‘Town bank’ and ‘luxury’ are words not usually found in the same sentence. But since multi-faceted creative Pip Brett got her hands on the former CBA and associated banker’s quarters in Molong and created the highly anticipated Sona (a befitting name meaning ‘gold’), we’re willing to wager they will be.
Pip, who is also behind Orange’s fun and fancy-free homewares store, JUMBLED, speaks of a threesome meet-cute reminiscent of the most famous love stories and fairytales. “We fell instantly in love. Nick and I were without our kids for a week. We had this run of lovely dinners spent looking at local real estate over a wine…and then we saw it. We put in an offer the next day and it was accepted,” she says. “I think we may have given our accountant a mild panic attack.”
This was no run-of-the-mill, mall-style bank. A c1930s Spanish-mission lean sees the building, set on one of the town’s main shopping drags, enjoy Solomonic columns, plaster half-shells topping the windows, a parapet with square in-fills, and a curved corner entrance. In the way of bones, Pip and Nick undoubtedly had some good ones to work with — but that is not to say they had it easy.
When guests throw open the doors to spend a weekend — or week — at Sona, they are met with characterful interiors that play boldly with pattern and texture, luxury finishes and bespoke details. When Pip and her husband, Nick (who, thankfully, is a seasoned builder), did the same at the beginning of 2022, they instead uncovered peeling paint, a giant Chubb safe, some weird and slightly-creepy quirks, and a smattering of mould. But they quickly scraped back a wealth of history and potential. “The floorboards were all original and in perfect condition. Every room had a different pressed tin ceiling pattern. It was so beautifully built and then looked after by the Commonwealth Bank,” says Pip. “Unfortunately there was no hidden stash of money anywhere, though!”
To assist with the project, Pip and Nick brought on architect and high school best friend, Felicity Slattery of Studio Esteta, who was also behind the design of their family home. By converting the main bank into an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining space, the manager’s quarters were left to house the accommodation’s five bedrooms, each with a bespoke bedhead (by local designer Bec Dunkley) upholstered in custom Bonnie and Neil fabric. “It is hard to remember that it used to have an ATM in the dining space and a manager’s office in the living area.”
Now that the dust has both metaphorically — and literally — settled on the mammoth project, Pip is ready to hand the keys to Sona over to a lucky slew of guests, but not before giving it a test run with her family. “Ultimately, I want our guests to have the most exceptional time; that has been at the centre of every building and design decision we made. Luckily we surrounded ourselves with a wealth of clever people who have been able to guide us,” she says. “It is even better than we could have imagined.”
You can book your stay at Sona, Molong, at sona-molong.com.au. The accommodation is $1600 per night, and there is a two-night minimum stay.
“Molong is located in picturesque Central West NSW. Full of heritage charm, it’s the perfect place to breathe in the country air and embrace a slower pace of life.
The perfect stepping stone to some of the region’s best towns, including Mudgee and Dubbo, Molong is located just 25 minutes from Orange. Meander down Bank Street, enjoy the local cafe or pub, and explore the golden days.”
Find out more about Molong here.
Why Molong?
Inside Sona, Molong’s new boutique accommodation
Despite mould-ridden interiors, Pip and Nick were quick to recognise the building’s winning traits, including the gorgeous fan details and barley sugar twist-style columns surrounding the timber-frame windows.
“We wanted to create an artful interior that celebrates the history of the building rather than erases it,” explains Pip. “It is our modern take on a heritage look that is uniquely Australian and Spanish.”
“I love the kitchen,” says Pip. “It has the most beautiful feeling. We transformed the old bank vault into a butler’s pantry where you can whip up your morning coffee.”
Pip knew her intentions for the bank’s old Chubb vault as soon as she laid eyes upon it. Its heavy door has been painted to match the sage green tone of the kitchen cabinetry and inside is a moody deep hue.
Pip and Nick have lovingly restored the brick fireplaces and adorned their mantels with pieces sourced through Pip’s many JUMBLED connections. “It is very handy owning a store sometimes! Each artwork has its own little story.”
A cosy dining nook with a custom wavy timber bench seat provides Sona’s guests with a spot to sit in the sunshine and enjoy meals.
Local interior designer Bec Dunkley, of The Interior Collective, was responsible for crafting the upholstered furniture, including the bedheads, bench seats (like this one, which features a stripey skirt for hidden storage), and curtains.
At once moody and saturated, each bedroom features a unique palette and carefully selected collection of artworks. Pip has made use of Kip & Co‘s cute new rattan lamp collection.
A glimpse into one of the three colour-drenched bathrooms reveals beautiful tiling choices and bespoke features.
The Bonnie and Neil custom-printed fabric for the bedheads is truly something else. “I am so thrilled with how they turned out,” says Pip. Each room also features an individual pressed tin ceiling design.
“We want our guests to unwind, explore, and make themselves at home in Sona. It’s all about the art of doing nothing.”
The project’s architect was Studio Esteta, studioesteta.com.au and @studioesteta. The builder was Nick Luelf @speedyluelf.
WriterLucy FrancisSenior Content Producer
Lucy Francis has a long-standing love affair with homes that began with a childhood spent picking out the nicest house on each street from the back of her parents' 2000s Subaru. Years later, after completing both a Diploma of Interior Design at Design Centre Enmore and a Bachelor of Media at Macquarie University, she dipped her toe into PR at a bespoke firm specialising in architecture, then went on to produce social media and editorial content at a Sydney agency before settling right at home in…homes.Following a brief stint with Better Homes and Gardens, Lucy has spent several years writing under Homes To Love and managing the digital presence of Inside Out, Real Living and Country Style. It’s here that she can combine her great loves every day: design, architecture, lifestyle, homes, and, of course, words. In her free time, she finds her dream home over and over on real estate websites and spends far too long browsing Facebook Marketplace for mid-century furniture.
