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Home Tour: Stylish Eco-living in Byron Bay's Hinterland

Set within the Australian landscape, this Spanish-inspired homestead is a dream come true for Tom and Emma Lane.

The Range - Alicia Taylor

Who lives here

Tom and Emma Lane, and their four kids. The home is also available for holiday getaways. 

Location

Byron Bay Hinterland, NSW

Decor style

A natural aesthetic and colour palette with clean lines and warm tones evokes comfort and simplicity with an air of luxe.

Favourite space

The open plan living and dining are just so expansive yet cosy, and the warm tones make it completely liveable.

Favourite pieces

My dining table set up. Chairs from Tigmi by Pierre Jeannertare is my absolute favourite, and the dining table by Island Luxe made from Australian hardwood. I’m always thinking about that European meet Australian element in all aspects. 

The Range - Alicia Taylor

High in the hinterland surrounding Byron Bay, where rolling hills of fertile farmland and lush rainforests abound, a couple's passion for a sustainable future has unfolded in a Spanish-inspired homestead. Set on 120 acres with sweeping views across the hillside and beyond, The Range is the luxury retreat-like sanctuary that Tom and Emma Lane had been longing for.  

Often holidaying in the Canary Islands, off the coast of north-western Africa, Emma became enamoured by Finca's (Spanish style homes) with their overarching Canary Island Palm Trees and surrounding farmland. Building a Finca became a long-standing dream the duo shared, coupled with a strong desire to give their four children a chance to grow up with space and connection to land, just as Tom had done. 

"In December 2017, after ten years of looking for the perfect site, we stumbled by accident upon 120 acres in the hinterland of Byron Bay. The land was a little wild and rugged, with an old homestead and a few out-buildings. We took one look at each other and knew we had found the foundations of our future sanctuary," explains Emma.  

The Range - Alicia Taylor

THE HOMESTEAD

Sitting elegantly within the landscape, the sustainable, Australia meets Spanish farmhouse is a home, venue, and destination that surpasses Byron's shores. Consciously designed and thoughtfully curated spaces hint at the families love for travel. Soft rendered walls inspired by summers in Spain, Australian spotted gum throughout, 300-year-old terracotta tiles sourced from a demolished Casa in Croatia, and the overarching Canary Island Palms are a nod to their dream's beginning. 

Yet, it is Emma's vision for the interiors that ties it all together.

The Range - Alicia Taylor

"Armed with a good helping of holiday romanticism and numerous sketches in our head, we set out to create what we believe is a perfect fusion of Australian farmhouse with Spanish Finca influences," says Emma. "The natural aesthetic and colour palette with clean lines and warm tones evoke comfort and simplicity with an air of luxe. It has the feeling that the place has been there for a long time. So, in effect, timeless in its design."


The Range - Alicia Taylor

OPEN PLAN LIVING

For the space's size, the open plan living, dining and kitchen are kept quite simple, yet each area is defined by stunning features that draw on natural materials and the uninterrupted views of the hills beyond. 

"The kitchen is centralised by a large concrete bench which was poured on-site due to its size, the other benches are copper with corten fronts which was a controversial move for a kitchen as these are not normally used in these spaces due to their organic nature," says Emma. "The stone fireplace is central to the main living surrounded by a sunken lounge … subtle colours seen in the stonework dictated the choice of linen covers for the sunken lounge and cushions, in shades of rust, grey and yellow."

The Range - Alicia Taylor

The 300-year-old terracotta tiles cover the expansive floor, while oversized sliding doors create a seamless flow to the outdoors, an area bounded by a vast stone-wall made of basalt stone foraged from the property. The double dining area, connected by the sliding doors, is nothing shy of an entertainer’s dream. 

"The open plan living and dining, it's so expansive yet cosy, and the warm tones make it completely liveable," explains Emma. "And I love my dining table set up. The chairs from Tigmi by Pierre Jeannert are my absolute favourite pieces, and the dining table by Island Luxe is made from Australian hardwood – I'm always thinking about that European meets Australian element in all aspects." 

The Range - Alicia Taylor

THE EXTRA TOUCHES

An arched doorway leads to a hallway with three bedrooms, each with a private ensuite. The home's wrap-around deck offers moments of quiet solitude (outdoor bathtub, anyone?) and a sun-kissed outdoor area where a lawn divides the main homestead to the pool area. Evoking holidays spent in far-flung places, the pool area is a private oasis of luxurious day beds, a wood-fired pizza oven, and a shaded lounge area. 

The Range - Alicia Taylor

Yet, it's the amphitheatre-like fireplace that overlooks the verdant countryside that people gather to cook and tell yarns as they watch the day slowly fade into the night. 

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

One of Australia’s most talked about (and visited) beachside towns, Byron Bay has a laid-back coastal cool vibe. Yet it’s bursting at the seams with eateries, shopfronts, markets and festivals that promote the easy-going boho lifestyle this region is renowned for. Head inland, away from the stunning coastline and surf beaches to a hinterland of lush rainforests and rolling green hills. Peppered throughout are small towns full of natural goodness – vintage shopfronts, farmgate produce and paddock-to-plate dining.

EMMA LANE’S FAVOURITE BYRON BAY HANGOUTS

For Breakfast

Bayleaf Café in Byron Bay for their Brekkie Greens. It just feels full of goodness, and there’s a little chilli hit that gives you a little skip in your step.

For Lunch

Woods Bangalow’s fresh, delicious food is served in a perfect little setting, the cutest county town five minutes up the round from my home.

For Dinner

My husband’s cooking over the coal fire pit at home that we have named The Range Grill. You don’t have to travel far, and it has the best views around!

For Drinks

The mother of all gin cocktails at The Italian Diner in Bangalow

Go-to local boutique

Newrybar Merchants has such a great blend of fashion and homewares all under one roof, and it’s just a mere three minutes up the road.

One thing you love

Driving around the hinterland hills at dusk or dawn checking out the local roadside stalls at the top of little farms driveways and hobby farms – you could create a meal from all the collected fresh produce without going to any shops!


Loving our home tour of Tom and Emma's expansive Byron Bay abode? Be sure to visit our Home Design content hub for all your design and styling needs.

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