Restoring the mid-century style home

In 2019, the couple reached out to Nicola Dovey of Drawing Room Architecture – an interior design and architecture studio. In no rush to get started, Kirsten and Greg were focused on giving every aspect of the mid-century home’s renewal careful consideration. “We were speaking to Nicola for a long time before we progressed – about three years from the initial contact until we commissioned the designs. It’s so important to do our research with a mid-century house. Remember that a lot of the craft, texture, timber and colour is what makes it appealing. Don’t paint over the brick or woodwork if you can help it.”

“As all the works were to be internal,” explains Nicola, “there was no need for a planning permit. However, a building permit is still needed for any significant amount of internal work.”

Mid-century style

“Do your research to find a sympathetic designer or architect and builder for a mid-century house” – Kirsten, homeowner

This home’s mid-century style was originally showcased in the pages of Home Beautiful in 1968.

Indeed, there’s always been something special about this split-level modernist marvel. At the time, the site was described in the magazine as “thickly clothed with native gums, she-oaks and scrubby growth, dipped down at a one-in-six slope from the road, and seemed a marvelous prospect for the sort of house that looked as though it was growing out of the ground.” Little wonder that this warm and inviting home has captivated residents and visitors for generations.

“The floor-to-ceiling windows, brickwork and use of timber throughout the house made it very special and unusual” – Kirsten, homeowner

Behind the mid-century design

Kirsten and Greg’s wish-list was well-defined from the outset. “A more thoughtful use of space in a new kitchen and also in the living area, better ‘flow’, warmth, a bit of colour, hard-wearing materials, lots of storage, more bench space – we really like to cook – an informal space for the kids to study and still be connected to everyone in the family,” says Kirsten, adding with a smile, “and cosiness!”

When it came to the bold colour and highly tactile material palette, Nicola took inspiration from the past while looking to practicality for the future. “We presented materials that referenced the earlier mid-century elements – laminate, stainless steel, linear wall linings and timber detailing, as well as colours popular in mid-century design – oranges and mid-blues,” she says.

“The overall design of the living area is much more open, friendly and practical. It’s great for a family that likes to entertain and hang out together” – Kirsten, homeowner

Recreate the mid-century palettes

The project timeline

Over a five-month period, the project was brought to life. “A new all-electric kitchen was set up in a slightly different location, with a generously-sized island bench, lots of storage and a new pantry area,” says Nicola. “Bench seating was also set up to create a family meals area and a new slow-combustion fireplace was installed.”

Making your heritage renovation sustainable

“It was important to improve the home’s energy efficiency and comfort,” says Nicola of the decision to install an all-electric kitchen, as well as replace the home’s gas heating and cooling with electric. After all, mid-century style doesn’t have to come at the cost of modern environmentalism.

“Stainless steel was used for the back workbench and splashback, as it’s an exceptionally durable and recyclable material,” explains Nicola of the choice.

The ageing floor tiles needed to be replaced. Sustainable cork flooring was selected for its sound-absorbing quality and softness underfoot. Of course, it also had “great colours and wonderful curly shapes.”

“In the living area, a curved pelmet means a linen curtain can be drawn over the existing windows so the space can stay cosy in cooler seasons,” says Nicola.

Breaking down the budget

Carefully pricing everything before the commencement of the works was key. This ensured that the kitchen, living and dining renovation was successfully completed within the couple’s $260,000 budget. The landscaping cost approximately $25,000 in addition to this amount.

“Nicola was great and worked to our budget,” says Kirsten. “We only wanted to spend a certain amount so as not to over-capitalise. We didn’t want – and can’t really afford – an enormous mortgage.”

With this mindset, most of the furniture pieces that were used are either long-cherished collectables owned by the family, savvy Facebook Marketplace finds or original to the heritage home. As Kirsten explains: “Good design doesn’t need to break the bank.” It also perfectly suits the mid-century style.

The biggest renovation lessons

Kirsten recommends living in a home prior to embarking on any renovation. “That way, you can work out how the sun moves around the space and get to experience the house in different seasons, so that you don’t do anything too drastic,” she explains. As for what the original owners might think of the home’s latest incarnation, Kirsten’s hope is that “they’d love it as much as we do”.

Source book

Architecture and interior design: Nicola Dovey, Drawing Room Architecture, drawingroomarchitecture.com.au

Builder: Buena Vista Homes, buenavistahomes.com.au

Landscaper: Marcus McCausland, Element Garden Design & Construction, elementgardens.com.au

Permaculture designer: Miriam Ransom, Daily Gardener, dailygardener.net

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The post Inside the clever renovation that restored this mid-century marvel appeared first on Home Beautiful.

How does a home battery work?

A home battery, also known as a solar battery, is an energy storage system that stores excess energy from solar panels for later use.

Due to Australia’s sunny climate, our solar panels generate a lot of power in the middle of the day, leading to excess solar power being sent into the system. The problem with this is that most of us actually need power when the sun goes down—when we are getting home from work and running the dishwasher and washing machine. This leads to more pressure being placed on the greater system and not enough households making use of their solar energy.

A home solar battery system however, allows households to store excess solar power that is generated during the day for use at night or at other times they may need to use it—such as during a power outage.

What is the home battery subsidy?

Delivered through the existing Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, the Labor government’s new Cheaper Home Batteries Program will see Labor reduce the price of home batteries by 30%. The subsidy will be available to those households who already have solar panels, as well as those who are yet to to install their solar and battery system.

“The Cheaper Home Battery Program will usher in one of the biggest changes in the energy sector since the introduction of solar,” says John Grimes, Chief Executive of Smart Energy Council.

“Solar is the cheapest form of power generation in Australia by a country mile, and it’s getting cheaper, now households can store that cheap solar and use it when they need it.”

According to Labor’s modelling, the new subsidy could see households with existing solar save $1,100 on their power bill and around $2,300 off the power bill of those installing it new.

“Until now many households have been priced out of buying a home battery, but we expect this rebate will mean 100,000 people will now get one. This will in turn bring down the cost of batteries for everyone,” explains Grimes.

“Batteries will help people regain control of their power bill, stabilise the grid, and allow the exit of coal and gas to continue.” 

How much are solar batteries?

The price of a solar battery can vary but Grimes says that households can generally expect to pay between $5000 and $10,0000—before the rebate.

“There are around a dozen 5-7kWh batteries for sale in Australia now, ranging in price from between $5000 to $10,000. That’s before the 30 percent rebate from the federal government, or other state or territory subsidies,” Grimes explains.

It’s also good to know that solar batteries typically come with a ten year warranty.

What size home battery do I need?

