Courtney Adamo shares idyllic lifestyle in new book

SHE’S amassed hundreds of thousands of followers around the world, captivated by her idyllic and sustainable lifestyle — and now Courtney Adamo, along with her husband Michael, is sharing the secrets behind it in a new book.

The Bangalow-based mum and influencer said the idea of writing a book has been on her mind for many years, and the timing finally felt right.

“I’ve been writing and sharing in the family lifestyle space for the last 18 years, starting with a blog in 2007,” she said. “I’ve also written eBooks and created online courses for mothers.”

Over the past two decades, the Adamo family has lived in a wide variety of homes across different countries. Through these experiences, Adamo said they’ve discovered that creating a joyful home has less to do with architecture and more with the values and practices you bring into the space.

“We wanted to share some of those ideas for creating a happy, cosy home for your family,” she said. “We’ve shared tips and ideas for creating a home that helps you slow down and spend more time together, embrace family rituals, encourage more independence in your children, and invite more play into your lives. We’ve also written practical chapters on organisation, sustainability and embracing smaller spaces. Whether it’s clever storage for the shoes that pile up by the door, meaningful ways to display children’s artwork, ideas for shared bedrooms or making the most of small spaces, the book is full of thoughtful, achievable solutions for real family life.”

The book features photos of 24 homes from around the world captured by their friend Amelia Rushforth. These include a converted shed in Federal in the Byron Bay hinterland, a mid-century home in London and a restored 1890s house in Los Angeles.

“Most of the homes belong to friends of ours,” Adamo said. “Michael and I have lived in all of these locations, so we have made friends and discovered thoughtful homes from our experiences there. We did reach out to a few people whose homes we found online or on Instagram.”

When it comes to designing the ideal family home, Adamo says trends take a backseat to authenticity — creating a space that reflects your personality, supports your family’s needs and nurtures everyday rituals.

“Raising kids, especially young kids, can be challenging even at the best of times,” she said. “And juggling the needs of your family whilst trying to maintain a sense of organisation or order at home can feel overwhelming. But I really believe that when we make thoughtful choices in our homes, we create a space that helps us thrive. When we take the time to evaluate our values, rituals, rhythms and needs, we can more easily create a home that makes those things flow more easily.

“If you have teenagers, you probably want a place for them to hang out and be social outside of their bedrooms. If you have toddlers and young kids, you may want a place for them to play and have toys easily accessible. If you work from home, a functional home office is a priority. I also think a good family home is one that feels like the family — it tells of the places you’ve travelled, the art and colours you love, the interests and personalities of you and your kids. Does it feel joyful? Are you happy there? Does it feel cosy and inviting? These are the sorts of qualities that make for a great family home.”

For those looking to begin their own transformation, Adamo said take a close look at what’s already in your home and question whether it serves a purpose.

“Be intentional about what you bring in and let go of what you don’t need — the less clutter you have, the easier it is to feel calm and organised,” she said. “I’m also a big believer in small, simple systems that actually work for your family. Hooks at child height so kids can hang up their own things. A basket by the door for shoes. A spot in the kitchen for art supplies that kids can reach without asking. These little changes make life flow more smoothly and encourage independence.

“And finally, lean into the rituals that make your family feel happy and connected — whether that’s a weekly pancake breakfast, a nightly family walk or reading together before bed. Those moments become the heartbeat of your home.”

Earlier this year, the Adamos listed their renovated home for sale, with plans to move on to a new project. But they ultimately decided to stay put.

“We had heaps of interest in it, but no serious offers,” Adamo said. “And we also searched and searched and couldn’t find anything else to buy, so it was really difficult to sell without the certainty of somewhere else to go. The market feels a bit funny right now, so we are going to stay put and maybe try again another time. We are keen for a new project, but we also really love our house, so it all has to feel aligned in order to feel like the right decision.”

While it has been a rollercoaster, Adamo is embracing where they are now.

“Our kids love living in Bangalow — they have friends and after school jobs and drama classes, and we have the cafes and shops so close,” she said. “In many ways, the universe might have been telling us to stay where we are because it’s right for this stage in our family life.”

Now, after pouring their heart and soul into The Family Home, the couple are thrilled to finally see it in print.

“We are so excited to finally get it out there into people’s hands and homes,” Adamo said. “It has felt like a long process, especially compared to creating and sharing online content, so it is exciting to finally be at this stage.”

Courtney and Michael Adamo will host a Q&A and book signing at The Book Room in Byron Bay on Thursday, September 18 at 6pm.