Licence to thrill in the Southern Highlands.

For Patsy Peacock and Michael Lynch, naming their homes after Bond films has become something of a tradition. Their latest, Spectre, takes its name from the mysterious organisation behind the famous movies. It seemed fitting for a remarkable property concealed beyond electric gates and a substantial hedge on Moss Vale’s prestigious Kings Road.

The couple are no strangers to creative reinvention. With careers spanning advertising, publishing, music and the arts, they bring a distinctly creative sensibility to everything they do. Patsy is a former advertising executive and founder of global creative headhunting firm FBI Talent, as well as the founder of the Southern Highlands Artisans Collective (The SHAC). Michael is a publisher and the founder of advertising trade magazine Campaign Brief, with an earlier career managing and promoting bands in Perth. Among them were The Farriss Brothers, who would go on to become INXS.

Their home reflects this eclectic mix of influences: part country residence, part living gallery, part private retreat, with a healthy dose of rock’n’roll spirit.

When they first walked into the house, Patsy recalls a curious combination of bright pink ceilings, a collection of small rooms, beautiful Arts and Crafts details and trees visible through almost every window. There was plenty to reconsider, but also something worth preserving.

"It's hard to build that character, that history, back in, and we felt it deserved a new life," Patsy says. "There are trees over 100 years old, things you can't replace. We wanted to make heroes of the quirky bits and add all the modern things that make it a delight to live in."

The transformation was guided by architect Natalie Miller, whose ability to work across disciplines - from buildings to handwoven textiles - helped bring together the old and new. Rather than erase the idiosyncrasies, the brief was to celebrate them. These ideas shine in the foyer, where walls believed to have once formed the home's exterior retain their original stucco finish. Painted gold, they now deliver an unexpectedly glamorous welcome.

"Most would have just rendered and tidied them up," Patsy says. "We decided to keep the feature so it celebrates every arrival with a burst of gold."

That instinct to embrace individuality extends throughout the interiors. Art by Southern Highlands makers and artisans occupies a central place, with works collected over many years and often connected to close friendships. Patsy and Michael were already enthusiastic collectors when they established The SHAC in the old potato-packing sheds in Robertson, creating working studios and gallery spaces to support the region's creative community.

"The Highlands is full to the brim of amazing artists and artisans, many of whom are close friends," Patsy says. "Art can make or break a home."

At Spectre, it certainly makes it. Sculpture, objects and considered details give the generous interiors a sense of personality, while the scale of the renovation allows each space to have its own identity. The designer kitchen combines terrazzo and stainless-steel benchtops with a fully equipped butler's kitchen, while multiple living zones accommodate everything from quiet evenings by the fire to elaborate entertaining. A concealed four-metre cinema screen and JBL projection system bring a cinematic flourish, while a separate music room pays tribute to Michael's first career.

His collection of more than a thousand LPs is a reminder of a time when his working life revolved around live music and the emerging Australian music scene. It's a rather wonderful footnote to the story of a house that wears its owners' histories so comfortably. The music room is more than a collection of records; it is a connection to a creative life that has taken some unexpected turns.

Beyond the entertaining spaces, the home has been designed for genuine everyday enjoyment. Four bedrooms include an impressive master suite, while a substantial walk-in dressing room offers flexibility as a fifth bedroom. A dedicated study and separate library provide quieter corners, and all three bathrooms feature underfloor heating. There is also a dedicated wellness retreat with gym space and a three-person Sunlighten infrared sauna.

Outside, the almost two-acre grounds are every bit as compelling as the house. Established trees and layered gardens frame a heated, fully tiled swimming pool, expansive terraces and a poolside cabana with a substantial fireplace. A built-in barbecue welcomes outdoor entertaining, while a glasshouse and vegetable gardens bring a more grounded rhythm to country living. Further into the gardens, a separate escape room offers its own little world, complete with music, books and television.

The poolside lifestyle has become a favourite for both owners, albeit for different reasons. For Michael, a perfect afternoon involves a swim and a podcast, while Patsy's ideal day starts with the infrared sauna and a workout before moving into the kitchen.

"A long lunch for six or eight is my perfect Sunday," she says.

It's a telling detail. For all its theatricality, Spectre is a home designed around the pleasures of living well and bringing people together.

The move to the Southern Highlands was a deliberate one. The couple relocated their main home from Sydney in 1997, drawn by the prospect of a more connected creative community. Michael's publishing career allowed him to work from anywhere, while Patsy was looking for the kind of artistic exchange that can be harder to find in a major city.

"I missed a close community," she says. "I wanted a creative community to be engaged with, that's what you get in country villages and towns that you don't get easily in the city.”

Moss Vale is ever-evolving as a destination, with independent retailers, restaurants, producers and a thriving arts scene. Patsy's local recommendations range from The Leopard for considered gifts, Valentino the Highlands Cobbler and What If for breakfast, to Olivers for dinner and Moonacres for organic produce. Ngununggula provides a regular cultural fix, while Three Blue Ducks has added another drawcard to the region's dining scene.

The village is an easy walk from Kings Road, as is The Briars, while the Bong Bong Track offers six kilometres of walking and cycling along the Wingecarribee River. And then there is the street itself. Patsy describes a community of fun, interesting people, where neighbours are quick to lend a hand and the connections feel genuine.

With almost 7,000 square metres of established gardens, a three-car garage, additional guest parking and infrastructure that includes 17kW rooftop solar, three-phase power, Starlink internet, 60,000 litres of rainwater storage and whole-property irrigation, Spectre is as practical as it is distinctive. Even the garden maintenance has been considered, with an autonomous Husqvarna mowing system taking care of the lawns.

For the next owners, there is a remarkable amount to inherit: a house with history, gardens that have taken generations to establish, a collection of creative details and the freedom to entertain, retreat or simply enjoy the changing seasons.

Patsy has one piece of advice for anyone considering making the move.

"You'll think you're buying this for a weekender, but I guarantee Kings Road will drag you in, and you'll never want to leave on Mondays!”

 View the listing: 18 Kings Road, Moss Vale