Mittagong Courtyard Cottage

An early idea set the tone for this modest home:

Imagine waking in the morning and choosing to walk barefoot through the courtyard, meandering through the garden, and arriving slowly at the kitchen for morning coffee. Starting the day well, and letting everything else follow.

2025 New build
Builder David Reid Homes
Joinery Camden Kitchens
Photography Daniel Mulheran

Full rear elevation of Mittagong Courtyard Cottage showing skylight roof feature, timber deck and north-facing garden

Timber entry gate and white weatherboard facade of the Mittagong Courtyard Cottage, Southern Highlands — ZF Architects

From the street, the house sits quietly within its setting: white weatherboards, timber fence, and a maple tree, all with a beautiful mountain backdrop.

Generous hallway drawing light from the north-facing garden, with sage green kitchen bench visible to the right

Once inside, the details begin to reveal themselves. Connections to the north-facing backyard and the hidden courtyard draw you forward through the spaces.

White weatherboard cottage glimpsed through established native trees, Mittagong Southern Highlands

Private courtyard with timber deck, white gravel and lawn connecting to living areas via timber-framed sliding doors

Sun-deck with oversized skylight connecting living room and kitchen to the private courtyard, Mittagong Courtyard Cottage

The courtyard connects key spaces within the home to each other (and to the garden), bringing light and greenery into the main bedroom, kitchen and dining room.

Kitchen viewed through open timber-framed sliding door from the northern sun-deck, Mittagong Courtyard Cottage

Sage green kitchen island with white stone benchtop, timber floor and framed artwork, Mittagong Courtyard Cottage interior

The kitchen is a deliberately low and open space, with no overhead cupboards or unnecessary bulk. It feels aligned with the rest of the home: a gentle space to enjoy being in, looking out to the greenery outside.

View from kitchen toward dining area with patterned rug, round table and timber-framed sliding door to garden

Kitchen and hallway interior with sage green island bench, timber floor and long view through to the rear garden

Bedroom interior with built-in wardrobe, integrated window shelf and timber-framed window overlooking the garden

Main bedroom with full-height timber-framed sliding door opening directly onto the private courtyard garde

The north-facing main bedroom looks directly out onto the courtyard garden.

Oversized sun-deck skylight drawing winter sun onto the timber deck, white weatherboard and monstera plant below

The rear opens fully to the north, with large sliding doors across the living areas and an over-sized skylight over the sun-deck that pulls light deep into the kitchen.

Rear elevation of Mittagong Courtyard Cottage with timber-framed posts, skylight and kitchen visible through sliding doors