The Estate Trentham

Do you remember the days when you would briefly meet someone in passing, and their character is so sparkly and intoxicating that the magic of it is palpable? You just want to bottle it up so you can call it your own, and as you walk away, you are already looking forward to the next time your paths cross. That’s how I feel about The Estate Trentham, a character-rich bed and breakfast / workshop venue in Australia designed by creative multi-hyphenate Lyn Gardener (such a fabulous last name, right?).

When I first laid eyes on this destination, I knew I finally had an answer to “what do you want to do when you grow up” - I just want to be like Lyn (shown below), who is practically Australia’s answer to Joanna Gaines but without the Target line and corporate fandom. Seriously, I’m swooning over her control of shiplap and worn out windowpanes like there’s no tomorrow.

As a quick aside y’all, Australia has an incredible design scene - there are so many places I want to share with you, like Folk, The Grounds of Alexandria, and Blacksmith Provedore! Their time will come.

The Estate Trentham is a gorgeous (said in the voice of JVN) collection of spaces, including The House, The Barn, and The Garden. Let’s take a look at each one, starting with The House! The House was built in 1902, about an hour from Melbourne. It is beautifully outfitted with turkish rugs, an abundance of throws, and handmade cushions and pillows. The kitchen is stocked with vintage pots and pans, old school kitchenware and plate chargers (dinner party ready!), and oversized lights that are minimal but striking. Across the space, the colors are minimal, natural, and Scandinavian-inspired - the place feels airy as well as rooted, grounded, and approachable.

I can’t get an exact sense of where some of the photos were taken, but the three below appear to be off in a carriage house of sorts, right behind the events barn. Truly the most stylish mother-in-law suite around, folks. I’ll be having my glass of Sauvignon Blanc in that clawfoot bathub.

The space that initially grabbed my attention was The Barn, a stunning events space that has been adored for both workshops and intimate weddings. I love the scale and materiality of this space, and the bright white walls contrast against the light steel trusses. If I had a space like this, I would throw the most delightful dinner parties every month.

The Barn and The House are surrounded by The Grounds, a collection of mini orchards and gardens that are as wild as they are curated. The local gardener, Tim Pilgrim, is on-site to make sure everything is running smoothly and that tomatoes and fresh berries are always at the ready. He’s like the modern day pool boy and I’m not complaining. There is a designated tea garden, with dried herbs that can be used to DIY your own herbal tea concoction. If you are wondering whether fairies also live here, I have heard through the rumor mill that they in fact do.

Seriously, what a place - I dream of it often. Until we meet, I’ll continue to enjoy these images from Marnie Hawson and Lisa Cohen. If you are in the area, be sure to also check out The White House Daylesford and The Apartment St Kilda - two other inspiring Lyn projects!

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