A Family’s Northern Rivers A-frame

Images by Amelia Rushforth

Copywriter Phoebe Golden and her young family reside in an asymmetrical A-frame — formerly a holiday chalet — where they awake to birdsong and drift off to the rumbling ocean: a setting that feels plucked from the pages of a children's book. Captured by Amelia Rushforth and described (as you would imagine) in pitch perfect detail by the talented wordsmith, it needs little more introduction. Just in time for Mother’s Day, enjoy this vignette of family life with Phoebe, her husband Jochen, son Walter, twins Otto & Mathilda, and cat Strudel at their beloved bush cabin. 

“Home will always be my husband, Jochen, and our three children, Walter, Otto and Mathilda. But our address will lead you to an ‘80s asymmetrical A-frame nestled in the treetops behind Cabarita Beach. 

“The area was originally built as a holiday retreat, complete with a tennis club, pools, a restaurant, and Clydesdale rides through the bush for the kids. While most of that sits forgotten (awaiting restoration or demolition, time will tell), the holiday chalets are now private homes—tucked away throughout the forest to the delight of their owners and the despair of any delivery person. It’s different. But we like that. 

The area was originally built as a holiday retreat, complete with a tennis club, pools, a restaurant, and Clydesdale rides through the bush for the kids.

“Our house was inspired by a cabin in a book called ‘Houses Architects Live In.’ The cabin was referred to as a “glorified tent” by its architect and builder, Wendell Lovett, who designed it to take in the sweeping views of Crane Island in Washington. My favourite feature of Wendell’s vision (thankfully adopted into ours) is the huge angular windows on either side of the house. They are dreadful with rain, difficult to restore, and downright impossible to clean. But I’m crazy about them. They give the forest a constant presence in our home.

“We’ve lived here for about five years now, which is the longest I’ve stayed at one address since I was 10. Before here, we bounced around a couple of rentals closer to Byron, and before that we lived in my husband’s home-country of Germany. Moving to the Northern Rivers after Berlin apartment-living was a big change. It took me ages to get used to the quiet at night, but now that sense of calm is one of our favourite things here. The trees are always rustling, the birds are calling, and on really quiet nights, you can hear the distant ocean.

“I don’t know how long this home will suit our family, but it feels right in this moment. It’s open but cosy. It’s old but interesting. It’s work but it’s rewarding. There’s no ensuite or walk-in anything, but the only thing that could make this house feel small to us is other people’s standards. You can hear the kids’ laughter from the kitchen. You can toss down their clothes to the breakfast table from upstairs. It’s the right amount of room for us all to spread out and stay close and keep under control. And when the kids are older, there’s an entire forest for them to explore. I should hope that’s enough.”

It’s open but cosy. It’s old but interesting. It’s work but it’s rewarding.

“We bought this house when I was about 7 months pregnant with our firstborn Walter and it was unlivable at that point. The old asbestos tiled roof was aching, there were holes in the walls and graffiti on the beams. But even with all that, we were charmed by its potential. The day we viewed the house, we spotted a koala in the forest, took it as a good sign and put in our offer. It remains the only koala we’ve seen nearby, so it must’ve been pretty lucky. 

“In the span of about four months, the roof and floors were replaced, the walls replastered, the kitchen and bathroom rebuilt. We tried to make choices that would honour the original style of the home, and we’d like to nudge that further in the future when we have more time and sleep on our side. We moved in right as Covid was shutting everything down and let ourselves nestle into young family life at home. Now that the kids are 3, 3, and 5, it feels like we’re only just emerging from that stupour.” 

“Our bedroom sits at the back of the chalet, almost suspended in the forest, offering glimpses of the hills through the branches. We chose mirrored doors for the wardrobe to capture the view on both sides of the bed, so no matter which way you wake up facing, you look out to the canopy. A few times a year, we awake enveloped in a thick fog—those are the most special. 

“It’s a really bright room but there’s not much need for privacy. My mum cleverly sewed the sheer curtains for us, which softly filter the afternoon light. The pitched ceiling reaches about 4 metres, so it was no easy task. When the moon is heavy and high, it shines right through them from the top of the window, sending shadows across the room.” 

Phoebe & Jochen's bed is made with a combination of 100% Linen Bedding in Lake & Khaki, paired with a Heavy Linen Cushion Cover in seasonal colour, Midnight. 

“Even though we’ve got another spare bedroom, it’s always made sense to put the kids together in one space. At this age, they don’t want to sleep alone—plus, it makes tidying up easier. Their bedroom is upstairs in the largest room of the house and I dream of one day having built-in bunks. For now, it’s about 80% books with an assortment of vintage knick-knacks and artwork. The floor is typically strewn with costumes and the kids are yet to hit each other with the antique juggling pins.”

Precious toys are kept snug amongst our 100% Linen Bedding in an assortment of Lake, Lilac, Mist & Khaki. For an extra layer of warmth: our Quilted Bed Covers in two-tone Khaki/Stone & Chestnut/Mist. 

“Every corner of our house is filled with objects of meaning, all slowly and gently brought home over time. I’ve always been drawn to pieces that are either old, interesting, or both. Old, like our Arabia Ruska dinnerware, which was a gift to my grandparents on their wedding day. Interesting, like the Fearon Chub bench seat, which adds fun and colour to the heart of the home. Or both, like the antique wooden icebox fridge, which we use as a liquor cabinet.

