Nothing says mountains’ like a proper log cabin. The home of artist and designer Julie Paterson, Timberline fits the bill with a distinctive stylish edge. Made from local timber in the 1980s, this home is warm and inviting.

The exterior has just been refreshed with a dark sepia oil stain. The timber is protected from the weather and you can still see the beauty of the grain underneath. The deck has recently been replaced with new wide Karri boards. A newly built set of stairs leads down to the back garden, designed to be wide and deep. North-facing, they are a great spot to enjoy a morning cuppa with the paper or a glass of wine at sunset.

The cabin sits on a generous half acre. On the front verandah, you look out to a mostly native garden with lawn and a circular driveway. It’s like a park, and it’s a place that invites you outside to enjoy the mountains weather, the stars and the birds. (Right now, the tawny frogmouths are back!)

Inside the cabin, the vaulted ceiling creates a sense of space and the cypress pine timber walls make it feel warm and cosy. The lounge area has two distinct areas with a handsome slow combustion fire at one end and an entertainment space in the other.

The kitchen is newly renovated to make the most of the space. New cabinetry is dark and sophisticated. A wide oak bench-top separates the kitchen and dining room, creating a breakfast bar. The leather door handles were made from Julie’s old sample books.

The master bedroom has lots of built-in wardrobes, and an ensuite, and leads to a small office space. The second bedroom looks out to the front of the house with large windows. There’s a main bathroom and a separate laundry that leads out onto the back deck.

Julie’s studio is a converted double garage, with roll-a-doors to the front, and recycled windows and doors installed to the West and North. It’s insulated and spacious, and Julie loves that it sits in the garden near the veggie patch and her outdoor bath area by the water tanks.

The property has a large second storage shed in really good nick, and a smaller woodshed in not-so-good nick.

Timberline is a lovely place to live and work,’ says Julie. My favourite thing? Sitting on the deck stoking the fire-pit and looking at the stars.’