Ormiston House, Accommodation, Strahan, Tasmania
continued
he bathroom has a cast iron clawfoot bath c1870. There is also a skylight that is original, although the stained glass diffuser has been added during restoration. This bathroom was originally a storeroom and had a doorway leading to the hallway.
Three of the bedrooms have Royal Doulton figurines. The one in this room is called Stephanie. There are also small pieces of porcelain around the house. This room features cats, thimbles and a very small cup and saucer.
Of all the rooms in the house, this room has become a favourite with the owners and the guests who have stayed in her.
The Jessie Room
Named after the youngest daughter of F.O. and Mary Alice this room brings out the character of a bright and lively Victorian girl. The toile wallpaper is one of gardens and children in days gone by while the green and white colour scheme gives a bright feel to the room.
This suite has two bedrooms with a connecting doorway, a common area and a large bathroom. The windows open out to an atrium that was previously a sunroom and before that a covered walkway. The main bedroom, with a queen size timber and cast iron bed, has a European wardrobe
and an English dresser, both c1890. The second bedroom is accessed by way of a new doorway in the adjoining wall to what was previously the housekeeper's room. The common area in the second bedroom has been separated by a federation room arch and lace curtains for privacy. Families or
close friends travelling together use this suite.
The bathroom is generous in size and was originally the scullery. The theme is green and white with a cast iron clawfoot bath c1870. The basin is set in a teak washstand with polished brass tapware. The bathroom is bright and the
paintwork is 'ragged' to give a marble finish.
The second bedroom has an English robe and dressing table. To compliment the scene there is a grandfather and grandmother chair in green and gold fabric. Once again a Royal Doulton figurine on the mantle called 'Amy' and another on the dresser called 'Grace'.
The Amelia Room
This pretty and bright room is typically Victorian and named after a very pretty Victorian girl. Amelia was the eldest of F.O.'s daughters and by photographs her appearance shows a little pretense. The ribbons and curls in her hair match very well the pictures on the walls of
Victorian girls at play.
The queen-size bed has an attractive bedcover matching the drapes. The flowers, ribbons and colours create a very feminine appeal. The Queen Anne style furniture adds a touch of refinement and elegance to the room. Upon the mantle is
the Royal Doulton figurine 'For You' and on the dresser are some Beatrix Potter 'Peter Rabbit' figures, once again Royal Doulton.
The bathroom is white and light blue, a cast iron clawfoot bath and remarkably a fireplace. This is because the bathroom was formerly a bedroom that was sacrificed to make way for this en-suite and a bathroom for the restaurant. The afternoon sun gives this bathroom a glow that
would complement a well-earned soak after a hard days sightseeing.
As with all the bedrooms
the ceilings are 3.95 metres high (13 feet), central heating and air
conditioning - remote controlled, tea and coffee making facilities and remote
controlled colour television.
The Christina Room
At the end of 1999 the morning room or breakfast room was converted into a bedroom. Originally this room would have been a dining room. Mike placed a spa in one corner and a toilet in another. It is fortunate that the Ormiston House rooms are large enough to accommodate such changes. The décor of the room remained the same with the attractive Laura Ashley fabrics in lemon and pale yellows.
This bedroom is the only room at the front of the house and has water views. The furniture is Tasmanian oak and was made in Tasmania. This is a room for lovers!
The Harry Lyell History Gallery
This area was once the domain of F.O. himself. Thought to be his office at home, this area of the attic is lined in Baltic pine and is directly beneath the tower. Today it is a room full of old photographs and memorabilia about Strahan and the Henry family.
The collection is being added to continuously and contains information and artifacts donated by descendents of F.O. and other items collected by the new owners and others who are interested in the history of Ormiston House.
Mike and Carolyn do not consider these items to be their own. Rather they are custodians of the history contained in this room. The contents will be owned by a trust in the future so that this collection will be protected, regardless of who may own Ormiston House in years to
come.
The Tower and Widow's Walk
The Royal Palace at Tonga may have influenced the most dominant feature of the house. It was a guest who remarked on the resemblance and quite co-incidentally F.O. had business interests in Fiji and the South Pacific before moving to Tasmania in the early 1880's. The more
practical reason was for F.O. to observe his ships moving down the harbour. When inclement he could observe through the porthole windows and when fine from the Widow's Walk.
There is no finer place to be than on the deck on a clear starry night or a warm summer's afternoon. Whether it be a port under the stars or a cheeseplate and a fine red or a crisp chilled white in the late afternoon the view is splendid and atmosphere divine.
The Dining Rooms
These rooms were once used for entertaining and with the use of the internal sliding door made a large area. The fireplaces are the dominant feature and would an irreplaceable item if they had been removed in previous years. Fortunately they were not and today Carolyn exhibits her collection of porcelain and other antique pieces.
Breakfast is served in these rooms as is a very elegant way to start your day.