WHEN Dave, the owner of this breathtaking property north west of Orange, got a glimpse of the view from the highest point on his 100 acre property, he knew he'd found the place to build his forever home.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After 18 months of planning, the expansive property, built in 2008 from reconstituted sandstone blocks, boasts stunning views of the region, including Mount Canobolas.
In fact the mountain view is so spectacular Dave decided to showcase the vista by installing a 1.9 metre by 2.3 metre picture window. The window, and its view, is the first thing that greets visitors who walk through his front door.
Of course the oversized window is just one of the house's many unique design features, a tribute to his collaboration with the house's designer Craig McKinnon, interior designer Sarah MacSmith and builder Brett Dunbar.
"I previously lived on a rural property in a very traditional turn-of-the century house, so when I moved I thought what do I do now?," he said.
"I decided if I was going to build a new house I wanted to make sure it had a homely atmosphere.
"The brief was to build a house that was modern, contemporary and practical for entertaining.
"Eventually I wanted it to be a home, once I'd hung my pictures and put my own personal touches to it."
Dave admits he did a lot of research before he finalised the house's crescent-shaped design which allows light to filter into every room in the house.
The final product was a 70 square house with tall ceilings, four bedrooms, a lounge room, a combined living room and kitchen and an expansive office.
"I gleaned a lot from what I'd seen," Dave said.
While Dave loves every part of the house, he lists its large dining room, with its custom-built 12-seater blue-gum table, as his favourite area.
"It's the place I go if I've got friends over and we're enjoying dinner and a drink and having a good time," he said.
In warmer months Dave heads outside to entertain on either the north or south side of the house, depending on the sun and the wind.
In the colder months the house is kept warm by a recycled air conditioning system, artificial gas log fires, double glazed windows, solar panels to heat the water and extensive insulation which was even installed under the floor boards and inside the walls.
"I love it here, it's a home," Dave said.
