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Sustainable interiors: Meet Alter Eco Design’s James Goodlet

February 27, 2018 Leave a Comment

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โ€œI grew up in a family of builders with a passion for quality and workmanship. These traits have been passed on and form a part of my ethos, though with an arts focused education I was always better with a pencil than a hammer!โ€ says James Goodlet, the director of Alter Eco Design – a Melbourne design business he established a decade ago.

‘Cottesloe Drive’ project

โ€œAfter coming up with an idea and a suitable name for the business I started on our dining table – an old recycled dunny door! The idea was to create sustainably focused residential design. Fast forward 10 years and we have a fully established design studio supported by a team of eight plus our office dog Cooper.โ€

‘Gladstone St’ project

James spent nine years running the business on his own before bringing in additional employees to allow for growth. โ€œI spent nine years running and operating a growing business on my own. Finally I took the plunge and put a team around me that offer the support I need to allow me to focus on what Iโ€™m good at (designing stuff!) and propel us into our second decade,โ€ says James.

James with the firm’s dog Cooper

The growth of the business eventually saw Jamesโ€™ wife Claire join the team. โ€œThe biggest change in the business structure was when my wife joined the team. Some people would quiver at the thought of a married couple in business together, however Iโ€™m comforted by the fact that we are on this journey together. We are like yin and yan in a working environment, which thankfully results in balance. We both have an awareness of where our skills lie and support and respect each other in that way,โ€ says James.

‘Capel Sound’ project

While the work of Alter Eco spans both urban and rural settings, there are common aesthetic threads that run through the work โ€“ modernism, minimalism, timber and concrete abound. โ€œThe natural and tactile nature of materials like timber and concrete, balanced with an otherwise clean palette, provide the framework for the personality of each client to shine through,โ€ says James of his design ethos.

‘Cottesloe Drive’ project

When designing, James derives inspiration from a building’s context. โ€œRural sites are obvious with the views and natural surroundings โ€“ usually the objective there is to enhance the experience of the idyllic surrounds without competing with the view, instead blending in subtle finishes and timber elements,โ€ says James who explains that built-up urban sites often provide more of a challenge. โ€œUrban sites are sometimes more limited and require a more creative response โ€“ the answer is often to look within the building to create the hero feature. We are currently working on a long and narrow site in Seddon โ€“ we’ve designed an internal courtyard and herb garden to create the focal points. This setting helps bring the outside in and provides the illusion of space in an otherwise tight and potentially restrictive site,โ€ says James.

‘Cottesloe Drive’ project

One of his favourite projects is ‘Cole St’ – an 1850’s bluestone terrace in Melbourne’s Williamstown. “It had aย lush backyard with an established green wall that provided so much potential. We relocated some established trees and embraced so much of what the client had laboured to create over the years –ย the client was a landscape designer so the pressure was on!” says James. The end result was a gorgeous, light-filled pavilion immersed in greenery.

‘Cole St’ project – an urban oasis

As for the future, James would like to further explore his passion for passive house design. โ€œAs clients become more open and accepting of this concept, we would love to be at the forefront and look to grow our sustainability principles,โ€ says James who is otherwise very optimistic. “Ultimately I hope the business is just like a good home – still standing, weathering the storms and always full of laughter!”

Photography: Nikole Ramsay | Styling: Emma O’Mera (Cole St & Gladstone St)
Photography: Tara Pearce | Styling: Stephanie Stamatis (Cottesloe Drive & Capel Sound)

For moreย | Check out another designer profile

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

#pinkpeppercorn #spritzlife
Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

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It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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