Staying Home: How entrepreneur Chyka Keebaugh has embraced isolation

Staying Home is a series of interviews with well-known Australians to learn how they are dealing with isolation and social distancing.

She’s the queen of home styling and redecorating, always happy to share her latest DIY project on her website and give tips on how to host a party at home; what’s more she’s published three books via Hardie Grant showing us how.

Chyka Keebaugh might have hit the pause button on entertaining at home, but she’s making the most of craft activities and styling up her new pad that she just moved into with her husband Bruce as the pandemic came to town.

The former Real Housewives of Melbourne star is one of the city’s most stylish entrepreneurs who help us lift our game at home. She runs the event and hospitality business The Big Group and The Design Depot with her husband; but those lavish cocktail events and A-list soirees are on hold for now. So she’s using this time to hit the reset button and work on a new book.

“I don’t want to waste this period of time and regret not having done the things I have wanted to do for ages,” says Keebaugh.

While social distancing laws are being relaxed, it doesn’t mean business as usual for the dynamic duo.

“COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our business,” she says. “Hospitality was one of the first industries to go. It’s been hard to watch and know that the business we have built over 30 years will never be the same. We are using this time to be creative and think outside the box,” she says.

Keebaugh admits she gets by with a little help from friends, support from family and using the phone a lot more.

“I really thought this year was going to be the best one yet; but I had some big collaborations fall over,” she says.

“That’s why for me it’s very important to find the silver lining and see the positive and not the negative. I have days where I feel really excited and motivated, and days where it’s really hard.

“We do know at some point this will end and we will all come out with hopefully personal growth, new love and respect for our family and friends and perhaps be a little kinder to the environment.

“I feel very grateful to have an inspiring husband who wants to make every day better than the one before and two children who feel very much like we are a team doing this together – it makes me feel that anything is possible.”

Favourite room at home

We have just moved into a new apartment that we have been building for two years. Everyday I am fluffing around in one of the rooms; perfecting the bookcase, organising my coffee table, remaking my bed, colour-coding my dressing room – the list goes on.

Latest DIY project

To try and cover my new bed base in a waffle fabric. I have bought myself a staple gun and fabric, and now have to make it happen. I have also bought a tapestry I’d like to start. I used to love doing these and have wanted to get back into doing them again, but just haven’t had the time. It’s fun being creative like this again and I hope I don’t stop when life gets busier.

Where do you relax at home?

Depending on the weather, I love sitting outside on the balcony on our oversized couch reading a book. We get all-day sun and it’s really beautiful to look at the sky and get transported away. Our balcony has lots of greenery, pots and gardenias and I really feel like I’m in an oasis.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams as part of my book club. The book I just finished and really loved was American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. It was a truly incredible story that was both inspiring and devastating. I couldn’t put this down and highly recommend it.

What are you baking/making?

I’ve actually really enjoyed getting back into the kitchen. Our son is home from America at the moment and he absolutely loves me to be cooking non-stop. I made a delicious peach tart and it’s been nice to stop and think about what we’re eating every day. Bruce and I have loved working out our menu and then shopping for what we need.

What are you planning? 

I’m working on new ideas for a book. Watch this space. 

Latest home purchase 

I’ve actually been visiting Howard Storage because I want to get my entire pantry and shelving organised. It gives me great pleasure when the laundry and pantry is neat and everything is in its place.

Favourite time of day

When I FaceTime my daughter Chessie in New York. They are having a really tough time and she’s been in isolation for a long time, so I’d like to check in make sure she’s OK, hear about her day and most importantly see what they’re cooking for dinner that night. I have to say I’ve probably not spoken on the phone as much as I have recently. It’s actually been really nice to have a proper conversation with my friends and family.

Isolation survival tip

Have a routine every day and a reason to get out of bed, get dressed and brush your hair. I like to break my day down so I know exactly what I’m doing and have a little bit of purpose.

Latest app

I love Houseparty and Zoom. Every week I catch up with my girlfriends, my book club and family. We have been having virtual dinner and cocktail parties.