Home Away from Home: Lynda Gardener's latest venture Room + Board

Lynda Gardener is an escape artist but not the kind that waves a wand and wears a cape. She’s one in the sense that she creates boutique accommodation for people to escape from their everyday lives and return feeling renewed and rejuvenated. See, it’s a different kind of magic.

With four short-stay rentals already under her belt, Gardener introduces her fifth to the line-up with Room + Board, but unlike the others this was a new build from scratch. Located in Daylesford, Room + Board is her second rental in the town, and conveniently positioned next-door to her property, The White House.

The site was formerly an extended driveway belonging to Gardener’s neighbour and while it was unusually small by country standards, she saw its potential. “It’s unusual to find a block this narrow up here but at five metres by 30 metres, it felt like a normal piece of inner-city land.”

The interior designer and stylist had a vision for the property straightaway. “All I could think of was building a little, beautiful barn.”

Gardener launched the property in December 2019 and was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, which has seen the state go into lockdown twice. However, the hotelier remains optimistic for the future when restrictions ease.

“I can’t wait for when I’m able to have all my guests new and old return for some relaxing time away. It’s just a five-minute walk to town but when you’re inside you could be anywhere,” she says of the light, bright and white cosy home she spent the last year working on.

Room + Board distinctively features Gardener’s interiors touch – perfectly curated and considered with an emphasis on sustainable furniture and homewares by local makers and designers, as well as vintage artworks and pieces she collected on recent travels to Prague and Portugal.

While she deliberately designed the space for maximum relaxation, she encourages visitors to “get out, about and enjoy Daylesford”.

And she’s right. You are on holiday after all but first maybe recline on the lounge, and inhale the world Gardener has created.

While in Daylesford

Pancho

Sleep-ins are mandatory on holiday but it doesn’t matter what time you wake up because local cafe Pancho has you covered. Pancho brings to the table food with a focus on local produce.

Manteau Noir

Showcasing a collection of European and antique homewares, clothing, perfume and linens, Manteau Noir can add a little je ne sais quoi to your own home. We love their women’s linen wear.

Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens

This botanic garden has been delighting visitors for over 150 years. The on-site cafe and kitchen garden operates out of the original garden caretaker’s small house.

Betel Boy

Daylesford’s Larder has long been a reliable favourite among the brunch and lunch crowd, and now the team’s latest venture Betel Boy is following suit. Trading on Friday and Saturday nights for dinner service, this part-time restaurant is dishing up modern pan-Asian cuisine and cocktails.