The story of how Craig and Katherine Johnston came across their future family home isn’t your typical love at first sight tale. In fact, when the couple first laid eyes on this Hazelbrook property, they described it as ‘one of the worst fibro houses we’d ever seen’, but it was in a great area, and it was for sale, so they decided to buy it anyway!
That was five years ago, and since then, the couple and their now four children (Lola, 7, Tom, 6, Frances, 3, and Alice, 7 months,) have gradually updated the home to reflect their style, with a focus on introducing natural and robust materials. ‘Our house was built during a time when materials and skilled labour were at a premium – the result is a house light on detail and character,’ Craig explains. ‘The soul of our home today has been created by the work we’ve put into it.’
Little is known about the property’s history, other than it being located on a former orchard. ‘There’s not much history or soul in this one. We’ve conjured up everything ourselves with the help from family and friends,’ says Craig.
Renovations have included converting a living room into a bathroom and laundry, turning the original kitchen into another bedroom, and adding a new kitchen and living area to the rear of the house. ‘We’ve had a hand in almost everything, and the gum trees are just about the only thing unchanged from the original place,’ says Craig. A backyard studio was also built for Craig, who is a designer and owner of Blue Mountains Drafting, although originally this space was used as a joinery workshop and materials dump during renovations.
Craig describes his home as durable, low maintenance, and joyful. ‘It’s now a place where we light the fire, read books and play records.’
The couple knew no one in the Blue Mountains when moving here from Sydney, but have been blown away by the welcoming response from locals. ‘We love living in the bush; we have views from every window and it’s nice seeing the kids swinging from a tree or building something in the backyard,’ Craig. says, ‘It feels like home now.’
Craig and Katherine Johnston at home home with their children Lola, 7, Tom, 6, Frances, 3, and Alice, 7 months. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
Craig and Kath built the kitchen themselves! Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
The pair found this spectacular concrete laundry sink on Gumtree! Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
Craig and Kath built the kitchen themselves from plywood, ceramic tiles and brass. Brass cabinet pulls from ABI Interiors. Bialetti Moka pots. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
Vintage record stand by Mitchell Road Auctions. Paintings by Dane Lovett. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
The farmhouse dining room table was a Gumtree find! Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
Nectre fireplace. Painting by Mark Whalen. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
Craig traded some design work for a local artist for the couch! Mid-century chairs salvaged from a Sydney curb and blanket by Kath. Paintings by Dane Lovett. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
Bedside table joinery by Craig, pendant light from Fat Shack Vintage. Bed linen from Cultiver. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
The freestanding bath was recycled from a local building yard and coated in Dulux Colorbond Woodland Grey. Chrome shower curtain rail and tapware from Restoration Online. Black pendant light from Fat Shack Vintage. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
Painting by Craig. Bed linen from Cultiver. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
A bedroom filled with handmade treasures. Kath made the quilt and blanket, the painting by Craig and stuffed toys by Nana! Pendant light from Fat Shack Vintage. Bed linen from Cultiver. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
The front sun-room is filled with found things! Red chairs salvaged from St. Margaret’s Hospital where Katherine’s great aunt was a matron and the cowhide rug was adopted from Craig’s grandparents’ log cabin. Even Ned was rescued from the Cooma RSPCA! Craig built his studio himself and furnished with a secondhand chair found on the side of the road and his own paintings. Photos – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
The galvanised roof is a nod to Australian vernacular architecture. Photo – James Deck. Styling – Jackie Brown
