plinth from Friday Crafted and the family’s console table.
Sloane’s bedroom
The ‘Beatrix’ bedhead from McMullin ensures Sloane will nestle all snug in her bed. Society of Wanderers’ linen curtains softly filter sunlight on walls finished in Porter’s Paints Moonstone, with a band of Himalayan Salt above.
Jagger’s bedroom
It’s a blue Christmas thanks to walls in Porter’s Paints Newport Blue, complete with built-in niches for beloved books.
The ‘Luella’ bedhead from Heatherly Design adds a classic touch, paired with the ‘Sumba’ wall light by Faro Lab from Lighting Collective. But the most exciting feature is the presents, all wrapped and stacked on the bedside table.
Guest bedroom
Soft florals envelop the guest bedroom thanks to the Thibaut ‘Rosalind’ wallpaper in Beige.
These warm tones are complemented by luscious layers of linen. This includes the ‘Aspen’ blanket in Natural from In The Sac and ‘Etro’ cushions in Toffee from L&M Home.
Main bathroom
Subtle variations in the ‘Rosso’ mosaic tumbled tiles from Gather Co add movement beside Astra Walker tapware.
Source book
Architecture & interior design: Studio Hallihan, studiohallihan.com.
Builder: Homes by NH, homesbynh.com.au.
Joinery: Windsor Kitchens, windsorkitchens.com.au; Hammer & Stone, hammerandstoneworkroom.com.
The farmhouse: Stay up to date on Instagram @thatfarmhouse_
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