While every household has different energy needs and demands, most households would find a 5-6kWh battery suitable.

“There are 77 home batteries on the market in Australia, that’s a large range for households to choose from,” explains Grimes.

“We surveyed almost 10,000 energy users and found that a 5-6kWh battery would meet 90 percent of their needs.”

Are home batteries safe?

If you are concerned about the safety of a home battery then you should be reassured that they are perfectly safe to have installed in your home.

“Before batteries can be sold in the Australian market they must be on an approved product list—a regime that includes testing and meeting of standards. On top of that, solar battery installers must complete specific training with Solar Accreditation Australia,” confirms Grimes. 

The post Is it finally affordable to have solar at home? What you need to know about a home battery  appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Who lives here?

Ann and her husband Tim, who are both lawyers, with their children Wesley, 12, and Meredith, nine.
Favourite space? Ann: “I actually really like the outside. I appreciate the form of the house from the outside, its materials. As far as the inside goes, from the kitchen you can look to the east and see the treetops. I really like that.”
Weekend ritual? Both: “Chaos.” Tim: “That’s just this stage of life.”
How would you describe your style? Tim: “Simple but elegant tones and materials. We like using items that have quite a natural feel and reflect the natural beauty that surrounds the house. Ann: “Beautiful but not flashy.

This ability to blend into the environment was of the utmost importance to the couple. “I have a desire to try and tread lightly on the earth,” shares Ann. “If we’re going to design a home and put such an imprint on the ground, then we need to do it wisely.”

The property had previously housed a 1970s build in a state of disrepair, complete with asbestos. Instead of renovating, the pair decided to work with architect Ben Callery to create a new build aligned with their values. The brief called for an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area. Ethically sourced materials made with durability were also key, as was a focus on a more timeless approach to style.

The land itself was a logistical concern. The property had a steep slope, which would make the use of concrete slabs costly. Instead, Ben elevated the L-shaped home on a lightweight structure with joists, stumps and bearers. Local materials, such as silvertop ash cladding, create a conversation with the land that continues in the interiors. The project finished in 2021 and while work has just started on the garden, the family love the home. “I notice each day that it’s beautiful,” says Ann. “I appreciate the colour of the tapware, the tiles and how that echoes the outside.”

Kitchen

A simple palette of white, green and timber creates a serene scene in the open-plan kitchen and dining area. As the family don’t often entertain, they wanted a large, open-plan space to suit multiple functions rather than a formal dining room.

“I can be making dinner while the kids do their homework at the kitchen bench,” explains Ann. Blackbutt veneer cabinetry by Luna Joinery provides overhead storage and open shelving. The timber tones are reflected in the flooring, which was reclaimed from another house. For cohesion, the same Artedomus tiles that feature in the living room decorate the island sides.

We love…handpainted tiles

The kitchen splashback is a standout feature. Inax ‘Yuki Border’ tiles in White from Artedomus perfectly complement the Dulux Natural White of the walls and ceilings throughout the home. But these tiles are special for another reason.

“They’re a delightful hand-painted Japanese tile, which I think are classic enough to look good forever,” says Ann. Ben agrees, saying, “It adds an international flavour that works in our local environment”. For more information, visit Artedomus.

Touches of black and white create contrast in the kitchen. Timber lining boards comprise the ceiling, finished in Dulux Natural White, which was also used on the blackbutt veneer underbench joinery. This finish pairs well with the ‘Pegasi’ curved sink mixer in Matte Black from Faucet Strommen.

Living

“The fireplace gives a real heart of the home feel,” says Ben of the Nectre N60 with naked black sides. Green Inax ‘Arcaico Border ARC3’ tiles from Artedomus protect the wall, while blackbutt shelves provide space for the family’s books.

“It’s essentially the room of requirement,” says Ann of the secondary living zone, and Tim agrees. “On any given day it can be used for a whole range of things,” he says. The space has Ann’ s drafting desk for her garden designer studies. It is also filled with items used for hobbies, such as Ann’s sewing supplies and Tim’s piano. There’s even a built-in window seat for the children to curl up on and read a book.

“The wood reflects the gum tress surrounding the house, so the inside has a conversation with the outside.”

Tim, homeowner

Bedroom

In the main bedroom, ‘Enna’ wall lights in Matte Black from Ecc are placed on either side of the bed, in the Silvertop Ash-dressed board and batten bedhead from Radial Timber. Layers of neutral tones with splashes of blue decorate the bed.

Bathroom

Warming accents of brass add a luxe feel to the palette. ‘Bella’ round mirrors from Life Interiors create a circular motif repeated by the vessel basins in Moss from New Form Concreting. Hardware in Raw Brushed Brass from Faucet Strommen’s ‘Pegasi’ range complements the Antique Brass of the ‘Pebble 1’ wall sconces from Beacon Lighting. Inax ‘Arcaico Border’ tiles in Green from Artedomus grace the walls.

Many of the materials in the ensuite were used in the main bathroom, including blackbutt cabinetry from Luna Joinery and the ‘Pegasi’ slide shower in Raw Brushed Brass from Faucet Strommen.

However, white takes centrestage with the Artedomus ‘Fiandre’ tiles in Urban White and the Kado ‘Lussi’ bath from Reece.

Deck

A sliding door from Rylock Windows & Doors leads to the side deck, where Ann sometimes enjoys a cup of coffee.

The deck draws you out among the treetops and Ann loves tending to her plants there. While this area faces the street, it was cleverly designed to ensure privacy. “You’re sitting there in the sun with a breeze passing through the slats,” shares Ben. “You feel you’re in nature but overcoming the constraint of having the street there.”

Interior design: Ben Callery Architects, bencallery.com.au
Builder: Truewood Constructions, truewood.com.au
Joinery: Luna Joinery, lunajoinery.com.au

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The post A nature-inspired home on the outskirts of Melbourne appeared first on Home Beautiful.

A nature-inspired home on the outskirts of Melbourne

The ability to blend into the environment was of the utmost importance to the owners of this sustainable property on the outskirts of Melbourne.

“I have a desire to try and tread lightly on the earth,” shares Ann. “If we’re going to design a home and put such an imprint on the ground, then we need to do it wisely.”

To do so, the couple opted for local materials, including rough-sawn silvertop ash board and batten cladding, for the facade, alongside Colorbond Spandek.

see the full home tour

Hempcrete is the hero of this sustainable Melbourne home

A desire to prove that style and sustainability can go hand in hand drove the owners to create this truly innovative eco family home.

“It’s just about wanting to do something for the next generation,” says the eco-conscious homeowners.

