She Builds

How do you pick yourself up after devastating bushfires? How (and why!) do you plan your first home such a high-risk area? How do you deal with the challenges of building during a time when building has never been more expensive? How do you navigate the complex government rules, regulations and controls? How do you make the home as sustainable as possible on a budget? And, being in regional Australia, how do you find the project team that understands your vision and can deliver on it?

My Home Journey

The Dreaming Phase

The moment we first set foot on our little slice of paradise in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, on Yaegl Country, we knew we wanted to create something really special here. The pristine nature of the bush block comes with the added pressure of having to get it right the first time. After 8 years, we think we are ready.

The Planning Phase

After 4 years of planning, and many challenges and delays (bushfires, a pandemic, materials & labour price hikes, and big health scares for me), we have finally entered the Planning Permit stage. Navigating the maze of rules & regulations and environmental requirements is not easy and can feel overwhelming at times...

The Construction Phase

This is the phase we have the least romantic feelings about. We have watched enough episodes of Grand Design and heard enough building drama stories from others that we know that this phase can make us or break us. Luckily we are both very stubborn people. "She'll be right" is a wonderful motto to have, and so very Aussie.

The Enjoyment Phase

The thing with building is that you can't predict when you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour. "We're going to be in by Christmas" is not something you'll hear me say. In fact, we've been saying "we'll move in within 5 years" for 8 years now with straight faces. As fulltime housesitters, we haven't slept in our own bed since 2016!

Follow our progress

There's nothing better than following a building project from the comfort of your chair. The potential for failure is why many people secretly like shows such as Grand Designs and The Block so much. We know we do...
The blunders, budget blowouts and bickering will be all ours to endure. All you have to do is revisit this page now and then to watch us stumble... and maybe, just mybe hopefully succeed at the end. Enjoy!

Our Vision

A compact and solid, bushfire-resilient dwelling under gabled roofs. The split-level design “steps” the home to marry in with the slope of the land.  The multi-level, compact 2-bedroom home will be a bit like a treehouse to climb into, with different bush views to be explored on all levels.

Time for a change?