What brings you to the Hills ?

A ‘tree change’ literally.

My family and I had been living in Glen Waverley for 17 years, the past 5 feeling somewhat disconnected and desperate for a change. The pace of life was getting a bit much and we were craving a slower life.

We frequently visited the hills as ‘tourists’ escaping the traffic and noise “down there” to come and walk our dogs up here in the mountains and connect with nature.

Being a nature lover, an avid camper, I love the changing seasons and being outdoors I feel like I am where I truly belong, I can’t ever imagine leaving.

Our Labrador Beau tends to agree !

Can you describe your home style or any unique features it has that makes it special to you ?

We live in the cutest little cottage you ever did see. Although she is not ‘ours’ we love her like she is our own.

At a guess, I would say it would be close to 100 years old and there are many parts of it that are still original. It has alot of character.

My husband, son and I came from a newly renovated contemporary home with all the bells and whistles to this sweet little modest cottage. We don’t even have a dishwasher. Washing dishes looking out of my kitchen window is a joy, I thank both my neighbours for the incredible gardens we get to enjoy from every window. In fact, some of my favourite moments are doing dishes with my son drying them by my side as we chat about life and look out of the window into nature. Precious moments like this that we have gained from living a more ‘simpler’ life. It’s the little things !

We have an old tin roof and I love when the rain falls heavily on it. The front of the home has a lovely verandah, we get to take in the best sunsets as we sit out there watching the world go by.

Our bedroom was the original lounge room of the home (a bigger lounge was later added at some point). We have no use for two lounges so we opted to make this our bedroom, the bonus being we have a fireplace in our bedroom so it is super cosy in winter.

We have a beautiful lush garden which frames every window view and the most the beautiful Magnolia Tree is the hero of the backyard. We have popped an outdoor bath under it and I have enjoyed several baths under the full moon.

Are there any historical aspects or stories of your home that you know about ?

I don’t know a great deal about the history of this home however my lovely neighbour has given me some insight of her property which I am guessing maybe was the ‘main residence’ on a larger block and our home perhaps was the workers cottage to her home. I am yet to confirm this but based on some research I am finding this could quite possibly have been the case.

I have learned an interesting story dating back to the 1800’s which is about an owner of land in my area (which now makes up a long street and more of homes including the land I am now living on).

The story of the owner Henrietta Gulliver and her husband George.

Henrietta was an Australian Artist, I don’t precisely know where her home was in this area but her influence stands strong with me today.

It so has it that Henrietta was a reputable florist and landscape designer as well as an established artist who specialised in landscape and floral still life paintings.

Call it a coincidence but I have a strong interest in landscape and floral photography ! Growing Dahlias for my first time ever here in Sassafras was my inspiration in exploring my floral photography further and being able to take photographs of flowers I had personally grown was something that inspired my decision in attempting to grown them, I am certainly no green thumb, however it so happens I’m pretty good at growing Dahlias !

My ‘goosebump moment’ was learning that one of Henrietta’s oil paintings is at the Castlemaine Art Museum and would you believe the art work is of a bunch of Dahlia’s !

Are there any particular themes, colour or elements throughout your home that reflect your personality or interests ?

The theme throughout my home is all about feeling comfortable, relaxed and cosy.

Home to me is a place to retreat to, a place where I know whenever you walk through the door the feeling of a big hug welcomes you. It’s a place I hope everyone feels welcome and comfortable whenever they come in.

I love sheepskins and cosy blankets textures that make me feel good, my home is a collection of things we love, photos and little things that tell a story or have a memory that we hold close to our hearts.

There are always lots good books nearby to curl up with on the sofa.

*“there are always lots of good books nearby to curl up with on the sofa”*

I like things to be neat and things to have a place so my space doesn’t feel too cluttered. My mind can be very cluttered with lots of ideas going on so it’s important my space balances this out.

I also have alot of indoor plants, I love bringing nature into the home.

There are always flowers in my home, growing Dahlias for the first time had the house filled with beautiful flowers for months, it was amazing !

*Growing Dahlias this year had my home filled with beautiful flowers for months, it was amazing.*

What is your favourite Season ?

This is a really tough question for me to answer, because now having experienced all seasons living here each of them are beautiful in their own ways.

At the time of answering this question, it is Autumn and the days are absolutely glorious, filled with sunshine and the ever changing colours of the beautiful trees. There are alot of European trees here so we have quite the show on right now. It’s incredible.

We moved here in Winter and we loved it. I personally love Winter, I love rugging up and heading out for a walk with the cold air on my cheeks, it makes me feel so alive. I especially love the low clouds and super foggy days it brings, there is nothing quite like it.

Watching Spring come to life was magical, things waking up, new growth and everything starting to flourish, flowers and colour coming back to life was beautiful.

I didn’t expect Summer to be what it was, it is so lush and green and it had a feeling in the air that had a coolness from the trees that provided a relief from any super hot days. It generally is a few degrees cooler up here so even on the hottest of days in Melbourne, it was never too bad up here.

