The Sustainable dream pt 1

The home of Helen and Jon in the Megalong Valley NSW

What a lucky lady I am I am....
Last week I was able to share some images of a colourful and creative blue weatherboard house in the regional town of Dubbo. And today I have another amazing home to present to you - a colourful + sustainable home that was recently completed in the beautiful Megalong Valley near Blackheath in the magical Blue Mountains.

The journey began with my lovely friend Amy and her tiny tiger Odin driving me down a windy road, through a pocket of dense and ferny rainforest to a pastoral paradise in a place called the Megalong Valley. We were heading for the home of Helen, Jon and their three children Angus, Will and Minna, a beautiful family who relocated from Sydney in the late 1990s.

The dream was to set up a winery, and rebuild their home... and just recently they have done it. Oh and set up a cottage to rent! Not too shabby...
They enlisted the help of local environmental architect Jamie Brennan { Six b Design in Katoomba}, and along with a builder they set about creating the home of their dreams that would  run on sustainable means of energy, and be built with environmentally friendly materials...

Amy and Odin walking up to the front entrance...

And the results?
Have a look at the images below...
But with Helen's creative eye the place is warm, friendly, colourful, nostalgic and beautiful...
Well - in my eyes anyway.
......

The central spine of the home built by hand using with hay 

and natural fibres...

I love the curvature of it and the way Helen has made a feature of it 

with a lovely red seat and wall clock. 

Windows and light fill the main living space, and yet there is a feeling of warmth, as Helen has used
 natural wood tones and red to decorate the space.

The reading nook under the stairs...
Helen says it is used by everyone in the house as it is so cosy...

Looking back into the kitchen/living areas. This area is raised and has a big fire,
a beautiful wooden floor and a piano that Minna loves to play with...

Helen loves to sew and make gifts, which is what she was doing when we arrived.
So good to see someone making their Christmas gifts!!

The beautiful new kitchen. I love the stove and oven...
Feels so vintage and yet its all brand new...

And finally for today, a side view of the beautiful central spine which Helen uses as a gallery
and work area for the kids...
Isn't that light from the kitchen magical?
With no other neighbours in sight I guess you can have all the light in the world! 

That's the end of the tour for today
but stay tuned for part two...