Corio 1897

Corio 1897 We’re The Jacksons. Restoring Corio House circa 1897. Rural Australia
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The front garden has transformed overnight with the addition of 19 buxus balls transplanted from another garden no longe...
11/01/2024

The front garden has transformed overnight with the addition of 19 buxus balls transplanted from another garden no longer needing them. I had a vision for the future to have the hedge balls scattered amongst colourful perennials in the garden beds. Accepting I’d have to wait years to achieve this look it was like winning the lottery finding them all for sale on fb marketplace. Very much on track to creating my dream English garden ahead of time.

The entry hall has to be my favourite space (Katie’s) We’re currently brainstorming lighting options in the entry hall a...
09/01/2024

The entry hall has to be my favourite space (Katie’s)
We’re currently brainstorming lighting options in the entry hall and hallways. A chandelier/pendant for the entry hall is a given, but we’re still deciding on what to put in the hallways.
What style of lighting would you use to light up these areas?



Bedroom 2. Finishing raking out the cracks and removing the last of the paint on the ceiling. It’ll be a nice change in ...
08/01/2024

Bedroom 2. Finishing raking out the cracks and removing the last of the paint on the ceiling. It’ll be a nice change in a few weeks when other trades come in to work on the spaces. Excited to see how quickly the rooms will transform once the walls are back to their original finish.

13/12/2023

Peeling Paint PART TWO
It’s time to begin stripping paint from all the wood trims. It’s a huge job so we decided on a product called Peelaway8, after some research we felt this would be the most effective, safe and quickest way to strip the skirting, picture rails, archs and windows.

It’s definitely not the cheapest option but already saving us time.



28/11/2023

Renovating with kids can have its challenges.
At this early stage of the renovations we’ve kept our kids outside of the home free of dust and mess.

Instead we’ve included them outside the home, allowing the kids to choose and plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables, and watch as they nurture their garden.

This not only gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility but also allows them to express their creativity and make a connection with their new home.


25/11/2023

Who else has started with their Christmas decorations?

14/11/2023

Repairing Lath Plaster

Cornicing.Corio House has both Victorian gutter type E & F throughout the home from what we have been able to compare to...
10/11/2023

Cornicing.
Corio House has both Victorian gutter type E & F throughout the home from what we have been able to compare to online guides.

During the process of removing wallpaper and layers of paint we were excited to come across original calcimine paint colours on the cornicing.
We peeled back this (below image) piece of pasted paper from the cornice to reveal on the backside the original colours the cornice was painted in the drawing room.

I also came across a guide online on cornicing colours via the national trust website.
You can see via the guide that our home is very similar to what has been recorded of those times.

Some people probably wonder why I’m (Katie) working in the garden when there is so much work still to be done inside the...
09/11/2023

Some people probably wonder why I’m (Katie) working in the garden when there is so much work still to be done inside the home.

It’s refreshing to work outside of the home. This time of year to be amongst the colour in the garden and have a break from the dust and mess that comes with the interior.
Working alongside my children tending to the flowers, placing bricks back into garden edging, cutting back in old garden beds.

I like to think when it comes time to move in I won’t look out the window and be overwhelmed by the chaos of overgrowth in the gardens, we’ll be able to enjoy all the flowers we’d planted weeks beforehand.

While I’ve been in the front garden it’s been a lovely opportunity to chat with people walking past who are always very encouraging with their comments about the homes progress inside and out. Some even commenting they follow our page on Facebook or Instagram.

06/11/2023

One of what I assume is many covered up garden paths and edging.

This old path was covered in dirt and grass. From what I can work out it would have been the original path from the home to the outhouse.

I do wonder what the two square open brick areas are. What do you think they could have been?

Corio History. The Hardie family moved to Maffra in roughly 1885 from Geelong. Family members includes Alex and Emily an...
01/11/2023

Corio History.

The Hardie family moved to Maffra in roughly 1885 from Geelong.
Family members includes Alex and Emily and their children Alexander, Emily and Eva.

The Hardies lived on Johnson street behind their Hardware store before moving into Corio. The hardware store located next to Hawkins furniture.
An old article tells the story of Alex Hardie saving Hawkins’s furniture from burning down one evening with 15 buckets of water from his store.

Corio was built by The Hardies is 1897.
Corio was originally built on 1 acre of land including orchard, gardens, home and stable.

Alex was a respected businessman in the Maffra Shire with business’ in Hardware, Furnishings, a Blacksmith and Undertaking. Interesting fact, Alex had the first hearse made for Maffra. (More on Alex in future posts)

Sadly in the same year Corio was completed the Hardie family suffered the loss of their dear Eva Jeannie at 5yrs 9months.

1897 the article “Maffra Dwelling” is published which can be read in previous fb posts.

1902 Alex Hardie dies in family home after battling illness.. Alex aged 44yrs.

Pictured is Corio House, photographed from bell tower of church across the road. The best image we have of the home with property in view.

Image credit.
State library of Victoria.
Feb 7th 1929
Photographer Hammond, H B (Harry Beamont) 1866-1948 photographer.

