How’s The Serenity At This Handcrafted Tiny House In Victoria
- Words by Peppermint
If you fancy sinking into a warm outdoor bath (in a recycled cast-iron tub, no less) whilst taking in sweeping views of Gariwerd/Grampians National Park, or cooking up a hearty breakfast from a hamper of locally baked and brined goodies, might we suggest you take a peek inside Nook On The Hill? Built almost entirely from repurposed materials, this tiny house embraces eco-friendly principles to reduce its impact while offering a snug sanctuary for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature.
photos HARLEY BROWN / SAFARI GLOBAL / AS WE WANDER
More than five years in the making (and a decade in planning), Nook On The Hill has been a labour of love, handcrafted over 5,000+ hours by owner and builder Benjamin (Benj) Bailey-Webb as a homage to sustainability and slow living. Inspired by his late father, who built four cottages during Benj’s childhood, Benj set out to create a home of his own, which is tucked away down a gravel road in the village of Pomonal, just under three hours’ drive northwest of Melbourne.
Clever craftsmanship not only impresses on the outside; ceramic light fittings, custom furniture and original artwork by neighbour, Stacey Rees, bring in all the cosy, homemade vibes while the bathroom features hand-painted tiles and a handmade ceramic sink. “I wanted as many elements of the house to be as bespoke as possible,” says Benj. “When I didn’t know how to do something, I found an expert and set out to learn from them.”
Designed to encourage relaxation and reflection, Benj describes the Nook as a slow escape from a fast world. “Slow living to me is about living within our means, placing emphasis on quality and using a high level of consideration when deciding on the things in life that we consume,” he says. “Really dialling in on the purpose to our actions and in the end, leaving this place better than how we found it.” For stacks of sustainable DIY inspo (or to book yourself a toasty spot by the firepit) visit Nook on the Hill.
You might also like
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Brighten up your inbox with our not-too-frequent emails featuring Peppermint-related news, events, competitions and more!
explore
More articles
Hang out with us on Instagram
Between 2000 to 2015, global clothing production doubled... while the duration of garment use decreased by 36%.
We are throwing away clothing at a faster rate than ever before. How can we tackle this problem?
✨️ WEAR
Be an outfit repeater - wear your items of clothing as long as possible. Learn to style your garments in various ways. Loved clothing lasts.
✨️ SHARE
If you really need to move it along, share the love with friends - hold a clothing exchange night! Or organise a timeshare with a friend where you swap a few favourite pieces of fashion. If you really can`t find a new home for it, then donate to an op shop or charity.
✨️ CARE
The care of your clothing – washing, drying and ironing – can account for approx 30% of a garment`s total carbon footprint. Hand wash, line dry, wash in cold water, and only wash when necessary.
✨️ REPAIR
Mending – and making – slows down fast fashion buying habits. Repairing used to be common practice, until disposable fashion took over. Extending the life of clothing by just nine months can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20–30%. Fixing doesn`t need to just be utilitarian – get creative with visible mending!
*Fact from The United Nations Environment Programme
#PeppermintMagazine #WearShareCareRepair #SustainableFashion
Have you whipped up the Acacia A-Line Skirt yet? 🪡
Accessible to beginner and experienced sewists alike, its classic style makes this skirt a wardrobe staple and a pattern you can happily play on repeat. Curved front pockets and the fun exposed-zip detail at the centre back make this style pop! The Acacia is a blank canvas, awaiting inspiration – add contrast top stitching, trim the pockets with bias binding or even change the length. We’ve chosen the smooth, clean lines that come from facing the waist, with back darts to ensure a neat fit on the hip. *chef’s kiss*
This pattern was made with the support of the lovely folk at @WeftAndWarpFabrics 🫶🏼 The team at Weft and Warp graciously sent three sewists the fabric of their choice to whip up their own Acacia A-Line – the results are super sweet!
Head to our website to see the makes from @The.Sewcialite @HandmadeByCarolyn and @You_CanSew - link in bio!
#PeppermintAcaciaAlineSkirt #PeppermintPatterns #WeftAndWarpFabrics #MeMade
Polka dots for days…
We love this Tansey Top by @_Rubys_Threads_ - the ultimate simple but stylish top you need in your rotation now!
Pattern: #PeppermintTanseyTop
Fabric: Japanese cotton @RawFibre
#MeMade #PeppermintPatterns
How`s your long weekend going? Working hard on your PhD? 🪡✂️🧵
Image from JoellsLeatherWorks on @Etsy
#ProjectsHalfDone #SewingPile #ProjectPile
In case no-one has told you lately, Emma Giacalone says you`re a good egg. (And we happen to agree).
This incredible mini egg embroidered 3D artwork was created by @Emma_Giacalone_Textiles, a textile artist in Gloucestershire, UK.
"When we buy an item of clothing, a label is attached telling us how to look after it to keep it at its very best. My mission is to create little care instructions to help to remind us to lead our happiest life."
INGREDIENTS: Freehand machine embroidered onto 100% cotton, using Egyptian cotton thread, and wool felt backing.
#EasterArt #GoodEgg #TextileArt
No ordinary wrap dress! 💃
Wrap dress wardrobe malfunction? Not with the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress pattern! We designed the Waratah to make sure this never happens.
Enjoy a few BTS videos from this super fun shoot. Maybe some inspo for Easter weekend sewing?
MODELS/SEWISTS: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress @Tricky.Pockets @Laura_The_Maker
Head to the link in bio for the #PeppermintWaratahWrapDress 🪡
#PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress
