House Trethewey

Projects | 2025 | Links:

Beginning in 2007 with an empty plot of land, the tallest thing was an anthill, my wife and I developed the property into a paradise for our family, with a large family home, cottage, rolling lawns and gardens.

Starting with owner-building a cottage in 2010, and then having the privilege to work with a great architect, builder and QS to develop our dream home, looking down the valley into the sunsets.

We planted over 300 trees, many of which I grew from seed. Other great features we added in the 15 years we lived on the property:

1. A “house-tree”, because the trees had not grown large enough for a tree-house
2. A pool with the deep end in the middle (because that makes sense, right?)
3. Everything two young boys could ever want - from the trampoline and jungle gym when they were toddlers to the zip-line, cricket nets and football field as they grew up

Cottage & dust, 2010 Laying the first grass Pouring the roof slab for the main house, 2016 The secret house tree, up the bookshelf Establishing the gardens Summer swims A kids paradise The most spectacular sunset views that made us fall in love with the location in the first place

We sold the property in 2025 to move closer to our boy’s school. This became a great life lesson on putting effort in to get the rewards, and letting go when the time comes to move on to new things.