Leane says, "We looked at other towns, but Dungog met all our criteria. It had a hospital, bank, public transport and was within driving distance to Newcastle, plus at the time, property was very affordable."

Leane is a visual artist whose artwork is influenced by her concern for the environment and the landscape; Hoffmann ran an online business directory of ecological building materials and services in France before he moved to Australia.

The house is littered with original art and artisan-made pieces such as the naturally-dyed silk cushions and the artworks that fill the walls.

Hoffmann remembers, "When I was in my 20s I wanted to build a straw-bail home. .. over the years you become pragmatic and reality slaps you in the face.

"I realised I needed to build using conventional methods but using healthier building materials. My main goal with this house was to end up with a thermally comfortable home, all year-round."

Leane says "Luc and I had experienced living three years in the forest [Barrington Tops], in my mother's mud-brick house off-grid, with only battery storage, so we were really aware of how much electricity we were using and aware of the necessity to have really good insulation to keep your house protected from the heat. That's what inspired the [Dungog] design. In fact, we modelled a lot of our room dimensions and the roof from the mud-brick."

When it came to furnishing the inside of the home, the couple were less concerned about aesthetics.

"We are using the same furniture as we had in the mud-brick house, I've had this dining table for over eight years and it has moved three times, it's made from recycled Indonesian fishing boats that I found in a homeware shop in Newcastle," Leane says.

The interior of the house was painted neutral for easy resale and to allow a blank canvas in which to decorate.

"I like to have around me beautiful artistic handmade objects that I collect," Leane says. "One of my favourite pieces is this sculpture by Dungog local, Natalie Duncan, it's made from ceramics, feathers and quite unique."

It's like an art gallery. Leane, as an artist, has many of her works adorning the walls as well as works by her mother and artist friends.

"We have Indoor plants but I'm still getting used to how much water they need. Since the house has low humidity inside, the plants needed more water, so that has been a big learning curve. But I've had great success with my orchid, which won't stop flowering," she says.

"In the backyard, we have a food garden, tomatoes, lettuce, zucchini and herbs. There will be a drip water system coming and we might even add wicking beds because they are self-watering and low maintenance."

Part of the philosophy the 'heathy home' is also to blend into the surrounding landscape.

Leane says, "We wanted the frontage of the house to look conventional to have a broader market appeal, that why we have used wood and painted a plain colour which also helps to reflect heat."

"We wanted to have a low maintenance yard with 90 per cent endemic species like Muttonwood tree, Dianella and Lomanda. The idea was because they grow better in the local conditions and need less attention to thrive."

Air-conditioning is not required because of the efficient insulation, with fans providing all the necessary air circulation.

Leane's tip is "to really think things through, take your time and do your research."

Hoffmann says "it's brutally time-consuming, but ultimately, rewarding experience."

Both agree it's the most comfortable home they have ever lived in.

"I love that I walk inside and there's no temperature shock, I don't have to turn on the heat or put on air-conditioning when I first come home, like I have in other homes." Leane says.

Hoffmann says, "It was my main goal, to end up with a thermally comfortable year-round home, and we have achieved that."