Melbourne, 1910. The Edwardian era. An era of change.

A new and increasingly refined approach to design was emerging. The darkness, clutter and ornamentation of the Victorian era were giving way to interiors that felt lighter, simpler and more elegant. The Edwardians embraced the latest innovations — electric lighting, modern plumbing and the conveniences of a rapidly changing world — while continuing to value beautiful furnishings, fine craftsmanship and exquisitely tailored details.

At this time, Titanic — itself an extraordinary expression of Edwardian design — was being built in Belfast. The Manhattan Bridge was taking shape in New York. King Edward VII was on the throne...

...and a small country house called Linga Longa was being built in Sassafras, in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges.

Originally built as a holiday home for the Stricklands, an established Melbourne family, Linga Longa offered an escape from city life. Set on the main street of Sassafras, the house was beautifully maintained, and the family later created an impressive garden on the adjoining land. The Stricklands retained the property for more than 70 years, passing it through generations of the family. In the years that followed, Linga Longa passed through several owners. The house itself was converted for a time into a bed and breakfast during the 1980s, the original garden was eventually sold, and the once immaculate property gradually became timeworn and neglected.

In July 2006, Melbourne interior designer Justin Bishop purchased Linga Longa. Immediately drawn to its character and history, Justin and Guy Reeves began restoring the house and garden, respecting the spirit of the original property while giving it a new life. The restoration and interiors drew inspiration from Justin's enduring design influences — the great 18th-century Scottish architects and designers Robert and James Adam, and American president and architect Thomas Jefferson — together with a distinctly Australian interpretation of traditional country style. Filled with vintage furniture, antiques and objects collected over time, Linga Longa became an expression of Justin's classic approach to interiors: layered, comfortable and timeless. The restored property has since appeared in a number of leading Australian publications, including Australian House & Garden, Country Style and The Age.

Then, in 2012, The Blackwood Sassafras was created. Completely separate from the main house and privately positioned within the property, The Blackwood was conceived as a retreat for two — combining the atmosphere and character of another era with the comfort, privacy and conveniences of contemporary life. More than a decade later, it remains a favourite escape for guests from Melbourne, interstate and further afield — a small, private retreat with its own story, in the heart of Sassafras.