Photography: Nic Gossage / Styling: Tess Thyregod.
After moving to a bush-clad area of the Blue Mountains in 2009 that was only a 1.5-hour drive from the city, Bridget and Brad Carmady quickly grew to love the beautiful part of NSW, Australia they now call home. Early on, town planner Brad discovered a large parcel of untouched land near Blackheath. It particularly sparked his interest, so much so that he dreamt of buying it one day.
“My husband had his eye on this land for quite some time – he thought it was the best block in the area,” says Bridget, the founder of Clémence Organics, an organic and naturopath-approved luxury skincare company.
In 2016, that block – all 40 hectares of it – was put on the market. But the timing wasn’t quite right. Bridget and Brad had just bought a smaller parcel of land in town with a view to building on it. And, more crucially, Bridget’s sister, Sam, was ill with cancer and the couple were thinking of moving closer to her.
Home Profile
Meet & Greet: Bridget (founder of Clémence Organics) and Brad Carmady (town planner), their children Isabelle, 11, and Patrick, eight, and Rudi the German short-haired pointer.
The Property: Four-bedroom, two-bathroom passive solar house built on a 40-hectare block.
Tragically, before they could make a decision, Sam passed away. And in what could have been seen as unfortunate timing, the auction for the land Brad wanted was scheduled for the day of her wake.
After much discussion (“Brad had sort of set his heart on it,” says Bridget), the couple decided to try and buy the property.
“Brad also knew Sam well because they’d gone to school together, and he said that it felt like she was watching over him, helping him to buy the land at the auction. It felt like it was meant to be,” says Bridget.
When it came to building on the property – which includes about 32 hectares of protected bushland – the couple were keen to design a sustainable, passive solar house that sat unobtrusively within the stunning landscape.
“We had already renovated two older cottages in the area and, as much as we loved the idea of them, the reality is that they are terrible to heat and cool,” explains Bridget.
“We wanted to start from scratch to build a sustainable, energy-efficient home that suited us as a family.”
The couple, who are parents to two children, Isabel and Patrick, worked with a local architect on plans for their new home. They envisioned a simple four-bedroom, two-bathroom house with two separate wings connected by an entryway.
“We like to entertain and have dinner parties, and knew we wanted a separate living/kitchen/dining area so we could make some noise and not have to worry about keeping the kids awake,” says Bridget.
“It was all about considering the things we like to do as a family and making the house work well for us.”
Brad also insisted that the house, while feeling light and open, wouldn’t have any wasted space.
“If it was up to me,” says Bridget, “I would have had a dedicated guest space for visiting family, but we tried to be sensible with the design to make sure we wouldn’t have to pay for excessive heating and cooling.”
Externally, the house has a simple, barn-like form. This design was inspired by a nearby apple packing shed, a throwback to when the land was an orchard. The house shares the same roof pitch as the shed. It features striking Japanese shou sugi ban cladding, which has been charred to create a low-maintenance, weatherproof finish.
The same practical considerations stretch to the interiors, where sustainability, simplicity and health guided all their choices.
“I’m a naturopath and I wanted the house to be a healthy space, so we ensured there was lots of light and used natural materials such as wood and concrete and paints with minimal or no VOC [volatile organic compounds],” says Bridget.
Polished concrete floors were chosen for their durability and thermal qualities, paired with accents of timber, stone and copper to warm the spaces. Everything is deliberately minimalist and understated so as not to detract from the stunning views through the oversized windows.
“We’re not fussy people,” says Bridget.
An east-facing courtyard is nestled between the house’s two wings. The courtyard is a lovely spot for a morning cuppa. It’s also a great sun trap for the couple’s series of raised kitchen garden beds.
“It’s filled with all of our staple herbs, as well as the leafy greens and things we pick and eat on a daily basis,” says Bridget.
“We also have plans for an orchard area and a space to grow some of the botanicals I use in my skincare products.”
Ultimately, Bridget says their low-fuss but very well-considered home is just a pleasure to be in.
“It’s the easiest home I’ve ever lived in; we just nailed it with this place,” she says, happily.
“We also love the land we live on, so I don’t see us moving anytime soon.”
And as for her beloved late sister, Bridget says she would have loved it, too.
“Sam grew up on acreage with me and loved the space that entails. When my brother-in-law brings my two nieces over, it’s lovely sharing this special place with them as well.”
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