By Andrea Jones
The home
A large homestead set atop 30 hectares in Jamberoo in the NSW Southern Highlands, with views stretching to the coast. The house was a 1990s project home until a renovation added a new wing and a central kitchen/dining room with soaring ceilings.
Food and wine presenter Lyndey Milan and her partner John Caldon.Credit: Jennifer Soo
Who lives here
Food and wine presenter Lyndey Milan and her partner John Caldon, who owns a TV production company.
"I'm mad about croquet," says Lyndey. "It gets very competitive!"
What we did
"When we met 10 years ago at a cooking class I was giving, John had this fabulous property with a croquet lawn and stunning gardens with a so-so house attached" says Lyndey. "He likes to fill it with people and wanted more room. I said, 'You can't have extra bedrooms without a decent kitchen.' So I took charge of planning the kitchen and John masterminds the garden.
"I always serve communal food and put it here on the bench so everyone can help themselves."
Favourite room
"The kitchen. I can be part of the action in here and still see what's happening on the deck."
"The kitchen is the heart of this house," says Lyndey. "I can still be part of the action."
The 'hood'
"We like that the neighbours are not in your pocket, but what's nice is that walking up the road you might run into someone and next you're at the house together." Future plans "We're going to extend the orchard," says John. Adds Lyndey, "And I want to grow pomegranates.
Lyndey had her heart set on the wood-fired oven. "It takes a bit of mastering," she admits.