Gingin Brook Cottage

17/03/2026

13/03/2026

08/03/2026

Brizzy at work in his element! Every rock is precicly assessed and chosen with a great deal of care.
👌🙏❤️✅✅✅🥵🤠
Brizzy Art

07/03/2026

🏠😊Exciting Progress at Gingin Brook Cottage! 🌿🏡
Things are moving slowly but surely on our renovation journey. Whenever I find a moment, I’m thrilled to see the transformation taking place!

In the meantime, a special shoutout to Brizzy Art, who’s braving the heat on this scorching 40-degree day to beautifully enhance the stone mason wall. All the stones being used are recycled from our property—every piece of the old birdbath and retaining walls has been meticulously cleaned then upcycled to ensure maximum originally and creativity. We’ve also incorporated stones sourced locally from the Gingin Shire region in Wannamal- Mooliabeenee.

As time goes on you will see how we incorporate the original mud brick on the side walls of cottage with the new front stone wall.

It’s exciting to watch this 100+ year-old cottage evolve into something even more special. Huge thanks to Brizzy Art for your patience and dedication!

Stay tuned for more videos and updates as we continue this incredible journey and Subdivision 📹✨

21/02/2026

🔨 # Day 1: Video 3 - As i continue few the progress at Gingin Brook Cottage! 🎥✨
We’re excited to share the latest updates from our project. Lots of slang, beware 😄

# # # # Assessing the Metters Mark 2 Oven 🔍🍽️

Today, we continued our deep dive into assessing the Metters Mark 2 oven. We’re thrilled to report that we’re making progress! It’s a delightful vintage piece that we’re eager to restore to working condition. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on this amazing kitchen gem!

# # # # Water Running Again at the Sink 🚰👏

Another significant achievement today was getting the water running again at the sink! 💦 After some troubleshooting, our team worked together to resolve plumbing issues, and now we can truly start to envision the functionality of this space.

# # # # Removing the Old Stone Bird Bath 🪨✨

In our efforts to enhance the cottage’s exterior, we decided to remove the old stone bird bath. While it served its purpose, it no longer fits our vision for the updated look of the cottage. We’re excited to share that this local "Mooliabeenee" stone will be **upcycled** in the coming months! 🌿

# # # # Upgrading the Front of the Cottage 🏡🌺

As we decide on how to upgrade the front of the mud brick cottage, the potential uses for the upcycled stone are endless. We’re considering various options to enhance the aesthetic and functionality of our outdoor space. Stay tuned for future posts where we’ll share our design ideas and final decisions!

We’re looking forward to more progress in the next updates, and we appreciate your support as we transform Gingin Brook Cottage!

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21/02/2026

Day 1: Video 2- continued. Progress! 👨‍🔧🔨🔨
Carpets removed, exposing the 100+ yr old Jarrah floorboards to light again.! Another favourite find,, can’t wait to see how they come up when we get time to restore and replace termite damages.

21/02/2026

Day 1: Video at Gingin Brook Cottage: The Renovation Journey Begins! 🏡✨
M rated! 🧑‍🔧👨‍🔧🔨🔨🛠️

Welcome to the first video installment of our renovation journey at Gingin Brook Cottage! We’re excited to kick off this project and share our experiences with you as we restore this charming space to its former glory.

# # # # Team Spirit 💪👷‍♀️

Today was nothing short of amazing! Our dedicated crew, wife Kelly, Son Jack, Nephew Mitch, Master stone mason Brizzy Art, and friends, rolled up their sleeves and got down and dirty—blood, sweat, and plenty of laughter filled the air. 😂 The enthusiasm was palpable, and despite facing challenges, everyone came together, making the day awesome!!

# # # # Inside Inspection 🕵️‍♂️🔍

Our day started with an inside inspection of the cottage. With eager eyes and tools in hand, we pulled up carpets and conducted a thorough check for any hidden damage. What we uncovered was a bit alarming—termite damage in several areas! 🐜😱 We'll need a solid plan to address this before moving forward, but the team is ready to tackle it head-on.

# # # # Challenges Faced ⚠️🛠️

In our exploration, we faced an unexpected hurdle when someone (me) took a misstep and fell through the floor! 😅 Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was a stark reminder that this old cottage requires careful navigation. We’ll be assessing the flooring structure closely to ensure safety moving forward.

