Dream House | Riverside dwelling hidden in Blue Mountains

Many of us will encounter a fear-inducing experience on our way up to this mystifying address in the Blue Mountains. At an altitude of 3,500 feet above sea level, what may well frighten us as we brave the journey, is the menacing, narrow stretch of rocky, dirt road leading privately to the living quarters, located near New Castle, St Andrew. But, here we are!

This is a stirring dwelling, daringly built on and around gigantic boulders along the river bank. In fact, two tributaries of the Hope River converge right here, spawning several sizes waterfalls, along with two separate, placid natural river pools for your recreational activities. All staggering with the fluidity of mother nature in all its sublimity!

Two individual fish ponds, stocked with Japanese koi and perch, accentuate the visual interest of the one-acre plot, with its profusion of flowers, mature trees, and chirping birds.

The weathered river domain has ingeniously and shockingly invited the outside in, enrapturing the interior as it weaves sculpturally and sympathetically into the indoor layout.

We behold the rock formations (outcrop) sticking out of the floors, trees growing outrageously alongside furnishings and fittings; with bathroom walls studded with river stones, in a most dramatic portrayal. Timber balconies protrude over the calming riverfront spectacle, with the euphonic, rhythmic sounds of flowing water ever present.

This divorced mother of three sons makes you feel so at home here. She has an MBA and is a trained dance instructor and choreographer. The lady grew up in the area and has expanded and revitalised her parents’ property, owned from 1976. No longer has the ferocity of the river been allowed to mash up the house.

With a passion for nature, her creative juices exploded with whatever she could find outside to decorate the interior, that is, bamboo, grass blossom, and driftwood. The colour scheme unfolds from the shades chosen from the blooming garden.

The anxiety we might have experienced in coming here has long disappeared. The visit was indeed worth it.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barryrattray1@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com