Artisans on the Hill: An artistic home away from home

A tall gum tree catches my eye at the bottom of the hill, a dragon fruit, or night-blooming cactus creeps up smothering the tree trunk and lower branches.

It is not parasitic however; it’s just two good friends embracing to share their warmth on a cold and wet winter’s day.

I embraced my morning coffee.

I was in the common room of Artisans on the Hill and could not stop staring at the tree. Staring at it while enjoying cheese and crackers and red wine of an afternoon; staring at it while enjoying a home cooked breakfast of scrambled eggs; staring at it while doing puzzles with Kalyra and during her kite making session with Peter, the owner.

Artisans on the Hill in the Manning Valley gives you permission to sit and stare and relax while enjoying delicious food, improving your artistic skills and having a taste of home lifestyle.

The Sassafras room

The Artisans on the Hill experience

It’s a B & B, an Artisans workshop and gallery, and a café rolled into one, on a couple of acres just a few hours north of Sydney.

Craig and I had never experienced a B & B stay before and we weren’t quite sure what to expect. I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of travelling through South East Asia and staying in family run guesthouses. It’s not a cold, lifeless room you are laying your head down for the evening, but a home you get to feel a part of for a short period.

It was such a great experience for the two girls as well, more people to love and dote upon them and another opportunity for them to learn how to get along with all sorts of people.

This is what I love about travel, talking over a beautiful Italian meal of risotto, homemade bread and chocolate mousse and strawberries with strangers who, after a sip of fine Barbera wine, become friends. I loved learning the stories and history of the area and of Peter and Christine the owners who had a dream to create an artistic enclave; a dream based on their own passions.

There are so many people in the world doing interesting things and leading fascinating lives. I love hearing how others set upon their path of living their dream lives and in the process create memorable experiences for those who pass by.

Passing the flame from one person to another.

Artisans on the Hill had so much for Kalyra to look at and entertain herself with. Savannah quickly took the living area to be hers by rearranging the furniture and using the chairs and tables as her new walking frames. Peter and Christine, both parents, were fine with it and happy for her to explore in her one-year-old way.

Kalyra became obsessed with a koala puzzle made in one of Peter’s woodwork classes.  Christine took the photo of the koala high in the trees on their property. Koalas can sometimes be seen running around on the acreage or heard barking late at night.

Kalyra did the puzzle over and over, getting faster every time and even challenging herself to do it with her eyes closed. Again I saw my daughter learning and growing through her travel experiences in a way that wouldn’t happen as readily if we were not living this life.

Another traveller joined us after our meal with a bottle of wine and conversation. She was passing by the area and discovered the craft classes that were on offer at Artisans. She decided to stay the night and do a silver jewellery making course in the morning, using soft silver clay. Once fired it turns into 99% silver.

You can make jewellery like this!

Artisans on the Hill Gallery

The Artisan on the Hill gallery showcase some of the work from the best artisans in the country.

Peter took me through telling me stories of some of the artisans behind the pieces. Allan Williams, whose pieces have been bought by people such as Bill Clinton, creates beautifully sculpted bandsawn boxes from one piece of wood; a jewellery box created by a Tasmanian artisan that grabbed Mike Whitney’s attention for his Sydney Weekender segment on Artisans; and the artisan who creates figurines out of old cutlery, gifts for dignitaries and ambassadors.

Bandsawn boxes

It was not just the pieces of art and craft that caught my attention, but the shape and design of the gallery itself attached to the building like an outcropping of rock. Just as Peter had intended.

He first discovered it in Dismal Swamp in Tasmania, Christine’s home state. At the time of visiting Christine and Peter had the idea of Artisans in their head, but nothing manifested. As they explored Dismal Swamp they came across an outcropping of rock, immediately Peter knew that was his gallery.

He set to work designing it, but he was told it couldn’t be done. When you have an idea or a dream you have it because the Universe knows it is meant for you. Peter knew it could be done and came up with the design himself. After gaining approval from an engineer and hence the council, he set about creating the outcropping of rock with the circular wooden beams, and now we have a beautiful building that, not only holds treasures inside, but grabs you attention as soon as you turn into the driveway and see it sitting up the hill.

The building itself is a testament to Peter’s skills as a wood turner. His eyes light up as he gives us a tour of his work shed and talks about the craft that he enjoys doing and teaching the most. He loves showing people what they can create from timber.

Artisans on the Hill woodwork making class

Artisans is influenced by both Christine and Peter’s heritage. The rooms’ names after Tasmanian timber: we stayed in the Sassafras and Myrtle room. Peter is second generation Italian and, even though he has not visited Italy himself, the Italian DNA for making simple food taste great is in him.

Let’s go fly a kite

It was joyous to watch Kalyra make a kite with Peter in the morning. She decorated it with her favourite flowers and butterflies and then Peter patiently sat with her and worked with her to attach the ribbon, strings and frame. Even though the wind was not blowing strongly we ran out in the front field and grabbed whatever breeze we could find to sail it high.

Let’s go fly a kite

and send it soaring

We ran passed the gum tree and her cactus friend embracing, soaring down the hillside with happy family giggles.

That is just what you can expect from a stay at Artisans.

Artisans on the Hill: The Facts

Where: 702 Tinonee Rd, Mondrook (Tinonee) NSW 2430
Cost: Rates start at $135 per night for up to two people including breaksfast. Dinner with the family is $25 pp and prices vary for the Artisan workshops
Contact: Website – Facebook phone: 02 6553 1199

What would you love the most about staying at Artisans on the Hill?

We stayed as guests of Artisans on the Hill and the Legendary Pacific Coast Drive