Venue Crush: A Lavish Makeover of a Miner's Cottage

Surrounded by spa country – mineral springs, fertile farmland and wholesome gardens, Daylesford surrendered to the area's natural goodness long ago. Now, quaint storefronts of lustful homewares and vintage finds fill the charming cottages that Daylesford is revered for, including boutique guesthouse, Wentworth House. 

Created by owners David and his designer partner, Jessica Holmes of Dunbarlo Interiors, Wentworth House is a country escape that every design-lover dreams of. Overlooking Lake Daylesford and a reserve that changes with the season, the home's lavish interiors are unlike any other. 

"The house was always intended to be an experience accommodation, allowing people to escape and live in something very unlike their own homes, but at the same time, feel very comfortable and relaxed to unwind," says Jessica. "I'm amazed at how many people say they get such a sense of opulence and luxury from the house but feel totally at ease to put their feet on the coffee table and lounge around." 

After spending a long weekend in Daylesford where Jessica grew up, the duo knew country life was for them. With their brewing company, Daylesford Brewing Co., already in the works, Jessica wanted to create a guesthouse that played on bold colours and textures. Having stumbled across a little miner’s cottage with a 'For Sale' sign out front, a week later, the couple moved from Melbourne to create a three-bedroom and three-bathroom guesthouse.  

"We lived through the renovations over a couple of years. We got to know the house, the landscape, the light and the weather to see how it all worked," explains Jessica. "The aim was always to create a truly unique experience through the interiors, but also a really luxurious and homely space to relax and unwind in, in such a magical setting – views over Lake Daylesford and Wombat Creek and without visible neighbours."

Taking a maximalist approach to design, Jessica plays on colour and textures - blues and greens, light and dark, country and Hamptons.  

"I like to create contrast and show detail, and colour is a great way to do this. White is certainly not a base shade for me. I much prefer the use of pattern and texture to create depth and interest,” Jessica continues. "There's a real sense of layering and transition through the spaces as you enter what many call a tardis – duck your head under the low veranda through the quaint cottage façade to reveal an open plan, light-filled space with views to the lake and beyond." 

Built during the 1800s, the cottage is one of the few remaining remnants along the lake from the goldrush era - a classical mid-Victorian timber cottage with a gabled roof and skillion veranda. 

Over the years, additions were made to the cottage, but Jessica and David have since replaced them with much larger rooms and an expansive wrap-around rear deck. Preserving the cottage while creating a liveable space, they peeled back layers of vinyl to reveal the original cedar floorboards, peaked the ceiling and created an open space between the remaining two rooms.

A relaxed yet opulent space to be in, the original cedar lining boards in the living area coupled with elements of a colonial/plantation style gives the guesthouse a fresh country feel. The Jardan chaise, covered in Kelly Weastler's Channels print, and the Lyford background print features on custom oak bobbin spool armchairs while the three sets of French doors open on to an expansive deck.

The kitchen, painted in Kara Sea by British Paints, features a Paonazzo marble splashback. Yet, it's the moody dining space that's a showstopper with its Resene Indian Ink paint and ebonised mahogany dining table. 

"I place a great deal of importance on "memory", be that through pre-loved styling pieces, antiques or the wear and tear to a surface," says Jessica.

The three guestrooms all have a distinctly different feel.

Plantation Suite 

Has a British Colonial plantation style with a three-layer wallcovering featuring the iconic "Palmeral" palm print from House of Hackney as the base. The grasscloth paper surrounds some oversized vintage botanical prints, and it's finished with decorative moulding. The furniture is from Prizmic and Brill. The stretcher style bedsides are antique Hickory finds from the United States, along with an Italian faux bamboo settee. 

Mayfair Suite 

Features oversized peony artworks custom printed from Surface View in the United Kingdom. A custom Lucite and brass console, Norwegian rose marble bedsides and more House of Hackney fabric dressing on the bed complete the look. A wall of louvres reveals a hidden pink marble bathroom. 

The Cottage 

The cottage has a slight colonial feel with a nod to oriental style. The vintage suede Moran wingback is the perfect place to sit with a glass of scotch and read. The bed's custom quilt is made in a Quadrille fabric, "Lyford Background" from the United States and an oversized 1970's Venini chandelier from Italy hangs over the bed. 

Set along the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Daylesford is an oasis of calm and natural goodness. Fields of lavender, mineral springs, charming shopfronts and farmgate produce – the town really is a sanctuary from every day. With local produce and chefs hailing from near and far, Daylesford delights just as much on the foodie front as it does with rejuvenating spa treatments. 

For breakfast

Wombat Hill Café in the Botanical Gardens, their St. Ali coffee is ace, plus the best fresh bread is delivered daily from their Dairy Flat farm just down the road. 

For lunch

The Daylesford Hotel – nothing like a country pub, and their pie is amazing – (washed down with a Daylesford Brewing Co ale of course!) 

For dinner

Sault – the prettiest dining experience and amazing cocktails, it's like an escape to France, and it's only 5 minutes from Wentworth House. 

For drinks

The brand new Winespeake, a fabulous cheese and wine merchant – located at the bottom roundabout, you can sit here and watch the world go by with a great vino. 

Shop at

The Wombat Hill Florist – right next to Cliffy's Emporium, it's an idyllic country dream to grab a coffee, see some locals of course and pick up fresh flowers for the house.

Best kept secret in the local area

The courtyard at Pancho café – it's a sun-filled hideaway, and they do amazing food – there's also nothing like a walk around the lake to take it all in. 

Forever sourcing and collecting, Jessica uses many pieces found during her travels through antique and vintage haunts around Victoria, and overseas. Most of the soft furnishings are customised, but the selection of throws and blankets are from St Albans, and they chose Grampian's Goods Co. products for the guests to enjoy along with Hermes toiletries.   

"Don't be afraid of colour and layering. I think people often tend to start with a white base and stay safe – if you start bold, then work backwards it creates a totally different look and feel, often with so much more personality," says Jessica.

Interior Design: Jessica Holmes of Dunbarlo Interiors

Photography: Marnie Hawson