The owners of this shed company wanted to prove they could turn their hands to luxury homes, in the hope that others would share their vision.
Julia and Josh Vearing own a shed-building company based in Griffith, NSW. When they shared their plans to build a large, Colorbond home that would be black inside and out, their friends tried to dissuade them.
La Grande Case Nera - translating to 'the big black house' - sits outside Griffith in regional NSW. Picture: realestate.com.au
"A lot of people tried to talk us out of doing all black because everything is black in there but the floor, which is concrete. Even the toilet is black," Ms Vearing said.
Undeterred, the couple created La Grande Case Nera ('the big black home'), a four-bedroom, two-bathroom shed at 291 Rankins Springs Road in Beelbangera, Griffith that's as spacious as it is stylish.
"The house has a steel frame, we've just cladded it in Colorbond, so it does look like a big shed," said Ms Vearing.
"It was a project to show our customers what we can do. We're very proud of it — it's a beautiful home and we stuck to our guns."
The spacious, moody interiors are flooded in natural light. Picture: realestate.com.au
She said the black creates a powerful mood.
"There's so much glass, so by day the natural light makes it so bright. Then by night, warm, mood lighting gives that sexy, modern, luxury vibe."
The two-storey home on 2.5 acres is divided into three parts. At the heart, living and dining spaces soar under eight-metre cathedral ceilings and surround a sculptural Cheminee fireplace — all surveyed by a sleek kitchen with porcelain benchtops, Miele appliances and a vast wine rack.
The home sits on 2.5 acres and includes a huge commercial shed for storage, hobbies, or business use. Picture: realestate.com.au
There's a wing on each side — one revealing three bedrooms, a bathroom and an entertainment zone that flows out to a covered patio and 11-metre pool.
The other wing houses a gym, a home office, a laundry and garage.
On the upper level, there's a hidden theatre room on one side and on the other, a master suite with two expansive walk-in robes, a skylit ensuite and views at night that take in the distant glow of Griffith's lights through a striking triangular window.
The master retreat has stunning views. Picture: realestate.com.au
The home sits on a level block surrounded by established gardens, a working table grape vineyard, mature olive trees plus an oversized commercial shed for storage, hobbies or business use.
Despite its cavernous and industrial style, La Grande Case Nera has a warm and cosy feel, and even scored a design gong — the Lysaught's 2025 People's Choice award for combining "bold geometry with fine detail for a modern rural aesthetic".
Aside from the concrete floors, everything is black. Picture: realestate.com.au
Floor-to-ceiling glass on both sides of the home offer stunning district views, which Ms Vearing said evokes a retreat.
"It's close enough to town but feels far away. You can enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the hills on each side. And next door is a pistachio farm that blooms in spring."
The Vearings completed La Grand Case Nera three years ago and lived in it for 18 months before moving to the Gold Coast, where they're working on another project.
The home has a price guide of $2.8-3m. Picture: realestate.com.au
With a guide price of $2.8-$3m, it dwarfs Griffith's $600,000 median house price — up 5% over the last 12 months. Yet Ms Vearing is optimistic.
"The market is starting to move; we have a lot of industries here, a lot of farmers and wineries driving demand."
Agent Glen Spargo at Harcourts Aspire said the property is unique in the area and is attracting enquiries from far and wide.
"It's not your normal brick-and-tile property; it's certainly something left of centre, and it's quality-built and extremely bespoke."
The 11-metre pool is set against a bold black facade. Picture: realestate.com.au
Ms Vearing believes it would be the perfect fit for those who work from home and are after a tree change, or a family eyeing a move to the country.
"It's a very unique property, but we know someone will love our vision," she said.
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