Houzz Tours
At Home With ... Kristie Castagna From Elements at Home
Tell us what you think about interior design blogger Kristie's modern family home for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher
For most people, building a house from scratch would be a once-in-a-lifetime project. But interior stylist, professional blogger and serial renovator, Kristie Castagna, isn’t most people. Six months ago, she moved into the fourth home that she and her husband Pete have built from scratch, this time in their dream location in Perth’s northern suburbs – back to the area they both grew up in, and to the place they planned to raise their two kids.
During the process of creating her dream home from the ground up, Kristie has picked up a wealth of design and renovating experience, tricks of the trade and DIY ideas that she has poured into her blog, Elements at Home. “Through sharing my own design experience, I love to help people feel empowered enough to make their own design decisions and be there as a helping hand to get them through,” she says. Read our interview with Kristie below.
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Kristie’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Room to Decorate – has been announced. Well done, metallicmum!
During the process of creating her dream home from the ground up, Kristie has picked up a wealth of design and renovating experience, tricks of the trade and DIY ideas that she has poured into her blog, Elements at Home. “Through sharing my own design experience, I love to help people feel empowered enough to make their own design decisions and be there as a helping hand to get them through,” she says. Read our interview with Kristie below.
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Kristie’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Room to Decorate – has been announced. Well done, metallicmum!
Kristie, thank you for taking us on a tour of your home. Tell us how you and your home met?
We saw the the empty plot of land next to our son’s primary school, which used to be an old market garden. We always knew if it came up for sale we would build on it, so we stuck tight for two years in our other home in the same suburb and when it finally came up for sale, we jumped at it.
What made you take on another new build?
Finding a home in central Perth was part of a long-term plan we put together when our son was born in 2008. We had heard good things about the local school and wanted to be close to where my husband and I grew up. Daniel Cassettai designed the space and Calautti Homes built it. With their help, we were able to tailor make it into the home of our dreams with a pool located in the middle being the main driving force. Three bedrooms was also part of the grand plan as we decided not to have any more kids and wanted to eliminate any extra cleaning associated with spare rooms. The study nooks in the kids’ rooms and my own in the kitchen were also important features designed to make the most of the space.
Hal chair: Relax House
We saw the the empty plot of land next to our son’s primary school, which used to be an old market garden. We always knew if it came up for sale we would build on it, so we stuck tight for two years in our other home in the same suburb and when it finally came up for sale, we jumped at it.
What made you take on another new build?
Finding a home in central Perth was part of a long-term plan we put together when our son was born in 2008. We had heard good things about the local school and wanted to be close to where my husband and I grew up. Daniel Cassettai designed the space and Calautti Homes built it. With their help, we were able to tailor make it into the home of our dreams with a pool located in the middle being the main driving force. Three bedrooms was also part of the grand plan as we decided not to have any more kids and wanted to eliminate any extra cleaning associated with spare rooms. The study nooks in the kids’ rooms and my own in the kitchen were also important features designed to make the most of the space.
Hal chair: Relax House
What are your favourite rooms in the house and why?
My life revolves around the living room, dining and kitchen area. These rooms have higher ceilings than the rest of the house, so they have a different feeling. The kitchen was the most detailed design, so I do get a sort of satisfaction being in there.
What makes you happiest at home?
Being surrounded by family – hubby in the garden, kids in the pool and me sitting on the outdoor lounge with a mag and a cuppa.
My life revolves around the living room, dining and kitchen area. These rooms have higher ceilings than the rest of the house, so they have a different feeling. The kitchen was the most detailed design, so I do get a sort of satisfaction being in there.
What makes you happiest at home?
Being surrounded by family – hubby in the garden, kids in the pool and me sitting on the outdoor lounge with a mag and a cuppa.
What do we need to know about your blog?
My blog is purely a space to bring all the new ideas in decorating, building and designing I come across to my readers. It’s also a chance to share a few of my personal decorating images for some reality.
