WHEN Adrian Cisco showed his then wife Kerry a block of land with panoramic views over Lucknow she knew they had found the place to build their dream home.
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"When I saw the view, and saw a galah fly by below me, I thought 'I want it!'" Kerry said.
"I'd never considered Lucknow until Adrian saw the land. From here you can see all of Lucknow and the land heading towards Orange."
The couple, who have since separated but still share the house, wanted to build a green home, so they met with builder Mick Fabar who constructed a home that was bright and airy all year round and, most importantly, warm in winter and cool in summer.
Kerry said the house had proved so effective at retaining heat that a wood heater in the lounge room was the only heating that had been used throughout winter.
"The house is orientated north so the winter sun comes in and warms the tiles," she said.
"The slab underneath the house is also insulated so it holds the heat. Our builder really knew how to maximise passive solar heating."
The large windows in every room maximise the country vistas and while Kerry plans to hang curtains, she's in no rush.
The interior of the house is decorated in black, grey and white, the perfect combination of colours to showcase Kerry's quirky collection of second-hand furniture and antiques including mixing bowls from the 1940s.
Kerry is particularly proud of her array of screen doors from the 1960s and 70s, which she has had mounted on the walls.
"I don't believe in new, I love second things or hand-me-downs," she said.
The house, which has three bedrooms, a study, open-plan lounge room and rumpus room, has proved the perfect place for children Callum, 8, and Abby, 5.
"I wanted the house to be open-plan so I could see the kids while I'm cooking dinner," Kerry said.
"I love it here."