The Rural Renovator

An online community for those creating or reviving homes in the bush, on the farm, or anywhere beyond the city fringe.

Here, it’s not about trends or perfection. It’s about creating spaces that work hard, feel right, and reflect who you are: with clarity, confidence, and a bit of country sense.

I created The Rural Renovator because I know what it’s like to build a home, not just a house, in the middle of nowhere. We too have shoveled red dust off the verandah and generations’ worth of practicality in our back pocket.

I grew up on a sheep station where we learned to make do, make it work, and make it beautiful, sometimes all at once.

We didn’t have interior designers popping out for site visits, and we weren’t scrolling Instagram for tile trends. We did a shed full of second-hand furniture, fabric from town, and a way of doing things that came from experience, not aesthetics. We also had a sense of style — one that honoured function, felt deeply connected to the land, and was never about showing off.

That’s still the kind of home I believe in.

Through The Rural Renovator, I’m sharing the tools, knowledge, and stories I’ve gathered from a lifetime on the land and a career in interior design. This is a place to feel supported, inspired, and understood, whether you’re dreaming up your first mudroom or renovating a family homestead that’s seen more droughts than new dining tables.

Welcome. You belong here.

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If you’ve ever thought:

“I don’t know where to start.”
“I’m overwhelmed by the decisions.”
“I just want it to feel like me, not my mother-in-law.”

You’re not alone. And this is where you begin.

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Introducing The Homestead Edit

The Homestead Edit is a self-paced course designed for people like you — renovators, dreamers, and homemakers living outside the city, doing it all with a fraction of the resources.

Who This Is For:

People renovating in the bush or small towns
Those who want function, flow, and beauty — without blowing the budget
Women managing the build or reno process without formal design help
Anyone who believes their home should feel true to who they are and where they live

Course Includes:

Finding Your Style Workbook
Moodboard + Design Brief Templates
Style Reflection Prompts
Project Vision Builder
Your Renovator’s Companion Bundle
including Materials & Selections Planner
Optional: Printable Design Statement
Bonus: House Etiquette for Trades

What you’ll learn

Clarity on your personal style ✓

— grounded in your real lifestyle
Tools to guide selections ✓

— so you’re not paralysed by choice
Confidence to work with your builder ✓

- Learn how to brief your builder clearly, so there are no surprises later.
Creative ways to make your home feel finished ✓

— using vintage, upcycled, or family pieces
A sense of direction ✓

— so you’re not second-guessing every decision

Meet your Interior Designer

Pip Batten (Stalley)

I’m Pip, an interior designer raised on a sheep station outside Bourke in Western NSW. My work is shaped by a deep love for the land, an appreciation for the beauty in the practical, and a belief that good design should be grounded, intentional, and built to last.

I created The Country Renovator because I know how it feels to renovate in the bush — far from design studios and supplier showrooms, but full of heart, heritage, and hands-on grit. I believe your home should reflect who you are and where you live, not just what’s trending.

With every guide, workbook, and story I share, my goal is to help rural Australians design spaces that are functional, soulful, and timeless. We focus using whatever you’ve got on hand: handed-down pieces, local trades, and your own good sense.

My values:
Honesty. Practicality. Beauty with purpose.
Design that fits your lifestyle, not the other way around.

Testimonials