I’ve always been drawn to pieces that are either old, interesting, or both.

“All of our artwork is incredibly special to us. We bought the Jordy Kerwick piece after our wedding, back when he was selling paintings over Instagram, and feel so lucky to enjoy it every day. I’ve also been a long-time admirer of Jordy van den Nieuwendijk’s, and when he moved to Australia right after we did it felt like a sign to finally get one of his paintings. We chose this “Koala” piece as a little nod to the koala we saw on our first visit here. Just this year we’ve become the excited owners of a Sara Winfield painting. Her use of colour is phenomenal.

“Many of our most beloved objects, though, would probably look like a pile of junk to anyone else. A cobblestone from the street we lived on in Berlin. An old pair of fencing pliers, which are the only thing my dad recovered from his childhood home after it burnt down. A toy tractor—a replica of my father-in-law’s.” 

Mathilda & cat Strudel stretch out on our Quilted Bed Covers in two-tone Lilac/Mist & Chestnut/Mist. 

“To me, the most important part of being a copywriter is paying attention. Not just to what’s out there but to what isn’t. I’ve always been deeply interested in other people, so this part of the work really tickles my brain. I love picking up on the small stuff that makes all the difference. 

To me, the most important part of being a copywriter is paying attention. Not just to what’s out there but to what isn’t.

“My first professional experience as a copywriter was with the three founders of Willow and Blake in Melbourne before I moved my life overseas. It was short, but felt radical. Good writing and inspiring people make their impression like that—instantaneously. I’ve had a few opportunities to write with their (much larger) team over the years since, and it’s always a highlight. 

“Recently I’ve wrapped up a very exciting project for Gentle Habits. It’s one of many I’ve had the joy of working on in the last year with Amber Ladd, founder and creative director of Read Only. Our creative minds and mum lives just mesh. I’m also very lucky to be working with the design duo behind Hula House on more projects this year—their work speaks for itself.”

“Like any young family, our evenings are ruled by our kids. Once the last storybook has reached its ending and everyone is tucked in bed, Jochen and I are held captive in their room, listening to German lullabies, hands entrapped in sweaty palms, waiting for our three to drift off to dreams. There’s a German word for this called “Einschlafbegleitung,” which means to accompany someone to sleep. I’m sure we’ll miss it one day. 

“We climb eagerly into bed each night with a tea or bowl of ice-cream, then chit-chat or watch a movie. Basically, all the things young kids fear their parents get up to after the lights go out. Then, in the mornings, Jochen wakes me with a cup of tea in exchange for an hour or two of ironing his shirts each month—a tradition carried on from my parents. I’m forever grateful that I get to rise slowly most days.” 

“There’s not a lot we keep by our bedsides. Water, handcream, a stack of drawings yet to be filed around the house. Maybe a book or two. I can get pretty overwhelmed by clutter, so the bedside is sparse but calm.”

Our Organic Cotton Towels in Lilac are ready for bath time. 

“Coming home to a chalet tucked between the mountains and the ocean is something I never imagined, but neither was having twins. As a young family, it’s kind of like living in the pages of Alison Lester’s “Kissed by the Moon.” During the day we search in the rockpools and splash in the waves, then in the evening we walk up the hill to visit our neighbour’s horses and wave goodnight to the sea and the sky. Our kids don’t know how lucky they are. 

During the day we search in the rockpools and splash in the waves, then in the evening we walk up the hill to visit our neighbour’s horses and wave goodnight to the sea and the sky.

“Living in an old house in the forest requires a constant amount of upkeep, which we tire of way too often. But then we have a beer on the deck after a day at the beach, spot a couple of king parrots perched in the gums, and say to each other, “Yep, this place is pretty special.” 

“We love visiting the Tweed Regional Gallery and Museum. Both are great for adults and kids alike. Nearby in Murwillumbah, Kat Harvey’s cheese shop and toasties are unrivalled. All of downtown there is filled with exceptional places and people, we’re spoilt for choice that way. Closer to home, we love an afternoon drink at The Burrow in Cabarita, meeting friends at Earth Brewery in Cudgen, and the sourdough pizzas at Jordy’s in Casuarina. Very little will beat a morning spent at Hastings Point at high tide with some snacks from home. We love the simple stuff.”

“My parents are about to move to the region and it feels like we’re on the edge of a grandparent-induced freedom. They are immensely supportive. I’m looking forward to big family dinners, date nights with my husband, and finding more moments to simply observe our children grow. 

Each and every year, as everyone gains or grows more independence in our home, I add more time for my work. I’m incredibly happy soaking up these fleeting years with our children but also hungry to drum my keyboard a bit harder. There are some exciting projects beyond the trees. 

Finally, we asked Phoebe to share how she’ll be spending Mother’s Day this weekend…

“I’m big on the classics for Mother’s Day. A slow breakfast in a soft bed, hand-drawn cards from little fingers, time to cuddle my mum, and a walk with a view somewhere. Maybe of a waterfall this year—we’ve had a lot of rain lately.”

phoebegolden.com
@goldenwork__