Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Byron Bay Home to Satisfy Wanderlust
A jewellery designer creates her own bohemian paradise for work and play
Since the age of 17, Celeste Twikler, an adventurer, artist and jewellery designer, has not lived anywhere for longer than two years – that is, until recently. Having travelled far and wide to many beautiful and exotic locations, Twikler has always found it difficult to commit to just one place. When the time came to really settle down and find a home that she truly loved, there was one very important prerequisite: it needed to be a place that would make her want to stay. She eventually found that in a leafy hideaway in the beachside town of Byron Bay. Her home, which she shares with her partner, Chris Cain, is the perfect sanctuary in which to live and work. Much like this couple, the home is relaxed, welcoming and rustically charming.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Celeste Twikler and her partner, Chris Cain
Location: Byron Bay, NSW
Size: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an attached studio
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Celeste Twikler and her partner, Chris Cain
Location: Byron Bay, NSW
Size: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an attached studio
Twikler works from home and as the house itself is quite small, she decided to make her delicate jewellery from an attached studio. Originally, there were no set plans or budget for the additions made to the home, as Twikler prefers to go with the flow, letting creativity take place when the urge strikes. Twikler is also up for learning new skills and is willing to try her hand at just about anything before she outsources help.
The studio was originally an open verandah, which Twikler closed in with the help of a friend and her dad. Her friend helped with the framework while she and her dad worked on the cladding, windows and doors.
The windows and doors in the studio are recycled, and one of the frames was found on the side of the road. Twikler said it just needed some glass and putty. She will always buy secondhand if she can.
The studio was originally an open verandah, which Twikler closed in with the help of a friend and her dad. Her friend helped with the framework while she and her dad worked on the cladding, windows and doors.
The windows and doors in the studio are recycled, and one of the frames was found on the side of the road. Twikler said it just needed some glass and putty. She will always buy secondhand if she can.
Having the separate space to work in allows her to balance her home and work life. “There’s a door I can close, which is integral to keeping me sane and allows me to switch off. Otherwise, I would work all the time,” explains Twikler.
During the day, many of Twikler’s friends stop in to visit for a chat and a cup of tea, so work often happens in the wee hours of the night.
During the day, many of Twikler’s friends stop in to visit for a chat and a cup of tea, so work often happens in the wee hours of the night.
The textured glass of these secondhand windows appealed to Twikler, not only for their rustic appearance, but also for their ability to provide privacy without limiting the generous eastern sunlight.
The studio also provides an ideal showcasing space for her designs to be viewed by potential clients during private appointments.
Twikler and Cain met at a local Byron Bay music festival after being introduced by mutual friends at Celeste’s pop-up market stall.
Cain is a great help when it comes to small fix-ups. “He will secretly do things for me like fix windows and go on tip runs,” says Twikler. “Chris is always willing to help out with my random projects and ideas and never attempts to kill my enthusiasm. He is really clever and one in a million.”
Fabric wall: Ourlieu
Cain is a great help when it comes to small fix-ups. “He will secretly do things for me like fix windows and go on tip runs,” says Twikler. “Chris is always willing to help out with my random projects and ideas and never attempts to kill my enthusiasm. He is really clever and one in a million.”
Fabric wall: Ourlieu
The home and its naturally lit spaces provide the ideal backdrop for Twikler and Cain’s many treasured collectables, travel mementoes and photographs. The photos of the colourful dancers were captured by Cain during a trip to Mali, Africa.
Frames: Ahoy Trader
Frames: Ahoy Trader
Twikler intentionally set out to make her home feel as relaxing as possible and likes to surround herself with reminders of nature.
As a small business owner, Twikler doesn’t have the luxury of a design budget, which is why she tends to do most things herself where possible. The majority of her acquired belongings and trinkets are gifts, hand-me-downs or cheap finds from overseas travels.
“I pride myself on my op-shopping abilities and have great luck finding most things I need for a price I can afford,” explains Twikler.
One of her few splurges was her leather lounges from Freedom. “It was buy one get one free and I figured they would last me a lifetime,” recalls Twikler. The Matt Blatt replica Eames chairs were a recent birthday gift to Twikler.
Artwork: Huckleberry Jones
“I pride myself on my op-shopping abilities and have great luck finding most things I need for a price I can afford,” explains Twikler.
One of her few splurges was her leather lounges from Freedom. “It was buy one get one free and I figured they would last me a lifetime,” recalls Twikler. The Matt Blatt replica Eames chairs were a recent birthday gift to Twikler.
Artwork: Huckleberry Jones
The guest bedroom is quite simple and very well lit, with natural light streaming through the glass sliding doors. Cain often uses this quiet space to study.
When Twikler first moved in, she was undecided as to what style she wanted to decorate her home. She says she changed things around constantly. With a combined love of vintage, lace, the ocean and nature, she wondered how to achieve something youthful and fun with a retro surf vibe.
In the end, she decided not to worry about having one theme throughout the home and instead simply displays the pieces she loves with sentimental value.
In the end, she decided not to worry about having one theme throughout the home and instead simply displays the pieces she loves with sentimental value.
This colourful wall of framed photographs in the guest bedroom provides a great talking point, with photographs from many exotic locations, travels and adventures. Twikler says humble Cain has a natural flair for photography and capturing beautiful candid shots.
The wall opposite the lounge in the main living area pays homage to more vintage treasures and yet another important style influence in Twikler’s life.
