This was published 11 years ago
Adam & Jane's Blue Mountains, review: So Frenchy, so chic
Country style ... the cosy lounge room at Adam & Jane's.
Rachel Browne discovers a haven for foodies and open-fire lovers that does the perfect French impression - in Leura.
Heading up the driveway to Adam & Jane's, I momentarily wonder whether I'm in the south of France or the Blue Mountains.
While Adam & Jane's is in Leura, it looks as if it could have been transplanted from Provence.
The upper level of the imposing two-storey house has three sets of french doors, complete with flower baskets in full bloom and an appealingly rustic front garden.
First impressions count for much when it comes to holiday accommodation and Adam & Jane's is ticking all my boxes so far.
Things only improve when we enter the rambling, five-bedroom house on half an acre (2000 square metres) of land. Despite its oversize proportions, it feels warm and cosy inside thanks to a blazing gas fire that the owners have thoughtfully lit on the unseasonably chilly weekend of our visit.
With an eclectic array of antique furniture and knick-knacks and objets d'art adorning almost every surface, the home has a welcoming, lived-in feel. It makes a pleasant change from so many holiday rentals that seem to resemble a Swedish furniture catalogue.
The personal touches - fresh flowers on the kitchen island and a loaf of bread on the bench - make it seem as if your friends have gone away for the weekend and left you the keys. That's assuming your friends have a taste for the finer things in life.
The kitchen is the real showpiece - all CaesarStone benchtops and enough European appliances to do a professional chef proud. Apart from the fridge, oven, microwave, kettle and toaster, there's a coffee machine, juicer, blender and food processor, and even a wine cooler.
Mercifully, for the appliance-challenged, the owners have left a detailed list of instructions on how to use everything.
A couple of quirky touches - the antique scales on the island, an oversize marble mortar and pestle, and a meat safe serving as a crockery cupboard - take the edge off all the stainless steel.
Didn't bring your recipe books with you? No problem. As well as providing an impressive library of cookbooks, the owners have cut out numerous recipes and used them to wallpaper the servery wall separating the kitchen from the casual dining area.
An equally inspiring vision board featuring images of amazing interiors decorates the dwarf wall around the stairs leading to the lower level of the house.
So it's clear the owners have a passion for food and fabulous interiors and their home certainly reflects that. The main living area is all comfy couches, scatter cushions and throw rugs. It's the perfect place to relax and watch one of the hundreds of DVDs that line the wall or listen to one of the many CDs.
A separate living area off the deck makes an inviting reading nook - the collection of books and magazines almost rivals the DVDs and CDs.
The main dining area is adjacent to the living area. You could comfortably fit 10 people around the table there or, failing that, eat alfresco on the deck, which has a gas heater. Another option is the back garden, where there is a covered table setting.
The garden proves a hit with our children, age six and nine. They love the trampoline, totem tennis and tree house. A separate studio with a billiard table, dartboard, couches and flat-screen TV could make a good retreat for older teenagers.
Younger children will love the assortment of toys, books and a wooden activity table with coloured pencils and butcher's paper.
Adam & Jane's is quite literally a crowd-pleaser. It sleeps 10 people, with three bedrooms upstairs and two downstairs.
Upstairs, the main suite has a walk-in wardrobe, where a portable cot and baby monitor are also stored, and an en suite. The second bedroom has a double bed and the third has two singles, making it perfect for children.
Downstairs, the fourth bedroom has a double bed and the fifth has a double and a single. All the beds are covered in beautiful linen, including the most gorgeous handmade antique quilts.
While it's tempting to stay indoors, the owners have left a folder full of information about local attractions and restaurants, which reveal that Leura is in fact a town that's well worth exploring.
The writer was a guest of Destinations NSW and Adam & Jane's, Leura.
Trip notes
Where Adam & Jane's, Leura. stayz.com.au/102604, adamandjanes.com.
Getting there Take the M4 Western Motorway towards the Blue Mountains and turn off at Leura.
How much $420-$600 a night.
Style statement The south of France meets the Blue Mountains.
Perfect for Foodies, families or even a girlie getaway.
Don't forget Your gourmet food supplies. This is one kitchen that makes cooking a pleasure.
Shame about A shoe rack on the deck would have been great for our muddy footwear.
Kudos The fresh flowers on the kitchen bench and the table on the deck add a personal touch.
Take the kids Yes, they'll love it but be prepared to move the breakable ornaments to higher shelves or else spend your weekend saying: "Don't touch that!"
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