Larissa Blake is a visual artist based in Orange NSW, her work is inspired by the everyday and reinterprets traditional genres in a contemporary context.

Larissa has a way of creating emotion and intrigue with her colourful vibrant pieces. Between the array of colours, grand brush strokes, added textures and vibrancy her art and expression of creativity would bring, even the most bland of rooms to life.

There’s no need at the Byng Street Boutique Hotel where colour is our canvas.

Having Larissa’s work showcased in our hotel has added an extra element of individuality, personality and beauty which are visually represented through each individual piece she creates. Having these as an addition to the walls of the Byng Street Boutique Hotel has really added something unique and special to our wonderful hotel. Every time we walk past one of her pieces on our walls we can’t help but smile, and our guests do too.

Larissa Blake

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The award winning Byng Street Boutique Hotel is the result of one family’s vision and passion for luxury accommodation in Orange NSW.

Thomas and Kristen Nock have worked in the hospitality and service industry for the entirety of their careers and have combined their skills and love of quality offerings to deliver the regions’ most illustrious boutique hotel.

Thomas has over 30 years of hospitality experience, including work and study in Switzerland, working at the prestigious Lanesborough Hotel in London.  He was part of the opening team of the Sir Stamford Kent Street.  Over 10 years at Royal Sydney Golf Club as part of the management of the House operation was a valuable work experience.

“My experience has given me a traditional approach to hospitality, but when I’ve travelled, I’ve always looked for a particular level of luxury and service with warmth and sophistication.”

Kristen’s love of hospitality was formalised at the William Blue Hotel Management School before she worked in illustrious hotels such as The Westin in Sydney, and then spent 16 years working up to the role of Senior Manager of Catering at VenuesLive, a leading provider of management and hospitality services to venues and events. Amongst other iconic stadiums, the company operates ANZ Stadium and Bankwest Stadium.  Kristen’s role focussed on managing a team that fostered strong relationships with event partners and corporate clients to ensure the successful operational delivery of all major event day and business events.

“Even though we’ve worked in some very large organisations, we’ve always loved small hotels,” Kristen said. “The idea of an intimate, boutique experience that’s welcoming with a family feel while remaining sophisticated and luxurious was our goal.”

As travelers to Orange to visit the Nock family farm, Kristen and Thomas fell in love with Orange’s vibrant landscape and heritage architecture.  They felt there was an opportunity in the accommodation sector to create a luxury, bespoke boutique hotel and fulfil the dream of creating an experience for others that they themselves would enjoy.

The Nock family purchased Byng Street’s original homestead ‘Yallungah’ in 2014. This family home built in 1896 was beautifully restored and a modern expansion was added to create a 22-room hotel that was inspired by the quirky details of the existing building, local artists, the surrounding landscape and the history of the region.

After an extensive building process, the couple are now excited to welcome guests to the Byng Street Boutique Hotel in the heart of Orange’s heritage precinct.

“As custodians to this incredible building, this has been a fulfilling project that corporate and travelling guests can now enjoy.”

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Christopher Nicholas remembers his first visit to the site of the Byng Street Boutique Hotel when it had only recently been purchased and he was greeted with a fascinating jungle of overgrown plants, untouched for years.

“When I first visited the site with owners Liz and David Nock it was to inspect the original garden to see if there were any plants that we could salvage and also repeat in the new planting,” Christopher explains. “The best plants we saved were Tree Peonies which we transported for safe keeping to the Nock’s home until the renovation is complete.”

Born in Australia before moving to England aged 10, Christopher has extensive experience transforming old, disused gardens into modern living areas having nurtured a passion for plants from a young age.

“Living in Kent in England, I remember distinctly getting out of the car from school for the summer holidays and my mother had done the pots in front of our home. I cringe with the thought but I remember lilac-coloured Lobelia catching my eye. That was 25 years ago. It’s all been about gardens since.”

Now, Christopher resides in Sydney but loves his visits to regional Australia and especially Orange to design the gardens at Byng Street Boutique Hotel.

“My focus was to plant with seasonal planting that I imagine people visiting from the City would appreciate, including autumn colour, lavender and witch hazel.”

While colour and texture were to be a focus, Christopher also wanted the garden to be easily maintained and drought tolerant.

“There are several garden beds I am hoping to make as beautiful as possible available to play with, directly in front of the new building and the garden beds around the front lawn in particular.

“I’ve taken the colour of the Copper Beech and have incorporated the other foliage to high light it, so lots of tonal colour there to play with.”

In the shady part of the garden on the western boundary, Christopher plans to plant a simple ‘Woodland, which will probably peak in Winter.

“No matter what time of year guests visit, we want them to discover a hidden sanctuary that delights and satisfies as much as the hotel itself.”

Christopher Nicholas

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