She’s a familiar presence on the news programs of TV stations KCAL 9 and CBS 2, where she’s been reporting events in Orange County for more than two decades. But off-camera, Michele Gile is known in Corona del Mar circles as Michele Caston, wife to videographer Dan Caston for 19 years and, in her own words, “very proud mother of Robin, a Corona del Mar High School sophomore and Katharine, or Coco as we call her, a fifth-grader at Lincoln Elementary School.” This fall, Caston is co-chairing the Corona del Mar Home Tour for the second consecutive year. What’s her life at home like? Here’s a glimpse:
Favorite room
My kitchen. We recently took this room down to the studs and gave it a completely new look. It’s got lots of light and a large island with French limestone. It’s the gathering place for parties, breakfast, dinner, and homework sessions.
Favorite chair
Upholstered bench for two that sits at the end of our kitchen island. No question, it’s the spot to sit in our cozy house. At dinnertime, the ones in the family who’ve had the toughest day earn that place.
Decorative object with the best story
A vintage Gretsch drum set sits in a sunny corner of our large living room. For my husband Dan’s 50th birthday, I had it restored as a gift. One of our first jobs as journalists was in Santa Barbara. Dan purchased the drums from an anchorman at the TV station there. That man, King Harris, auditioned on this very drum set for 1950s rock-and-roll icon Ricky Nelson.
Best place to think/imagine
I’m one of those type A women who never stop moving. So, the answer would have to be in the bubble bath, from which I look out of a large window at the sky and the trees.
The latest thing you bought for your house
I purchased a beautiful crystal Juliska table lamp on a recent trip to New York.
On your nightstand
A few of the latest books I’m reading – The Kitchen House and The Space Between Us, a photograph of my youngest daughter in her soccer uniform, a gardenia candle from Hawaii, which was a gift from my teenage daughter, and a tube of Murad Pomegranate Lip Protector.
Number of TVs in the house
We have only two flat screens. We want the family to watch TV together so we’re either in the family room or piled side by side in our king-sized bed. Honestly, after a hectic day traversing the county covering news, it’s nice to come home to good music.
The one thing you can’t live without in your house
My girls. There is constant joy when they are with me!
The one thing a house should never be without
One thing… that’s tough. I love fresh flowers, homebaked goods, a fluffy puppy, and enough seating for lots of friends to be entertained.
A typical party at your house
Everyone gathers around the kitchen island, which is filled with appetizers, food and wine. My husband follows all kinds of music, so there’s always something loud coming from the stereo.
Signature drink when you entertain
Organics Blood Orange Italian Soda for the kids and a good Cabernet for the adults.
If your house had a signature soundtrack, the song you would play is…
I love the French band Phoenix. The soundtrack of my life and the song I would play is “Girlfriends.” I don’t think I could ever put a value on how much my girlfriends make my life beautiful!