To become a passive house—a building standard that focuses on energy efficiency and sustainability—the home is made with hempcrete, a construction material that has a natural insulation and traps carbon, making it almost carbon negative.

see the full home tour

This 1950s cottage embraces reclaimed timber and natural materials

More than just a sustainable home renovation, this Melbourne cottage delights in all things natural.

The rear facade of the home, clad in reclaimed southern blue gum timber from CERES Fair Wood and coated in Cutek oil, “nestles well into the garden”, says architect Nicola Dovey, while double-glazed timber windows and doors, maximum insulation in the extension, and passive solar design and ventilation to keep the home cool in summer and warm in winter.

explore the home

A sustainable family home nestled in the bushland of outer Melbourne

“We collect eggs from the chooks, pick raspberries and bake potatoes in the fire pit at the weekend,” explains the owner of this sustainable home.

Wanting to utilise as much of their 800-metre-square block as possible, the open-plan kitchen and dining spaces blend with the alfresco area, thanks to bifold doors on either side and a large ‘tilt’ door.

“The whole wall lifts up, creating a covered area and beautiful place to sit,” explains Hamish. “On one side, there’s a barbecue and on the other, a paved area with strategically placed rocks, which we use as stepping stones to reach the fire pit and other parts of the garden.”

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A new, sustainable home made from rammed earth, steel and recycled timber 

Situated on a glorious part of the Mornington peninsula, this home’s rammed earth, recycled timber and polished concrete blend beautifully with the natural setting.

“We are very much embedded in the land, but well protected from the elements and prevailing wind by the rammed earth and double glazing,” explains the owners.

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Energy efficient updates transform this poky cottage into a future-proof rental

The owners of this “poky” cottage wanted to turn it into a future-friendly rental property with energy-efficient updates including the installation of double-glazed windows, insulation in the roof, walls and under the floors, a heat-pump hot water system and hydronic heating with a 10kW solar system and solar battery

“I feel like we all need to be thinking that way,” says Elissa. “With climate change, it’s inevitable. We’ll all have to go electric.”

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Australian native plants are the secret to this sustainable garden

This garden perfectly balances all the clever design of sustainability and Australian native plantings with serious style.

The use of Australian native plants led to a hardy, drought-resistant and water-wise garden that also encourages a wide range of pollinators, from bees and butterflies to birds. In turn, these frequent visitors help Anthony’s produce to flourish. Clever design choices such as these Biofilta garden beds from Foodcube built-in water reservoirs allow the owners to go holidays for extended periods without worrying about their growing produce.

explore the garden

The post 7 sustainable home design ideas appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Environmental sustainability

“Sustainability was the number one design principle,” shares Anthony. Christine agrees, adding, “If you’re going to build a new house, I feel like there’s a responsibility to be as sustainable as you can.” While they agreed on that approach, which informed much of the planting palette, they also had their own priorities. For Anthony, creating a productive garden filled with fresh, seasonal produce was key, while Christine really wanted a calming oasis with natural beauty that she could enjoy.

Emmaline found the perfect balance between the two in a layered approach where every element complements the others. The use of Australian native plants led to a hardy, drought-resistant and water-wise garden that also encourages a wide range of pollinators, from bees and butterflies to birds. In turn, these frequent visitors help Anthony’s produce to flourish. It’s a symbiotic relationship, but Emmaline never let beauty fall by the wayside. Function and style are inseparable here.

Australian native plants

“There’s a perception that Australian native gardens aren’t as visually interesting, but the flowers and the colour are mindblowing,” shares Anthony. There’s a sense of movement, too, thanks to native grasses and beloved pollinators. This creates what Emmaline dubs “a wild Australian meadow” look that stuns not just the family, but passersby too. “The number of people who take photos is phenomenal,” says Christine, who watches it all from her office window at the front of the house.

Front yard style

“These days, front gardens tend to be a visual piece instead of functional,” explains Emmaline. But with this build enjoying a north-facing orientation, she saw the opportunity to make the most of the bountiful sunshine. “We wanted to make the front this vibrant space where you can see it all working.” Recycled timber sleepers create a subtle boundary while still allowing an almost unobstructed view of the bustling space. The garden was also designed to complement the warmth of the home’s recycled red bricks, blackbutt timber cladding and Weathertex finished in Dulux Colorbond® Night Sky®.

Sawn basalt pavers lead from the street to the front door, with lush groundcover in the form of Dichondra repens weaving between the steps. Emmaline intentionally limited the amount of hardscaping in the garden to evoke a sense of wild wonder. Upstairs on the balcony, Syzygium peeks out above the blackbutt timber cladding. Christine’s home office is situated beside the entrance, with gum vine growing in front for privacy.

Emmaline’s favourite Australian native plants

Architecture: Ben Callery Architects, bencallery.com.au, @bencalleryarchitects

Builder: Keenan Built, 0419 366 394

Landscape design: STEM Landscape Architecture & Design, stemlandscape.com, @stem_emmalinebowman

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The post Australian native plants are the secret to this sustainable garden appeared first on Home Beautiful.

He’s technically right. Our newest homes are more than double what they were 60 years ago. McCloud argues that the many massive Australian homes that defy their environmental surroundings are coming at the expense of more exciting architecture, as well as a more affordable and well-built housing supply.

Our antipodean sibling received a much better report card. “The architecture is different in New Zealand,” McCloud told The Guardian. New Zealand “treads lightly, there’s an awareness of the difficulty of building and getting materials, but Australia says, ‘Hey c’mon, we’ve got the planet, let’s mine it, let’s build with it, let’s sell it, let’s create wealth’,” he says, unflatteringly.

Build smaller buildings to connect the larger houses, creating a kind of “connective tissue” in the suburban sprawl, suggests McCloud. “How can we stitch stuff into gaps that are smaller and a bit more responsive and which revitalise?”

He points to the “yimby” mantra, or “yes in my back yard”, and says it might be a solution to Australia’s dire shortage of homes. He suggests terraces and infill development that “revitalises what are otherwise becoming very expensive suburbs”.

Is this Brit right about our big-is-better house ideals? Home Beautiful called on our local experts to shed light on our apparent grandiose tendencies.

Is Australian architecture compromised by size?

Television’s The Block is on the pulse when it comes to what Aussies want right now, housing-wise. Julian Brenchley, architect from The Block, disagrees with McCloud’s take of our national architecture. “I believe there are some unique and exciting homes of all sizes happening in Australia right now,” he says, pointing to the Adam Haddow SJB Terrace in Surry Hills as an example. The 69 sq metre home on a 30 sq metre footprint – which is only 3.2 metres deep from front to back wall – won 2023’s new houses awards in NSW.

