Have you ever imagined what the future may bring? About 10 years ago, we imagined what our dream home would be like. We were living in Australia at the time. While the vision of our dream house has changed over the years, I thought I’d share these words with you to help you paint your own dream home.
Serenity
You will find welcome and generosity behind the well-manicured 8 foot-high garden hedges. Past our Japanese style gardens, enter the warehouse-sized mountain retreat that we call home.
Walk
Walking through the rough-hewn timber doors, you enter the large and uncluttered multipurpose living space. Timber, treated but raw in appearance, is the main feature, it rises from the polished concrete floor in support columns joining overhead in large exposed beams and stained wood paneled ceiling.
Touch
The furniture is chunky and oversized yet soft and inviting, utilizing the natural features of the wood to draw out its appeal.
Smell
Separated from the living space by a small low partition counter is the cooking area, in which sparkles utilitarian appliances, all faced with chrome and polished steel. The aroma of home-baked bread and biscuits still linger.
Listen
Outside, you can hear the sounds of running water coming from the “River Garden” and the calls and songs of the birds that live in our gardens.
Leading towards the back of the home is a short corridor. You will find a slate floored bathroom and toilet along with the laundry and four decent sized bedrooms all with built in wardrobes. The exposed wooden theme is tempered here by the needs of privacy for our four children and the walls are lined, however soft neutral colours maintain the natural appearance.
Relax
Returning to the living space, you see another doorway leading to the side of our home. Through it, you enter a magnificent study/library with floor to ceiling bookcases, a writing desk, and stuffed Indian cotton chaise lounges. Cunningly hidden technology in the form of wireless connected computer workstations blends into the room’s décor, the exposed wood theme. The room has large French windows in the external wall that invites the Zen garden into the room to aid in contemplation and relaxation.
Sanctuary
Entering the living space once more your eyes come to rest on what you may think is the last feature of our home. Concealed behind a short return is a circular staircase. This leads to the parent’s retreat, our sanctuary.
Upstairs, towards the rear and above the children’s rooms is our space. At the top of the stairs is a lounge area for sitting and relaxing. Bohemian style furnishings, incense braziers, and candles give a Bedouin feel and the exposed and raked ceiling gives the impression that you are sitting under the canopy of large trees.
Walking past this you step through the walk-through wardrobe, which is large enough to accommodate two people getting dressed without getting in each other’s way, you enter the master bedroom. The main feature is the king size hand-made log and rail bed.
A Bang and Olafsen entertainment centre is strategically placed for optimum viewing and listening pleasure. This entertainment centre is linked to the entire house and pipes music and vision to screens and speakers inset in walls and ceilings in all rooms.
Contemplate
Beyond the bed your breath is taken away by the magnificent view through the valley to the mountains beyond and the beauty of the Japanese contemplation glade.
Off the master bedroom is a lounge deck, with retractable tent like sides and awning. Soft natural coloured diaphanous silk hangings waft in the breeze and the flambeaux and citronella candles provide an atmosphere of peace without troublesome insects. Here you can indulge in sunbaking or stargazing.
Refresh
Above the downstairs wet areas is the ensuite. This bathroom area includes our spa, sauna, and deep Japanese style bath with twin detachable showerheads. Again, the slate and exposed timber is a feature of this room.
Gaze
All rooms have a view, each with its own setting, designed and nurtured to promote health, wealth and wellbeing to all who visit and stay with us. Our home is our castle and we willingly share it with all who call on our hospitality.
What does your dream home look like?
If you’ve written about your dream home or painted a picture by telling a story, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
UK Visas – Are You Eligible To Live And Work In The UK?