A little history on Corio in print..An article printed in the paper dated 16th Sept 1897“A MAFFRA DWELLING HOUSE.To thos...
20/10/2023

A little history on Corio in print..
An article printed in the paper dated 16th Sept 1897

“A MAFFRA DWELLING HOUSE.
To those who have interests of a town at heart it is pleasing to note the upraising of dwelling houses in addition to places of business, er. it all tends to show the stability of the town is being strengthened. The latest addition to our town is the fine dwelling house of Mr Alex. Hardie, which has been erected on an acre of ground near the Presbyterian Church. The house was so inviting from the outside that our representative waited on Mr Hardie and asked to be shown the inside, which request was obligingly complied with.

The rooms number 15 including bath and linen room, and is replete with with modern converninces
, electric bells being a special feature.
The drawing room 16ft by 15ft with projecting bay, , dining room 20ft by 14ft, breakfast room 17ft by 13ft, and a couple of other bedrooms ranging from 12ft by 11ft to 12ft by 9f, kitchen 13ft by 12ft, pantry with cellar underneath. Ilft × 13ft and imin roold a couple of other bedrooms ranging Notor froml 12ft x lift to 112ft x oft ;kitchen, bat 13ft x-12ft; pantry with cellar under neath.
The main rooms are also plastered, with cornices and centre flowers, and the entire furnishling is with keeping with the style of the house.
There is a large underground tank, with overhead tank and force pump, from which water is laid on to the bathroom, kitchen and washhouse.
The orchard is well laid out, and a large playground is laid down in nut trees. Both inside and outside the greatest care has been taken to get the
best effect, and these style of dwellings
are a great ornament to the town.

Photo copy of old photo(date unknown) from previous owners A&L Watt.

Progress. Entry Hall and Hallway. BEFORE AND AFTER Dean and I have been spending most weekends putting in long hours pre...
16/10/2023

Progress.
Entry Hall and Hallway. BEFORE AND AFTER
Dean and I have been spending most weekends putting in long hours prepping the rooms in the front half of Corio ready for solid plastering repair.
Many layers of paint and wallpaper have been removed revealing original paint colours and wallpapers.

Although exhausted we’re enjoying the process and the time spent together. We’re beginning to see the end in sight even if it looks a little overwhelming in these pictures.

Now that we’ve stripped the walls in the entry and hallway we’ll etch out all the cracks in the lath plaster in preparation for the solid plasterers to repair.

We’ve been spending just as much time on fb marketplace as we have renovating the rooms in Corio House. We’be been hunti...
10/10/2023

We’ve been spending just as much time on fb marketplace as we have renovating the rooms in Corio House.
We’be been hunting down the perfect pieces to restore fireplaces, vintage lighting and beautiful furniture pieces like this bed and fireplace pictured.

Our little H’s room coming together in the attached moodboard, including a wallpaper aptly named “tiny magnolia”, with her bedroom shaded by a magnolia on her front window.

NOW & THENWhile renovating it’s normal for your home to look worse before it looks better, you can rest assured that on ...
09/10/2023

NOW & THEN
While renovating it’s normal for your home to look worse before it looks better, you can rest assured that on reveal day this bedroom for our little E will be looking a dream.

We’ve been working away stripping back layers of wallpaper and fixing every crack in the original lath plaster to prepare the walls for fresh wallpaper and paint.

I’ve attached a moodboard to give you a sneak peak into the finishes and styling of this room.

Would you keep the original plaster or would you replace with new?

Katie

Hey there.We’re the Jacksons, a young family in country Victoria who recently purchased our forever home. Corio is a bea...
03/10/2023

Hey there.
We’re the Jacksons, a young family in country Victoria who recently purchased our forever home.

Corio is a beautiful homestead built circa 1897.

We have big plans to reinstate, renovate and revive this already beautiful house into a place we can call home that our little girls can grow up in.

Follow along as we share behind the scenes, renovations, styling and everything in between.

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Red Cedar revealed.
Red Cedar revealed.

Peeling Paint PART TWO It’s time to begin stripping paint from all the wood trims. It’s a huge job so we decided on a product called Peelaway8, after some research we felt this would be the most effective, safe and quickest way to strip the skirting, picture rails, archs and windows. It’s definitely not the cheapest option but already saving us time. #peelaway #strippingwood #weatherboardshed #woodenshed #weatherboardgarage #wallpaper #restoration #renovationaustralia #heritagehome #edwardianhouse #coriohouse #australianhome #victorianhome #gippsland #gippslandhistory #drawingroom #renovationoldhome #homestead #countryhome #balticpine #balticpinefloors #heritagegarden #cottagegarden #homesteadgarden #oldrosegarden

It’s time to begin stripping paint from all the wood trims. It’s a huge job so we decided on a product called Peelaway8, after some research we felt this would be the most effective, safe and quickest way to strip the skirting, picture rails, archs and windows. It’s definitely not the cheapest option but already pricing saving us time. #peelaway #strippingwood #weatherboardshed #woodenshed #weatherboardgarage#wallpaper #restoration #renovationaustralia #heritagehome #edwardianhouse #coriohouse #australianhome #victorianhome #gippsland #gippslandhistory #drawingroom #renovationoldhome #homestead #countryhome #balticpine #balticpinefloors #heritagegarden

