My tiny home was designed to not only adapt to my evolving needs, but also prioritise sustainability, durability, and low operating costs. Its north-facing orientation captures maximum sunlight throughout the day, with strategically placed windows ensuring the interior remains bright without overheating - keeping the home cool in summer and warm in winter. High-performance insulation in the walls, floor, and ceiling enhances energy efficiency, while a bathroom extractor fan and a wood-burning stove help regulate moisture and maintain a dry, warm living environment year-round. My intention is to go fully off-grid so I have a composting toilet, grey water pump (with plans for a future reed bed filtration system), and a 5,000-litre water tank. A clever external access door utilises the dead space beneath the stairs to provide secure storage for tools, suitcases, and the future solar power system - reducing the need for additional outbuildings. The flexible layout includes a ground-level bedroom with a private entrance for sanctuary and ease of access, and a multi-purpose loft that can function as an office, meditation space, guest room, or children’s play area. The bannister and balustrade - soon to be crafted from hand-selected driftwood - will enhance the natural aesthetic while maintaining openness and light flow. All appliances have been carefully selected for energy efficiency, including a gas hob and oven, a low-water-use washing machine, and a quiet, economical fridge-freezer - keeping running costs to a minimum while supporting an off-grid lifestyle.

Careful thought was given when designing my home to ensure it would support my long-term needs to include comfort, functionality and flexibility. It includes all essential spaces - a full kitchen, generous bathroom, spacious living area and a ground-level bedroom. The open-plan kitchen and lounge area feels light and expansive, thanks to a curved ceiling and whitewashed walls. This airy space effortlessly enables me to dance, exercise, entertain guests, or simply unwind by the fire reading a book.. The kitchen offers excellent functionality, with ample storage including a pantry under the stairs, a bespoke ten-drawer cabinet made from refurbished drawers, a handcrafted macrocarpa bench top, and a deep butler sink finished with brass tapware. The bathroom combines style with practicality: a curved, luxuriously sized shower with a brass rain head, a carved macrocarpa bench supporting a marble basin and a leadlight medicine cabinet that echoes the home’s sacred geometric design elements. A Bambooloo composting toilet continues the curved theme. The room has allows for Internal access to the under-stair storage and space to house the washing machine tucked behind the shower. Character, comfort and simple furnishings were chosen over built in units to accommodate freestanding furniture I already owned allowing me to to incorporate feng shui principles to further enhance energy flow - minimalising clutter and maximising opportunities to change and/or move furniture so the space could have multiple purposes. The bedroom offers a tranquil, private sanctuary that’s cocooned in colour from the leadlight rose-patterned door and peacock windows, radiating warmth and intimacy. The curved ceiling adds a sense of being held and nurtured. I deliberately chose to not have a built-in wardrobe so I had the freedom to recreate the layout; clothing is neatly stored in lidded boxes on wheels beneath the bed to maintain both order and openness. Future plans include a deck accessible from both the living area and bedroom to enhance indoor-outdoor flow and further extend the liveable footprint.

Craftsmanship and sustainability were guiding principles throughout the entire build. All work was completed using qualified local tradespeople and suppliers, with a strong focus on care, precision, and intentional use of materials. I personally sanded, oiled, primed, and painted every piece of timber — saving thousands and deepening my connection to the home. Creative and economical material use was central to the process: • Spruce offcuts from lining the ceiling were repurposed to clad the bathroom walls and ceiling, giving it a warm, cohesive look while increasing moisture resistance. • Plywood offcuts were transformed into cupboard doors and used to frame the round and oval windows. • Marketplace-sourced tiles added both character and practicality — leftover pebble shower floor tiles were reused on the hearth, and spare kitchen tiles were applied around the bathroom sink for visual continuity, the colour complementing the brass tapware but styled differently to create distinction. High-quality and unique finishes include: • Natural Japanese cedar cladding secured with copper nails, combining aesthetic appeal with durability • Corrugated iron offcuts from the curved shower were reused behind the Roaring Meg wood-burning stove • A bespoke raised hearth shaped to mirror the hexagonal ends of the building, also providing storage underneath for wet shoes and firewood • Custom flashing for the curved roofline — a detail requiring specialist attention and care • Vintage fittings and upcycled furniture sourced from marketplace, including a standout ten-drawer unit converted into a striking kitchen cabinet with deep butler sink Every element was thoughtfully selected, crafted, or reimagined to contribute to the overall functionality and beauty of the home. The result is a space that’s not only durable and efficient but also rich with personality and purpose.