“There are exemplary larger exciting architectural homes that are championing sustainable design by including full off-grid energy systems as an offset to the environmental cost. It is just these kinds of sustainable initiatives in larger homes that will trickle down to smaller houses as the infrastructure costs reduce,” says Brenchley.

Do Australians need big houses?

Advocates for tiny houses and smaller homes argue that while space may be tight, there’s plenty of good to be found in smaller-space living, including the costs. There are plenty of homewares hacks and ideas out there to make even tiny homes feel much bigger.

In many family homes, much of the space internally is used rarely. In 2019-2020, the ABS found that 77 per cent of households in Australia had at least one bedroom spare.

Rick Simmons, owner and Project and Design Manager at One Up Building, who won the Master Builders Association Young Builder of the Year Award in 2019, says for many Australians homes need to be bigger than they were in the past. He says more of us are “adding home offices, gyms, retreats and all sorts of living areas to balance the growing family needs”.

The cost of living means grown-up kids are less likely to leave home – talk about failure to launch! Instead, parents and even grandparents are upsizing – creating multi-generational living spaces –  in a bid to accommodate them. “Children are not racing out the door to live independently,” he says.

Children are also spending less time outdoors, and more time in their rooms with their toys or their screens, so many Australian children are given their own bedroom which also serves as their private living quarters. Once upon a time, children were sent outside after breakfast and told to return only for meal times, if at all, until bedtime. More activities have been atomised into people’s homes – the cinema, pools, and more recently even schooling

There has been an increase in demand for self-contained secondary accommodation either within the home or as a separate dwelling, says Janette Stritt, interior designer at Stritt Design and Construction.

“As lifestyles have changed and people are working from home more post-Covid, this has also seen an increase in the demand for home offices. The size of new homes needing to accommodate these additional rooms have as a result increased, the house size becoming relative to its occupants and their lifestyle needs,” she says.

Do so-called McMansions serve a purpose?

According to Julian Brenchley, the often-maligned McMansion can serve a purpose for many Australians. A source of demand for large houses is often an economic necessity and the cultural dynamics of living with relatives, in-laws, friends, older children and other human combinations.

The resultant houses can be large, serve a real purpose and solve very real housing needs and issues, he says.

“Beyond the status symbol often attributed to the biggest house in the street, and far from the lens of the cringing cultural elite (who all live in sustainable matchboxes apparently), one of the predominant attitudes leaning towards housing solutions that demand a large house include multi-family and multi-generational living.”

The McMansion is an easy target in the debate on housing wastage, says Brenchley, “but the reality is deeper and far more complex”.

Are Australian houses too big?

McCloud isn’t wrong, our houses are getting bigger. Our reference points of small and big have shifted dramatically over the last 100 years. In 1960, new homes measured about 100 sq metres on average. By 1984, the average reached 162 sq metres. Now new Australian homes are close to 230 sq metres.

They’re not at their peak size, though. In 1993-94, new houses averaged 189 sq metres, and less than 10 years later, in 2002-03, they averaged 228 sq metres. Five years later, they were a whopping 246 sq metres, the largest they have been. We’ve calmed down a little, and new houses dropped to 238 sq metres in 2012-13 and then again in 2021-22 to 232 sq metres.

What is the average house size in Australia?

The average new dwelling house size in Australia is now close to 230 sq metres, more than double what it was in the 1960s, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics research based on Building Activity Survey data released in 2022.

Other residential dwellings, including apartments and units, have a considerably smaller average floor area at 137 sq metres. The average house size in Australia has not shifted dramatically, but when it comes to new homes, there’s an upward trajectory that concerns big-home critics like McCloud. Which state has the biggest homes? The answer might surprise. Australia’s various states and territories vary wildly when it comes to size. The ACT has the biggest new homes, over 18 sq metres larger on average than Victoria, which has the second largest houses. The smallest new houses in Australia can be found in Tasmania, where the average new house is 218 sq metres, according to the ABS. New townhouses in Tasmania are only 97 sq metres, tiny compared to Western Australia’s 193 sq metre and the NT’s 198 sq metre townhouses.

How many square metres is the average three-bedroom house in Australia?

Australian houses are some of the largest in the world, much bigger than their European counterparts – which often measure 30-45 sq metres. In the United States, an average home is 245 sq metres, making it the second largest in the world.

The most common Australian home layout, three bedrooms, is on average around 175 sq metres. This fluctuates slightly and many three-bedroom homes will be above or smaller than the national average. The average three-bedroom home can usually be found on a block size of 474 square metres.

The next big thing in Australia house design

The Block’s Julian Brenchley believes Australians are already on the path to creating homes that are responsive to the environment, as well as the needs of the people who live within these abodes. He argues that the sheer cost of building will lead us, ultimately, to building more smaller houses.

“The many factors that play into the creation of a thoughtful house include a better understanding of what is needed, as opposed to a trophy house. And the very real issue of affordability will, by virtue of economics, create smaller houses,” he says.

But he defends the big house as well, saying they can be both thoughtful and affordable, as long as they are also sustainable.“Imagine designing and building a house of any size, provided it’s sustainable with scalable environmental design inclusions, then why not?”

The post Are we building Australian houses too big? appeared first on Home Beautiful.

After years of renting, the opportunity to bring their visions to life came in 2019 when the couple bought a property in north-east Melbourne. With the help of passive house designer Simone Schenkel from Gruen Eco Design and builder Hamish White from Sanctum Homes, the knock-down-and-build process began.

“The brief was for a big enough house for the kids and us, with no wasted space,” says Nelson. “Every room must have a function.” Mandy adds, “We wanted something with longevity, a family home that would grow with us.”

Who lives here?

Nelson, who works in the health sector, his wife Mandy, their children, Jacob, 11, Isaac, nine, and Paige, seven, plus Harry the greyhound.
Weekend ritual? Nelson: “Pancake Sunday!”
Lessons learnt during the build? “Find a trustworthy architect and builder, who will invest in your dream home. It was great to have Simone and Hamish on our side.”
Biggest design decision? “Eco-friendliness and sustainability, for a growing family. We wanted a big enough house, with no wasted space. Every room had to have a function.”
What do you love most about it? “The hempcrete and the comfort level.”

While sustainability and leaving a better world for the children was front of mind, there was a certain degree of ambition involved, too. “I secretly wanted the first certified passive house made with hempcrete,” admits Nelson.

In hempcrete, the central part of the hemp plant is mixed with aggregate, water and lime binder to create a construction material that has a natural insulation and traps carbon, making it almost carbon negative. A passive house is a building standard that focuses on energy efficiency and sustainability.

