Interior designer, founder of Imprint House, and Imprint podcast host Natalie Walton, with husband Daniel Rollston and children Charles (14), Sabina (10), Isis (9), and Miles (6), made a treechange in 2016, where they committed to living in a more mindful home.
‘I only wanted to take with us the pieces we truly loved,’ says Natalie. ‘I soon realised that these were invariably made of natural materials and had a neutral palette, and this has been my signature style ever since.’
The family recently moved again to the Byron Bay region, where they purchased a north-facing property on two acres surrounded by established fruit trees. Included in the sale was a 46 square metre shed with potential to convert into a studio and eventual Airbnb.
Working entirely within the existing footprint, Natalie transformed this shed into ‘The Still House’: a self-contained apartment for relaxing, living, and working (it’s currently the studio of her business, Imprint House), with enough beds to sleep five people (including triple bunk beds!).
The design frames the surrounding leafy environment, and maximises space indoors, through a built-in seating area. ‘I made the decision not to put a sofa in the living room but instead make the dining area as comfortable as possible…It’s a great solution for when you don’t have a lot of space,’ she says.
‘I love seeing how light moves around the space, and given that it was a very dark shed before I designed it, it goes to show how the careful placement of windows and doors can make all the difference.’
Materials in the cottage were chosen for their low toxic and sustainable properties, including natural tadelakt on the walls, microcement on the existing floors, reclaimed timber used to make the dining table, and salvaged doors and windows in line with the ‘SLOW’ (sustainable, local, organic, whole) movement Natalie subscribes to.
Soft furnishings and woven textiles crafted from natural materials by Sheridan are also in line with this philosophy. The Pembleton Throw made from 90 per cent wool and 10 per cent cotton in particular adds a beautiful texture to the main bed, paired with the 100 per cent Belgian flax linen Abbotson Linen Bed Cover that is breathable, soft, and durable.
Natalie’s commitment to SLOW is further showcased in her new book, Style: The Art of Creating a Beautiful Home, which is all about creating authentic homes with integrity.
For those looking to create a more sustainable and meaningful home, Natalie says it all starts with making better decisions. ‘It doesn’t have to be perfect, but aiming for progress over perfection can be helpful.’
Stay tuned for when The Still House opens its accomodation bookings soon!
Shop Sheridan’s latest collection, Harmony of Contrasts, at Sheridan Boutiques, sheridan.com.au, David Jones and Myer.
