In this Mi Casa feature, we sit down with Pamela Maudy in her beautiful Northern Rivers hinterland cottage, where she lives with her husband, Geoffrey Antonino.
Pamela unfolds her journey to this place we all call home, drawn by its untouched nature and vibrant cultural scene. It swiftly emerged as the natural choice for the couple—a conscious shift to a slower pace after years of city living.
The cottage, boasting wooden beams and slate floors, becomes a canvas for personalisation. Pamela and Geoffrey, avid midcentury modern furniture lovers, have perfectly created an inviting home, and among the thoughtful collection, Pampa pieces create warmth and serve as an anchor for the space.
Pamela’s role as the creative force behind MIRA brings to light her dedication to local ingredients and seasonal produce, a privilege readily available in the Northern Rivers. Grounded in Parisian bistronomy values, her culinary philosophy takes centre stage, seamlessly weaving together food, community, and the surrounding environment.
Amid the home’s serenity, they cherish simple yet significant rituals— coffee in the morning sunlight, evenings by the fireplace, and a shared love for music.
SHOP THE LOOK
1/ Made-to-Order Forma #2 | Natural Brown & Burgundy 2/ Eclipse Mini Rug|Dos Luna 3/ Monte Cushion #3|Rust 4/ QOM’ Textile 5/ Monte Lumbar Cushion #21 6/Surya Ring 7/Luz #2647
Nestled in the hinterland of the Northern Rivers, your home boasts a unique charm. Could you share your experience of living there and what inspired your decision to make this place your home?
Funnily I had come to Federal with a close friend a good twelve years ago prior to moving to France. I adored it and throughout the years recalled having had a great feeling about the place. I love the Northern Rivers because it has such beautiful untouched nature yet is so active for a country region in terms of music, food and connectivity. There are many small businesses and people are readily helping one another. It’s a great compromise after years of sometimes soul-less city living. The same friend from my first Federal visit was with me when the house inspection was scheduled and we just knew it was perfect.
How have you managed to make your rental space truly your own and reflect your distinctive style and personality?
This cottage has a distinct look with its wooden beams and slate floor but is also designed with space in the forefront. There aren’t many walls or doors but the void means that it’s all the more personalisable. Geoffrey and I both love midcentury modern furniture and have some pieces that have travelled with us on our move to Australia from France. In early 2022 we worked together in Mexico at Hotel Terrestre, Puerto Escondido and brought cherished pieces from the Oaxaca region that fit really nicely with the Pampa collection.
Pampa’s values emphasise craftsmanship, tradition, and sustainable living. How does this alignment with Pampa’s ethos coincide with your own beliefs and lifestyle choices?
These values are directly reflected in our personal way of life and in our company. Cooking remains an artisanal craft, with all the production being done by hand, slowly, utilising traditional methods from various countries that are passed down through mentors. Everything has a story. I’ve always prioritised quality and owning things that are made to last and I find that in our time it’s the only viable way.
As the creative force behind MIRA, could you provide insight into the wellspring of inspiration behind your intimate and immersive dining experiences?
I am inspired by so many things! Of course, I went to culinary school and previously worked exclusively with traditional means of dining such as sit-down meals and degustation menus. I cooked for an agency in Paris called We Are Ona that curates special dining experiences, particularly for high-end clients like Dior and always enjoyed the challenge of making something spectacular in sometimes tricky circumstances. Lately, I have been exploring food installations and am thriving in them all the more as they require creative concept development and set design, often personalised for a brand or client. I had originally studied fashion before beginning to cook and textiles are still a strong source of inspiration. I also have interests in furniture & object design and architecture and draw on these. I am influenced by shape and colour. Sometimes I will write out a menu and realise it’s almost unintentionally monochrome!
As a creative duo, what excites you the most about collaborating with your husband Geoffrey to curate unique culinary experiences, and how do you complement each other’s talents?
Geoffrey has a very creative and design-orientated mind and is also a welder by trade. Other than working well together in the kitchen, we often bounce back on each other when developing creative concepts. As I progress towards art-like food and set design for installations we have been imagining utilitarian props for the displays. Geoffrey is going to be able to bring these structures to life soon with his metal fabrication which is exciting!
Everyone has their own rituals and routines that contribute to a sense of comfort and tranquillity in their home. What personal habits or routines do you believe contribute to making your living space a peaceful retreat?
I know it’s not that healthy to drink coffee first thing in the morning…but we recently got a Moccamaster, after having owned one in Marseille and running it when we wake up and sitting out in the sun is definitely a morning routine. Our garden is tranquil and often visited by birds and wildlife. In winter, we love to light a fire in the fireplace and listen to some records. We have never had a television and really appreciate music.
Can you share with us any stories and significance behind any particular items or furnishings in your home that hold a special place in your heart or have unique memories attached to them?
Geoffrey is a photographer and there is a photograph he shot in LA hanging in our room that he gave me when we met. I have a Moroccan Berber rug that I haggled with my father in Chefchaouen years ago and brought back crammed into a suitcase! Geoffrey has a few beautiful vintage objects such as a Nagel stackable candleholder that he kindly let me use to display hand-rolled grissini for Nagnata… I also have a set of beige Softedge Studio plates hanging in the kitchen that were gifted to me after a wonderful collaboration with Layla this year, I use them all the time during my dinners. There are so many special pieces, like the Marcel Braur chair my parents brought from Paris in the 90s.
Your commitment to local ingredients and seasonal produce shines through in your dining menus. Can you delve deeper into your approach for crafting artistically designed menus and your sustainable culinary philosophy?
I grew up eating organically and with things grown in my mother’s garden. When I transitioned from fashion design to food, I discovered the bistronomy scene in Paris and it had those same core values of subliming local, quality, spray-free and hand-grown produce and its producers. You don’t need to call on magic when the produce is true, it speaks for itself. There are so many incredible farms in the Byron Bay region and we are lucky to be able to access them so easily at the various markets. My menus are always crafted with what is seasonal.
Communal dining is a delightful concept. What has been the most fulfilling aspect of hosting dinners that bring together individuals, pairs, and groups, fostering a sense of community and togetherness?
I think just that, watching the discovery between people who don’t necessarily know each other but have one thing in common, a great meal in a special setting. I like to surprise and to weave interactivity into my menus. Community is something I have really come to understand since living in the Northern Rivers and it is so valuable.
For those seeking to infuse more creativity into their living spaces, what tips or advice can you offer based on your own experience and style?
I would advise to read and explore design of the past as everything is cyclical. Exploring culture and artisanal fabrications and travelling when it’s a possibility. There are actually some great books at Pampa to get started!
Finally, what does home mean to you?
Home to me is that place to come back to where you can find comfort. It’s also somewhere that can be opened to others and to host and display life’s treasured souvenirs.
Photos: Thea Blocksidge
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Photos:Victoria Aguirre
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