Kitchen

With the build covered, the couple turned their minds to the style of the home, opting for a calming Japanese/Scandinavian style that incorporated clean lines, neutrals and small pops of colour.

“We spend most of our time in the kitchen,” says Mandy. “The kids do their homework on the stools; we eat here sometimes.”

Lando stools, from Freedom, in leather and oak, create a casual seating option for the oak veneer benchtop, which acts as an extension to the island, topped in Caesarstone Statuario Maximus. No gas is used in the home, so the V-Zug FullFlex induction cooktop, and pyrolytic and steam ovens, from Winning Appliances, are key.

Dining area

Natural materials help to bridge the gap between the interior and exterior, with Tasmanian oak and black leather featuring strongly in the dining area, from the ‘Coco’ pendant, from local furniture designers Coco Flip, to the dining table and chairs, custom made by Gratton Design. In the living area, the King ‘Neo’ sofa in Baxter Indigo adds a cooling and colourful contrast.

Burnished concrete flooring by Volf Concrete Coatings and Polishing continues throughout the open-plan space to the study nook, which is cleverly situated alongside the Tongue & Groove oak staircase to maximise space.

Main bedroom and ensuite

Natural materials add a calm, organic feel to Nelson and Mandy’s bedroom, with the Sleeping Duck ‘Baker’ bed in European Oak, Melb Design Co ‘Alice’ side tables and oak flooring in Alpacca from Tongue & Groove.

“We wanted something fairly simple. Clean lines, a few pops of colour, but mainly neutrals.”

– Mandy

Paige’s room

Paige’s room features the Totem Road ‘Isabel’ desk and a Lilly & Lolly bed, which has a trundle for sleepovers.

Laundry

An especially hardworking room, the laundry houses the Zehnder ComfoAir Q ventilation unit, which achieves maximum energy efficiency.

“Nobody’s perfect but every little bit adds up. You don’t have to do it all. We’re mindful about usage, about the things we buy.”

– Mandy

Backyard

Nelson and Jacob shoot hoops, while Mandy watches on from a bench made of repurposed railway sleepers. But it’s not all fun and games. The 33,000-litre water tank is neatly situated underneath the basketball court, providing water for the garden and pool. Gedlec Energy solar panels, positioned on the Colorbond roof, source more energy for the house.

Despite its name, builder Hamish White says hempcrete doesn’t involve concrete at all. “You build a normal structural frame, then place the hemp around it,” he explains. A lime render is then placed either side. “It seals it from the weather. Moisture moves through but it’s airtight.” All the walls were then rendered for a beautiful, textured finish. Visit thehempbuildingcompany.com.au.

We love… hempcrete

After a building process that took just over a year, the home is complete, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and two powder rooms, plus a studio for guests. Now all that’s left to do is wait for certification from the Passive House Institute.

While creating a first-of its-kind home wasn’t always easy, it was worth it. “We wanted to show people it could be done for a residential home,” says Mandy.

Architect: Gruen Architecture, gruenarchitecture.au.
Interior design: Gruen Eco Design, gruenecodesign.com.au.
Builder: Hamish White, Sanctum Homes, yoursanctum.com.au.
Landscaper: Laurie Landscapes, laurielandscapes.com.au.
Renderer: Kieran Dunleavy, Dunleavy and Son, 0417 349 246.

SOURCE BOOK

The post This Melbourne passive home is a sustainable triumph appeared first on Home Beautiful.

“The house itself was pretty basic and poorly insulated,” says Claire. “It had very few north-facing windows to the back garden, so the house felt dark. And we were all sharing one very small bathroom directly opposite the front door, so there was zero privacy,” she laughs.

Who lives here? Claire, a book designer, and Tim, a high-school principal, their children Gus, 11, and Lydia, nine, plus Tilly the cavoodle and two chickens.
Is this your forever home? Claire: “The kids will definitely see out their high school years here. I can’t imagine us leaving any time soon.”
What do you love most about the neighbourhood? “There’s a close-knit community with many like-minded families and a cute main street of shops.”
Tell us about the beautiful garden. “Our good friends run Green Living Landscapes and they put in a beautiful garden for us, with vegie beds and a mix of native and Mediterranean plants.”

For eight years, the couple lived in the home with their children, Gus, now 11, and Lydia, nine, until they were “bursting at the seams”. The best course of action, they agreed, was to renovate. Reaching out to architect Nicola Dovey, founder of Drawing Room Architecture, the couple were confident they were in the right hands.

“It felt like a natural fit with Nicola,” says Claire. “She’s very practical and down to earth. She got exactly what we wanted straight away. “The solution was obvious to all three of us – to maximise the northern light, and add a new kitchen and living space facing the back garden. Nicola also incorporated an ensuite off our bedroom at the front, a powder room, family bathroom and third bedroom.”

Living and dining

A boardroom table that once belonged to Tim’s grandfather is now the family’s dining table, teamed with classic Thonet ‘Erinna’ chairs. On the adjacent wall, a Spacecraft screen-print of an angel was a gift from Claire’s mother, interior designer Kerry Smith. The living and dining areas can be sealed off from one another by the sliding door, painted Dulux Sandgrass Green.

Claire’s interior designer mother, Kerry Smith, also worked on the home. “I’d always hoped my mum would do the interiors when we renovated,” says Claire. “She has just retired, so we were lucky we were able to get it done in her last year of work. It was very special.”

From the outset, sustainability was a major focus. Key elements included an electric induction cooktop, reclaimed timber external cladding from CERES Fair Wood, double-glazed timber windows and doors, maximum insulation in the extension, and passive solar design and ventilation to keep the home cool in summer and warm in winter.

Kitchen

Organic texture reigns in this space. The benchtops are low-silica-content Silestone in Nolita from Cosentino, the splashback is terrazzo from Acropolis Marble and the overhead cabinetry is Tasmanian oak veneer while the front of the island bench is clad in Porta Contours Tasmanian oak. The pendant above the island is the striking UV Fold by South Drawn.

“My decorating style is a bit pared back but obviously I love natural materials and surfaces,” says Claire. A range of earthy, environmentally conscious finishes are showcased in the home, including the spotted gum flooring from Havwoods, which grounds the new wing while adding beauty and warmth. Go to havwoods.com/au to book a virtual or in-showroom visit.

We love… organic style

Meanwhile, with David Alexandrakis from Cassilis Constructions taking charge of the works, the family moved out in December 2021 into an even pokier pad. “We have a fibro shack at the back of our property, so we all – Tilly the dog included! – lived there to save rent,” says Claire. “It’s tiny with no heating – and there were possums!”

