Mr & Mrs Smith

The White House

Daylesford, Australia

Hidden by a lush wall of greenery on the edge of pretty spa town Daylesford, The White House – from the outside – looks rather like an unpretentious cottage. It’s the Moroccan lamps hanging on the veranda that are the first indication that you might be treated to something a little different. Inside, it’s another world: rustic and industrial antiques, original artwork, hand-painted wallpapers, hand-stitched bedlinen, a bathroom with claw-foot tub and French chandelier, a fully stocked library and an expansive kitchen that implores you to cook a huge country-style roast dinner. And everywhere there are tiny, savvy additions that add to the detail, including a vintage typewriter with paper so that you can compose an entry for the guest-book. Stoke the open fire in the living room or take one of the day-beds out into the back garden for a long session of reading and napping, before walking into Daylesford to enjoy the shopping and eating.

Need to know

• Rates information The three-bedroom White House is available for exclusive hire, from AU$340–AU$850. Special weekend and extended-stay rates apply, as well as deals if you book particular rooms.
• Ideal for A friends’ weekend away, especially for those who like fine food, wine and interiors.
• Sleeps 5-10
• Property style Lovingly restored 1850s miner’s cottage with stylish vintage-modern updates.
• Grounds Dreamy gardens, hung with Moroccan-style lanterns, surround the house, with large trees and plenty of grass for lying around reading – although you may find yourself nodding off before too long.
• Minimum hire One night during the week; two nights between Thursday and Sunday.
• Children This is an adults-only playground, so leave the nippers at home. More...
• Booking process A Smith deposit is taken at the time of booking.
• Also Smoking is allowed outside only, and pets are not permitted.

Floor plan

• This original 1850s brick miner's cottage has been restored and given a rustic, industrial feel. All of the collections, art and furniture have been sourced by owner Lyn Gardener, a Melbourne antiques dealer, from across country Victoria.

• Bedrooms

  Bedroom one: this soothing, neutral room comes with a queen-size bed, white linen sheets and feather pillows. Interiors fans will appreciate the dark polished wood floors, cowhide rug, pale limewashed walls, industrial lighting and witty wallpaper art, featuring two floor lamps, by British designer Deborah Bowness. White-shuttered windows keep things light and airy.
  Bedroom two: this room offers a queen-size bed with handmade bedlinen and feather pillows. Decor is a pretty mix of polished wooden floors, black and white toile wallpaper, a leather club chair and original artwork.

  Separate garden bedroom: this high-ceilinged, private studio is in the back garden. It has a queen-size bed with handmade bedlinen, claw-foot bathtub and French doors that open to the garden. White, wood-lined walls are decorated with pages from a rare gardening book.

  The shared bathroom has an original claw-foot bathtub, pedestal basin and French chandelier. Soaps are wrapped in vintage papers and maps, and shampoo and conditioner is supplied.
   

• Kitchen

  Part of the dining area, the kitchen has a simple modern-rustic feel, with a freestanding wooden work bench on wheels, ample open storage and a blackboard for chalking up shopping lists, recipes or just cheeky notes. Key kit includes a commercial stainless-steel oven, microwave and fridge, alongside all the cutlery, crockery and cookware you'll need and a handy picnic basket. Provisions – free-range eggs, organic sourdough bread, tea, coffee, milk and fresh oranges (for juicing) – are supplied for your first breakfast.

• Living room

  Chill out in one of the two lounge spaces, decorated with industrial furniture and light fittings, comfy club chairs and sofas, handmade vintage-flag cushions and antique art. In summer you can open up the French doors to the garden or in winter snuggle up by the generous fireplace.

• Dining room

  Combined with the kitchen, the dining room sports a huge wooden vintage table flanked by eight former boardroom chairs. Large white industrial pendant lamps add to the salvaged feel and there are garden views.

• Poolside

  There's no pool but bring your swimmers as Lake Daylesford is within walking distance off Bleakley Street.

• Gardens

  Pretty gardens surround the house, and the back yard is perfect for enjoying your book or breakfast in the sunshine on one of the day-beds provided (find them stored in the big railway drawers in the living room).

• Private parking

  There is parking to the front of the property.

• Other

  There's no air-conditioning but the White House supplies cooling fans.