Discover how weather wreaked ‘havoc’ on Sunrise star's historic house
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In the serene and picturesque town of Carcoar, nestled in the Central West of New South Wales, a grand vision of restoration was met with the formidable force of nature.
Edwina Bartholomew, a familiar face from the popular morning show Sunrise, and her husband Neil Varcoe, embarked on a journey to breathe new life into a heritage-listed property, Saltash Farm.
However, their ambitious renovation project was thrown into disarray by the relentless heavy rainfall that has recently plagued NSW.
The couple's dream of transforming the heritage-listed hotel into a stunning home has encountered unexpected setbacks as the downpour revealed leaks and structural vulnerabilities.
In a candid video, Edwina, affectionately known as Eddy, is seen holding a bowl to catch the rainwater seeping through the ceiling.
The reality of the situation is stark, as she admits, 'The place is literally falling apart.'
The discovery of a 'gigantic hole' in a skylight during a storm has been just one of the many challenges they've faced.
The couple has started some demolition work, cautiously avoiding any structural changes, but the path ahead is fraught with uncertainty.
Eddy's nervousness is palpable as she voices her concerns: ‘We are a little worried about the cost, about the structure, about the project in general.’
Despite the setbacks, Neil's morale remains high. When asked if believes morale was affected, he responded: ‘I’m still feeling pretty good.’
The weather, however, has been less than cooperative, with leaks in the main skylight and windows lost to hail, as Eddy lamented in her caption.
‘The weather is [wreaking] havoc on our building with a leak in the main skylight and a couple of windows lost to hail. But when it rains… seek shelter elsewhere,’ she wrote.
The property, originally named Stoke House, was purchased by the couple last year. It is undergoing a complete transformation, with Neil working full-time on the project as the Sunrise star commutes between Carcoar and Sydney.
They plan to open it in 2025.
In search of inspiration and guidance, Eddy and Neil visited another couple in Melbourne who are nearing the completion of their own heritage renovation.
The 20-room mansion known as Heatherbrae, built in 1854, stands as a beacon of what is possible with hard work and dedication.
Julie and Vince, the renovators of Heatherbrae, have undertaken much of the work themselves, creating something truly extraordinary.
Eddy has been open about the challenges they've faced, sharing about 'serious leaks in the roof' and damage to the floors and plaster previously.
These unforeseen issues have forced the couple to increase their financial buffer to accommodate any additional surprises that may arise.
The journey of Saltash Farm's restoration has resonated with people across the globe, leading to an international network of heritage renovators connecting with Eddy and Neil.
From France to the United Kingdom and back to Melbourne, they are now part of a community of couples who share the passion, the struggles, and the triumphs of restoring historic properties.
For those who are captivated by the trials and tribulations of celebrity renovations and the rich tapestry of heritage restoration, Eddy's journey is one to watch.
What are your thoughts on Edwina and Neil’s renovation project? Have you made similar renovations in the past? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Edwina Bartholomew, a familiar face from the popular morning show Sunrise, and her husband Neil Varcoe, embarked on a journey to breathe new life into a heritage-listed property, Saltash Farm.
However, their ambitious renovation project was thrown into disarray by the relentless heavy rainfall that has recently plagued NSW.
The couple's dream of transforming the heritage-listed hotel into a stunning home has encountered unexpected setbacks as the downpour revealed leaks and structural vulnerabilities.
In a candid video, Edwina, affectionately known as Eddy, is seen holding a bowl to catch the rainwater seeping through the ceiling.
Eddy has shared an update on the home renovation project she and her husband are working on. Image source: @edwina_b/Instagram
The reality of the situation is stark, as she admits, 'The place is literally falling apart.'
The discovery of a 'gigantic hole' in a skylight during a storm has been just one of the many challenges they've faced.
The couple has started some demolition work, cautiously avoiding any structural changes, but the path ahead is fraught with uncertainty.
Eddy's nervousness is palpable as she voices her concerns: ‘We are a little worried about the cost, about the structure, about the project in general.’
Despite the setbacks, Neil's morale remains high. When asked if believes morale was affected, he responded: ‘I’m still feeling pretty good.’
The weather, however, has been less than cooperative, with leaks in the main skylight and windows lost to hail, as Eddy lamented in her caption.
‘The weather is [wreaking] havoc on our building with a leak in the main skylight and a couple of windows lost to hail. But when it rains… seek shelter elsewhere,’ she wrote.
The property, originally named Stoke House, was purchased by the couple last year. It is undergoing a complete transformation, with Neil working full-time on the project as the Sunrise star commutes between Carcoar and Sydney.
They plan to open it in 2025.
The couple plans to fully renovate the property. Image source: @saltash__farm/Instagram
In search of inspiration and guidance, Eddy and Neil visited another couple in Melbourne who are nearing the completion of their own heritage renovation.
The 20-room mansion known as Heatherbrae, built in 1854, stands as a beacon of what is possible with hard work and dedication.
Julie and Vince, the renovators of Heatherbrae, have undertaken much of the work themselves, creating something truly extraordinary.
Eddy has been open about the challenges they've faced, sharing about 'serious leaks in the roof' and damage to the floors and plaster previously.
These unforeseen issues have forced the couple to increase their financial buffer to accommodate any additional surprises that may arise.
The journey of Saltash Farm's restoration has resonated with people across the globe, leading to an international network of heritage renovators connecting with Eddy and Neil.
From France to the United Kingdom and back to Melbourne, they are now part of a community of couples who share the passion, the struggles, and the triumphs of restoring historic properties.
For those who are captivated by the trials and tribulations of celebrity renovations and the rich tapestry of heritage restoration, Eddy's journey is one to watch.
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