For many of you, Sarah Andrews and Captain’s Rest need no introduction. Nestled in a quiet inlet in a far-flung corner of Western Tasmania, its name has become synonymous with its host’s signature style: eclectic, immersive, and unequivocally Australian. We couldn’t think of a better partner to showcase our seaside-inspired Bon Air AW25 Knit collection — while also sharing her style journey and hosting tips.

For those living under a rock who may not know, please tell us about the story of you and Captain’s Rest — how did it all begin? We’ve read your book and follow you everywhere, so we know all about you but our readers may not! How did a scientist become an international interior design star?

"I wish I knew! 

I’ve never been able to do the done thing, I've always chased what's brought me joy and intrigue, and on that long list has been chapters with Science, Sailing & Exploration, Design - will which seem to have distilled into questions about what is beauty, why spaces can move us so deeply, how can this be reverse engineered?

Magic, they say - is just science we’ve not understood just yet. It’s here where I work.

Captain’s Rest was my first meaningful study in all of this. It came at a time when I was drowning in the dark shadows of life. I worked to create a personal machine … in a sense, something that would keep me afloat long enough to make sense of what it means to be a part of this world. 

Looking back now, and after teaching so many through The Hosting Masterclass — we all experience this feeling at some point. I think I approached this from my own perspective, to create a solution to solve a mystery. 

The rest feels like it wrote itself, what I was able to solve what seemed to be what many others have also been looking for. Opening the doors to The Hosting Masterclass and teaching how to make spaces that are an extension of ourselves—a vehicle of being able to enjoy our experience."

Captain’s Rest has become truly iconic on Instagram and beyond. How much time passed before you realised you’d created something truly magical? When did you realise The Hosting Masterclass was another whole business in itself?

"Not long, I started to share how I was creating the space and a little about my story. I was lonely and lost. Requests for work and help came in faster than I could answer them so I decided to share a little of my process in a group setting. After that first class it created such a buzz that I can’t keep up any more - I do what I can to help as many as possible with my books, classes and longer format workshops - and try to balance it with all the other things in my life I like to tinker with."

Your properties are like a scene from a novel — moody, romantic, timeless. Tell us about the next incarnations of Captains Rest, we are loving seeing them unfold through Instagram.

"Freud would have a field day with me. Each property that seems to come into my life seems to shape into a mirror of who I am and what I like to be surrounded by at that time. My home, The Hermitage - is an old Hermitage on the sea. It’s sparse, but warm. It’s quiet, both visually and in its place in the world and it’s here where I like to be still and let life wash over me.

I'm also slowly bringing an old farm into the world. There’s so much joy and child-like wonder here… the grass and wildflowers grow long, it always seems to be sunny and the apple trees are heavy with juicy red apples. A part of my Enid Blyton childhood fantasies seem to be alive here. I’ve almost finished my little treehouse which sits on a hill in a giant old oak. My artist friend Penelope Boyd has painted murals inside of girls flying on white swans, doves and a heavenly unicorn curled up watching me while I nap and read in the loft.

I’m currently hunting old boats that are retiring around Captain’s Rest & my home to give it a new life on one of my dams, somewhere where it can’t sink. I have a problem with doing that!

I don’t share as much as I used to, I think I will more when it feels finished. There’s something that feels too intimate to expose right now."

How do you personally like to spend holidays when you are constantly creating these cult status dream stays? Is there a ritual, place or routine you always return to?

"My mum has a wicked sense of humour, she accuses me of being an expert of being on holiday. It is quite funny… but I like to spend my down time very simply on rather bland hire Narrowboats in the UK. I’m mostly without cell reception or internet - and the routes I like to take are littered with forests, paddocks full of bouncing lambs and ponies - and all sorts of interesting people you meet at locks along the way, having deep, intense and rather quick conversations with. I like to do this alone, and explore ruins or national trust properties when I feel like I’ve gotten sick of myself….."

If you could invite five famous people to dinner who are they, what do you serve, what do you drink?

"Well you should know I’ve never invited anyone to dinner. It is my worst fear come true to have anyone in my house I can’t shoo out quickly - so let’s say we go out to dinner instead!

I’d invite them to Ogee in Hobart, my favorite place to be outside of my house — we order two of everything, I think that's about right for 6! If everyone says yes, and if reincarnation was possible, I’d invite Queen Elizabeth, David Bowie & to really spice things up I think we need someone French, so Joan of Arc. I’d invite my wonderful friend James Mccallum — he’s the guy who could talk to anyone on this planet and ask them the most interesting things, and his wife Gemma, who is a gentle mouse I like to sit next to so I don’t have to do much of the talking, more of enjoying the listening.

What a night that would be."

We’re collaborating to tell stories through our 100% uniquely Australian Woolmark knitwear and beautiful Australian places to stay — who is your favourite fashion icon and what's your personal style?

"I’ve always loved very classic looks. I never grew out of that phase as a kid when we were dressed in sailor suits and cute corduroy overalls with ribbons in our hair. I seem to oscillate between an unwashed 1800’s sailor and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

Ps. I can’t think of anyone's personal style I resonate with!"

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

"Just follow your little internal butterfly of joy, try not to think about where it wants to lead you — it will be some place more magical than even you could ever imagine."

For our lucky winner of the ‘Binny knitwear & Weekend at Captains Rest’ prize, please describe your perfect itinerary.  Please include Restaurants, walks, galleries, antique shops! (P.S We possibly might have to keep this prize for ourselves!)

"I always recommend our guests fly into Hobart, that way you travel past New Norfolk on your way, which has a little street of some of my favorite stores in the world. There is the Black Swan Book Shop, where I can always find too many books to add to my pile, Miss Arthur Homegoods and her sister store, The Drill Hall Emporium next door. The renowned Agrarian Kitchen is just down the road for a lovely bite and a coffee by the firepit near their kiosk.

Onwards to Captain’s Rest, the drive is achingly beautiful. You’ll traverse otherworldly landscapes from every single angle, and will have my Top Ten of Captains Rest to explore during your stay."

Finally, what’s bringing you joy right now — big or small, instagram, food, season, book it can be anything!

"I’m weirdly in a treasure hunting phase. I’ve brought a detector and have been finding all sorts of artifacts on the beach in front of my house, and have been gobbling up books and documentaries about it all like air. I’m just loving the book “Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea” right now, by Gary Kinder about the incredible story about one of the greatest treasures ever found, at one of the deepest parts of the ocean. “Gold & Greed” on Netflix is a true modern epic that has really fired up the spirit of adventure in me.

I plan on spending my down time this Summer in America searching for the treasure myself. If anyone has an inkling of where it might be please let me know!"