Home visit: a conscious home connected to nature

This one-storey home makes it easy to feel connected to nature and each other. Take a look to see how this family space is designed for spending time together.

A one-storey white house among woodland, with a giant palm tree.

Nici and her dog sitting on wooden decking in a garden outside a white door.

Create your own oasis

Life blurs between indoors and outside at this bungalow set in the wild bushland. The garden feels like an extension of the main living space, connecting the house to its natural surroundings. Both indoors and out, it’s cleverly divided into zones, with communal areas where this family of four can be together.

Nici standing at an island with two black bar stools, in a kitchen with brown cupboards, shelves and a large window.

Customise your kitchen

Carpenter Ben crafted a kitchen that combines a love of vintage with a modern, sociable layout. “Our cupboards came from Ben’s mother’s 1960s house,” says Nici, who works as a florist. “He added IKEA worktops deeper than the units for extra workspace and an island, where we eat, catch up, solve problems, and celebrate.”

Nici entering a white living room with large pale pink sofa, blue rug and vintage sideboard.

Make room for living

At the heart of this home is a space where the whole family can be together. A big, modular sofa means there’s room for everyone to snuggle up close or have their own corner. “When we’re not singing and dancing in here, our two boys love watching movies,” says Nici. “They’re growing, so a corner sofa gives us space to sprawl out.”

A bedroom with wicker bed head, blue bedding and white bedside tables.

Simplify your sleep space

In Nici and Ben’s room, layers of colourful bedlinen put the focus on the queen-size bed. “I like our room to feel fresh but cosy,” says Nici. “I don’t stick to trends, I just go with my gut and my love of colour.” The bedside tables are kept clutter-free for minimal distractions, with just a reading lamp, plants and artwork.

Clothes hanging on a rail and shoes on shelves above two chest of drawers, with curtains either side and a free-standing mirror.

Design flexible storage

Nici and Ben created their own wardrobe, combining open and closed storage to fit all their clothes, shoes and accessories. “We improvised, using curtains instead of doors to save space, and mixing shelves, a rail, and a chest of drawers each,” says Nici. The free-standing mirror has hidden hanging space for once-worn clothes.

A large white sink and plant on a white vanity unit with wooden top, with a round mirror on a white tiled wall above.

Find some ‘me time’

The bathroom is one of Nici’s favourite places to relax. “My time to be myself is when I’m doing my hair and make-up.” The vanity unit is an old salvaged bench, made useful with a new sink and tap. Nici keeps her beauty products in baskets and hanging storage. “It’s a small space, so small storage helps us make the most of it.”

A child’s bedroom with shelves and skateboards on a wooden wall, and blue patterned bedding.

Encourage self-expression

Help kids to care for and appreciate their things, with space to display their favourites and swap things around as their tastes change. In six-year-old Sonny’s room, a short clothes rail gives him a place to hang up clothes for the next morning so he can take pride in getting himself dressed for the day.

A child’s bedroom with white walls, a black bed frame and books on picture ledges.

Make space for play

Youngest son Kit (3) has storage boxes for all his toys and games, and a big soft rug to play on. His bedtime story books are kept on a picture ledge over the bed for easy access. The boys donate toys they no longer play with to charity before birthdays and Christmas. “It teaches them to share and also keeps down clutter,” says Nici.

Nici, Ben and their two children sitting on decking in the garden.

Live in the moment

“I’m very conscious of trying to appreciate all the special time I get to spend with my boys as little humans – it goes so quickly,” says Nici. “I really love creating a beautiful space to live in, where we can take the time to talk and really connect as a family. That’s what’s important to me and makes me feel fulfilled right now!”

A home that flows

When Nici and Ben first viewed this property, it was the outdoor space that drew them in. Six years on and they’ve created a fluid family home. “The boys are outside most of the day come rain or shine. They swing, climb, run and jump, they can be loud and messy. I feel very lucky that they have the space to be so free!”