Fox Sport’s Jess Yates: Forget footy, let’s go to France
TV presenter Jess Yates loves her home by the beach and loves her sport but still can’t wait to get away from it all.
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Who: Fox Sports presenter Jess Yates.
Where: New double-storey home in Sydney’s south with her husband, retired professional surfer, Luke Egan, and their children, Isabella, nine, and Samuel, one.
Favourite thing: My study gets great light all through the day. It’s lovely.
Inspiration: Minimalist and clean.
Home is: Being able to switch off and relax, and be present with my children. I love just sitting on the back deck, having a barbecue and talking.
Jess Yates appears to be a total sports-nerd, covering anything from gritty NRL football to thunderous supercars and the Australian Grand Prix for Fox Sports.
In contrast, in her new home in Sydney’s southern suburbs, the mother of two collects handmade ceramics, delights in her “calming study with lots of natural light” and is also a dedicated Francophile having visited Paris more times than she can remember.
“I try to get there every second year. It’s my 40th birthday next year and it’s the first place I’ll go. Any excuse will do.”
Jess and her husband Luke have created a calming oasis in the surf suburb of Cronulla, which is where Jess grew up and still has her parents and extended family in the neighbourhood. “Having family close by is crucial given how often I travel,” says Jess.
“We lived in the old home for five years before we bulldozed it.
“We feel lucky to have been able to build a home for our family right by the beach that embraces our beach lifestyle. We look forward to coming home, this is everything we could have wanted.”
Jess says the clean lines and open floorplan in the main living quarters are impressive, but it’s the garage that gets the most love.
“Luke has tons of surfboards so we needed a space to accommodate them. We have a six-car garage, but only two cars. The rest of the space is taken up by jet skis and his ‘man things’.
Words: Catherine Nikas-Boulos Pictures: Tim Pascoe
I bought this on my last trip to Paris with my mum. It reminds me of the special time we had together in the Chanel boutique. It’s a special piece that I will hand down to Isabella.
This was taken in France on our first skiing adventure together. That was 12 years ago when we first got together. Luke and I are so lucky to have each other.
Luke gave me these on another trip to France on my 30th birthday. He had them hidden in his backpack and my birthday was at the end of the trip. I wear them every single day.
This French company do the most beautiful handmade ceramics and their signature is a white glaze. Every time I go to Paris I add something to my collection – I am obsessed.
I am a complete Francophile. I love France and these two coffee books transport me there. I would love at some point in my life to spend time living there.
I wanted Samuel for so long and it’s been so wonderful to see Isabella become a big sister. Despite Covid, we managed to get a Santa photo and it’s such a cherished photo.
My father in-law is a surfboard shaper and this one is shaped from balsa timber. He is a master craftsman who makes everything with his hands, including our front door and dining table.
My mum Anita made this for Isabella before she was born. It’s all hand stitched and is the most beautiful piece of art. She makes one for all the new babies in the family.
Originally published as Fox Sport’s Jess Yates: Forget footy, let’s go to France
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