Artists create forest sanctuary for boomer life stylers
LOS ANGELES: A forest treehouse home for boomers has an indoor garden, waterfall window and is sheeted in Japanese hardwood.
Two artists renovated their “treehouse” in Melbourne’s east inspired by the surrounding forest and Grand Designs.
Sculptor and musical instrument maker Isaac Greener and illustrator Lani Payes purchased “East Park” at 17 Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke, in 2015.
“We didn’t even look at the house, we fell in love with the garden and nature, it is surrounded by greenery and beautiful views,” Greener said.
The couple were heavily involved in the five-bedroom house’s rebuild three years ago, alongside artisan and furniture maker friends.
“We built this house to really take in our environment, to really ground it into the landscape,” Greener said.
“We are big lovers of Grand Designs, we were heavily influenced by Kevin McCloud.”
The home is framed by two beech trees and has Olinda Valley views.
“It’s two storeys, the second story is actually in the trees,” Greener said.
Sliding glass doors and large double-glazed windows enhance the “indoor outdoor feel”.
East Park’s facade is made from fire-retardant material, a burnt Japanese hardwood which has been oiled.
“When the sun is hitting it, it kind of gleams, it’s beautiful material,” Greener said.
The Blackwood-crafted kitchen has a black granite sink, stainless-steel appliances,
900mm Falcon dual oven cooker and an appliance hutch, while a butler’s pantry with a wine fridge, dishwasher and a stone island with breakfast bar makes for great entertaining.
A deck which wraps around the house’s back and side, stairs made of recycled blackbutt timber, a wood fire, timber engineered floors, an indoor garden and artisan-crafted bookshelves are among the other features.
Mr Greener said a floor to ceiling window near the stairs turned into an eye-catching sight in stormy weather as water runs off the butterfly-style roof.
“The box gutter opens so when it rains, it is like a waterfall,” he said.
The water runs into two tanks, to be used in the garden.
A rain shower and bathtub star in the main bedroom’s wing alongside a walk-in dressing room and sitting area.
Meanwhile, the family bathroom has a wide stone double vanity, heated towel rack and heat lamp.
The couple’s three children are big fans of the large rumpus room which is accessed through a discreet door designed to blend into the hallway wall.
“The kids love that space and have drum kits and watch movies down there,” Mr Greener said.
Outside, there are two large workshop-style sheds, separate timber-clad studio, an outdoor bathroom and toilet, stable, glass house, hen house, greenhouse, five-person fire safety bunker and fruit trees.