# # # # Metters Mark 2 Oven 🍽️✨ 💎👌

One of the highlights of our inspection was discovering the antique Metters Mark 2 Oven. It’s a beautiful piece with history, and we plan to evaluate its condition further. The goal is to restore it so it can be a functional centerpiece in our kitchen once again. Stay tuned for updates on that!

# # # # Interactions with Ted 😂👨‍🔧🐕🐩 🙃

No renovation is complete without a few funny moments! At one point, tensions ran high, leading to a light-hearted exchange where I found myself yelling at Ted (all in good fun, of course!). It’s moments like these that remind us to keep laughter in our work, even when the challenges feel overwhelming.

# # # # Antique Hills Hoist ☀️🧺 💎👌

We also checked the antique Hills hoist, and I’m happy to report that it still works! 🎉 There’s something special about restoring not just the cottage but also its character through these original features. We can’t wait to see how this piece will add charm to our outdoor space!
Lots of new ideas come through as the day went on.

# # # # Conclusion ✨🔨

As we wrap up Day 1, we reflect on our achievements and the road ahead. While we have plenty of work to do—from dealing with termite damage to restoring vintage appliances—we’re excited about what’s to come. We invite you to follow our journey as we continue to share updates on the Gingin Brook Cottage Factbook page.

We’d love to hear from you! Have you tackled a renovation project? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Let's connect as we embark on this adventure together!

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19/02/2026

👍 🍀 One of the aspects of this property is its size and zoning — and the vision it allowed us to create.

It's a rare find set on 6.2 acres (2.52ha / 25,200m²) and zoned R2 (5,000m² minimum lot size), the obvious path would have been subdivision into 5 titles potentially… but in my mind this isn’t inspiring.
Rather than carving the land into 5, we are choosing something far more special.

We’re creating three beautiful lifestyle blocks, each with Lefroy Street frontage, while thoughtfully preserving the natural beauty and serenity of the Spring fed permanent Gingin Brook at the rear.

Every block has been designed to capture a stunning north-facing aspect, opening toward the picturesque valleys and the historic charm of the Cheriton Estate Farm on the north side of Gingin Brook.

This isn’t just subdivision to us!
This is about respecting the land, protecting the outlook, and creating something truly exceptional for future owners, if we decide to sell.

Space. Views. History. Lifestyle. Water. Fertility. Serenity! 🏡🌳💦🐈🐏🐔🐓🦆

✨ If you love The area, Gingin Brook Cottage and the people, you will understand something very special is taking shape here.

Feel free to comment. Good or bad. 🤠🙏👍

🌿

19/02/2026

First Inspection. Basically Day 1
Then off to the drawing board to research and do my due diligence.

19/02/2026

🏠For those wondering what this page is all about…
In 2025, we took on a project many advised against, but we could see the potential.
Adam & Kelly Shields family purchased this beautiful 6.2-acre property on Gingin Brook, Gingin — complete with a EST 1915 mud brick cottage.

The advice came quickly (and often):
“Knock it down.”
“Too costly.”
“Cheaper to rebuild.”

And truthfully… they had a point. But this place is different.

This cottage isn’t just mud bricks and timber — it’s history, character, and for me, a lifelong dream. As a kid, I rode past this home nearly every day on my BMX, catching Marron, building cubbies in the Brook Forrest, imagining what it would be like to live here or buy and enhance.

Now, decades later…!
We own it.
Demolition was never really an option.
Instead, we chose restoration.

Our mission?
To bring the Gingin Brook Cottage back to life — respecting its past while creating something functional for the future. Along the way, we’ll also be subdividing the block into three titles.

Expect reality, not perfection.
There’ll be wins, mistakes, lessons, budget blowouts, stress, laughs, setbacks, progress, and probably a few “what have we done?” moments 😆

I’m not a builder.
Just stubborn enough to give it a crack.
Thankfully, we’ve got some incredible tradies helping breathe life back into this old beauty 👌🏡

If you love renovation stories, character homes, country projects, or simply watching chaos unfold…

Follow the journey 🍀🍻