At home with. . . Leisa and Serge
A beautifully restored 1900's character cottage and prize winning garden, full of french flair, vintage charm and flowers - lots of flowers.
Published 18 Aug 2024
Photography: @_Insculpt
Tucked away in Toowoomba’s charming streets, Lorea House is more than just a home—it’s a living, breathing masterpiece of cottage garden magic. This 1900s workers' cottage, lovingly restored and cultivated by Serge and Leisa Rossignol, has become one of the city’s most celebrated gardens. With accolades like City Grand Champion in 2021 and 2023 and the title of City’s Best Productive Garden in 2022, it’s clear that this is no ordinary garden—it’s a passion project that has captured the hearts of all who visit.
For Leisa, the moment she stepped into Lorea House, it was love at first sight. “I’ve always adored older homes,” Leisa shares. “When I walked into this cottage, we knew we could create a cosy sanctuary for our family.” With its charming period features, Lorea House offered the perfect backdrop for the life Leisa & Serge had envisioned—a life filled with warmth, beauty, and the simple joys of cottage living.
But while the cottage itself was brimming with character, the garden was a different story. “There were a few old plantings—like the Boston Ivy on the fence and some fruit trees—but it was mostly a blank canvas,” Leisa explains. And that’s exactly what they needed. With Toowoomba’s rich red soil at her feet, Leisa set out to create the cottage garden of her dreams—a garden where every flower, tree, and pathway would tell a story.
Leisa’s love for gardening runs deep, rooted in a family history of farming that dates back to the mid-1800s. “My maternal grandparents were incredible gardeners,” she recalls. “My Nana always had a little vase of something fresh from the garden on her kitchen table, and that’s something I’ve carried with me.” Serge, too, comes from a long line of farmers, and together, they’ve channelled their heritage into creating a garden that feels like stepping back in time.
Winning the Grand Champion title in 2021 was a major milestone, but doing it again in 2023 was the cherry on top. “It’s been such an honour,” Leisa smiles. “We love opening our garden to the public and sharing it with thousands of visitors.” But it wasn’t without its challenges—especially when it came to the sudden social media spotlight. “Being in the public eye was something I had to get used to,” she admits.
So, how does a Grand Champion garden come to life? For Leisa and Serge, it’s a blend of careful planning and a bit of daydreaming. “I definitely dream in garden,” she laughs. “I can see it all in my head. I’ll walk through the garden each year, planning the next round of plantings and ordering seedlings accordingly.” And it’s this vision that has guided every step of the transformation—from rebuilding the arbour and repaving the courtyard to designing the potager and constructing a summerhouse that has become the heart of the garden.
Drawing inspiration from a mix of sources—from the pages of Australian Country Style and UK Country Living to the endless inspiration found on Instagram and Pinterest, it's her love for organic, romantic forms shapes the garden’s aesthetic and Serge’s precision and eye for structure that bring it all to life. “Without Serge, this garden wouldn’t be what it is,” she says. “He’s built everything from the potting bench, the obelisk and dovecote to the summerhouse.”
In fact, it's this craftsmanship that has seen Serge's creations gain attention nationally in garden circles, so much so that, as Serge explains, "there is always some project or order on the go; we've shipped them all over the country."
Opening Lorea House during the Carnival of Flowers is more than just a way to showcase their hard work—it’s an invitation for others to reconnect with nature. “There’s something so peaceful about growing something yourself,” Leisa says. “Even if it’s just a pot of herbs on a balcony, it brings joy.” Her advice for those looking to create their own garden? “Just love it! Good planning, quality soil, and a passion for what you’re doing are the keys to success.”
As for what’s next? The Rossignols have already started on their latest project—a garden studio dedicated to their small business, Eleanor & Ruby. “It’s a beautiful space where I can create, host our vintage pop-up store, and hold slow stitching classes,” Leisa explains. Named in honour of their grandmothers, Eleanor & Ruby is all about vintage style, French finds, and a love for all things old and beautiful.
This spring, as Lorea House opens its doors once again, visitors will not only see a garden in full bloom but also catch a glimpse of a dream fulfilled. And who knows? They might just leave with a little inspiration for their own cottage garden too.
The garden will be open to visitors daily (9am - 5pm) 20 - 29 September during the Carnival of Flowers.
eleanorandruby.com @eleanorandruby @atelierfrench
Etsy: Eleanor and Ruby