Ten months later, the family settled back into their reimagined home. Understated and beautifully earthy in style and finishes, it heroes its raw materials. From the raked plywood ceilings and spotted gum flooring in the new wing to the terrazzo kitchen splashback, organic textures abound. Best of all, this is a light-drenched, environmentally conscious home that revels in its leafy surrounds.

Family bathroom

Light pours into the bathroom through a skylight. “The room feels really bright, even though there are no windows as it’s in the centre of the house,” says Claire.

“This is such a light and bright house, so it’s always a wonderful place for us all to come home to.”

Claire

Back garden deck

The whole family loves the new Victorian ash outdoor deck, including their two chickens. “The back living room that has so much natural light and looks out to the garden is definitely my favourite space in the house. We all love hanging out here,” says Claire. “The home is so lovely to live in all year round because of all the sustainable features.”

“I wanted the home to be warm and inviting, with lots of timber and other natural materials.”

Claire

Nicola is also thrilled. “It’s now a sunny, warm home with easy access to the garden,” she says. “All the elements were leaning in the right direction. The home and the site just needed to find their synergy.”

Architect: Nicola Dovey, Drawing Room Architecture, drawingroomarchitecture.com.au, @drawingroomarchitecture.
Builder: David Alexandrakis, Cassilis Constructions, cassilis.com.au.
Interior design: Kerry Smith.
Reclaimed timber cladding: CERES Fair Wood, ceresfairwood.org.au.
Cutek timber oil: cutek.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post This 1950s cottage in Melbourne is a sustainable sanctuary appeared first on Home Beautiful.

The couple, who live nearby with their young daughter, decided to renovate the “poky” cottage and turn it into a future-friendly rental property. “I feel like we all need to be thinking that way,” says Elissa. “With climate change, it’s inevitable. We’ll all have to go electric.”

It was previously one level with two bedrooms, a small kitchen and living room, and a bathroom that was “tacked onto an old, quite dodgy renovation out the back”. A heritage overlay listing meant they were restricted in the changes they could make. “We had to keep the facade and Council was quite firm about not having the upstairs too close to the front of the building. So that forced us to come up with something a bit more interesting,” says Elissa.

Who lives here?

This is the family’s rental property.

What was the project brief? Elissa: “To restore a leaky worker’s cottage and transform it into a well-heated and cooled, solar-powered and aesthetically pleasing house for the rental market – unheard of.”

What were the challenges? “Council limited the size of upstairs and therefore the roof space available for solar. We also had to work with a heritage overlay and a small, corner inner-city block.”

Why did this type of home appeal? “We have a passion for sustainability and eliminating fossil-fuel energy use. The future is electric! The energy savings are also a win-win for the tenant and landlord.”

“There’s free sunshine so we wanted to maximise the solar capacity and have a really energy-efficient house.”

Elissa

Living areas

The open-plan kitchen, dining and living space unfurls onto a courtyard. “It’s a small site, so we only had room for a courtyard,” says Elissa. “The upside is it requires minimal maintenance.” Under the deck is a 5000-litre water tank for reuse purposes.

The Lounge Lovers ‘Bronte’ sofa and armchair with Adairs and L&M Home cushions create a soft space to relax with a sunny outlook. The side table from HKliving and a Globe West ‘Hills’ coffee table offer the ideal resting spot for books or a cup of tea.

Kitchen

“The idea was to create a flow from the kitchen through to the courtyard and make it feel bigger,” says Elissa of the space. White walls, light floors and streamlined joinery by Precision Cabinets, paired with oak handles from Linear Standard, turns the kitchen into a practical and beautiful space.

The kitchen features a simple, considered palette, including a selection of stainless-steel pieces to add interest. A hi-tech Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart French Door fridge sits between the cabinets to one side of the kitchen and the stainless-steel Franke EOS pull out spray mixer tap is paired with a Clark double bowl sink from Caroma. Artworks by Tuftluck on the kitchen shelf and by the window add character and tie the areas together.

Insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow – it makes your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, leading to a reduction in energy usage. This home has insulation in the roof, walls and under the floors. A neutral rug adds another layer of insulation to the floor, plus a lovely tactile experience underfoot.

We love… insulation

Main bedroom

The new upstairs bedroom has a walk-in-wardrobe that has proved its worth. “The shelf and mirror in the wardrobe is perfect for getting ready and putting on jewellery,” says Elissa. “We had to move a service, which was planned to go in the roof/cupboard upstairs to the courtyard, so we got a bit of extra wardrobe space.”

The diagonal design allows the second storey to sit back from the original front section. They kept the original two bedrooms and added a third upstairs with an ensuite. The biggest challenge in making the draughty worker’s cottage energy efficient was sealing up all the cracks. “I think that makes a big difference to the energy efficiency of a house,” says Elissa, who got an air-tightness consultant on board but wishes they had done so earlier.

Ensuite

The second storey includes the main bedroom and ensuite with a double shower. Considered choices for this space include AXA square sinks with chrome basin mixers by Phoenix Tapware, all available from Reece. The matt white wall tiles from Signorino are paired with ‘Melk Natural’ floor tiles from National Tiles.

“Trying to fit all the spaces and services we wanted in was the ultimate jigsaw puzzle.”

Elissa

While the finished product is incredible, it wasn’t without obstacles. Regardless, the first-time renovators pulled it off and are pleased with the end result. As for the longer-term benefits like savings on power bills (and, of course, the pros for the planet), those will come. “The tenants have only been there for a month, so we’re still getting data in,” says Elissa. “I’m sure time will tell.”

Builder: Murchie Group, murchiegroup.com.au.
Air-tightness testing: Passivetech, passivetech.com.au.
Landscaper: Van Leeuwen Green, vanleeuwengreen.com.
Styling: Neighbourhood Property Styling, neighbourhoodps.com.au.
Electrician: Demann Electrical, demannelectrical.com.au.
Windows: Taranto Windows + Doors, tarantowindows.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post A Melbourne cottage transforms into an energy-efficient family home appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Who lives here? Hamish, a builder, and Lucinda, an ecologist and landscape designer; their children Darcy, five, and Phoenix, 19 months; and red nose pit bull Poppy.

What do you love about the home’s connection to nature? Lucinda: “Watching the change in seasons but being warm inside.” Hamish: “It makes me feel grounded.”

Best place to relax? Hamish: “Lying in the hammock outside the big tilt door playing I-spy with Darcy.”

Favourite detail? Hamish: “Where the oak floors meet the handmade hearth tiles in the living area, which then contrast with the raw concrete.”

What are you most proud of? Hamish: “Finishing it during Covid.”

