The Next Project.

One of the oldest buildings on The Farm is The Shearers' Quarters.  It and the shearing shed are the oldest remaining buildings we have.  The Quarters are very run down and have got to the stage that we either have to knock them down or fix them up.  So we have decided to fix them up.

It is going to be a slow process as we are planning to fit it in between other farm jobs and mainly use building materials we have salvaged when we have pulled down old sheds.  We have lots of old wood and tin sheets in storage.

Run down old quarters - bit spooky really

The general plan is to extend the verandah around the whole building to help protect it from the weather (and, dare I say it, hold it together and stabilise things a bit).

My favourite thing about these old quarters is the fact that they are clad in heavy jarrah weather boards.  For those non Western Australians amongst you, jarrah is a local timber which is very dark, hard and durable.  It is increasingly difficult to source but a very popular wood in WA, particularly for floor boards.

Verandah - jarrah floor and weather boards

I love the very traditional, simple and honest style of this building.

At the end of the verandah you can see the free standing kitchen which is currently clad in horrible asbestos.  This will all be removed and it will be re-clad in something more attractive and less carcinogenic....

Here is the inside of the kitchen.

Quarters Kitchen - Taking Rustic Cooking To A Whole New Level

This room will be a basic kitchen and living area.  The current plan is to use the completed quarters as a place for family and friends to stay when they visit The Farm so the kitchen will be very simple, just enough to make breakfast and coffee etc.

There will be two bedrooms and a bathroom in the main building.  The current bedrooms need relining but are a very good size.  I imagine they would have slept at least two men in single camp stretchers or up to four in bunks.  Again they need some work but the floor boards and frames are sound.  There are stunning old jarrah skirtings there at present that we will put back in when we finish.

Not Currently Looking Like A Comfy Place To Sleep!

And last but not least there will be a lovely verandah with a view.

View From The Verandah

There are two nice things about this renovation.  First and foremost is the fact that I don't have to live amongst it or move in when it is half finished!  With other renovations I have not been so fortunate...  The second thing is that the man who will help with the building is as excited about it as I am.  So instead of looking at me oddly when I suggest something and then saying "No love, can't do that, way too hard" he is very enthusiastic and thinks we can come up with ways around all the hard bits.  Nothing like a can do attitude.

So there you go - what do you think?  I think it is an old building worth saving.  Even if it takes a while. And once this project is completed I have my eye on another one...

You Can't Have Posh Shearers' Quarters And A Dodgy Shearing Shed.