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TV presenter Catriona Rowntree is used to filming Getaway in remote far-flung locations, but the pandemic has ‘changed everything’, according to the self-confessed ‘farmer’s wife’.
The 49-year-old swapped shooting in Chile and Patagonia for finishing the restoration of a once derelict historic Victorian sheep property with her husband James and their two sons.
Five years after she and James took over what was once his family’s home, they have this year finished restoring the home to its former glory.
TV presenter Catriona Rowntree (pictured) is used to filming Getaway in far-flung locations, but the pandemic has ‘changed everything’, according to the self-confessed ‘farmer’s wife’
The 49-year-old (pictured) swapped shooting in Chile and Patagonia for finishing the restoration of a historic Victorian sheep property with her husband James and their two sons
But having the time to finish the epic restoration during the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t come without a toll to Catriona’s day job:
‘Like a lot of people, 2020 was very challenging on a multitude of levels,’ Catriona told Domain.
‘Professionally it was a radical change for me. I went through all the motions and processed sadness, frustration and acceptance and came out the other side able to see again.’
The respected TV presenter said she had to force herself to slow down, re-balance and re-align her work-life balance.
While she is used to globe-trotting and filming, instead Catriona had to become au fait with gardening and raising chickens in Victoria.
‘Yes, I became one of those people who raced to the hardware store and got the last of the seedlings,’ she said.
‘I have learned about earthing [walking barefoot to connect with the earth] and have a new appreciation for being able to sink my feet in some grass, seeing much of the countryside.’
‘Like a lot of people, 2020 was very challenging on a multitude of levels,’ Catriona (pictured) said, as she had to adapt to regional life
The respected TV presenter said she had to force herself to slow down, re-balance and re-align her work-life balance (pictured at home)
For this year’s season of Getaway, Catriona is focusing on regional areas affected by the devastating drought and bushfires of last year.
She is also travelling to areas that have been heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Regional travel is so important right now. If we can all get behind the communities who suffered, to get back on their feet after the bushfires and drought and now the pandemic, it’s what we need to be doing,’ Catriona said.
Catriona (pictured at home) said she has learned about ‘earthing’ or walking barefoot to connect with the earth this year
Previously, the 49-year-old offered a look inside her dreamy homestead, complete with spacious outdoor space (pictured)
Previously, the 49-year-old offered a look inside her dreamy homestead, complete with open-plan interiors, a swimming pool, chicken house and exquisite finishes.
Catriona said with everything she did with the home, she aimed for a ‘practical but pretty’ aesthetic that would both serve her family and mean their home looked good.
Many of the rooms had potential – including the master bedroom, which has a beautifully restored fireplace, and so she set to work re-doing them.
Catriona said she and James have spent much time renovating the swimming pool at the property (pictured)
The house is filled with European antiques and there are dreamy views from many of the rooms including the bathroom, which overlooks the rose garden (pictured)
Other standout elements of her beautiful rural home include an old shearing shed, which they use for the sheep (pictured)
One of the standout elements of Catriona’s farmhouse is what she calls her ‘mini Versailles’ chicken house, where her chickens live and which she built herself.
‘The brilliant thing with the chook house is that I’ve got a full-sized door,’ Catriona said on Instagram.
‘I’m always going in and out, so it’s really handy. I also have a little easy access bolted door flap to collect the eggs.’
Catriona said the important thing with a chicken house is that it has fox-proof walls and two levels for the chickens to spread out in.
Other standout elements of her beautiful rural home include an old shearing shed, a clawfoot bathtub in the bathroom and room upon room furnished with beautiful European antiques.
‘I bought all the tiles I could physically afford and carry from Obidos – the most romantic village in Portugal,’ Catriona said.
‘They only just squeezed into the plane’s overhead locker!’
One of the standout elements of Catriona’s farmhouse is what she calls her ‘mini Versailles’ chicken house (pictured), where her chickens live and which she built herself
Catriona said designing the rural home has been a constant battle of ‘pretty versus practical’ and she has kept many of the original elements of the home including stunning fireplaces (Catriona pictured at home)
Many of the rooms in Catriona’s house boast stunning views of her garden and all of the flowers, and natural light floods the farmhouse due to floor-to-ceiling windows (the home pictured)
Many of the rooms in Catriona’s house boast stunning views of her garden and all of the flowers, and natural light floods the farmhouse due to floor-to-ceiling windows.
‘Is it too much to show you the view from the bathroom? It’s just so green, how could you not be happy,’ Catriona posted on Instagram alongside a recent snap from her bathtub.
‘Thee rose garden just on the left is finally coming back after the sheep got in and ate everything.’