Dining table: Michael Hayes Furniture
My blog is purely a space to bring all the new ideas in decorating, building and designing I come across to my readers. It’s also a chance to share a few of my personal decorating images for some reality.
Dining table: Michael Hayes Furniture
Where do you love to write and what could you not write without?
I ‘neeeed’ my MacBook Air and unlimited data. I love to write at my desk space in the kitchen. I feel like I am not working but just sitting down in 20-minute blocks, which is perfect.
I ‘neeeed’ my MacBook Air and unlimited data. I love to write at my desk space in the kitchen. I feel like I am not working but just sitting down in 20-minute blocks, which is perfect.
What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
I get up at 5.30 and I make a green and acai berry shake and read my emails. My kids get up at 6 o’clock, so I take this little bit of me time. I start some blog subject research and then try and post as soon as possible.
I get up at 5.30 and I make a green and acai berry shake and read my emails. My kids get up at 6 o’clock, so I take this little bit of me time. I start some blog subject research and then try and post as soon as possible.
What made you start blogging?
I had just finished my design course while we were in the middle of building our third house and I was on maternity leave with my 6 month-old-son. I was an avid reader of blogs and love to talk about design in any form, so I decided to meld those two things together and create my own blog. At the time, it focused on documenting that build, but it morphed into me finding out everything and anything to do with design and offering my take on it.
Hot Mesh barstool: Blutdot
I had just finished my design course while we were in the middle of building our third house and I was on maternity leave with my 6 month-old-son. I was an avid reader of blogs and love to talk about design in any form, so I decided to meld those two things together and create my own blog. At the time, it focused on documenting that build, but it morphed into me finding out everything and anything to do with design and offering my take on it.
Hot Mesh barstool: Blutdot
Pete designs kitchens, so we knew exactly what we wanted. A chef’s kitchen was not the top priority, we were more focused on creating a functional, easy-to-use space that suits the family, but is still aesthetically pleasing.
The open-shelving in the kitchen island was designed so that our son could learn to easily unpack the dishwasher!
The open-shelving in the kitchen island was designed so that our son could learn to easily unpack the dishwasher!
We decided not to go with a standard pantry, because they can waste a lot of space. Instead, Pete designed this storage unit where we keep all our breakfast appliances and food. The ingredients that take up the most height are stored in the bottom drawer while the smaller items are in the first and second.
How would you describe your decorating style?
I like everything to have a home and I find my old visual merchandising days show through … smallest to tallest, left to right! Ultimately, I don’t stick to a true trend or style, just as long as it fits structurally within the room. I like clean modern spaces with a structured mix of mid-century finds and my precious collectibles.
You will not see [blank] in any house of mine.
Roses, lace or Crocs…oh and wire coat hangers.
Artwork: Wolfy Art
I like everything to have a home and I find my old visual merchandising days show through … smallest to tallest, left to right! Ultimately, I don’t stick to a true trend or style, just as long as it fits structurally within the room. I like clean modern spaces with a structured mix of mid-century finds and my precious collectibles.
You will not see [blank] in any house of mine.
Roses, lace or Crocs…oh and wire coat hangers.
Artwork: Wolfy Art
A local graffiti artist kindly painted my son’s name on his bedroom wall; I had created an ideabook for inspiration, to show him what I wanted. Okay, I will let you in on a secret – the artist was ‘Elsmers’, he’s actually my nephew. He’s a fantastic street artist here in Perth and has been commissioned for a few jobs of late but this was the first one to be photographed. Creativity runs in our family and we think he is very talented.
Because we don’t have that ‘spare room’ in this house, we made sure we brought in a bunk bed to accommodate more people!
The Quad single double bed: Domayne Australia
Because we don’t have that ‘spare room’ in this house, we made sure we brought in a bunk bed to accommodate more people!
The Quad single double bed: Domayne Australia
What do you love to do on Sunday afternoons?