Children’s garden
Children’s garden

Renovating with kids can have its challenges. At this early stage of the renovations we’ve kept our kids outside of the home free of dust and mess. Instead we’ve included them outside the home, allowing the kids to choose and plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables, and watch as they nurture their garden. This not only gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility but also allows them to express their creativity and make a connection with their new home. #weatherboardshed #woodenshed #weatherboardgarage #wallpaper #restoration #renovationaustralia #heritagehome #edwardianhouse #coriohouse #australianhome #victorianhome #gippsland #gippslandhistory #drawingroom #renovationoldhome #homestead #countryhome #balticpine #balticpinefloors #heritagegarden #cottagegarden #homesteadgarden #oldrosegarden

Christmas at Corio
Christmas at Corio

Who else has started with their Christmas decorations?

Shed glow up coming 2024

Repairing Lath Plaster.
Repairing Lath Plaster.

Repairing Lath Plaster

PART ONE. Tidying up the driveway garden bed.

Hidden paths
Hidden paths

One of what I assume is many covered up garden paths and edging. This old path was covered in dirt and grass. From what I can work out it would have been the original path from the home to the outhouse. I do wonder what the two square open brick areas are. What do you think they could have been? #wallpaper #restoration #renovationaustralia #heritagehome #edwardianhouse #coriohouse #australianhome #victorianhome #gippsland #gippslandhistory #drawingroom #renovationoldhome #homestead #countryhome #balticpine #balticpinefloors #heritagegarden #cottagegarden #homesteadgarden #oldrosegarden

The kids and I have been spending sunny afternoons in the homes front gardens. We’ve been freshening up the garden beds and while planting in lots of cottage florals. Today we planted Hollyhocks, Cornflowers, Hydrangea, Dahlias and Foxgloves. Do you love gardens overflowing with colourful florals? What’s you’re favourite garden flower? #wallpaper #restoration #renovationaustralia #heritagehome #edwardianhouse #coriohouse #australianhome #victorianhome #gippsland #gippslandhistory #drawingroom #renovationoldhome #homestead #countryhome #balticpine #balticpinefloors #heritagegarden #cottagegarden #homesteadgarden #oldrosegarden

It’s time to start talking finishes. Fortunately for you my smartphone doesn’t question me while I’m explaining my vision, unlike my husband. Having an organised vision of what you want your rooms in your home to look like is key to creating a cohesion. Did you design your home in its entirety or did you tackle each room individually?#wallpaper #restoration #renovationaustralia #heritagehome #edwardianhouse #coriohouse #australianhome #victorianhome #gippsland #gippslandhistory #drawingroom #renovationoldhome #homestead #countryhome #balticpine #balticpinefloors

Our puppy is growing just as fast as the list of jobs are before move in day. When’s move in day you ask? I have no idea yet but my husband is very optimistic. He should know better being a carpenter! #wallpaper #restoration #renovationaustralia #heritagehome #edwardianhouse #coriohouse #australianhome #victorianhome #gippsland #gippslandhistory #drawingroom #renovationoldhome #homestead #countryhome #balticpine #balticpinefloors

To wallpaper or not?Would you put wallpaper in your period home?This is one thing Dean and I have agreed on straight up, we don’t usually agree on much!Wallpaper will be in all the bedrooms, so now it’s the tough decision deciding what prints to use in our children’s room now that the samples have arrived.

Why the name? A Drawing Room was a room where visitors may be entertained and came from the term of Withdrawing Room, to which somebody could withdraw for more privacy. Since the drawing rooms were for entertaining, they were decorated to the nines. They were a chance for hosts to show off their best selves – to put it bluntly, their wealth. Formal art, lush rugs, large mirrors and other such intricate decor were the capstones of a good drawing room.

Discovering all the hidden treasures in Corio will always be a thrill. Finding little nuggets of history helps to keep pushing you on when you’re in the midst of dust, sweat and endless hours of DIY work. We’ve only just begun our restoration and can’t wait to see what else we uncover. #restoration #renovationaustralia #heritagehome #edwardianhouse #coriohouse #australianhome #victorianhome #gippsland #gippslandhistory

We’ve spent countless hours stripping back wallpaper and paint to reveal the lath plaster. The ordinal ochre coloured walls have been revealed with the green and burgundy accents on the decorative plaster work. Katie & Dean✌️

PART TWO Hidden fireplace reveal. Do you think the room looks better with the fireplace now revealed and ready to be reinstated?

PART ONE. What do you think could be inside this covered up fireplace? I’m way to scared to pull the board off and expose it on my own. Might leave this job to my husband and call 1800exorcisms #homerenovation #edwardianhome #homestead #coriohouse #renovationaustralia #victorianhome #homesteadrenovation #lathplaster #heritagehome

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