A renovated California bungalow, the book I am currently reading, my fresh basil pesto, and a glimpse at our last event.
Lifestyle 101
Images by Cheney Toomey | Design Files | Christina Karras
A Beautifully Renovated Thornbury California Bungalow
“Restoring this Thornbury home has been a true labour of love for the owners, who bought it 10 years ago as a completely run-down abode.” Says Christina Carris
Over the years, Builder and MLS Built co-director Michael Camilleri and wife, Kate Camilleri have transformed the period house into their picture-perfect family home.
Now their dream pad is finally complete, they’ve made the difficult decision to put it on the market and make way for their next adventure.
“The original dwelling had many ornate features including tuck-pointed brick work, extensive timber wall panelling and parquetry floors. The new design, by Hazel Porter Architecture, has built on these features, reimagining the property as a glamorous five-bedroom home, with period character but a contemporary floor plan.”
“Behind the pretty 1920s facade, an expanded hallway leads to a striking open-plan living, kitchen and dining area, complete with an impressive scullery and laundry. Glass sliding doors extend from the sleek contemporary kitchen to the lush backyard – fitted out with a white mahogany deck near the swimming pool with granite-paved surrounds.”
“This entertaining space forms the heart of the home, where the family have enjoyed plenty of winter nights by the fire, and warm summer evenings watching their two sons, Will and Charlie, playing in the pool.”
“Upstairs, there’s also a retreat, which could be set up as a playroom, while a study provides options for the new owners to work from home. Meanwhile, a grand main bedroom features hints of the property’s historic charm via a fireplace and bay window-seat.”
“The primary suite offers an enviable walk-in wardrobe and a custom-built headboard. Most rooms feature wool carpets, hand-finished linen curtains, and plantation shutters.”
‘To us this location is the inner north’s best kept secret,’ says Michael. ‘Within 200m from our front door we have access to Miller St Village, which is a collection of cafés, eateries, a gelato bar, wellness studios, local grocers, and specialty shops. We also are in very close proximity to the Merri Creek Parklands and trails which have been a heaven-sent during recent lengthy lockdowns.’
‘With all the buzz of such a lively and vibrant neighbourhood at our doorstep, when you enter our home, you are instantly transported into a quiet and private sanctuary.’
Books, Books, Books
The Girls In The Stilt House
This book is a good one, very reminiscent of, “Where The Crawdads Sing”. A colorful coming of age story for two young girls living in abuse and poverty. It’s set in 1920’s Mississippi and is a beautiful and harrowing story of two young girls brought together by a shocking twist of fate. I love a book that holds my attention but is also great by the pool or snuggled up on the sofa. It’s a USA Today bestseller and part of Reece Witherspoon’s book club, if you’re looking for your next book, this might be it!
Food 101
Fresh Basil Pesto
Nothing feels more like Spring than a garden just outside your kitchen door. All the wonderful aromas and fresh herbs added to your plate making it instantly more flavorful and beautiful! My basil crop was getting large, (thank you David for all those waterings) and it was time to harvest a batch and whip up some healthy goodness!
Ingredients
Making fresh pesto is so simple and takes less than 10 minutes. I used toasted pine nuts as the traditional recipe calls for but walnuts make a really yummy nutty flavor that pairs so well with the basil. I also swapped out the parmesan for a dairy-free version and no one is the wiser.
Quick & Easy
What really makes pesto so easy is that there are only a few ingredients and whipped up in a food processor it’s so fast and easy.
YUM!
It’s especially great for summer-time lazy cooking and great dolloped on fresh veggies, pastas, eggs, toast, sandwiches and salads. Plus, you can alter the recipe in so many ways. Pesto Recipe Variations
Once you’ve made the classic basil pesto recipe, try changing it up! You can make delicious variations with all sorts of nuts, seeds, veggies, and leafy greens. Here are some of my favorites…
Swap out the pine nuts for any nut of your choice! I particularly like walnuts and pistachios.
Make nut-free pesto by using pepitas or hemp seeds.
Use any herb or leafy green. I like a combination of parsley & cilantro, or use part basil and part arugula. Finely chopped kale leaves are also a great combination with basil!
Don’t let your veggie stems go to waste. Blanch kale stems and blend them into pesto with basil leaves or another herb.
Punch up the flavor! Add a roasted red pepper, sun dried tomatoes, a charred jalapeño, artichoke hearts, etc.
I hope you love it as much as we do!
Fresh Basil Pesto
Ingredients
Instructions
Styling 101
Here is a glimpse of our last event…
I recently planned, styled, and poured my heart into another event. I was busy dreaming up a garden theme that gave all the botanical feels with a touch of whimsy inspired by Kelly Werstler’s recent love of disco balls in this unexpected but perfectly matched theme. I usually like to take my original vision and build on it creating a tablescape. Everything that flows after that is inspired by the original vision.
Read The Signs
I love a good sign, and of course she went with the overall theme. It’s a nice way to greet guests and make people feel special.
The Monarch
The client and I have done of few events together and we work well together. She had visions of this beautiful cocktail in blush pink glasses and we definitely brought it to life. We served them in our gorgeous Audrey Hepburn blush coupes and they definitely made a statement. I included the recipe below if you’d like to give it a try!
The Monarch
2 oz. dry gin
1 oz. Lillet Rosé
1/4 oz. pamplmousse liquer
1 dash Peychaud's bitters
Pour gin, Lillet Rosé, pamplemousse liquer, and bitters into a mixing glass; fill the mixing glass nearly to top with ice. Stir until combined and chilled, about 40 seconds. Pour through a strainer into a glass and garnish with grapefruit twist, and serve.
CHEERS!
The Presentation
The hostess was planning an Asian inspired meal and we decided to do my fresh rolls with peanut sauce and some large sushi rolls as a starter. The florals and disco ball theme running through all that we do.
Place Settings
Keeping it simple and clean we layered a rattan placemat, an acacia wood charger, dinner plate and simple napkin fold, secured with a fern cutting and clothespin with each guests name.
The Bar
We kept it simple with one signature cocktail set up in DIY fashion… I also failed to get great shots of this area so you’ll have to trust me that it was pretty!
CAKE!
What’s a party without cake?? This dark chocolate cake had all the garden vibes and from what I’ve heard it was divine. :)
Here’s to many more events and cake, always cake.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend friends, xoxo
Private Lyfe partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.
