There are some projects that become much more than another design commission.
Love You Bathhouse is one of those projects for me.
When my sister, Niama, and her husband, Haydn, found a former local pub on a beautiful deep block in Castlemaine, they saw a home full of character and possibility.
I saw something more.
With separate road access to the rear of the property, I immediately imagined a private one bedroom retreat hidden amongst the gardens. A place where people could escape for a few days, reconnect with nature and experience the slower pace that makes Castlemaine so special.
I remember saying to them, “You have to buy this property. I’ll design the retreat.”
Thankfully, they trusted me.
Designing for Family
Designing for family is always different.
There’s a level of trust that feels incredibly special, but it also comes with a greater sense of responsibility. You want every decision to be right because you care so deeply about the people you’re designing for.
Niama is a graphic designer and artist, while Haydn is the creative force behind Hear My Eyes. Creativity is woven into everything they do, and I wanted the retreat to feel like a natural extension of that.
Rather than creating somewhere guests simply slept, we wanted to create somewhere they could truly rest.
A place that encouraged people to put their phones away, breathe a little deeper and reconnect with themselves and the surrounding landscape.
Beginning with a Feeling
Before we drew a single line, we talked about how we wanted people to feel.
Warm. Calm. Restored.
We imagined guests arriving on a Friday afternoon carrying the weight of busy lives and leaving a few days later feeling lighter.
Every design decision came back to that feeling.
The architecture was never about making a statement.
It was about quietly supporting the experience.
Every Square Metre Matters
The footprint of the retreat is intentionally compact, but every square metre has been carefully considered.
The bedroom comfortably accommodates two guests, with generous robe storage and direct access to the outdoor deck. The bathroom includes a spacious walk in shower and thoughtful storage for longer stays. The kitchen is compact yet fully equipped for self catering, while the living space feels welcoming and relaxed rather than constrained.
Working within a modest budget encouraged us to think carefully about every decision.
Rather than adding more space, we focused on making the existing space feel more generous.
Great design isn’t about creating bigger homes.
It’s about creating better ones
Looking Up Instead of Out
One of the most significant design decisions was introducing a raked ceiling.
Combined with carefully positioned high level windows along the northern side, the ceiling draws your eye upwards while filling the retreat with beautiful natural light.
Picture windows frame the surrounding gardens, making the landscape feel like another room rather than something outside the home.
Although the footprint is modest, the retreat feels wonderfully spacious because it remains constantly connected to nature.
Designing for Daily Rituals
This is my favourite part of the project.
Step outside from the bedroom and you’ll discover an outdoor bath tucked beneath cascading vines, a private sauna surrounded by Australian native planting and spaces designed simply for slowing down.
These moments weren’t added as luxuries.
They were the heart of the brief.
Whether it’s enjoying your morning coffee on the deck, reading beneath the trees, soaking in the bath under the evening sky or gathering around the fire pit, every element encourages guests to embrace a slower rhythm.
To me, good design isn’t just about beautiful spaces.
It’s about supporting beautiful ways of living.
A Home with Soul
The interiors combine carefully collected vintage furniture with natural textures and warm colour, creating a home that feels layered, authentic and lived in.
Nothing feels overly styled.
Instead, every piece contributes to an atmosphere that feels welcoming, relaxed and deeply personal.
It’s this sense of character that transforms a beautiful building into a memorable experience.
Looking Back
Inspired by a beautiful place they discovered while travelling through Japan, Niama and Haydn named the retreat Love You Bathhouse.
Looking back now that the project is complete, I’m incredibly proud of what we created together.
This project reminds me that generous living isn’t measured by square metres.
It’s measured by the way a space makes you feel.
My hope is that every guest who walks through the garden gate experiences exactly what we hoped to create from the beginning.
A place to pause.
A place to reconnect.
A place to simply breathe.
View the Love You Bathhouse Project here → LOVEYOU BATHTHOUSE
Love You Bathhouse is now welcoming guests to experience this little sanctuary in the heart of Castlemaine. If you’re planning a visit, you can explore the retreat and book your stay on Airbnb.
Jasmine McClelland Design Studio
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