Last week was a big week for me, not only because of the relaunch of this blog, but also my first full interior story for Homestyle magazine was published. It was such a great feeling to have a copy of it in my hands and read it over the weekend. Today I’m excited to share a few of the images from the shoot with you.
I met Lisa, who runs an architect firm, Donnell & Day mid last year and she told me a little about her own home. Of course my ears pricked up, I mean who wouldn’t be interested to know what an architect’s home looks like, especially when they’ve designed it themselves. As our conversation developed, what struck me was that Lisa and her husband built their home on a modest budget. They also had the big idea to leave a small environmental footprint, yet without foregoing comforts and architectural design.
It was in every way, a smart build. The home heats and cools itself naturally and they use the fireplace as more of an ambient feature. They don’t even own a clothes dryer! Now if you’ve lived through a cold, humid Auckland winter, you’d really wonder how it’s possible, especially for a family of four. At first I thought that they’re these resilient Kiwis (the Australian in me talking here, and believe me they do exist) but they don’t suffer, they don’t throw on extra layers of jumpers and wooly socks, their home is incredibly comfortable during the seasons. Because of the forethought that they put into the design, their energy bills are a quarter of what most of their friends spend.
There are loads of things I could tell you about this home, and I mean loads! Their edible garden (which was a big inspiration for my little one), all of the design details and materials, along with ways that they are giving back to the local eco system… Sorry I won’t, that would be giving it away – I’d love for you to grab a copy for yourselves and have a read!
Have a great start to the week everyone.
Mel x
All images are courtesy of Homestyle magazine and by Duncan Innes.
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Congratulations, Mel! Oh I LOVE this home and the fact that it is sustainably built. Would like to move in right away please :)
Gorgeous huh! Big hugs Yvonne and hope the sun is beginning to shine over there. M xx
Congratulations, Mel! What a week, you really deserve to be proud of yourself! The home looks (and sounds) both beautiful and smart. Have a good week! xLena
Thanks Lena, yes it was definitely a good week:) The house really is, they’ve done a wonderful job and certainly proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune for an architecturally designed and sustainable home. Have a great week too! M xx