Wentworth House Daylesford | Meet The Makers
3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS
Rates from $550 (AUD) per night based on a midweek stay at Wentworth House Daylesford
The Origins sat down with Jessica – owner of the wonderful Wentworth House Daylesford as part of our Meet The Makers conversation series.
What inspired you in creating this wonderful space?
I wanted to create an experience home. A space both guests and we could escape to. The home is a fantasy space that transforms itself as you enter. You enter a small mining cottage facade and then a tardis of design reveals itself. It’s a style that you wouldn’t typically find in a traditional home. I wanted to create a true sense of luxury whereby all aspects, surfaces and elements of the home have been carefully thought through and provided for.
My design inspiration is maximalism – it’s about layering and the concept that more is more. I want people to be able to experience a space that is not so common in the Australian interior design landscape. It’s a fusion of style, both mid-century and country. These come together through the use of layering, textural elements and a more is more philosophy.
I also sought out pieces and elements with memory, items that have character or imperfection. It comes together to create a space that is both distinct but also approachable and welcoming. You can’t live in a show-house and I think it’s important when building a home and design aesthetic that you celebrate imperfection, after all that’s living and it is certainly what rustic country charm is all about.
What do guests love most about the experience?
The feedback that I’ve had is that guests are so surprised how the space transforms. People love the sense of opulence but at the end of the day they feel at ease and at home. They often don’t leave the house – they choose to stay in and immerse themselves in the space. People are comfortable enough to appreciate the detail and the style, and also put their feet up on the coffee table and relax. Being able to create a decadent space with a homely feel that’s approachable and unpretentious – it’s a wonderful thing.
What brings you most joy about the home and the space?
I love that the home is this hidden little haven in a small town. It’s a perfect location on the cusp of Lake Daylesford. You can’t see another house from the property – it’s extremely private yet only a 3-minute walk from The Lakehouse and not much further to the main street. You hear the birds, you experience the natural elements of the country but can access everything Daylesford has to offer.
Picture yourself heading on an escape to Wentworth House Daylesford - If you could bring anyone in the world who would it be and why?
Oh what an interesting question. Naturally it would be my husband. Being able to travel and experiencing destinations with him is what I love. However, I must say one thing that comes to mind is the element of meeting new people. I attended a dinner party recently whereby the 14 guests didn’t know each other. It was staged in a beautiful home that I was quite excited to see and with the intention of forging new connections. The conversation and connections that come from meeting new people in a wonderful setting is priceless. The vibrant nature and social aspects of Wentworth House and especially our dining room just reminds me of that time – the space is a great environment to renew and discover new connections. Travel has always been about that – meeting new people, discovering and connecting with people through travel. Wentworth House Daylesford is a perfect space to unwind and connect with new and old.
Meet the Maker and host
Originally from Daylesford, Jessica wanted to show her hometown to her partner David. They came back to Daylesford some six years ago for a couple’s weekend. Having grown up in and around the tourism and bed and breakfast market there was always a dream to create a home and space that she could share with guests looking for luxury self-contained accommodation. They spent four days touring around Daylesford, which “you rarely get a chance to do in your own hometown”. David was entertaining the idea of starting his own craft brewing company and Jessica wanted to put her passion and newly established background as a designer to the test.
During their long weekend in Daylesford they came across a home for sale – which was just going on the market. They decided to take the jump. Over the course of 3 years they transformed the old miner’s cottage into a wonderful home with every aspect of the home designed by Jessica. “The house allowed me to delve into my passion and launch my consultancy business.”
Fast forward to today, David and Jessica own the wonderful Wentworth House Daylesford and David has established the Daylesford Brewing Company (with a mission to put the ‘ale’ back into Daylesford).
Photo by Angie Hay
Home: Wentworth House Daylesford | Click here for more information and to book
Location: Daylesford, Victoria
Designer & Host: Jessica | Dunbarlo Interiors
Photography: Tim Loft
