At home with. . . Carmen Darwin
Carmen Darwin has carefully curated her stunning Queenslander with exotic wallpapers, character furniture and curiosities from her travels. Luckily for visitors, her home is now also a Guesthouse. We popped over recently to ask questions, and walked out feeling more than a little wanderlust.
20 April 2023
Photography by Castle & Crown
First things first. Tell us a little about yourself.
Where to begin? I'm a designer by day, and a mum of 3 (now adult) children, with a passion for art, adventure and really just everything creative - I try and weave it into the fabric of everything I do. (I've written a book I hope to publish shortly, and also created a series of journals and greeting cards).
My childhood was full of creativity and motorbike adventures with my siblings, so I think that need to create and explore never really left me. Even when I was working in education and real estate, that creative drive was lurking inside - it was only ever a matter of time before it would find its way back out.
Today I run my own design studio focussing on residential and commercial interior design, and have designed for some incredible local businesses like Air Hair and the recent Rink 46 makeover. I still get a buzz out of creating a vision and seeing it come to life.
Why Toowoomba?
Up until 2021 I lived in Brisbane, so moving to Toowoomba was a real tree change story for me. Like many people sometimes life doesn't quite work out as planned, and in 2020 I went through a cancer journey as well as my marriage ending. It was confronting and emotional and exhausting, but coming out the other side, I was ready for a fresh start.
I'd been to Toowoomba before, and even though my children and friends were in Brisbane, Toowoomba kept drawing me in with its beauty, slower pace and country feel.
I did have to give myself a good talking to and encourage myself that I was brave enough to come alone and start over again, but I fell in love with the city and lifestyle, and it was something for myself I had to do!
What is Campbell & Waratah?
Campbell and Waratah Guesthouse is a boutique bed and breakfast for women, and has been my labour of love for the past 15 months now.
Working in interior design, I've naturally put a lot of who I am and my love for wallpaper and pattern and texture and cosiness (and maybe a little of my quirkiness with all the trinkets and curiosities) into the design. There are three suites, the Explorer Suite, Botanist Suite and the Collector Suite, and each has its own little personality and bespoke style.
When I left Brisbane, I really had this passion for seeing women connect and creating a space where that would be possible. Having done a lot of travel also, I felt there was something missing for female travellers. Many women value connection and unique experiences and want to stay somewhere peaceful when travelling, which is what I've created at Campbell and Waratah. The name originally came from the streets it is on, but it also fits so perfectly because it reflects the natural elements and style of the house.
What were you looking for in your home?
I wanted a home with charm and interesting features, and I just fell in love with the stained glass windows, the fireplace, the silky oak sliding windows and the high ceilings (ok, actually everything about this old Queenslander). And because I was also looking for a home with space where I could run my design practice and women’s workshops, I knew as soon as I saw the downstairs room. I walked to my car, wrote out an offer and sent it to the agent, all within 3 hours of driving out of Brisbane that morning.
My mind was also pretty set on having a large garden as I was keen to "garden away any of my sadness" (gardening really is excellent therapy by the way! and it definitely gave me so much joy and happiness). I dreamed of creating a productive garden. It’s early days and a lot of growth needs to happen but I have planted like a ninja since I got here and I squeal a little with delight now that the garden is starting to produce and I’m picking food and herbs for meals to share with guests and friends.
What are some of your favourite pieces?
Gosh, don’t make me have to pick; I can't choose! I have spent a long time collecting many of my pieces. My style is very much a mix of old and new; I don't really follow trends - I love anything that is handmade, and I am a sucker for the rustic or imperfect.
Most of my pieces I've collected on my travels or in op shops or Facebook Marketplace and even quirky bits and pieces from the Toowoomba tip shops (*shhh* it's actually a hidden gem, although the store aroma really adds to the *ahem* experience)
I see myself as a 'rescuer of history' (that's a thing, right?), and I'm very much a self-confessed maximalist, which is really just my way of saying that my collection is growing and it really must stop.
I have quite a large retro glassware collection that I'll bring out for Retro dinner parties, and I absolutely adore my antique steamer trunk and my rattan sideboard, and the detailing on the four-poster bed in the Explorer Suite, all of it has so much personality!
What do you love about your neighbourhood?
The fact that it's within walking distance of the CBD and all of the most beautiful parks is amazing, and Newtown Park is a favourite and is just a hop, skip and jump away. But I love just wandering the streets to look at the beautiful old homes and gardens, and it fills my cup, so to speak.
I also really enjoy the diversity of Newtown, and the way people in the area interact with each other; there's a genuine friendliness. I'm often in the front garden and people pass by and always say hello; there was a street Christmas party last year and forty people turned up and they were all the loveliest humans you could meet. The fact that I have neighbours who have jumped in and helped me when I've needed has been really special...you don't find that in many places.
What's next?
I'm excited to hold events here at the guesthouse and connect with more women, as I can see and know how much need there is for this!
I've already planned upcoming creative and motivational retreats with accommodation options and just launched a women's creative craft night called No Nore Lonely Nights where a group of ladies come together socially and connect over supper and craft and have a great time together. I'm also excited to (hopefully very soon) see the garden full of pretty dresses for Aperol Spritz Sundays, and High Teas and even shoot some pool with other great ladies in the She Shed Bar.
There's so much I want to do and can’t wait to get them all out there!
Oh….and I dream of the day I can paint my guesthouse in the pretty colours that I've chosen. I have it on my dream board and have the paint swatches at the ready!
