Take one look at Gunnadoo Homestead and you’ll find it hard to believe that it was a “lack of confidence” and “decision overwhelm” that led Melissah Yount to join Three Birds Reno School. Her Sunshine Coast Hinterland farmhouse renovation is stunning and it’s no surprise that her beautiful property boasts the cover of the Christmas Edition of Country Style magazine. We’re so proud!

Seen in Country Style | Photography Hannah Puechmarin | Styling Cheryl Carr

THE HISTORY OF THE HOMESTEAD

Built in 1946 on 67 acres, the property was originally gifted to War veteran David William Howe, for his service in World War II by the Sunshine Coast Council. The original farmhouse now sits on 13 acres and is home to Melissah, her hubby Ben and their three children.

When they first bought the property four years ago, Melissah and Ben did consider a knockdown rebuild due to the extensive requirements of the renovation. In 1994, the house was hit and largely destroyed by a supercell storm that shifted its foundations, sent verandah posts “flying through the air like javelins” and strew debris over a kilometre radius. They decided against demolishing it because the “house had such a warm feeling and good bones.”

Melissah and Ben spent two and a half years doing external works, clearing the land, fencing paddocks, building barns and a chicken coop. The property was previously a working fruit farm and they often find Australian pennies and old amber bottles as they work around the farm.

The past eighteen months have been spent renovating the interior.

Originally named ‘Gunnadoo Fruits’, the Younts kept the name just dropping the ‘Fruits’ for ‘Homestead’. And Gunnadoo Homestead was born.

MELISSAH’S FAVOURITE ROOM

Hands down, it’s the kitchen. And her favourite feature in the kitchen is the solid brass tap. She admits it was a splurge item but “I don’t regret it at all!” It’s always a talking point and, along with the farmhouse sink and custom rangehood canopy, brings the whole farmhouse vibe to the room.

The servery with bi-fold windows to the garden is another highlight and acts as a frame to a view of the garden, the kids on the tyre swing and cows grazing in the paddock behind - “having the kids run up and pass me fresh garden herbs straight from the garden to the sink is bliss.”

The generous size of the kitchen allowed for a large island bench (3.2 x 1.5 metres) which comfortably seats the family of five and is the perfect place for homework and cooking together.

FROM ROOKIE RENOVATOR TO EXECUTION PERFECTION

We know it’s hard to believe but this is Melissah’s very first renovation project. When she started out as a complete rookie, she found herself wasting time and money at the start of the renovation on the wrong trades and doing things in the wrong order, it was fellow Reno School student Natalie Gitsham who encouraged her to join the course. “She could see my struggles and suggested we do it together - so we did.”

Seen in Country Style | Photography Hannah Puechmarin | Styling Cheryl Carr

Melissah credits Reno School for providing the inspiration she needed to flip her floorplan and create a layout that works for her family, for giving her the skills to pick paint colours and building products like a pro, and for the confidence to back herself and communicate her decisions with her tradies. “I knew what I wanted and why and learnt to trust myself and not let others tell me what I wanted.”