Room with a view
Multi-award-winning accredited building designer Melanie Symington shares her daily schedule working from her dreamy Belle Grove Estate property.
MORNING
After moving to a rural property on 37 acres in the foothills of the Watagans, Melanie Symington starts her day enjoying nature. “Most mornings my day starts with tea and toast in the conservatory watching the little wallabies and birds,” she says.
“We’ve lived out here in the valley for about 18 months now, but this is still a favourite part of my day. Melanie and husband Carl will often take their dog Marley out for a stroll around the grounds before starting the workday. “Our daughter Laura and her husband Paul live just over the creek with their new puppy, so when they join us, chaos ensues!”
MIDDAY
While the first hour or two in the office disappear quickly with correspondence and project planning, Melanie uses the next part of her day for clients.
“I meet with some builders in the barn studio to discuss upcoming construction projects. I work with several different builders and like to remain available to them during the construction stage.” If Melanie needs to head to an afternoon meeting in Newcastle, she will squeeze in
a catch up. “I recently enjoyed a delicious lunch at Bistro Penny with a dear friend.”
AFTERNOON
Afternoons are spent with clients at on-site meetings to discuss elements of their new home designs.
Back in the office by mid-afternoon, Melanie spends a few precious hours in the studio on design work before ending her office hours by taking Marley for another walk.
“We live on a quiet country road so this is a great way to wind down. I often solve design challenges on these walks too, as the change of scenery can really help to clear and refocus the mind.”
EVENING
When the sun goes down, Melanie loves nothing more than preparing dinner in her stunning kitchen. “If I’ve organised myself, I might use an old and trusted recipe for a beautifully rich lamb ragout pasta. It requires the addition of a handful of prosciutto, some of which ends up as a delicious ‘chef’s treat’.” Carl and Melanie like to round out the day with a glass of local Pinot Noir by the fire and an old episode of The West Wing. “If we’ve had a particularly cold day we’ll light the fire in the bedroom, so retiring for the evening is blissful.”
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