SLOW STAYS

Within the brick walls of this 95-year-old church, there has been dancing, concerts, weddings and dinners. It started as a place of worship, then of celebration – now, it’s a soulful retreat found in the Coolamon Shire in Central NSW. Stories seep from the floorboards as light pierces the gothic stained-glass windows. Each piece of timber was repurposed or lovingly restored, while furniture sourced through Marketplace arrived with its own stories stitched into the fabric. But it’s the balance of craft and care that creates such an ethereal setting; where vintage and mod cons collide. The traditionally restored cast-iron clawfoot bath comes with underfoot heating, Turkish linen and silk robes, as an example. In such a serene setting you might find yourself at the drawing board – charcoal in hand, or facing off over the chess set, swaddled in a sustainable wool throw designed and hand-stitched by your host Merrin. A curated welcome platter will set the right mood with local cheese and homegrown and homemade preserves, while breakfast pairs backyard eggs with the likes of locally produced oats and organic tea.