Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, Garrett Kato, with his partner Celeste, have injected their creativity into this gorgeous townhouse in Ocean Shores. They share what they love about the space and next steps now their home in on the market.
The first thing you notice when you walk into your home is the warm and vibrant colour scheme. It’s certainly a contrast to the original space when you bought it. What was your inspiration?
We wanted to create a warm and peaceful place. The teal wall in the living room contrasts well with the new flooring to create a cosy space. It has changed the space so much, it gives the room a completely different feel compared to the original white walls. Visitors always mention how good it looks and Rolling Stone magazine even did a photo shoot against this wall. The dusty pink in the bedrooms is soothing and it works well with many colours, such as calmer greens, blues and greys. Also, it’s Celeste’s favourite colour!
Besides the captivating paintwork, what changes have you made to the home since you have lived in it?
We have made many little changes, but the biggest ones are a new laundry area (new sink, bench and cupboards), new flooring in every room and we have added an outdoor hot/cold shower for when we get home from the beach or for a late-night shower.
What is your favourite part of the house?
Celeste – I love the main bedroom; it gets such beautiful light– perfect for an afternoon nap! I also really enjoy sitting on the day bed in the courtyard and reading a book.
Garrett – my favourite space is the studio for a place to hide away and work on my music. I added timber panelling to the walls which not only has a visual appeal but also acoustic benefits. The double brick walls and quiet neighbours make for a perfect recording space.
How long have you lived in Ocean Shores and what attracted you to the area?
We have lived in Ocean Shores for 6 years. We moved from Byron Bay, at first we were reluctant to make the move as we were concerned about the slower pace. However, this is exactly what we now love about the area! It takes us 3 minutes in the car to get to Brunswick Heads, a few minutes to get to the awesome Waterlily Park or we sometimes walk to New Brighton beach. The Gold Coast airport is only 30mins away and Celeste still goes to exercise in the Byron Bay industrial estate which only takes 15mins. The area has so much to offer great restaurants, cafes, markets, and world class entertainment. Another drawcard is the fantastic local primary school.
Your home is in a prime position – across from Ocean Village and not far to the beach. Which beach or waterway do you frequent most? Or where is your favourite part of the Northern Rivers?
We absolutely love this location. Our favourite thing to do is to head into Brunswick Heads to take our dog Lachlan for a walk. We swing past either the Brunswick Heads bakery, Daily Counter or Rosefina’s for a coffee and then go for a dip in the river. It is a super handy location with the doctors, the pharmacy, supermarket, fruit shop, whole foods store and local transport across the road.
Garrett – this is also your home studio, where you have written, recorded and produced platinumaward winning albums, including your recent album, Small Town Rituals. Tell us more about the inspiration behind this album.
The album was inspired from growing up in a small town in Canada to now raising two girls in a small town in Australia. Although they are two worlds apart, they are so similar at the same time. I have produced and recorded all my music since moving to Australia in my own home studio.
Do you derive your creativity from your environment?
Yes, definitely – the beach, the hills and the wide-open spaces of the area really help to clear your mind. My studio space has been a haven for creativity and has aided me in my career tremendously.
You’ve worked with an array of other iconic artists, including Julia Stone, Ziggy Alberts, Tones and I and Riley Pearce. Did you record them in your home studio?
A lot of artists have recorded their songs in my home studio and some in Byron Bay. The harmonies for the hit song ‘Dance Monkey’ by Tones and I were also recorded in my studio!
What are your plans now?
We are just moving up the road into a house with room for more dogs, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs (our daughters are obsessed with animals). We will miss our neighbours and the convenience of just popping over the road for some sushi or a late-night snack. Our townhouse has been an awesome space for us – the layout has suited us well and the sound of the ocean at night has been a real treat.
Why did you choose MANA as your real estate?
We choose MANA as we purchased our property through Julie-Ann in 2017 and we had such a wonderful first-time buying experience as a result of her knowledge, professionalism and care.
