Retro Meets Romance: A Wes Anderson-Inspired Stay In Hobart
A Hobart hideaway where Wes Anderson sensibility meets mid-century style—Summer’s End is a joyful blend of whimsy, warmth and handcrafted charm.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos ZOE ELEY & KIRSTEN BRESCIANI
A nostalgic nod to mid-century charm, the dining nook at Summer’s End features a rare vintage laminex table paired with bubblegum bubblegum pink chairs by Daniel Emma—set against a joyful checkered wallpaper
Every detail, from welcome treats to tabletop treasures, carries a personal, playful touch. Photo: Kirsten Bresciani
Vintage timber, pastel accents and playful design details echo the whimsy of Wes Anderson’s world.
A nostalgic tea-time moment—where vintage florals, iced vovos, and a playful palette come together to capture the whimsy and warmth at the heart of the hideaway.
A celebration of comfort and colour, the living space at Summer’s End layers retro charm with playful textures—think brick fireplace, gingham wallpaper, and a daisy-shaped rug—all designed to make guests feel instantly at home.
‘I have a real passion for finding the perfect vintage treasures for particular spaces, but I also love combining modern luxury into spaces.’
In the kitchen—mid-century cabinetry, soft sage tiles, a retro Smeg fridge, and a bold orange Moccamaster—functional details with a nostalgic touch.
The timber-lined hallway reveals Summer’s End’s signature charm: a vintage dining nook bathed in warm light, with pink accents and nostalgic wallpaper that instantly transport you to another time.
The heart of Summer’s End glows with retro charm—a crackling fireplace set against red brick, complete with a vintage Kit-Cat clock and collected trinkets that feel both playful and personal.
“I based the story around Wes Andersons film Moonrise Kingdom, hence the name, Summer’s End. I wanted the space to feel nostalgic, whimsical and childlike, without feeling too much like nanna’s house.”
A Crosley turntable invites guests to set the tone with a favourite record.
‘Summer’s End is something I’ve created from my imagination and bought it to life and I’m just so happy people can come and experience a little slice of my world.’
Tucked away behind a period home in Hobart, Summer’s End is the kind of stay that leaves a lasting imprint—a whimsical, deeply personal expression of colour, nostalgia, and imagination.
Designed and brought to life by Lara Ivachev, the mid-century granny flat turned guest haven is an ode to storytelling, vintage beauty, and childlike joy.
‘Summer End’s story began when we first purchased our home in Hobart after relocating from Melbourne,’ Lara shares. ‘We were lucky enough to find our dream property that had a period home at the front with a mid-century granny flat at the back, now known as Summer’s End. As soon as I saw this happy little bonus of combining the two styles… I knew we had to have it.’
From the beginning, Summer’s End was designed to feel like a world of its own. ‘Like every creative thing I do, I dive headfirst into the story, the details and the feeling I want to create,’ Lara explains. ‘I based the story around Wes Anderson’s film Moonrise Kingdom, hence the name. I wanted the space to feel playful, nostalgic, whimsical and childlike, without feeling too much like nanna’s house.’
Inside, the interiors are a joyful collision of vintage charm and contemporary comfort—a blend Lara honed through years of collecting and curating. ‘I have a real passion for finding the perfect vintage treasures for particular spaces, but I also love combining modern luxuries. It’s a real fine balance in getting it just right,’ she says. Standout pieces include a rare green vintage Laminex dining table paired with bubblegum pink chairs by Daniel Emma, and floral wallpaper that ‘just makes me giddy every time I see it.’
Every corner has been shaped with thought and instinct. ‘I tend to base design decisions on things I really like, particular colours and what I would enjoy in a space, such as heated flooring in the bathroom, a fun Smeg fridge, and a good coffee maker,’ Lara says. She handled everything herself, from styling to project management—even while coordinating renovations remotely during Melbourne’s lockdowns. ‘I was working on a bit of a wing and a prayer… then, just as it was nearly done, the whole space flooded and we had to start again. It’s been a journey to say the least.’
That sense of resilience and joy lingers in every detail. Guests are welcomed through the pink front door into a space where mid-century design, Wes Anderson references, and personal curiosities come together in a playful, transportive experience.
‘Summer’s End is really something very different from anything I’ve seen in Tasmania,’ Lara says. ‘It’s something I’ve created from my imagination and brought to life.’
For Lara, the perfect Hobart day starts with a warm croissant and ends with homemade pasta and chocolate mousse at Ogee. Between, there’s treasure hunting, sunroom coffee, and a little bit of magic—much like Summer’s End itself.
‘I’d have to say [my favourite feature is] the vintage floral wallpaper in the bedroom, mixed with the tiny little vintage horse print—this little visual just makes me giddy every time I see it.’
‘I based the story around Wes Andersons film Moonrise Kingdom, hence the name, Summer’s End.’
The dreamy palette, layered florals, plaid textures, and blush tones create a bedroom that feels like a scene from a film.
A nostalgic collage in the bedroom of postcards, maps, and vintage finds—each piece adding to the storybook charm and Wes Anderson-inspired whimsy that defines the Hobart retreat.
A whimsical welcome in bent wire script—Summer’s End greets visitors with charm before they even step through the door.
A pastel dream in blue and pink—the bathroom at Summer’s End is a playful nod to retro charm, complete with a blush basin and checkerboard tiling.