Flow and functionality are core themes of both sacred geometry and feng shui principles – both foundational to the design of my home - each area feels like a designated space that serves a purpose. The layout efficiently maximises light and space: • The lounge sits in a cosy nook at one end of the home framed by striking peacock-patterned stained glass windows and the geometric end of the structure. • The kitchen benefits from its central position which allows for a wide open living area and benefits from stair-adjacent storage that lead to the loft. • The high walled back to the centrally placed loft completes the living area serving a multitude of purposes – primarily as office space, but also meditation retreat, guest bedroom and play area for the grandchildren to do artwork. The curved floorspace under the oval window forms a soft arched transition into the gallery style hallway for feature artwork - connecting the living area, bathroom and bedroom. • The bathroom is strategically placed under the loft to make it easily accessible to guests without disturbing the privacy of the bedroom. • The ground-level bedroom sits at the other end of the home – the walled-off loft and internal door creating a peaceful sanctuary cocooned beneath the curved ceiling. The space is further enhanced by an external door which offers a simple, soulful way to greet the morning and gently unwind at the end of the day. The continuous curved roofline lifts the sense of space and encourages airflow, while natural materials (macrocarpa, cedar, and spruce) and passive features (insulation, cross ventilation, and thermal zoning) support comfort and air quality. Key innovative features include: • A split set of antique rose-patterned stained-glass doors - one used for the bathroom, the other for the bedroom - adding vibrant colour and privacy. • Peacock-patterned stained-glass windows at both ends of the home that cast rich jewel-toned light throughout the day – irrespective of the external conditions. • A concealed under-stair storage area, accessed from outside, providing secure space for tools, equipment and a future solar system • A generous multi-use floor space in the heart of the home that supports dancing, exercise, socialising or simply soaking up the sun through wide-opening double doors. The overall design creates a seamless blend of function, beauty, and innovation.

The sweeping curved roofline, hexagonal ends, and symmetrical exterior form, create a look that is both soothing and striking. This distinct style is amplified by a hand-selected collection of arched, stained-glass, and leadlight doors and windows - reflecting a quirky, artistic flair that brings colour, character, and my personality into the home. A fusion of sacred geometry, biomimicry, and feng shui principles elicits a sense of flow, balance, and wellbeing throughout the space. The design mirrors my core values: playful, resourceful, filled with treasured finds - all ignited by a ‘soular powered’ (soulful) approach to life. Standout features include: • Arched, leadlight doors that echo the flowing lines of the curved roof • Stained-glass doors and windows that infuse colour and soul • Circular and oval windows, strategically placed in the lounge, loft, and bedroom, to create visual interest and a playful ambience • Copper-coloured drainpipes at either end of the home that add a bold visual accent, drawing the eye to the stained-glass windows • A bespoke brass portal window that’s both practical and deeply personal - honouring my great-great-great-grandfather, Sir James Clark Ross, who discovered the North Magnetic Pole in the Arctic and the Ross Sea region in Antarctica. It brings light and fresh air into the bathroom while serving as a striking external feature in the living area - a daily reminder of my family’s spirit of exploration and deep connection to the natural world • A curved shower, matching macrocarpa benchtop, and undulating marble basin that echo the soft, rounded forms carried throughout the home - creating a harmonious, cohesive, and calming ambience • Soft Orchid white walls that offer a calm, reflective canvas for carefully curated pops of colour through art, furnishings, and feature lighting Upcycled and repurposed materials add layers of character and sustainability, ensuring that the home is not only beautiful but also deeply personal. Every element - from materials and finishes to furniture placement has been chosen with intention. The result is a space that feels vibrant and inviting - light-filled, harmonious, and full of soul.

This build is the realisation of a long-held dream: to own my own home after 17 years of renting. It was made possible thanks to money left to me by my mother - a woman who loved renovating homes and whose spirit is embedded in every part of this project. I chose to name my home, Shekina, which means “mother’s protection” - a tribute to her legacy and the tranquil sanctuary I’ve created. I thoroughly enjoyed being hands-on throughout the build - from design and project managing through to the more practical tasks like oiling, sanding, painting timber, repurposing materials and upcycling furnishings - every detail reflected not just practical needs, but my quirky creative, playful, and resourceful character My home is a physical expression of my personal philosophy and wellbeing work – a testament to how our outer environment reflects the state of our inner world. Completing Shekina reignited my own belief that we all hold untapped potential, and that when we commit to taking small, consistent steps toward a vision, we can go further than we ever imagined. A friend created a short video with musical backing to who you around the home - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFqyBqJb5DQ The link provided below is the featured episode on Living Big in a Tiny Home.

Brett Hulley Architecture, Clunie Sawmill - Denis Clunie, Bay of Islands Plumbing & Gas - Mike, Ethan Keeble - Tiler