Graham Simmonds, Founder and Principal Designer of Gray & Co., and his partner Cody Hanish purchased Moss Vale in 2020 with plans to turn the property into a luxurious escape, set amongst the vines and only 90-minutes from Sydney, Australia.
With pandemic woes and restrictions separating Graham from the idyllic countryside, his father, a professional Project Manager, offered to live in the house and oversee the trades during what would become a two-year renovation. Like many great romances, by being thrown together they fell in love and Moss Vale is now Graham’s parent’s permanent residence.
The 1980s Spanish-Ranch style property in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales required a complete renovation and redesign to bring a feeling of cohesion to the somewhat sprawling, one-level, four-bedroom home. “I took some inspiration from the Spanish Mission Revival style homes of Los Angeles because I felt this would enhance the home and work with it, instead of trying to make it something it wasn’t,” explains Graham.
The home is furnished in a range of James Dunlop and Zepel fabrics, in a palette that mixes cool with warm neutrals and an abundance of texture. The softness of the colour palette is accentuated by the delicate glow filtered into the home through James Dunlop’s linen and linen-blend sheers, Simplicity and Balance.
“Primarily I wanted a neutral, light, airy feeling throughout the house and every choice was made for either the fabric’s composition or stain repellent quality.” To execute this fresh colour scheme FibreGuard fabrics from James Dunlop and Zepel upholster furniture pieces in an array of whites and, taking inspiration from designer Jenni Kayne’s Los Angeles ranch, the breakfast nook is upholstered in Assertion by Zepel FibreGuard – a fabric you can confidently eat your jam and toast on.