The family, including sons Darcy, five, and Phoenix, 19 months, relish their home among Japanese maples and cherry trees. “We collect eggs from the chooks, pick raspberries and bake potatoes in the fire pit at the weekend,” adds Hamish, who has built a work studio with verdant views at the back of the garden.

“The whole wall lifts up, creating a covered area and beautiful place to sit,” explains Hamish. “On one side, there’s a barbecue and on the other, a paved area with strategically placed rocks, which we use as stepping stones to reach the fire pit and other parts of the garden. 

News just in is that this blissful abode has just been sold for $1,710,000 – snapped up after being listed for less than a month! See the listing here.

ON THE MARKET

When the couple found the house nine years ago it was “literally the worst house on a great street; falling apart, with planks leading to the toilet where the floor had been eaten away by termites”. “It’s been quite a passion to get where we are now,” remarks Hamish who, along with Lucinda and “an extensive and wonderful team of people”, finished renovations and a new elevated extension at the end of 2020, creating a four-bedroom, split-level home that feels more crafted than built. Sustainable and recycled timbers, polished concrete floors and bold black structures and accents ticked all the couple’s boxes for a home that is “modern but timeless”.

The kitchen and dining area occupies the new elevated extension and feels as natural and earthy as the rock and trees surrounding it. Combining timber, white and marble finishes, it evokes a refined Nordic style. “One of the favourite moments is having breakfast here on a Sunday morning,” shares Hamish, who intends to mark the end of the six-year-long renovation with something equally relaxing. “We’re putting in a wood-fired hot tub,” he says. “I love the idea of getting the spa warm for a Sunday evening to relax with a glass of wine. It will be the cherry on the top!”

The matching bench and Scandinavian-style dining chairs (try Icon By Design) are unobtrusive, allowing nature’s backdrop to shine. “I’m most proud of the indoor/outdoor connection – the old house was totally cut off from the backyard,” says Lucinda. 

Dulux Lexicon walls and raw concrete floors provide the foundation for a simple but elegant timber kitchen by Skyline Kitchens, the green ‘Inax plain 50 J13’ tiles from Artedomas adding a touch of colour and referencing those in the living room. ‘Sketch Tami’ barstools from Globe West Bar complement the architectural elements and offer a casual place to perch at the island, which is adorned with luxurious Tundra Grey marble from Peraway Marble.

Timber is a highlight of the home. “We used leftover timber here on the bedroom and bathroom walls and for my entire office at the back of the garden,” says Hamish. “On the exterior, we used sustainably grown and harvested silvertop ash radial-cut timber, which
essentially uses more of the log and is less wasteful.” Visit radialtimbers.com.au.

Promising a luxe, languid soak and a view of the treetops, the striking monochrome bathroom is warmed by a spotted gum wall and a timber vanity, repurposed from a set of drawers. For black tiles, try Beaumont Tiles, and for a similar back-to-wall freestanding bath, check out the Reece ‘Posh Solus’ range. “The natural textures of baskets and plants soften the edges in a bathroom,” says Lucinda.

In the garden, a space once home to the washing line now hosts, a rustic enclave made from timber offcuts and “bits of decking board and recycled sleepers” provides plenty of fun for family and friends around the fire pit. “We didn’t want it to be ‘polished’. We knew kids would be jumping over the benches and we wanted it to be the kind of area that you could spill beer and it wouldn’t matter,” says Hamish.

The home sits comfortably within its natural environment, the contrasting materials and the ‘perfectly imperfect’ salvaged stud fencing creating kerb appeal that’s both characterful and low-key. “We’re not flashy people and part of the brief was not to see the extension from the road,” says Hamish.

Building design: Maxa Design, (03) 9013 0449, maxadesign.com.au.
Builder: Sanctum Homes, yoursanctum.com.au.
Interior architecture and design: Hearth, hearthstudio.com.au.
Interior design: Hè Hè Design, hehedesign.com.au.
Kitchen and joinery: Skyline Kitchens, (03) 9706 7020.
Hard landcaping: Esjay Landscapes + Pools, (03) 9888 8625, esjaylandscapes.com.au.

SOURCE BOOK

The post A sustainable family home nestled in the bushland of outer Melbourne appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Who lives here? Liz and John, who are recently retired, with their two-year-old Golden Retriever, Elvis; Betty, Mary and Jo, the chooks; and Belted Galloway steers Goose, Saddle, Spot, Smooch, Shaggy and Spit (“Yes, we know we shouldn’t name them,” they say).

Favourite room? John: “The living room is the highlight, with views on three sides and the cosy fire in winter.”

Biggest challenge? “Covid was a big factor, with the whole build taking place during a significant period of lockdowns and other restrictions in Victoria.”

Top sustainable design tip? “Make the home as small as it needs to be, rather than as big as it can be.”

Owners John and Liz stand at the impressive entry to their home in rural Victoria, with Elvis the Golden Retriever. “It’s a lovely, sunny spot in the morning and becomes cool and shady in the afternoon,” says Liz. The pair are understandably pleased with the look and feel of their home, which is made from rammed earth, steel and recycled timber to sit quietly within its rural setting.

The couple had spent their married years living in Melbourne’s bayside area, but when they retired and their adult daughters Rosie and Kate moved interstate, John proposed a change of scene. “Liz wasn’t on board with a move to the country, so she rented a house in Shoreham for the weekend, thinking that would be enough to get it out of my system,” John recalls. “The opposite happened, and within a day or two, our active search began.”

Living

In its elevated position, the open-plan living space looks out to the surrounds and has slide-away doors. “With views on three sides, the living space is a definite highlight,” says John. A brown leather ‘Conrad’ sofa from Arthur G pairs beautifully with the ironbark timber coffee table, made by Ideal Cabinets, to match the dining table. The Prime Time chairs are from Great Dane. Polished concrete floors reinforce Liz and John’s desire to keep things simple.

Dining area

Recycled ironbark ceilings, steel beams and rammed earth walls have been paired with complementary furniture pieces, such as the recycled ironbark dining table by Ideal Cabinets and wicker dining chairs from Coastal Living. 

We love a hidden TV

Where’s the TV, you ask? Keen to hide theirs away when not in use, John devised a solution where the television would rise up out of a cavity in the floor for evening viewing, then slide back down when not in use. “Just about every tradesman had to get involved, but now we don’t have a television spoiling the view,” he says.

It took about 12 months to find the right property: 20 acres of farmland that boasted views of the valley and Western Port Bay and provided the open space they craved. Their vision was for a one-bedroom home that could scale up to accommodate their daughters and friends when they came to visit. They used sustainable materials where possible. “We’d previously done extensive renovations, but never a full build and certainly not one of this scale,” says John. “We needed a team we could trust.”

