Indoor outdoor living by Richard Powers photography

Today my online interior design ideas and inspirational blog is finally born and what a better place to start than with sharing my dream home.

As a keen traveler, trekker and interior designer now living in Brisbane, I love the rainforest and the indoor outdoor living and lifestyle that is so typical of Queensland.

Many years ago whilst working in London, I designed my first warehouse apartment for a lovely couple, Richard and Danielle in Clerkenwell, East London. Richard Powers was then and still is a keen photographer and has since photographed many gorgeous houses around the world. One of these houses is my dream home, a lovely rainforest retreat designed by the owner architect Arthur Casa.

Richard Powers

I love the indoor outdoor living, double height ceilings and the natural backdrop of the rainforest. It gives a huge sense of openness to the living areas and a direct relationship with nature.

Richard Powers

Inside, ethnic patterns, natural fabrics and rich earthy tones add warmth and texture to the living areas.

An indoor outdoor dining area has been integrated with the cooking area to one end of the kitchen island design whilst a feature pendant light, designed by Camilla Diedrich for Rotaliana, hangs over the other end.

This house creates a beautiful balance between the surrounding natural habitat, clean architectural lines and an ethnic modern vibe.

Thank you for reading my first post. Feel free to leave a comment or share with me what your dream home looks like.

Natural modern interiors by Lisa Coulburn

Natural Modern Interiors is about natural interiors, eco homes, eclectic rooms and beautiful things I find on my travels and as a collection of interior design ideas to promote the use of natural furniture, materials and methods to renovate, decorate and style your home.

I believe that your home should be your retreat – a place to escape to that reflects your lifestyle, personality and individuality. How you renovate or decorate your home can have a big influence on how you feel when you are relaxing, entertaining or working from home.

My own style is natural modern with an eclectic twist and a strong connection to the outdoors. 

While I am sourcing products, materials and creating designs for my clients I also support the following principles:

Reduce, reuse, recycle

This involves taking unloved furniture and waste materials and transforming them into new furniture or new uses. Why? This reduces the need for consuming new raw materials thus reducing energy use, landfill and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Low VOC’s & non-toxic materials

Materials such as paints, stains, varnishes, carpet, furniture and kitchen joinery can off-gas producing poor air quality in your home. This can continue for years after the products and materials are initially installed. By selecting products that are non-toxic and low or no VOC you are improving the quality of your air within your home and reducing the effects of poor air quality on your health. Learn more about air quality & Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Made in Australia

By buying furniture and homewares made in Australia you are supporting local Australian communities, maintaining creative skills and local craftsmanship and reducing energy consumption and green house gas emissions by avoiding overseas transportation.

Fair trade

Is the term given to a movement to promote a better financial relationship between producers, sellers and consumers. By buying Fairtrade products you area supporting farmers, their families and communities in receiving more stable and secure incomes and better working conditions. 

Thank you for your interest in Natural Modern Interiors. I do enjoy reading all your messages so feel free to write me with any questions, comments, suggestions and story ideas. You can visit my contact page to send me an email. 

I look forward to hearing from you.