Four Winds Home Tour: The Benefits of Living In Nature
Posted: 16 May 2025
There's more to nature than just great views
There’s so much power in letting nature lead
It changes the pace of your days, the design of your home, and even the way you think.
For Nerissa and her family who lovingly restored Four Winds (a stunning 1950s home nestled in the northern NSW hinterland) nature wasn’t an afterthought. It was the starting point.
From the moment they arrived, they knew this land was something special.
We were lucky enough to speak to Nerissa, the owner of Fourwinds
She gave us a look behind the design and how her experience as an interior designer helped shape this home.
Q: What drew you to the location of Four Winds, and how did it influence your design choices?
A: The land — views over the sugarcane, the calm of the hinterland. It felt grounded, soulful. We knew right away that whatever we re-built had to honour that feeling. The house itself was a 1950s Queenslander — full of charm but needed renovating, which was a perfect project for myself (being an Interior Designer / Stylist at Bay Design Co.) and Sam, who is a Builder (S J Reynolds Constructions). We didn’t want to erase its history, just rework it so it could breathe again. We opened it up, brought in light, and let the outside in. Every decision was about responding to what was already here — soft textures, raw materials, windows placed to catch the view rather than steal it. Creating the perfect lifestyle and family.
Q: How has living in nature changed the way you feel day to day?
A: It’s completely shifted how we move through the day, creating the perfect lifestyle for our family. Being surrounded by nature creates this calm rhythm — things feel slower, more intentional. Nature has a way of grounding everything and invoking creativity and connection to the outdoors.
While the sweeping views and clever design do plenty of heavy lifting, it’s the small spaces that hold the most meaning.
Q: What’s your favourite small space in the house, and why does it resonate with you?
A: The kitchen is my favourite small space — it’s the heart of the home, open yet intimate. From there, you can take in views, with morning light pouring through. It’s where everything happens — meals, conversations, quiet moments. It feels grounded, connected, and full of life.
Q: What elements did you include in the build to help you feel more connected to the outdoors, even when you're inside?
A: We treated the landscape as part of the architecture. Big windows, lots of natural light, and materials that feel like they belong — timber, stone, linen. Allowing nature views to do the rest. Bringing the outdoors in was the main design brief.
Q: How do you want people to feel when they walk through your front door?
A: At ease. Like they can breathe out. There’s a softness here — and how the home holds people. It’s lived-in, loved, and layered with intention. You can feel the connection to nature with views from all spaces.
This house is proof that when you build with nature in mind, you create something that lasts longer than trends. Something that feels like home.
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