Outdoor access

Large double-sliding doors from Vitrocsa, each weighing over 350kg, make up one wall of the living area and slide away completely, creating a seven-metre-wide opening. “They’re a terrific feature when entertaining, as the whole of the living space opens out to the terrace,” Liz shares.

Kitchen

“The kitchen has been designed to be highly functional but with very clean, simple lines,” says Liz. In an effort to limit the number of materials used, the benchtops, splashback and sink are all made from glass fibre-reinforced concrete by Concrete Collective. Joinery by Ideal Cabinets in recycled ironbark from Kennedy’s Timber and black Paperock ply provide a rich and warm counterpoint, as does the pendant designed and made by John. Loft 23 elm wood bar stools from Temple & Webster fit in nicely.

Master builder Bernie Everett was engaged to bring the plans to life. “Bernie brought a wealth of experience to the build and so much local knowledge,” says Liz. “The project became an Everett family affair with Bernie’s son, Rip, one of the carpenters and Bernie’s wife, Janine – an accomplished local artist – producing paintings for the main wing,” she adds.

Their architect incorporated the couple’s wish list for rammed earth, timber and weathered steel into a contemporary multi-wing abode. There are two main wings linked by a glass-sided hallway, with the couple’s bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and study in one wing, and the open-plan kitchen, dining and living space, laundry and powder room in the other. Large glass doors and walls slide away for airflow, providing an instant connection to two outdoor terraces and the surrounding countryside.

While it wasn’t their original plan to live at the property during the build, they’re very glad they did. “Even with detailed plans, there are always decisions to be made and it was really valuable to be on site to answer questions,” says John. “We could see on a daily basis the incredible effort that goes into producing such a house and the pride that our team took in doing so.” And they continue to appreciate those efforts today. “Each day starts with us admiring the view from bed and finishes with us enjoying the sunset with a drink,” says Liz.

Main bedroom

“Our bedroom is relatively small and simple,” says John. “The only furniture is the bed and the feature is the view.”

Bathroom

A Stone Meek Intra II bath by Concrete Collective is the focal point. “It’s like having a bath outside,” Liz says. Evolution wall tiles in Dark from Life’s Tiles pair nicely with the concrete floor and glass fibre-reinforced concrete basin and bench. Shaving cabinets by Ideal Cabinets and Brodware ‘Nanobar’ tapware from E&S Trading add functionality.

Indoor-outdoor living

The home embraces the tree-lined views from multiple angles. “We are very much embedded in the land, but well protected from the elements and prevailing wind by the rammed earth and double glazing,” says John.

Guest wing

A third separate guest wing is linked to the main home by a covered walkway. Clad in recycled ironbark, it has three bedrooms and a bathroom. “It’s very deliberately a separate structure,” says Liz, “the idea being that when no-one is staying, it’s out of sight, out of mind.”

“Colours and furniture were kept to a minimum to make the space functional.”

Liz, homeowner

SOURCE BOOK

Architect: Adriano Bonomi, adrianbonomi.com.au.
Builder: Bernie Everett Building, bernieeverettbuilding.com.au.

The post A new, sustainable home in the glorious Mornington Peninsula appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Who lives here? Husband and wife Amanda and Brad, owners of a transport business, and their three malamute x dogue de Bordeaux dogs Luna, Lola and Yogie Bear. There are also four miniature cows on the property.

Favourite spot to sit? Amanda: “Closing in the verandah created a bit of a sun trap, and this is where I like to sit with a book in winter.”

How do you like to entertain? Amanda: “We keep it very casual – homemade pizza … a game of cards.”

Where do you shop? Amanda: “I really love vintage stuff, so Gravitas, Braidwood; Dirty Janes in Canberra and Bowral; Lunatiques; Fossil Vintage; Cabana Jo’s; and The Picnic Shed in Berry.”

Along with the cottage, there was also an old slab timber hut on the property that could serve as extra accommodation, along with rich red soils, water and enough outdoor space for the couple to indulge their love of gardening. “It brought all of my passions together – interiors, gardens, sustainability, regeneration,” says Amanda. “Here, we can create something that will be a gift for whoever comes after us.”

While the previous owners had resurrected the cottage from a state of ruin into the cosy and comfortable three-bedroom home before them, Amanda and Brad took it a step further to render it suitable for full-time living. First off, they enclosed the back verandah and outdoor toilet – “a must when it’s minus 10 degrees outside!” says Amanda – before repainting the mission brown and red-brick kitchen and dining areas white.

Subsequent improvements included the removal of a wall between the dining room and third bedroom to create a second living space, rejigging the kitchen to make it more functional and spacious and updating the shower recess, tiles, shutters and paintwork in the bathroom. Given their remote location, additional water tanks and a bigger solar system were also essential. “It feels like any other home, we just don’t get as many bills,” says Amanda of the off-grid set-up.

Having breathed new life into the cottage and upgraded its comforts, Amanda and Brad are now happy to share it with others. They’ve relocated to the property’s renovated barn so they can rent the cottage to guests on Airbnb. Amanda promises a restorative and relaxing stay.

“It’s a cosy cottage and we’ve embraced that,” she says.”The thick stone walls insulate against noise and it feels very calming. And the smell, warmth and look of the woodfires in winter is also very comforting. Our kids sleep a lot when they visit.”

One of the couple’s first priorities was to close off the verandah and outside toilet. Large second-hand windows from Gumtree help flood the area with light, while the original flagstone flooring is a comforting nod to the building’s history.

“The original leadlight windows were covered with curtains and the architraves painted green,” Amanda recalls of the windows, which now enjoy star-of-the-show status. “Stone cottages and shutters go hand in hand, and they’re also very practical,” says Amanda.

The home’s original stone walls bring a lovely degree of strength and natural insulation to the cottage, and only needed a few coats of Dulux Strong White paint to freshen them up. You can create a similar look and feel with a textured finish like Rendertex by Haymes Paint or Fresco by Porter’s Paints.

You’ll find Amanda and Brad out amongst their expansive garden most days. “I’m trying to capture that essence of a rambling country garden, but I think it will only come with age,” she says.

SOURCE BOOK

Builder: Owen Browne, OB Builders, 0435 779 503
Electrician: Ron Wenban Electrical, 0428 445 259
Plumber: Will Hay, 0477 778 375
Tiler: Luke Gorecki, 0478 157 822
Holiday rental: To book a stay, visit endrickvalleyfarm.com or follow @thestonehouse1851 on Instagram.

The post An off-grid, characterful cottage in the Southern Tablelands appeared first on Home Beautiful.