When people think about energy efficient living, they often imagine giving up certain comforts. One of the most common questions I get is this: can you still have a wood fire in an energy efficient home? The good news is, yes you can. In fact, a wood fire can be part of a sustainable, low-energy …
It is not glamorous, and you will never see it once the walls are up, but airtightness is one of the most important details in building an energy-efficient home. It is a game-changer that most people overlook, yet it has a massive impact on comfort, running costs, and sustainability. As part of my own 8-star …
When you are building a home, there are hundreds of decisions to make, and it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of choosing colours, finishes, and fixtures. But there is one thing almost no one talks about, and it can completely change how functional your home feels. Your builder is not thinking …
Choosing the right joinery colours can transform your home, but with so many options available, it can feel overwhelming. From kitchens and bathrooms to wardrobes and storage, your joinery sets the tone for your interiors. Here’s how to pick colours that look beautiful, work with your lifestyle, and create a cohesive, timeless home. 1. Match …
It sounds too good to be true, but north-facing windows can act like free heaters for your home in the colder months. It’s all thanks to passive solar design – one of the simplest, most effective ways to make your home naturally comfortable. How Passive Solar Design Works The idea is simple. Position your home …
When people think about building an energy-efficient home, they often imagine solar panels, big windows, and sleek insulation. What they don’t picture is someone carefully sealing up every little join, corner, and gap with specialist tape. But here’s the truth – airtightness is one of the most critical parts of creating a comfortable, energy-efficient home. …
Building a sustainable home can feel overwhelming at the start. There are so many decisions to make, products to choose from, and design details to consider. But here’s the thing – if you get the fundamentals right early on, the rest of the build becomes a whole lot easier. When I started my own 8-star …
There’s a common belief that building an energy-efficient home comes with a scary price tag. People imagine ultra-high-tech gadgets, futuristic materials, and tens of thousands of dollars in extras. While you can go down that path, the truth is you don’t have to. When I started my build, my goal was simple – create a …
If you have been watching our build come to life, you might have noticed one of the little details I have been quietly obsessed with – square set window reveals. They might seem like a small decision in the grand scheme of a house build or renovation, but trust me, they make a huge impact …
When people hear 8 star energy rated home, they often assume you would not need air conditioning at all. And in an ideal world with perfect weather, that might be true. But here’s the reality. We live in Wagga where the climate is not exactly gentle. Summers can be absolutely stinking hot, winters can be …
I have had a few people message me lately saying how lucky I am with my build team, and honestly, they are spot on. I am lucky, but it has also been years of learning, watching, asking questions, and knowing what to look for. Not all builders are created equal. I have been around this …
There is nothing worse than standing back after all your hard work and realising your beautiful pendant lights are not lined up properly. Crooked pendants or lighting that is off-centre can completely throw off the whole space, especially when you have feature ceilings or tricky layouts. We just did ours and I wanted to share …