Honestly, nothing. I love to have complete down time with my family.
Honestly, nothing. I love to have complete down time with my family.
To me, great design is…
Trusting your instincts and following through on your design ideas with commitment and courage.
This is a picture of the kids’ playroom. I love the idea of a daybed, but I didn’t want the same structure, so I found these chaises at IKEA. I got them specially upholstered at Comfort Works. So it still feels like a relaxing lounge that fits into the rest of the home’s decor, but still surrounded by a lot of activity.
Artwork: Room to Decorate
Trusting your instincts and following through on your design ideas with commitment and courage.
This is a picture of the kids’ playroom. I love the idea of a daybed, but I didn’t want the same structure, so I found these chaises at IKEA. I got them specially upholstered at Comfort Works. So it still feels like a relaxing lounge that fits into the rest of the home’s decor, but still surrounded by a lot of activity.
Artwork: Room to Decorate
Lucia’s bedroom was painted the same colour as the playroom to create a design connection between the two spaces, even though they’re not next to each other.
Bed: Incy Interiors; paint in ‘Malay Grey’: Dulux
Bed: Incy Interiors; paint in ‘Malay Grey’: Dulux
Green is definitely my signature colour. When I asked for green cabinets in the kids’ bathroom, the cabinet makers thought I was mad. I think it’s fun and the green beetle print ties it all together.
Kristie found this sideboard for the entryway on Gumtree.
Can you share your biggest decorating fail with us?
Hmmm … I know I don’t always get it right first up but I keep going until I do get it right and generally I don’t hold onto the mistakes. I really do learn from them and move on. That’s the beauty of design really, you can adjust and change until it’s right.
What’s your next big project?
We’re taking on some office space soon, so I will be starting to host some design workshops. That has been a dream for a little while now, so it will be awesome to bring those to life.
Hmmm … I know I don’t always get it right first up but I keep going until I do get it right and generally I don’t hold onto the mistakes. I really do learn from them and move on. That’s the beauty of design really, you can adjust and change until it’s right.
What’s your next big project?
We’re taking on some office space soon, so I will be starting to host some design workshops. That has been a dream for a little while now, so it will be awesome to bring those to life.
What’s your proudest DIY achievement?
That would have to be my monochrome painting for our new home. It has been a long time since I took a brush to canvas but it turned out beautifully.
The next big decorating trend is…
Blending grey back to naturals and adding rich gem-like colours with pastels similar to the exotic ethnic decorating trends that have been seen in the past. Also anything ‘70s or ‘80s-inspired.
That would have to be my monochrome painting for our new home. It has been a long time since I took a brush to canvas but it turned out beautifully.
The next big decorating trend is…
Blending grey back to naturals and adding rich gem-like colours with pastels similar to the exotic ethnic decorating trends that have been seen in the past. Also anything ‘70s or ‘80s-inspired.
Describe your home in five words.
Personal, eclectic, modern, simple and fun.
Personal, eclectic, modern, simple and fun.
Visit Kristie’s blog at www.elementsathome.com.au
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Kristie’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Room to Decorate – has now been announced. Well done metallicmum.
If you’d like to submit your blog for this series, follow the instructions found here.
MORE
At Home With … Stylist and Adventurer Kara Rosenlund
At Home With … Amanda O’Sullivan From RedAgape Blog
At Home With … Interior Design Blogger Lee Dewsnap
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Kristie’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from Room to Decorate – has now been announced. Well done metallicmum.
If you’d like to submit your blog for this series, follow the instructions found here.
MORE
At Home With … Stylist and Adventurer Kara Rosenlund
At Home With … Amanda O’Sullivan From RedAgape Blog
At Home With … Interior Design Blogger Lee Dewsnap
Who lives here: Kristie Castagna, her husband Pete and their kids Jaxon (7), Lucia (3), and their friendly hound Izzy
Location: It’s a new build, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, C-shaped house in Perth’s northern suburbs