Stephen and Karen’s second lovingly hand-built home marks a bold departure from their first timber residence near Muswellbrook. This time, they set their sights on something altogether more ambitious. Perched just beyond Kew on the Mid North Coast, the site sits part-way up a north-facing ridgeline. To the west, a steep eucalypt-clad bank falls dramatically toward the Camden Haven River; to the east, the land undulates gently toward Laurieton, welcoming cooling coastal breezes for much of the year. The pronounced slope classified the site as BAL 29, presenting challenges and opportunities.
Responding to the ridgeline setting, the home takes on an off-centre H-shaped plan, with the main living spaces anchored at its heart. Expansive floor-to-ceiling louvre windows and glazed doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing the interiors to spill effortlessly into lush surrounding gardens. At dusk, the lowering sun filters through the trees, casting shifting light and shadow as glimpses of the Comboyne Range emerge beyond.
Among the few elements not crafted by Stephen and Karen themselves are the rammed earth walls lining the north and east façades. Expertly constructed by Earth Dwellings using sandstone sourced from Bago Quarry just a few kilometres away, these walls ground the home in its landscape. Above, two lightweight fly roofs hover elegantly, shading the concrete roof and outdoor entertaining areas while lending a sense of lightness.
The result is a home that remains comfortable year-round, its rammed earth walls offering not only richly textured surfaces but also impressive thermal mass and acoustic performance. Stephen and Karen’s meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout, with countless elements thoughtfully reclaimed or repurposed. Furniture crafted from timber felled on site, alongside entry sleepers reclaimed from a nearby bridge, celebrates the home’s commitment to natural, handcrafted materials and honest construction.
Every inch of this home speaks of devotion and craft. Each visit reveals something new, deepening appreciation for the meticulous detailing Stephen and Karen have poured into every aspect of their home. It is a house that honours its extraordinary site, responding to its contours and natural features with quiet precision.
