HOME | Homes away from home
In 2020, if nothing else we all got quite good at booking local weekends away and exploring our own backyard. Whether that was driving 4 hours from Sydney out to Orange, heading to the South Coast, Canberra or even out to Dubbo to go to the Zoo.
As an interior designer I love seeing all the different ways people are setting up their short stay accomodations to attract guests (firstly because I love interiors but secondly because I would like to do it too one day!).
Here are some other places that I love the interiors of (most of which I have stayed at but some of which are on my must stay list!):
Lotte’s hjem, Pambula
While I was moving from Melbourne back up in to NSW at the end of 2020 I took the coast road out of Melbourne to Pambula on the South Coast. My Mum had come to Melbourne to help me pack and we met my brother and his girlfriend as they were heading down to Tasmania. We stayed at the cutest little 150 year old weatherboard cottage. Looking around the street it’s in, it is clear that this house would have stood alone on the hill when it was built with incredible views out across farmland in the distance. Even though it’s had newer neighbours pop up, once you crouch under the grapevines and get into the yard it’s hard to even tell that there are others around.
The interior styling in here is clearly an ode to years and years of collecting books, furniture and other trinkets. As always I am fascinated by hard materials and how they are finished so I was absolutely in love with the custom made concrete bench top in the kitchen (made by local concrete designers Bellbird Concrete https://www.instagram.com/bellbird_concrete/).
Pambula, South Coast, NSW
Plympton poolhouse, freemantle
This one is on my must travel list as I have watched from afar as my friends Jacq and Lucas designed and built their pool and pool house in their backyard in 2020.
Jacq’s interior style can be described as laid back luxury that appears to have just enough to make the space feel stylish and cosy without being too over the top. I can only hope the borders open for a wedding we both have in WA soon so I can see it in person.
I had the absolute pleasure of helping Jacq work out which artwork to choose for beside the bed. We mocked up a couple of different versions of what it could look like before settling on a photograph by Stuart Cantor.
Freemantle, Western Australia
Halcyon house, cabarita beach
Long being an admirer of interior designer Anna Spiro, Halcyon House has been on my list for a long time. Anna Spiro has this amazing knack of layering patterns in such a way that they don’t clash which I know is no easy thing to do!
This accomodation is a definite “treat yourself” for the price but I feel sure the right occasion will arise at some point. Bonus points for it being within NSW so there is no danger of being trapped by a border closure.
Cabarita Beach, North Coast, NSW
CAlile hotel, Brisbane
I still look back on my weekend in Brisbane back in 2019 as one of my favourite weekends away. On Friday night I was sitting in the MCG rugged up in a wool jumper and my puffer jacket watching the AFL and by 9am Saturday morning I was sitting on Burleigh Beach, in my swimmers, coffee in hand before driving up to Brisbane for the weekend. Best of both worlds right there.
The Calile Hotel has been designed by architects Richards and Spence which was immediately evident when you walk into the hotel rooms. The detail that has been use for each material and the custom designed bathroom and wardrobe situation is incredible. Any design lover will be walking around the room, looking under tables and at details for hours before you even make it out to their pool for a G&T and zucchini chips by Hellenika.
Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD
https://thecalilehotel.com
The repose, dubbo
Getting a little bit closer to where I grew up the only times I’ve really stayed in Dubbo was in one of the motels along motel alley…. Fountain View I am looking at you. The Repose is definitely a one of a kind experience in Dubbo and is well worth the travel.
The Repose provides authentic luxury for people travelling to the area. For an interior designer there is no shortage of beautiful materials and clever styling finished off with treasures that obviously have some history to them. I would have to say the bathroom flooring and the kitchen cabinetry would be my favourite aspects of this design. The extra touches of hospitality like fresh bread, milk, muesli and yoghurt makes this stay feel like a real treat.
Jemima from Saddler & Co along with her friend Moir spent two years putting a whole lot of love, sweat and hard work into this home before sharing it with their guests.
While in Dubbo…
Coffee - Jimmy Barnet’s
Breakfast + Lunch - Press
Remote working - The Exchange
Dubbo, Central West NSW
https://www.instagram.com/the_repose/?hl=en
Tattersall’s hotel, armidale
Originally built in 1854 this beautiful building has recently had a face lift by Sydney designers Luchetti Krelle. The Tattersall’s has an impressive history which is well worth a read.
The recent renovation sees a distinctly Art Deco interior style across a variety of hotel rooms. Now I just need to find a road trip that takes me through Armidale. Perhaps driving from home to Armidale then on to Cabarita Beach to stay at Halcyon House!
Armidale, New England, NSW
Accomodation as more than just somewhere to stay was happening far before all our borders were locked but last year certainly highlighted the simple pleasures of getting in the car to see somewhere new and stay somewhere with style and charm. No doubt this list will continue to grow and one day I will be able to take all my ideas and roll it into my own short stay accomodation… watch this space.
