Nook Notes; Winter Glow from the Storyteller's Nook

We’ve had the quiet ones.

The creatives craving solitude, the deep exhale, the hush between paragraphs, a true writing retreat.

We’ve had the loud ones too.

A girls’ weekend with woolly socks, roaring laughter, and just the right number of late-night snacks, one of those quirky getaways everyone promises to repeat next year.

And we’ve had love.

A romantic proposal by the open fire, all warmth and wide eyes, the kind of moment that makes these romantic weekends unforgettable. She said yes, and the church lit up in a way no candle could match.

Winter is, quite simply, sublime at the Nook.

It gets cold down here. Temperatures often drop below 10 degrees Celsius, but this is where the fire truly comes into its own. The open hearth reigns supreme now. We keep the firewood at the ready, and as soon as the air tightens, that first crackle signals the shift.

Electric candles are placed throughout, making everything feel soft around the edges. Perfect for slow reading, or those long, meandering conversations that only happen when no one’s watching the clock, a haven for book lovers.

We’re often asked about the artwork. The truth is, it was a major centrepiece from day one. The church’s striking, tall cathedral ceilings gave it that natural gallery feel, so we wanted the walls to carry their own kind of narrative.

Now, confession: I have very eclectic taste. This made for an interesting (and occasionally exasperating) ride for our interior designer. Every piece needed a story, but also a reason to sit next to the piece beside it.

We weren’t aiming for symmetry. We were aiming for a collection that reflected everything. Beauty, inspiration, humour, colour, contemplation, depth, whimsy.

Curating art has never been “a thing” of mine. But this wasn’t just a church anymore, it was The Storyteller’s Nook, and it had to be done right.

So now you’ll find portraiture nodding to the renaissance, original illustrations pulled from storybooks, playful prints tipping the hat to art and music icons, and honest, heartfelt photography that stops you mid-step.

Themes emerged as we moved, loosely and instinctively. Sections that speak to each other, moods that echo without matching.

Guests often spend hours just looking. Wandering. Reflecting. It’s not uncommon for people to message us later just to say how much it meant. That kind of feedback always lands straight in the heart. It feels like gentle validation that maybe, just maybe, we did okay.

We’ve even had offers to buy certain works. Most of the pieces can be purchased (except the originals, they’re part of the Nook’s spine now).

So yes, winter is here and with it deep cups of tea, hot chocolate, woollen throws, and slow fireside hours.

If you’re thinking about visiting, whether to write, nap, read, propose, or just be, know that we’ll have the hearth glowing and the light just right. And if you’re up for a short wander, the markets and beaches of nearby Warrnambool are just a quick drive away.

And the art? It’ll be waiting too.

See a sample of some of our pieces below;