In 2017, Dave Couri and Jody Kamminga moved into their three-bedroom home in leafy New Lambton.
Built in the 1940s, it needed work. But, they knew it had potential.
In 2021, the house has become a warm and delightful place full of colour, life and energy.
The pair met in Sydney's inner-west, where they lived at the time.
They moved to Armidale in 2014 and then Newcastle in 2017.
Dave works for Samaritans and Jody works in health.
When they first moved to Newcastle, they didn't have plans to buy again.
In fact, Jody told Dave about the New Lambton house when she saw it, but they discussed it and agreed to wait two years to buy.
"Twenty four hours later, Jody came home and said 'I've put an offer on the house'," Dave says.
"She even went for the offer while I was in the shower."
But he wasn't too fussed. They liked the home's location and its views, so they were happy to move in.
It was one of the more affordable houses in New Lambton at the time. Now its another story.
They moved in and began renovating. They'd renovated a place in Armidale so they knew what they were in for.
They worked on the house and also their family; they had a baby, Jude.
They knocked out walls in the kitchen and built a front verandah.
They landscaped, taking down a few trees in the back which brought in more light and enhanced the view.
The mulberry tree was kept and Dave now turns its fruit into cordial and other delicious treats.
They painted. Jody picked the new colours and the styling.
"I love green and the orange and the grey-green grout in the bathrooms," she says.
"Originally with the kitchen, I like colour and I wanted to keep it reasonably sympathetic to its period and art deco colour scheme.
"There's a bit of mid-century going on as well."
Dave is gradually converting the downstairs area into his studio, (he's also a musician.)
Another feature of their home is the record player and records. They play music most days. (Jude likes 60s, 70s and Wooly Bully.)
Jody loves birds, so there's plenty of bird artwork throughout the house. The bird on the wall in front of the dining table is a Leila Jeffreys piece.
In the kitchen are natural illustrations of moths and insects that artist Jan Clark finds in her back garden.
Dave and Jody also have artworks from their travels in the Kimberleys, including exquisite rocks.
Above the TV they have a lineage of pieces from Ngen'giwumirri artist Kieren Karritpul and art by his mum and his grandmother.
Alongside the art they've collected from their travels are photos from their time in Iceland.
They actually got married in a famous record store in Reykjavk, 12 Tonar. It was an elopement and everyone dressed up, including the celebrant and the employees.
Dave put in raised garden beds that are now full of vegetable plants.
They recently installed solar panels, which they believe offsets the energy cost of a new baby.
Outside their wholesome home, they love New Lambton too.
"There's a clear community," Jody says.
"Our neighbours are lovely and friendly. We got gifts when Jude was born."
Dave gets worm juice for his garden from the neighbours and has made friends with resident cats.
Barista Miss is their local cafe.
Jody is excited to start a job at the end of the year in the Kimberley, so they won't be here forever, but they're enjoying the journey.
"I don't think I have a forever home. This is a nice house for us to come back to," she says.
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