In a pocket of Currumbin where the trees lean close and the creeks carve their own quiet rhythm, photographer and model Daniella Rech has found her truest frame yet – not behind the lens, but within four timber walls.

When you first walked into the house in Currumbin, what did you see that made you feel it had potential?

I'm not going to lie, it wasn’t love at first sight. The house is small and I wasn’t sure I could live with three kids in such a small space, as we were moving out of a very big space. But it was really important for me to buy my first place, so I went to see it again and then I saw its potential. I was in love with the original wood on the walls. It was also the only house I could afford at the time. Now I feel like we were made for each other.

Why was it important for you to physically shape parts of the house yourself?

That was very much a budget thing. Also, I’m the kind of person who, at 11pm, will start ripping tiles off the walls and then has to finish the project. Manu and I painted the outside of the house ourselves over the course of a couple of days. I find painting actually quite therapeutic and enjoy the silence and deep thoughts it allows. Anything we are able to do I absolutely will. But I kind of know my limits. (I say this, but others might argue that point.)

How does working with materials and your hands differ from working behind the camera?

I feel like when I’m painting, mending or tearing down things I’m always in deep thought. Good thoughts, problem solving, processing things. Rio, my son, jokes that whenever he walks in on me painting, he asks if I’m okay. To be honest, there might be a pattern to when I decide to spontaneously start a project – it could be when I need a distraction.

There’s a strong sense of cohesion throughout the home.

It’s funny you say that, because I have these wild ideas sometimes – like that I wanted to tile the bathroom in floor-to-ceiling pink tiles and find one of those vintage pull the chain toilets so that visitors are like “Ummm... what’s with the toilet?” At the moment, it feels like everything goes together because I haven’t made the bold moves I fantasise about. But I feel like it will come though eventually. Just random little moments that don’t make sense together.

“It’s not too far from the beaches and we spend a lot of time in the creeks in the valley. You could never make this house anything but a little beach shack, surrounded by trees. That’s its soul. So, I work with that.”

How do you stay clear on your own taste?

I don’t really like trends. When everyone has it, I don’t want it. Sometimes it’s practical, though. One thing I believe in – and I’m still waiting for my time – is restored vintage designer pieces. Manu and I have a plan to build one day and to have our house filled with unique, incredible furniture. For now, with having young kids, I’m not going to spend those amounts of money so it can get covered in berries. Ocean has drawn all over the table with markers. And I love that I’m not stressed about it. It’s annoying – but I don’t cry over it. My table was given to me 15 years ago in New York. One day I hope it can be sanded back and one of the kids can use it for their homes. It’s beautiful when furniture has a story. I love pieces that I have had for years.

How did the light and landscape of Currumbin inform your decisions around materials and layout?

My place is pretty unique to my area. Built in 1986 and only had three owners before me. The owners before me didn’t cut down any trees or change anything, so it was pretty much in original condition when I bought it (other than some bad paint and DYI flooring). The house has so much character. I think I went to around 20 open houses and this one felt the most unique and very much like a little holiday house.

It’s not too far from the beaches and we spend a lot of time in the creeks in the valley. You could never make this house anything but a little beach shack, surrounded by trees. That’s its soul. So, I work with that.

How do you approach editing a space that’s so personal?

To me it’s about keeping things simple and then adding in your personality with books, art and ceramics. The artist Karlee Mackie (also known as MLAK) painted my croc for me, which I adore and adds some colour. Because I feel like it is a family home, we try to keep it laid back.

What do you hope people feel when they walk through the front door?

When I have new people come around, everyone always comments on how it feels like a little paradise in the middle of what is – or can be – a little bit of a noisy area. In this cabin, you feel like you are in your own little world. There is a lot of nature also that comes to visit. It definitely feels peaceful and like home.

Does this home reflect who you are right now, or is it evolving alongside you?

It’s like me: a work in progress. There is a lot I want to work on and make better but I’m also happy with where it’s at. Again, I didn’t realise how much my house and I were aligned.

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