The deck is ideal for long lunches or dinner parties in summer.
The deck is ideal for long lunches or dinner parties in summer.

Historic house: A feast for the eyes

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Exuding classic comfort and elegant style, Casa Allegra in Trentham is perfect for a country escape with friends or a weekend with extended family

Casa Allegra has a classic/colonial feel and is set in almost 5000m2 of beautiful landscaped gardens.
Casa Allegra has a classic/colonial feel and is set in almost 5000m2 of beautiful landscaped gardens.

Casa Allegra, as the name suggests, is a place of happiness and joy and is the new sister house to Daylesford’s Casa Adagio, which featured in issue eight of Australian Period Home Style. It’s the weekend getaway rental property of Melbourne-based French antiques dealer Miguel Meirelles and his wife Anna.

One of the five stylishly appointed bedrooms. Each can be configured to a king bed  or two single beds.
One of the five stylishly appointed bedrooms. Each can be configured to a king bed
or two single beds.

“We wanted to renovate and partly build with a classic and timeless design, and with a country/colonial feel,” says Miguel. “The property was to have views of the landscaped gardens, plenty of controlled light, the feeling of space combined with cosiness, and to incorporate the use of antique doors and light fittings.”

Casa Allegra is now a light-filled, elegant yet relaxed and comfortable, spacious home. The layout of the rooms and the colours of walls and flooring showcase the antique French provincial furniture and items from Miguel Meirelles Antiques. Stunning light fittings, objets d’art and artwork supplied by Miguel feature throughout. Every room is now a feast for the eyes, boasting beautiful, unique furnishings and decorative items.

The kitchen is well fitted out for guests to cook all meals in.
The kitchen is well fitted out for guests to cook all meals in.

The holiday house in the heart of Trentham is designed to host up to 10 people comfortably, whether five couples or two couples with children. The property has five stylishly appointed bedrooms and each can be configured with a king-size bed or two long singles. Each bedroom is comfortable and has a distinctive colour scheme, with beautiful linen, upholstered bedheads and good-quality, classic fabrics selected for the curtains and beds. Two bedrooms feature ensuites and the remaining three bedrooms are serviced by a bathroom with a full-size bath.

The handmade French farmhouse table is a beautiful addition to the light-filled kitchen.
The handmade French farmhouse table is a beautiful addition to the light-filled kitchen.

The main kitchen/dining area overlooks the landscaped grounds and is large, luminous and very suitable to cook in and enjoy meals with family and friends. The hand-made French farmhouse table with seating for 10 is adjacent to the fully equipped kitchen.

There are two living areas in the house. The snug drawing room is warm and cosy with an open fire. There’s also a fire in the living room, to be enjoyed on comfortable sofas.

The fire can be enjoyed on the cosy lounges in the living room.
The fire can be enjoyed on the cosy lounges in the living room.

“Separate from the house, there was a large metal shed standing on a concrete slab that housed six cars,” says Miguel of the studio. “The challenge was to transform this ugly building, which the house looked down upon, into a good-looking studio incorporating a fireplace and seating, as well as tables for billiards and table tennis.”

The separate studio, offering extra space for any group
The separate studio, offering extra space for any group

Now the “studio” (ex-shed) is a wonderful place to have a game of pool, table tennis, or to sit by the fire on the sofas for a chat. It’s also ideal for the kids.

The generous-sized studio, a wonderful place for games.
The generous-sized studio, a wonderful place for games.

The generous-sized garden studio provides an extra entertainment area, yoga space, meeting room, venue for small daytime weddings or just a place to relax. It’s a spacious, comfortable and beautiful area with a peaceful garden outlook — Casa Allegra sits on almost 5000m² of beautiful landscaped gardens.

Casa Allegra features a beautiful array of pieces from antiques dealer Miguel Meirelles.
Casa Allegra features a beautiful array of pieces from antiques dealer Miguel Meirelles.

“The landscaping posed a few issues, starting with the removal of seven huge and overbearing cypress trees that made the garden dark and dank,” says Miguel. “Taking these down was a major enterprise, considering their towering heights and close proximity to the buildings. Once they were gone, we moved earth to create ‘rooms’ in the garden, with different levels of flat areas as opposed to sloping areas.”

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The expansive gardens and views to the lake make guests feel as though they are away from it all, even though the property is right in the heart of Trentham and an easy five-minute stroll to the town’s fabulous pubs, restaurants, cafes
and shops.

The deck is ideal for long lunches or dinner parties in summer.
The deck is ideal for long lunches or dinner parties in summer.

With an elevated view over the large garden and the lake beyond, the deck is the ideal setting for long lunches or dinner parties in summer. Alternatively, picnic in the spacious gardens, play croquet on the lawns, or find a quiet place to read a book. At night, admire the starry skies sitting around the fire pit in the garden.

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The outlook and position of this magnificent restored home makes it a perfect property for all seasons.

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Written by Danielle Townsend
Photography by Patrick Redmond

Originally from Australian Period Style magazine, Volume 10