This Secluded Modern Barnhouse Takes Indoor Outdoor Living to a New Level

Nestled at the base of a hillside in the northern New South Wales village of Nunderi, in the Tweed Shire, ZEB House is an exquisite sight to behold. A feat of Australian design, this impressive modern barnhouse was the brainchild of Christal Alexander. She wanted her children to grow up on acreage that was as organically raw and natural as possible. Therefore, indoor-outdoor living that seamlessly embraced the idyllic surroundings was a requirement.

The location of ZEB House couldn’t be more inviting — surrounded by dense hillside shrubbery and green forests with mountains glimpsed in the distance, this residence is distinguished by its smooth, dark Axon cladding that fully embraces the revitalising energy of the great outdoors. 

However, finding the ideal location and making it serviceable for the foundations of ZEB House was no mean feat. “It was a lot of work — overgrown bushes, weeds…you couldn’t even drive down here. The work was big — my husband purchased a 23-tonne excavator, and he dug at the land for a year to finally have this,” reveals Christal.  

“I chose ABI because [...] I love the aesthetics of their products. They look amazing, they’re very functional. I love the brass finish.”

Inside, an open plan living and dining space flows out to the effortlessly accommodating alfresco area — an essential requirement for Christal, who envisioned grand openings and a kitchen that flowed seamlessly to the exterior. 

Our Elysian Commercial Pull-Out Mixer in brushed brass complements this beautiful white modern farmhouse kitchen, featuring a timber finish, which Christal says aligns perfectly with the indoor-outdoor country-style feel she aspired for. 

“I wanted to bring nature into our home,” continued Christal “I wanted it to be very earthy [with] lots of travertine to keep flowing with living basically out on the land and the country. I wanted to have a single-story house, [as] raw and natural as possible.”

The inviting living area reflects this raw and real ideal — characterised by a colossal cast-iron fireplace for those cooler winter months. It is mounted on a concrete bench and framed rustically by a lime-washed brick wall that equally enhances the country feel of this space. 

“We don’t have a TV out here. We didn’t want a TV out here because we wanted this space to be more of a place to connect and feel at home and really have time with our children,” continues Christal.

Down from the kitchen, a spacious ‘kid’s quarter’ has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate the younger generation, including a ‘breakout area’ and a paired-back, organic yet aesthetic bathroom. It features a freestanding bath and our Elysian Gooseneck Shower Rail Set, with matching brushed brass tapware and accessories for consistency and travertine tiles continuing that natural flow throughout.

“A master bedroom for me is key — it’s the focal point for me. [...] The A-frame window is the masterpiece [of] our master bedroom and our house.”

Christal reveals that she purposefully designed ZEB House around her master bedroom — a grand parental space defined by a generous-sized A-frame window that flows over to the ensuite and provides eye-popping vistas of the surrounding green forest vegetation.

Featured with our Elysian Gooseneck Shower Rail Set and a round bath with our Floor Mounted Bath Filler, the open double shower idealistically looks out to the staggering Nunderi exteriors.

“My favourite part is waking up in the morning to have beautiful blue skies with no curtain and just a beautiful view to appreciate all the hard work that we’ve done.”

Christal chose our Cross Progressive Mixer and Spout Set due to the corresponding country feeling they evoked, which fits perfectly with the modern barnhouse design she wanted to accomplish.

“When you walk into my home, I want you to feel relaxed. It’s a space to kick back and just enjoy [the] serenity that surrounds us.”

The laundry continues this rustic theme — our Henley Double Fluted Farmhouse Sink and Gooseneck Wall-Mounted Swivel Spout, with Cross Assembly Taps framed beautifully by travertine tiles, provide a timeless addition to the scheme. 

“I chose ABI because [...] I love the aesthetics of their products — they look amazing, they’re very functional, [and] I’ve actually used them in two other projects,” reveals Christal. “[So], it was a no-brainer that we had to use ABI again.”

ZEB House makes a persuasive statement for indoor-outdoor living that uses open spaces,  a warm and welcoming neutral palette and the elegance of brushed brass tapware and accessories to create a family home that can be appreciated for generations to come.  

Consider venturing behind the design of The Social Weaver’s Japanese-Style House.