Nestled in the heart of Hepburn Springs, Daylesford, a little over an hour’s drive from the Melbourne CBD, is the picturesque Amazing Grace. This luxury accommodation is a place city slickers can retreat to for some peace.
Lisa Webb bought the 100-year-old cottage around two and a half years ago with fiancé Wayne Smith. “We saw the property sitting on this magnificent block of land in a beautiful setting. It was almost an instant purchase.”
Lisa describes the décor as an homage to the old colonial style the outside is reminiscent of, but with a modern twist. “From an interiors perspective, it’s a little bit quirky, a little eclectic.” The large gardens give the cottage a country feel, which is a drawcard to visitors from the city.
Planning the interior was a chance for Lisa, who also owns online furniture and homewares store Vavoom Emporium, to indulge her lifelong passion for interior design. She wanted to fill the house with calming colours and quality pieces, like the bookcase in the main bedroom, imported from Indonesia, and keep some of the natural features of the cottage, such as the stained glass windows. It makes “a really eclectic blend.”
When designing interiors for holiday accommodation, Lisa says it is important to take into account what visitors will want.“What I’ve found since having Amazing Grace, is that what customers love the most is the look.” Comfort and quality are important, but so is the ability to mix and match and blend something less expensive with something great.“I sourced a couple of great chairs for the kitchen from the local market.”
The next year will be an exciting one for Lisa, with building starting on two three-bedroom properties next door to Amazing Grace. She already has plenty of plans for the interiors and we can’t wait to see the results.
