The Selection

Durie's vision of constructing an environmentally conscious abode is at last materialising. Perched upon the cliffs of Sydney's Northern Beaches, this sprawling six-storey estate, while grand in stature, leaves a minimal carbon footprint.

Surrounded by verdant garden walls and crowned with rooftop greenery, the design prioritises energy efficiency, employing low-emission materials and cutting-edge technology. Embracing a self-sustaining ethos, the residence will operate entirely off-grid, harnessing power from photovoltaic solar panels.

"I believe individuals are increasingly embracing the notion that this represents a novel approach to construction," he remarks. "There's no need to adhere to the same unattractive options we've been accustomed to, and the cost differential for constructing an environmentally friendly residence is minimal."

Every facet of Durie's new home, including its flooring supplied by Carpet Court, epitomises how eco-innovation is now within reach for all homeowners.

Durie has opted for Latitude in Endless in the spare and kids bedrooms and study, an ECONYL® fibre carpet crafted entirely from regenerated nylon waste, including old carpets, fabric scraps, and discarded fishing nets.

Despite being derived from recycled plastics, this twist pile carpet boasts a luxuriously soft texture - "reminiscent of velvet."

"It feels exquisite underfoot, and the manufacturing process behind these carpets is truly remarkable."

In the master bedroom, Jamie has selected pure wool because it's renewable and recyclable. Correa in Eucalyptus is beautifully crafted from 100% wool fibre, this range is incredibly resilient. Wool fibres provide a multitude of benefits for you and your home, including hypoallergenic qualities, resistance to soiling and staining, as well as the ability to spring back to shape with wool's great elasticity. These features combine to create a carpet that is environmentally conscious and is bound to maintain its fantastic look.

The rest of the house features an Australian Spotted Gum, Native Squared in Spotted Gum Rustic. This engineered timber flooring option is sustainably sourced. Products that come from managed forests, not virgin old-growth forests, are an important part of using products that have a renewable resource. 

Even the hard flooring underlay Advantage 3 is crafted from recycled materials — old car tyres. 

"Developing products that tackle this issue provide a compelling argument for cleaning up our planet."

Durie advises homeowners to ask straightforward questions to ensure they make eco-friendly decisions. Key inquiries include determining if the tree is FSC-certified or sourced from old-growth forests, identifying whether the plastic is virgin or recycled, and assessing its origin from petroleum or fossil fuel base versus ocean-harvested plastic. It's essential to approach the design process with integrity, focusing on eco-integrity throughout.