“My great aunt Gladys had impeccable style and taught me a lot about art and being creative,” recalls Twikler. The art easel belonged to Twikler’s great aunt and doubles as a TV stand. “It is one of my most treasured possessions as most of our conversations were about art and when I look at it, I’m always reminded of her,” says Twikler.
“My great aunt Gladys had impeccable style and taught me a lot about art and being creative,” recalls Twikler. The art easel belonged to Twikler’s great aunt and doubles as a TV stand. “It is one of my most treasured possessions as most of our conversations were about art and when I look at it, I’m always reminded of her,” says Twikler.
Twikler credits her mum for always providing helpful style ideas, handy cleaning and renovating tips during her visits and via email.
“My mum has helped me so much. She knows something about everything and she rules at Trivial Pursuit! She has an amazing green thumb and incredible style,” says Twikler.
‘You me & the sea’ cushion: Ourlieu; daybed: Ikea
“My mum has helped me so much. She knows something about everything and she rules at Trivial Pursuit! She has an amazing green thumb and incredible style,” says Twikler.
‘You me & the sea’ cushion: Ourlieu; daybed: Ikea
Another reason that Twikler fell in love with the home was the fact that it was in great condition. It didn’t require any major work and allowed her to focus on the decor.
Twikler had been lusting after this Tom Dixon shade for quite some time when she found it on sale at a local homewares shop. “I’m unsure if it is a replica or not, but the price was too good to pass up,” recalls Celeste. She teamed it with two simple pendant lights to add another layer of interest.
The only thing Twikler did feel compelled to change was the main wall colour in the kitchen. “It was a sponge-applied yellow… I got rid of that immediately!” she laughs.
The framed artwork hanging outside the couple’s bedroom is one of Twikler’s original illustrations.
The main bedroom is feminine and soft. It has embellishments of lace, embroidery and a feeling of vintage luxury.
The delicate fabric that hangs above the bed is a shawl that belonged to Twikler’s great aunt. “It means so much to me and I got sick of hiding it away in a drawer. It’s too beautiful not to be seen or used,” says Twikler. She hung it along with a fine string of lights and at night she says the bed looks and feels enchanted.
Dreamcatcher: Sea Gypsy Treasures; wall hanging: Bohe Clothing; wings kimono: Lisa’s Closet
The delicate fabric that hangs above the bed is a shawl that belonged to Twikler’s great aunt. “It means so much to me and I got sick of hiding it away in a drawer. It’s too beautiful not to be seen or used,” says Twikler. She hung it along with a fine string of lights and at night she says the bed looks and feels enchanted.
Dreamcatcher: Sea Gypsy Treasures; wall hanging: Bohe Clothing; wings kimono: Lisa’s Closet
As a jewellery designer, Twikler has an impressive collection of her own. Her treasure trove of jewels adds to the feminine energy of the room and this tall chest of drawers has been with Twikler for so long that it’s almost more for show than it is for practical purposes.
“I fell in love with the brass detailed handles. It was secondhand and stained in dark brown but everyone knows me and my desire to sand all of my furniture back and just paint it white,” recalls Twikler. She now admits it’s on her list of things to fix as some of the bottom drawers no longer open as easily as they once did. “I just can’t bring myself to part with it.”
“I fell in love with the brass detailed handles. It was secondhand and stained in dark brown but everyone knows me and my desire to sand all of my furniture back and just paint it white,” recalls Twikler. She now admits it’s on her list of things to fix as some of the bottom drawers no longer open as easily as they once did. “I just can’t bring myself to part with it.”
Living by the beach in such a picturesque part of the world sees Twikler and Cain spending many of their mornings and afternoons in the ocean. It was Twikler’s idea to put in an outdoor shower so she could rinse off her board after a surf.
“Dad and I built the outdoor shower and the deck and I think we did a pretty good job considering neither of us had any experience with building one before,” says Twikler.
The outdoor shower was originally added as a space to simply wash off the sand and sea, but it has now become the couple’s main bathroom. They rarely use their indoor one.
“Dad and I built the outdoor shower and the deck and I think we did a pretty good job considering neither of us had any experience with building one before,” says Twikler.
The outdoor shower was originally added as a space to simply wash off the sand and sea, but it has now become the couple’s main bathroom. They rarely use their indoor one.
“I love the outdoor shower! It’s really nice on a clear night when the stars and moon are out,” says Twikler.
Both Twikler and Cain prefer to keep the doors and windows open to make the home feel like an extension of the garden and both enjoy spending equal time indoors and outdoors. Twikler says she often enjoys sitting on the front verandah in the mornings with a cup of tea, taking in the sun and thinking about how lucky she is to have found her own slice of paradise. Celeste also feels just as lucky to have great people in her life to share her home with.
After not having anywhere to call home for such long time, Twikler has put a lot of energy into making this house her sanctuary.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes in Australia and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more inspiring projects.
Once Twikler made the decision to live in Byron, she searched for a suitable home for months until she came across this breezy two-bedroom cottage in 2012. She knew instantly that it was the one. “My criteria included plenty of natural light for drawing and general good vibes, wooden floorboards, a little bit of a garden and it had to be close to the beach,” explains Twikler.
Twikler grew up with her five siblings in Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula of Victoria. She recalls watching and learning from the many renovations her family undertook to make room for their growing brood. Both her dad and brother are handy with a hammer and for this reason Celeste says it’s good to have them nearby when she needs something done or fixed.
“Dad and I are pretty similar – we’re resourceful and good at fixing things because we’re also good at breaking things,” laughs Twikler.