Escape to the Country

ele HOME chats with Asia Upward, the founder of the luxury retreat, Logan Brae, situated in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Asia and husband, Sam, have lovingly designed and created one of the most popular Airbnb’s in Australia.

I grew up in the country, in a place called Boree in the Hunter Valley. My artist parents built our stone house by hand, with the help of family and friends. The stone had been blasted from the site itself and collected from the land. The timber was milled onsite by my dad, who passed when I was just a youngster.

It was a very free childhood based on trust. An overall knowledge of the animals and environment around me kept me safe.

But it was certainly rustic. We had no electricity, no phone line, and our water came from tanks. It sounds hard, but I wish more people could experience it. Some days I wish I could leave all the technology behind and gift the same upbringing to my children. An upbringing that feeds creativity. It certainly set me up for a creative life.

In my 20s I went to art school and became a photographer. For 20 years I photographed everything, but especially homewares and products. I loved the whole process, from building sets to styling and shooting for publications.

Then, about seven years ago, I moved to the Blue Mountains and met my apple farmer hubby, Sam. Sam had bought 100-year-old apple orchard some eight years prior, and he’d put his whole heart and soul into restoring it. I came along at the right time when the house was liveable.

When our first child was born, I quickly realised I had to pivot my career. I needed something I could easily do from home while looking after our baby. So, together, Sam and I converted the old Machinery Shed on the orchard into guest accommodation.

I used my set building and styling experience to create something truly special. And today the Machinery Shed is one of the top three most wish-listed Airbnb homes in Australia.

It turns out, I love designing and running boutique accommodation. So much so that last year we took on a second property in Mt Kanimbla. It was already an established B&B business, with two cabins and a large homestead. We bought the Mt Kanimbla property in May 2021. It took us five months to renovate the two cabins and get them up and running for guests. We did a lot of work to them, but the bones are still all the same.

I immediately fell in love with the property, its surroundings and natural beauty. It brought me back to my childhood home, the landscape filling me with a sense of reconnection and calm I hadn’t felt since I was just 10 years old. This was it. I had to share this with the world.

It’s amazing how our pasts are so entwined with our future. How the decisions we make weave our stories together. It usually happens so organically that you don’t realise it until you sit back and really think about it. For me, most days I’m out working hard, physically on the land with my two kids in tow just like my mum did 40 years ago.

And my styling and design – I didn’t realise at first, but when I set up accommodation for guests, I think of it like a set build for a photo shoot or some fabulous movie. I want it to feel like something you’ve never experienced before. So that, when you step out of the car, you’re transported somewhere completely otherworldly. I want each guest to experience something truly unique.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with American ranches and log cabins. Perhaps because it’s similar to how I grew up, but with an American twist that I find very visually appealing. So, to bring that essence to the Mt Kanimbla property was a dream made real. Creating these spaces has been a true joy for me. I hope everyone who stays loves them just as much.

I was a professional photographer. I had to style my own shoots for editorial and magazines. So, I guess in a way I am used to making things look aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I have lately been doing interior masterclasses online as I am becoming more and more obsessed with the styling side of my business. I recently watched a master class with Kelly Wearstler, and she is fantastic. I love how she marries items together. She combines items I would never have dreamt of. Using interesting shapes and textures. I am obsessed with her styling now.

I think of interior design as solving a puzzle. Each home is different, and you need to make the style work for the individual space. If you look on my Pinterest board, you will see a mix of inspiration. Maximalism, Mid-century Modern, American ranches, Mediterranean stone houses. I pull from these what I love and stick to a theme for each space. I like my interiors to be based around the style of the house. At Mt Kanimbla they were reminiscent of the American log cabin, so I played on that theme. The Machinery shed was a converted Machinery shed so it’s a mix of mid-century/industrial.

I do the gardening as well. It was never a structured concept, but it’s always organically grown into what it is today. Talking to people and getting advice along the way has been wonderful too. Each Cabin has a slightly different look to fit the theme and environment. The Machinery Shed is more of a rambling cold climate garden. The Hilltop Cabin is more Mediterranean with Olive trees and Cacti, and The Woodlands Cabin has more of a cute conifer look that leads you into the Woodlands.

I think it’s important to have some high-end key furniture pieces that are the focus of your room. You can then mix in cheaper items for decoration. You also don’t need to spend a lot on carpets or rugs. You can get some nice ones these days at very reasonable prices. In accommodation your carpet will need to be replaced every couple of years whereas the couch and bed should last a lot longer.

We can’t live without a view at Logan Brae and all our places have stunning views. They are all different and take your breath away. I have worked the spaces to make the most of these. Large windows in all the right spots so no matter where you are sitting you can always take in the surroundings.

I love visiting the Megalong Valley wineries, horse riding at Centennial Glenn and dinner at Ates in Blackheath. Also, Logan Brae Orchard have the best apple pies, so I am lucky I live there – ha-ha!

My plan is to grow the business. You may see Logan Brae Retreats beach side pop up at some point in the future.

To visit Asia and Sam’s stunning properties including Logan Brae Retreat – Machinery Shed and Mt Kanimbla (including Woodland Cabin, Hilltop Cabin, and The Lodge) check-out