Miranda You appear to be making all the right choices in life. I will be a little bit presumptuous by offering some advice on helping you to raise your child in touch with nature in this age full of all the electronic lures that keep the kids indoors. or, when outdoors, glued to a small screen, rather than the glory that surrounds them. I am writing a book about landscape architecture and have a section regarding the importance of embracing nature in the preschool years. - which I would like to forward that section to you. However, my computer skills are limited to email and US Mail. I don't even know how to attach a picture to the text. If you would like to receive this draft from my future book, send me your email or postal address, and I'll get it right off to you. My email is cascio.offsite@gmail.com Good luck with your new challenges and opportunities. Joe Cascio

Have any pictures? It may just need the interior to tame down the timber work. Once timber is painted its pretty much painting forever.

Alenka, thanks for sharing those photos. How wonderful. When I moved up to the Macedon Ranges I swore I didn’t want exposed brick or wood paneling. I’d only lived in Victorian, federation or cal bungalow houses in Melbourne, though I appreciate mid century modern design. Then I fell in love with and bought the house in the photo (but hate the light fitting). Even though our family circumstances changed and we had to sell I still love the authenticity of the materials, the attention to detail and the connection all of the rooms have with the outdoors, including main bathroom and toilet. Really bad orientation though so it was cold and dark and very hard to heat in winter. Cool in summer however. Our new build will draw on some of the best aspects of this house, and will include internal recycled brick walls in some rooms for thermal mass and interest, indoor outdoor flow and courtyards, raked ceilings etc, but 8 star energy rating and oriented to take advantage of northern light. I love your house.

Thank you. It was a special project with a lovely client I have worked with before. He is a good listener, and did as I suggested. Hence, the lovely result, which we are both delighted with. Donna