I didn’t really answer this question did I ?!

What do you love about living in the Hills ?

Another tough question !

There is so much I love about living in the Hills. I love the slower lifestyle it brings, sitting on our verandah and watching the world go by, no traffic lights, no noise apart from the local Currawongs or Kookaburras.

I love the trees, the fresh crisp clear air and foggy misty mornings, I love the feeling of being up in the clouds, it’s magical.

I especially love the sense of community, walking into my local cafe and knowing the names of the familiar faces I see there, my local village of shops and the lovely shopkeepers.

The local horses have also become my friends.

I love my neighbourhood and the strong sense of community I feel amongst our neighbours - a sense of knowing we all look out for each other, unfortunately I never felt this kind of connection living in ‘the burbs’ for 17 years.

I grew flowers for the first time, an incredible crop of Dahlias. I shared them with neighbours, my local cafe and random strangers who found their way to me, these experiences were nothing short enlightening and filled my heart with so much joy, again a beautiful connection to community.

*“I shared them with neighbours, my local cafe and random strangers who found their way to me, these experiences were nothing short enlightening and filled my heart with so much joy”*

How does living in the Hills influence your daily life or routine ?

Taking a daily walk in nature is my therapy, it grounds me and brings me back if the pace of life gets a little too fast, which in todays world, it does most days.

There is always a new path to take, new surrounds to take in and beautiful gardens and homes to admire no matter which way I go.

It is always very exciting if I come across an echidna, a kangaroo or dare I say it … a deer - moments like this I feel like I live in a wonderland and I almost want to pinch myself.

*“moments like this I feel like I live in a wonderland and I almost want to pinch myself”*

How do you like to spend your weekends ?

Slowly.

In the cooler weather we often we start our weekends with a coffee in bed with the fire going, or in the warmer weather we will sit outside barefoot, grounding ourselves and enjoying the sounds of the local birdlife. It’s always different, colours are always changing and the different birdsong in the neighbourhood is dependant on who is visiting at any given time, sitting and taking it all in is one of my favourite pastimes.

We are never in a rush to be anywhere or do anything specific on the weekend, quite often we make it up as we go.

One thing for sure, our Labrador Beau is always waiting to go for a walk, that is a given. We then usually stop at one of our favourite cafes or see what markets are on, but ultimately it is always slow.

Do you have a favourite place to visit in the Hills ?

I have lots of favourite places, here are my go to’s !

Proserpina Bakery, Ferny Creek

Warning … it gets busy because it’s that good ! Their Basque Cheesecake is amazing !

The Bureau and Me, Ferny Creek (next door to Proserpina)

One of a kind Vintage Antique Homewares collected from all across the world

The Patch Cafe, The Patch

A hidden gem, popular with locals, yummy food, lots of treats and the happiest staff that greet you !

Cork at Cooks Corner, Kallista - Bistro & Cellar Door with fireplace

Across the road from a beautiful forest, a great place to refuel after your forest bathing walk

Kallista General Store, Kallista

A bit of everything, a great selection of wines, treats, food - a good place to stop and top up your supplies if you are having a local picnic or here for the weekend

Penny Olive Bakery, The Patch

Freshly baked sourdough bread delivered every Friday around 4pm to Kallista General Store and Kallista Biodynamic Market. On Saturdays from 9.30 - 12.30pm they do fresh bread, pastries and more from their cute little bakery in The Patch

The Pig n Whistle, Olinda

A family run traditional English Tavern, so cosy !

Kelly’s Bar & Kitchen, Olinda

A cosy old log cabin that serves bistro style meals

Butlers Vintage Depot, Olinda

Head here for great Antique finds !

Sherbrooke Forest, Sherbrooke

An amazing forest walk, with an abundance of wildlife, peace and tranquility. If you are lucky you may even see and hear a Lyrebird !

Alfred Nichols Gardens, Sherbrooke

A gorgeous walk down to the lake, throughout picturesque gardens

George Tindale Gardens, Sherbrooke

Down the road from Alfred Nichols, another beauty to walk through

Cloud Hill Gardens - Olinda

A stunning 5 acres of manicured gardens to stroll through, onsite cafe and nursery

(entry fee applies)

Piranda Gardens, Olinda

A beautiful walk down to the original home that still stands and an amazing rainforest that is especially beautiful to walk through during winter in the rain

From Dust Sassafras, Sassafras

Lots of goodies here, especially winter knits, gloves, cosy woollies for all - a local favourite of mine

Soap Opera Sassafras - Sassafras & Olinda

Locally made 100% pure and natural products for hair, body & face

The Lost Woods Market, Emerald

Nestled within the picturesque grounds of Puffing Billy Park in Emerald, The Lost Woods Market features the very best makers and creators hand picked from all over Victoria

Helen Jaman Photographer, SASSAFRAS