Home Away From Home: Mountfield, Berry

Originally published at: Domain
Column: Home Away From Home
Photography: Pauline Morrissey

Hit the road south from Sydney and soon enough you’ll find yourself in Berry, a charming village where the countryside meets the rugged coastline, and the newly launched holiday home Mountfield peacefully awaits.

Promising a first impression like no other, the magic of Mountfield hits you all at once; from the home’s sweeping presence and striking white exterior to its natural backdrop of a sloping mountain ridge gently meeting the wide-open sky.

Certainly, it’s hard to believe that this site was once nicknamed “The Berry Tip” by locals. It has since undergone a dazzling transformation by proud owners Byron and Rachel Rose, with a brand-new build whose elegant features and finishes make for stylish and sophisticated stays.

“To be honest, we wondered many, many times why we would take on such a big project, and we literally spent the first six months getting rid of decades of rubbish that had just been dumped all over the property,” Rachel recalls.

“But every time we felt overwhelmed, we just looked up and saw the magnificent view, and it made all our efforts worthwhile.”

And that it was, with Mountfield now becoming the epitome of a luxurious country retreat. It provides plenty of space to accommodate large groups, inspiring cooking sessions and lively conversations around the oversized kitchen island, restful moments by the dual-sided fireplace in both the living and dining spaces, and friendly billiards competitions.

“There’s just enough in the house to make it comfortable and welcoming, and I love being able to see the view from all areas of the house,” Rachel adds. “I have deliberately kept furnishings to a minimum; this way guests can appreciate everything that’s going on outside.”

In fact, with views like these, one could fill an entire day spent outside, simply by moving from one scenic spot to the next. Starting with a morning coffee on the wraparound verandah, followed by breakfast under the pergola with sights of the beautiful South Coast, then moving to the pool area for an afternoon dip, before gathering around the fire pit just in time for sunset. And, should guests need a little more, the town is just a short drive away.

“Berry is the most gorgeous town and is going from strength to strength every year,” Rachel says. “It’s always been a popular tourist destination, but I believe it’s now giving places like Palm Beach a run for its money.”