THIS Red Cliffs property is old-world charm that meets modern architectural and garden creativity.
Just over a decade ago, Tom Fagan and wife Bec bought the old Red Cliffs fire station, which has stood as a feature in Jamieson Avenue for about 90 years.
It had been operating as a cafe when Tom, a horticulturist who runs award-winning Tara Landscaping, and Bec took a leap of renovating faith with the old building.
But fast forward to today and the traditional terrace-style home is a wonderful case study in how to use every bit of available space for furnishings, artwork and a garden while maintaining the building’s heritage core.
It’s a mini-wonderland in the heart of Red Cliffs.
Tom, who provides regular gardening tips on ABC Radio, this week reflected on the 10-year journey of firing up the old building with a fresh, liveable look.
“It hasn’t been easy, because there are always heritage issues we need to take into account,” he said.
“We took advice from a heritage advisor before we refurbished the facade of the fire station.
“We’ve taken it back to heritage colours to get it as close as we possibly can to the original look.
“The only thing we haven’t done around the place is the deck. But we’ve just received a permit to rebuild the deck out the front, so that’s the next project.”
As a landscape gardener, Tom is well placed to create a backyard oasis.
Showing he’s a master at work, he’s pulled together a stunning garden in limited space.
“When we moved in, the backyard was open and you barely go out there without baking, it was so incredibly hot,” he said.
“So the first thing we did was put in irrigation so we had water available for planting shade trees to give us respite during the day.
“We’ve since added some other elements to the garden and it’s now quite an eclectic, overplanted mix. But this overplanting was deliberately done.”
One of the main shade trees is a Chinese pistachio.
“It’s a bloody big tree”, Tom said, “but we knew we needed shade and we can prune and shape it to how we like.
“We also have a large magnolia magnifica in the backyard, which gives us some good flowers.
“And there’s a native frangipani, which is tiny in the sense that it’s deliberately crowded out to slow it down. But it does give a lovely fragrance.”
For relatively little cost, Tom also managed to fit a little plunge pool in the back garden.
“This is actually an old spa that has been refitted. It’s big enough for us to sit in, cool down and have a splash around,” he said.
“We also have a water feature, which is a brass swan.”
Inside, there were some “challenges” for the couple when they moved in.
“There was a bloody big wine stain on the carpet of the main bedroom, which had been a function room,” Tom said.
“But we completely refurbished this room and then we had a child, so it had to be split up. We created another little bedroom, which has since been converted back to a walk-in wardrobe.”
There is a hallway leading down to the main living area, which incorporates the kitchen.
At the front of the house, the former restaurant area has been converted into a big second bedroom.
The old commercial kitchen has been turned into a bathroom, which includes a full-sized bath.
Along the hallway, Tom and Bec have an eye-catching mix of artwork.
“We try to get as much local artwork and paintings as possible,” Tom said.
Outside, there is also an outdoor kitchen which morphs into Tom’s office.
“We’ve utilised every available space,” he said.
“We also have a full vegetable garden up one side of the house, using wet-cell pots which you can leave for a month without watering.”
Asked if it had been a costly renovation exercise, he said: “There are ways of keeping costs down.
“Even if you’re not a handy person, if you take advice from the right people, you’ll end up with some something beautiful at a reasonable price.
“We’ve ended up with a great, liveable house and we couldn’t be happier.”
TOM’S TIPS ON COMPANION PLANTING
THIS is an old method of planting that has been developed through a process of trial and error.
It’s not a real science, but more of an observation.
For instance:
– Garlic isn’t just good for us. When planted in clumps in a rose garden it will reduce aphid attack. Beans, peas, cabbage and strawberries don’t like it anywhere near them.
– Tomatoes grow well near asparagus, celery, parsley, basil, carrots and chives. However, they do not grow well in the company of rosemary and potatoes.
– Tomatoes growing near an apricot will harm the apricot.
– Zucchini will be protected from aphid attack by planting nasturtiums close by. Nasturtium leaf can be used in salads and is said to have a healing property for arthritis sufferers.
– Sunflowers make a spectacular display and attract bees to the garden. Use as shade for smaller plants such as squash and cucumber. Keep sunflowers away from potatoes, as they stunt each other’s growth.
– Slugs like even ground to travel and don’t like freshly mulched-composted gardens. They don’t like freshly limed ground or wood ash or the bitterness left behind on the soil by watering with wormwood tea. Gardeners seeing a slug should salt it as this gets them quick, or get them drunk in a dish of beer and find them drowned the next morning.
– Rue is a dainty plant with feathery leaves and golden flowers. No insects will go near it. Keep away from sage and basil — it poisons both. Plant in window boxes and near barbecue area to keep flies and other pesky insects away.
There are many more combinations of plants that are either good companions or not so good.
Horticulturist Tom Fagan runs award-winning Tara Landscaping in Red Cliffs.
