Meet Jamberoo’s talented experts who can help build your dream home at Golden Valley
There’s a multitude of things to love about life in Jamberoo. Dreamy green hills, a welcoming village community, local shops, schools and sporting clubs, and the freedom to enjoy a rare, traditional village-paced life. Add the beaches of Kiama, the beauty of the escarpment and Sydney within reach, and it’s easy to see the appeal for so many local families and retirees.
But Jamberoo has something else worth celebrating: an incredible community of talented designers, architects and builders who know this region inside out.
At Golden Valley Jamberoo, we’re serious about supporting local businesses and ensuring our development contributes positively to the wider community.
As future residents begin imagining and planning their homes in Jamberoo, we’d love to introduce them to some of the local professionals who can help bring those dreams to life.
Following our previous local design talent spotlight, we’re now featuring three more businesses doing wonderful work in our region, along with a quick introduction to three designers we’ve previously mentioned. So, if you’re considering purchasing a lot at Golden Valley, grab your notebook and pen and write these details down!
Locspec Building Services: Building high-performance homes that feel as good as they look
Say hello to Ryan and Danya Smith, the pair behind Locspec Building Services.
Locspec specialises in tailored new homes, renovations and additions, guiding clients from their earliest ideas, all the way through to moving day.
“There’s something special about being able to transform an idea or set of drawings into a place where somebody will call home,” says Ryan.
Having grown up in Jamberoo, Ryan brings a deep understanding of the local environment to every project.
“My biggest piece of personal advice would be to design a home for your block, not just curb appeal.”
He explains that understanding the sun, prevailing winds and seasonal temperatures can make an enormous difference to how comfortable a home feels.
“When a home is thoughtfully designed and properly constructed, you’ll never know the sleepless nights you’ve avoided from strong winds or the money you’ve saved on heating and cooling. All you’ll know is that your home feels comfortable, and that’s exactly how it should be.”
Building smarter, healthier homes
Locspec has a particular interest in high-performance homes, which are designed and constructed to improve energy efficiency, indoor comfort, durability and air quality.
This can involve carefully selected insulation, building wraps, ventilated cavities and high-performing windows. The aim is to create homes that remain comfortable throughout the year, use less energy and reduce moisture-related problems.
Ryan and Danya also encourage future homeowners to involve their builder early in the design process, before plans are finalised.
They regularly meets clients whose approved designs exceed their available budgets, something that can often be avoided through early collaboration between the builder and designer.
“I’d rather have an uncomfortable conversation about price while it’s still in theory, not mid construction,” says Ryan.
Featured project below: Locspec’s recent renovation of a 1990s Federation-style brick home in Jamberoo.
Hands Studio: Thoughtful design inspired by the landscape
For Tegan Hands, owner of Hands Studio, great design begins with understanding how people live.
Her Illawarra-based building and interior design studio works across the South Coast, creating beautiful, practical homes that respond to their surroundings.
“Design has always been around me through my Mum’s love of interiors and watching my Dad continually improve each family home we’ve lived in,” says Tegan.
“What I enjoy most is creating homes that not only look beautiful, but genuinely make everyday family life easier.”
Living and working on the South Coast has shaped her approach to natural light, orientation, breezes and the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
“In a village like Jamberoo, I think a home should feel connected to its setting rather than like it could be placed anywhere.”
Understand your block before choosing your floor plan
Tegan’s biggest advice for anyone preparing to build is simple: get to know your land first.
Slope, easements, setbacks, bushfire considerations, flooding and planning controls can all influence what’s possible.
She also encourages clients to think carefully about their everyday routines, rather than choosing a design based purely on appearance.
“My biggest influence when designing a home is where the sun rises and sets each day. The natural light within each space can dramatically affect how long you spend there and which areas of the home you naturally gravitate towards.”
One of Tegan’s favourite local projects is an alterations and additions project at Downes Place in Jamberoo.
The challenge was to update an existing family home while preserving its original character.
“I wanted the finished home to feel as though it had always been designed that way.”
It’s a lovely example of how thoughtful design can give a home new life while respecting what makes it special.
A few of Tegan’s featured projects pictured below.
Caroline Jolly Interiors: Styling homes inspired by their surroundings
For local interior designer Caroline Jolly of Caroline Jolly Interiors, a beautiful home begins with a strong connection to its surroundings.
Working across the South Coast, including Jamberoo, Kiama, Berry and Gerringong, Caroline draws inspiration from the natural landscape and the architecture of each home.
“The surrounding landscape is always my starting point for a project’s colour palette,” Caroline explains. “I feel it’s important that a home sits comfortably within its surroundings, with colours and textures that reflect the natural environment.”
She also works closely with the architectural vision, selecting materials and interior details that create a cohesive feel throughout the home.
For future Golden Valley homeowners, Caroline recommends bringing an interior designer into the process early, ideally while floor plans are still being developed.
“My biggest piece of advice is to involve an interior designer early, ideally while the floor plans are still being developed.”
Understanding the block’s orientation, natural light and views can help shape interiors that are both beautiful and practical.
And when it comes to choosing finishes, Caroline encourages homeowners to look beyond passing trends.
“Choose finishes and styles you love that suit the way you live, rather than following trends, to create a home that feels like you.”
Bruce Roberton: Great North Architecture
Architect Bruce Roberton of Great North Architects brings a thoughtful, site-specific approach to residential design.
Having lived in Jamberoo for several years, Bruce understands the area’s distinctive microclimate, from its changing breezes and rainfall to the way the escarpment affects sunlight.
His focus is on creating efficient, sustainable homes that make the most of each site’s unique characteristics.
Bruce sees Golden Valley’s generous blocks as an opportunity to design homes that welcome winter sunshine, respond to the landscape and prioritise quality over unnecessary size.
Nadine Ryan: Nadine K Drafting & Design
With more than two decades of living in Jamberoo, Nadine Ryan of Nadine K Drafting & Design has a strong appreciation for the village’s natural beauty and community spirit.
Her designs balance contemporary living with local character, incorporating practical features such as generous windows, shaded outdoor areas and energy-efficient materials.
Nadine encourages homeowners to begin with a clear understanding of their lifestyle and future needs, then work with a designer to create spaces that feel right for both their family and the surrounding environment.
Annabelle McQuillan: Bespoke Belle Building Design
Annabelle McQuillan of Bespoke Belle Building Design is passionate about creating homes that are beautiful, functional and deeply connected to their setting.
Her approach combines passive solar design, flexible living spaces and thoughtful use of materials.
Annabelle also encourages clients to consider the little things that make a house feel like home, from a sunny window seat to a welcoming verandah or a garden that supports local wildlife.
Her philosophy is a wonderful reminder that a dream home doesn’t have to be the biggest home. It needs to be the right one for you.
Consider local talent for your new home at Golden Valley
One of the most exciting things about building at Golden Valley is the opportunity to create a home that truly belongs in Jamberoo.
Our local designers, architects and builders understand the landscape, the climate and the character of this village. They also bring valuable experience to the decisions that come with building from the ground up.
By introducing future residents to these businesses, we hope to make the building journey a little easier while helping more of the economic benefits of Golden Valley stay within our local community.
Interested in a lot at Golden Valley, Jamberoo? Here’s what’s next
We’re looking forward to welcoming prospective buyers to our site walkovers in February 2027, with settlement expected a few months afterwards.
Get in touch with Jennifer to discuss your interest, and make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter so you don’t miss important announcements, confirmed dates and the next steps towards making Golden Valley home.
