Late in 2015, I discovered BLUE WATERS, a seven acre farm located across the road from Cuttagee Beach, five minutes south of Bermagui on the NSW far South Coast. Other places I had looked at in the region with my late husband, over the last few years, had all been bought when I was finally in a position to buy. But just as it seemed I had missed out on a dream house,  I found Blue Waters on the internet and decided to check it out.

I fell in love with it instantly but had to wait two to three months before it could be mine. In that time, my mind was unstoppable and I woke each day with more ideas for how to use the space. By the time I took possession of the property in February 2016, my plans included building: a house for myself; a multi-roomed B&B; a library for my husband, Thor's, PhD books on Western and Japanese Art Theory and Aesthetics as well as Japanese Bonsai and Landscaping Design and Theory; and an art studio for my own work and available for residencies. It had become the BEAUSEANT PROJECT, embodying Thor's legacy - the family motto:

Be glorious!

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So began a journey on a vertical learning curve as I researched building materials, design programs, building legislation, the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way of building and the use of renewable power and low-impact disposal of waste. The farm was to be developed simultaneously with the renovation of our old house in Canberra - surely some sort of insanity, you might think! However, the renovations have been an excellent source of information and experience, dealing with builders, suppliers (who suddenly closed their Canberra shop while we were waiting for delivery of a new front and back doors) and bargain-hunting on the internet.

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Below are some images of the beginning of the project and a timeline to follow its progress...