Set in an original 1870s coach house in one of Melbourne's oldest suburbs, The Coachman's Quarters is an exquisite inner-city apartment that's perfect just for two. Wendy and Ivan Neaves found their rundown heritage-listed two-storey Victorian terrace – complete with separate coach house – eight years ago and immediately saw its potential. The couple had fallen in love with provincial-style residences after a few holidays in France and thought the property was ideally suited to a French-provincial makeover.
Makeover Magic
After spending three years restoring the main residence, the pair turned their attention to the coach house, which was converted into an elegant self-contained apartment and decorated in their signature French-provincial style. A new kitchen and bathroom were fitted, while the original layout and marble-tiled floor with its wonderful patina were retained. Once complete, Wendy and Ivan opened The Coachman's Quarters as a bed and breakfast in 2007 and it now offers a wonderful romantic escape right in the heart of Melbourne's bustling inner city. On your arrival, cobbled bluestone paving leads to a pair of grey double doors flanked by Anduze pots with well-trimmed box hedges. Inside, you’re greeted by stunning black and white marble flooring and genuine French-provincial furniture and antiques, collected by Wendy over 20 years.
Provincial Charm
The exquisite salon features a single day bed and upholstered dining chairs and couch, where you can lounge around with a book or enjoy a nap after a long day of sightseeing. A television, DVD player and wireless broadband are also available for guests' use. Need to soothe those weary feet? Retreat to the elegant bathroom, where you can soak away your cares in the luxurious claw-foot tub. If you're feeling peckish, fix yourself a snack in the stunning kitchen, which belies its rustic look and is fully equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, electric frypan and tea and coffee making facilities. Continental breakfast provisions are also provided to prepare at your leisure. When you're ready to lay your head, the original timber staircase winds up to the hay-loft bedroom, with its plush queen-size bed, crisp linen and wool-cashmere blankets. The bedroom’s French window, with its iron grille and shutters, overlooks the hedge-lined bluestone courtyard and row of pear trees, where a black wrought-iron outdoor setting and gas barbeque is just what you need for long, lazy lunches. Privacy is ensured with a separate entry from Nunn Lane, plus a visitor's permit for on-street parking.
Out and about
If you feel like exploring, The Coachman's Quarters is ideally located for those wanting to experience Melbourne's food, wine and history. Although the property is set in a quiet street, it’s only a 30-minute walk through the Fitzroy Gardens to the CBD and its restaurants, theatres, museums as well as The Arts Centre, MCG, The Tennis Centre, Botanical Gardens and Southbank. The Jolimont train station and tram stops are also just a few minutes away. But Francophiles may find it hard to venture out the front door, with guests often describing The Coachman's Quarters as more French than France.
The Coachman's Quarters is part of the Beautiful Accommodation collection of Australian properties. For more information, visit www.beautifulaccommodation.com
The Coachman's Quarters
88 Gipps Street, East Melbourne Vic 3002
Phone: (03) 9419 9350 or 0438 361 730
Email: ineaves@bigpond.net.au
Story by Lauren Broomham