A new life and a new space

A tree change is a common dream for many city-dwellers looking to trade suburbia for the space and pace of rural life. For some, though, it’s the opposite – like Barry, who relocated from his five-acre property to a growing suburb in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.

It was a move that brought about a change of pace and a smaller block to manage. But with this came a need to think about space differently – both inside and out.

With less time needing to be spent looking after his land, Barry was able to spend more time doing what he loved – painting, sculpting clay… and enjoying some R&R.

And what he needed was a place to do this.

Looking at the back of his new block – elevated, with views across the house to the landscape beyond – it was immediately clear where this space should go.

“It just gives a lovely outlook and opens out the perspective,” describes Barry.

Built for a new lifestyle and ready for a new garden

Barry chose a Melwood Mod 15 in board and batten cladding, which he later painted in “Monument” to match his chosen Colorbond® roof colour and the fencing that provides the building’s backdrop. Adding a crisp touch to the palette, aluminium windows were selected in “White”, with timber full glass double doors painted to match.

Inside, Barry positioned a desk centrally to enjoy the elevated view through his art studio’s glass frontage while he works. A sofa at one end delivers an enviable rest and relaxation spot, while a sideboard at the other provides storage for his creative materials and a homely feel to the interior.

A vibrant rear feature wall with a dramatic artwork that picks up the exterior colours makes a striking backdrop; a bold splash of tropical colour – perfect for what was to come later.

A Polynesian-inspired garden design

With his Melwood in place, Barry turned his attention to the landscape around it. And it was his chance to create the garden he had always dreamed of.

“At the previous house, I had a formal garden, which was all clipped hedges and that sort of thing,” he tells us. “I decided I’d go with the much easier look here to make it more of a tropical garden.”

Drawing inspiration from many years of travel around the Pacific Islands, Barry left the manicured lines of his old garden behind, for soft curves, lush tropical planting, bold colours and a scattering of standing stones completing the ‘Islands’ aesthetic.

At the head of it, a cohesive focal point, is his Melwood. And like a true Polynesian garden, two Moai statues – inspired by the monolithic human figures on Easter Island – stand proudly at its sides.

The many benefits of a garden room oasis

Barry is rightfully thrilled with his new, more urban lifestyle and the building that made it all possible.

“Our Melwood has not only extended our living space but provided a highly functional private self-contained studio space,” he tells us.

Now, he has the studio space to work on his favourite creative pursuits… and free time to do it. Plus, with all these extra hours in the day, there’s plenty of opportunity to rest, relax and enjoy his garden and the view.

“The deck is the perfect place to relax and catch the afternoon breezes, while looking out over the vista below… not to mention the added value to the property,” says Barry. “So many benefits!”

He even gave his beloved building a name. “Tradewinds” is emblazoned across the front of his deck, in the spirit of the islands that inspired this oasis.

And how does Barry sum all of this up? “We love it. It’s great!”

Barry’s tropical-inspired art studio is a Melwood Mod 15 measuring 2.6m x 5.4m with a 1.3m x 5.4m deck.

It features board and batten cladding, timber-framed double glass doors, aluminium windows in “White”, and Colorbond® roofing in “Woodland Grey”.

All measurements are approximate.