The Land
THE GOOD DAY HOUSE
I remember sitting in my neighbours garden one afternoon, Al and I had just delivered a bed to a beautiful home in Point Lonsdale and which left us totally in inspired. It had a concrete floor, pitched roof, simple timber joinery and carefuly curated furniture. (Including our Bookshelf Drawer Bed + Box Side Tables). I turned to my neighbour and said the dream would be to find some land, find a builder who would work with us to provide a really great shell and then fit it out with our own custom joinery and furniture.
Al and I imagined this would be a 10 year goal.
A couple of months later Al and I were looking at entering the property market and started checking out at houses to renovate. During our search we stumbled across a block in a small sustainable estate in Torquay, VIC. The estate guidelines require the houses to be a minimum 7.5 star energy rating, solar panels, battery and a water tank when the land is over a certain size.
The more we read, the more we wanted it.
We took a photo out the front of the block to put out to the universe that we wanted it (we did this in our current rental too) and called the real estate agent. He told us it was the last block left and to think about it … but not to think about it for too long.
That night we couldn’t stop talking about the block and all of the possibilities of building. We called the agent first thing in the morning and asked for the contract.
With big smiles and big dreams we slapped the SOLD sign up!
Welcome to our first build adventure, we so stoked you’re here! Sign up to our mail list to keep up to date with our build.
IMO + AL
The Good Day House
HEY! WE’RE AL + IMO
We’re a husband and wife duo, building our dream life one DIY project at a time. We are proudly self-taught, furniture-makers, business owners, designers and stylists.
DIY RUNS IN OUR DNA
We firmly believe what you learn should be shared which is why we created our Journal. A place where you can learn new skills and be inspired by other creatives.
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ON THE JOURNAL
Looking for a fresh, vibrant meal that’s quick to throw together and always a winner? This Vietnamese noodle salad is on high rotation in our house – perfect for lunch or dinner. Packed with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs and a zesty dressing, it’s light, satisfying, and full of flavour. Whether you’re feeding the family or hosting friends, it’s sure to hit the spot!
This year, our raised veggie garden has truly become one of our favourite spaces at the Good Day House. Designed by the talented Simon Taylor Landscape Design, this little patch of paradise has been a joy to nurture and watch thrive. It’s not just a garden—it’s become a place of connection, learning, and delicious rewards!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process we followed to install the timber cladding, from prepping the structure to adding the final touches. With the right tools and careful planning, you'll get a professional-looking finish that’s built to last.
When I say I have spent hours searching the internet for the perfect couch, I am not joking. So when Eva released their Everyday Sofa in terracotta I knew my search was over.
One of the big decisions we faced when planning the Good Day House was how to create a driveway that blended seamlessly with our home’s design while being environmentally conscious. After researching a few different options, we landed on using Adbri Masonry Turf Grid pavers—and we couldn’t be happier with the choice!
Upgrade your home WiFi with the ASUS ZenWiFi BQ16 router. Enjoy seamless connectivity, enhanced security, and improved performance for streaming, video calls, and more. Perfect for boosting productivity and family time.
If you’re lucky enough to have a green organics bin, you’re already part of the solution for reducing landfill waste and supporting a more sustainable planet. But are you using it correctly? Let’s dive into the dos and don’ts of green waste recycling in Victoria, so you can make the most of this fantastic resource.
Both Al and I love timber and we love to cook, so when it came to designing and building our kitchen we wanted to create a functional space and felt beautiful to be in. The kitchen has become the heart of our home, with our island bench the place we all gather around.
In the heart of our home lies a space where functionality seamlessly intertwines with style – our compact European laundry. Today, we're excited to share the design details and thoughtful choices we made to create this space.
For our family bathroom we wanted to create a functional, practical and beautiful space that felt like a dayspa. Click through to read how we created this space from start to finish.
Imogen Gilchrist
Imogen Gilchrist is a creative director, Squarespace website designer and social media strategist who loves good design & good people.