PROJECT
OSBORN HOUSE
01 heritage, re-embraced
Completed in 2022
Size: 3500m2
This project was completed in collaboration with Linda Boronkay.
This boutique hotel in the Southern Highlands has been artfully restored with sensitivity and a touch of whimsy, to create something very special.
Originally an 1892 guesthouse, it was in major need of an upgrade. Together with designer Linda Boronkay, we replanned the existing layout into 15 suites, embracing the existing quirky heritage details for their character and authenticity.
To complement the restoration of many charming original features, we commissioned others sympathetic to the era – for example, the magnificent reception desk. Whimsical details such as tactile leather room keys add an engaging contemporary twist.
Among the guest accommodations, impeccably styled premium suites give more than a nod to European elegance, while sophisticated suites take their colour cues from Australia. Modern cabins nestled in the gardens are very distinct from the main hotel, with a clearly contemporary ambience, masterfully realised with commissioned pieces.
Furniture and joinery was a carefully curated mix of vintage and bespoke, to help create a richly layered sense of European sensibility, in keeping with the architectural provenance. This extends through each of the public and private spaces, which each have their own distinct ambience.
A combination of vintage mirrors adorns the intimate library, which also features a bespoke wall designed to house a collection of vintage books and beautiful artefacts. Nearby, the games room is lively and convivial, with a deft touch of humour in the Rob Brown artworks.
Dinah’s restaurant was conceived as an elegant space with a light colour palette. Here, vintage finds were paired with bespoke furniture and Venetian ceiling lights, calling to mind a chic European bistro from the early 1900s. A large-scale artwork by artist Jai Vasicek creates a beautiful focal point. We also commissioned Jai to hand-paint the walls of the property, as well as creating a range of delicate works located throughout.
George’s bar-lounge has a more eclectic combination of furniture and lighting. Styles, patterns and colours engage more energetically to create a more dynamic yet cosy space that celebrates craftsmanship.
