The quaint Victorian township of Kyneton is brimming with culture and history. Located about an hour north of Melbourne in the Macedon Ranges, it’s known for its old bluestone buildings, Piper Street dining scene and eclectic offering of retail boutiques.
Having grown up in the town, couple Tara and Taras Pearce had long appreciated the beauty and charm of one particular bluestone house that’s served many purposes over the years.
It was originally built in 1850 for its first iteration as Mrs Coghlan’s Retail Grocery, before it also housed a massage parlour, a private home, and most recently, a bakery — that is, until Tara and Taras purchased the building a few years ago.
‘It’s such a unique place and holds a presence in Kyneton’s history,’ Tara says. ‘It is also one of few surviving bluestone properties on its side of the street.’
Found in the heart of the town on the bustling Piper Street, it made for an ideal location for the home-like hotel the couple had dreamed of opening. They spent about 18 months restoring the house back to its former glory and creating an inviting space for guests to stay and enjoy all that Kyneton — and the wider Macedon Ranges — has to offer.
‘Our vision of transforming started with the first year spent meticulously restoring the property’s external bluestone walls to ensure they would stand for another 100 years,’ Tara explains. ‘Amid intense rainfall, we had to carefully time the installation of an entirely new roof and windows, which was an incredible feat in Kyneton’s winter.’
But the pair persisted, collaborating with a team of talented local tradespeople to make the space comfortable, stylish, and ready for guests. Bringing us forward to today, it’s now open as House of Sol — a dreamy guest house with two bedrooms, perfect for a weekend of relaxation and exploring the area.
The design ethos for the property revolved around embracing feng shui elements and colour principles. This required a thoughtful placement of every interior aspect to ‘enhance harmony and energy flow’.
‘Colour has a profound impact on our creativity, mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, and we felt that it added to our guests’ experience,’ Tara notes.
To incorporate the ‘home-hotel’ business model, House of Sol also offers a concierge service where Tara and Taras curate local experiences around wellbeing and hospitality.
Whether it’s a private in-house dinner, a wine tour, tarot reading, cooking class, sound bath session, forest bathing or restaurant booking, the couple can organise an array of activities to fill your next weekend getaway!
‘Guests can immerse themselves in the home or step outside on the prestigious Piper Street, which offers the opportunity to explore a rich food and wine scene, contemporary art galleries, and cool retail stores,’ Tara adds. ‘You’ll find fashion, design, antiques, vintage furniture, homewares, fragrances, and local produce.’
Book your stay at House of Sol here!
