As soon as I saw this image for the White House in Daylesford I hastily made plans to incorporate a short diversion to Daylesford - just an hour and a half's drive north-west of Melbourne - into our trip. This is the Garden Room located in the garden of the main cottage. Completely self-contained with it's own bathroom and claw-foot bath/shower.
Beautiful hand-made linens compliment the oh-so comfortable bed.
Botanical field notes from a vintage textbook decorate the wall.
A floor fan and metal side table continue owner/designer Lynda Gardener's penchant for industrial and laboratory pieces.
Lynda has the meticulous eye of an experienced collector and vintage market regular.
Every corner is a visual feast, perfectly curated ...
....and calming.
I can honestly say I've never slept in a more relaxing room.
The back of the main cottage opens out onto a lovely weathered deck with table and deck chairs and a crusty, well-seasoned BBQ that has seen many family meals.
The lounge is a perfect space for gathering a family or group of friends for a Big Chill weekend.
Even though it's late December Daylesford can experience some cold snaps and the temperature drops to Zero during our stay. Perfect for building a fire while we watch the Test Cricket and graze on wood-smoked pizza from nearby Café Koukla
A quick run to the local service station to stock up on more firewood..
The lounge room is packed with so many interesting finds it is easy for the eye to wonder to past lives, past times.
A collection of old prints above the bureau.
I started my journalism career on a typewriter like this one. Now its a relic from the past that fits perfectly into another of Lynda's vignettes.
The kitchen and dining-room with seating for ten is designed for gourmands and weekend cooks alike. Great array of sharp knives, platters and crockery with a stove/oven, large fridge and a striking blackboard splash wall.
Further along the corridor is one of the White House's great rooms - the library- decorated with a wall of real books and a wall of bookcase wallpaper. Beaten old leather armchairs beckon you to come in and immerse yourself in another world.
But eventually you will have to tear yourself away so you can slip into a deep relaxing bath in the main bathroom.
The two large double bedrooms are located at the front of the house.
They are also incredibly dreamy spaces with French linens, voluptuous pillows...
You should just come to The White House to catch up on your sleep. That's what we did. Long deep sleeps that are hard to come by when you live in noisy inner city Sydney.
No garbage trucks. No jack-hammers. Sleep heaven.
With the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa nearby and 3 of regional Victoria's best restaurants - including The Lake House located a short drive away, a stay in Daylesford and The White House (click here for prices) is simply a must.
