Pamela Anderson is cooking something special at her century-old farm

Photo: Ditte Iseger

Since early 2022, Pamela Anderson has been starring in Broadway films Chicago; she was the focus of a Netflix documentary – effectively the antidote to Hulu’s unauthorized dramatization of a much-exploited period of her life, which premiered the previous year; she has fronted a number of high fashion campaigns, including as the face of Proenza Schouler; she published her memoirs, a New York Times bestseller; and she leads The last showgirl, Gia Coppola’s next drama, with a performance that early reviews consider to be the best ever. But a few years ago, the Hollywood icon felt aimless. Unsure of what to do next professionally, she returned to her roots: Arcady, the family land in Ladysmith, Vancouver, where she grew up.

This required work. A few cabins in the complex had rotten floors, some had to be completely demolished. His return marked a restorative period both for the estate and for the actor, who now heralds a true career renaissance. “I wanted to take it all out, really check in with myself, remind myself who I am and not what everyone tells me I am,” Anderson said. ANNOUNCEMENT. “And then, of course, when I was (at home), comfortable, everything was good and I had some alone time, I got a call to do Broadway, and then I got a call to make The last showgirl, and then I did (it) Naked gun (following), and now I’m doing another movie, so I guess it’s just happening! I’m really good at going with the flow, and this is just the best time of my life, of my career. I’m so excited.”

Fortunately for Anderson, this fallow period allowed him to devote time to his hobbies outside of showbiz, such as gardening and cooking with fresh local produce, before everything started again. His new cookbook, I love you, a culinary love letter at least nominally addressed to the reader but explicitly dedicated to his two sons as they begin their own first kitchen, is filled with both Anderson’s favorite plant-based recipes and moving anecdotes . She thinks about bathing her children in rose petals as babies, experimenting with overnight oats, and working in the garden (where, she is convinced, fairies visit and leave behind little balls and treasures). As the homebody spends a much busier time away from her domestic pleasures, she sat down with ANNOUNCEMENT to discuss the comfort of living in Arcady with his family.

Architectural collection: What city do you live in?

Pamela Anderson: I live in Ladysmith on Vancouver Island. I am on my vegetable farm, Arcady, with my three dogs, Lucky, Lola and Zouzou. I miss them so much!

How would you describe the style of your home?

I think it’s a bit like a wildflower sanctuary: mystical, very romantic. I live in a rainforest, so it’s very, I don’t know, healthy. Of course, I like neutral colors. I love all linen, and it’s all very earthy and woody and white and concrete, and I like that too. It’s eclectic, I like to have fun. It’s full of memories from my childhood, so it’s triggering! (Laughter.)

What do you think is your favorite gadget or home appliance?

Oh my God, I don’t know if it’s my favorite, but I obviously use my espresso machine quite often, I can say that! It’s my daily appointment, it’s part of my ritual. Then I start writing, and I have my life, my walks. I walk outside all the time.

What is your bedtime ritual?

I take a bath with salts and oils. And then I do my whole skincare routine with my Sonsie skin products and I read a good book, I watch a movie. What is the stack of books on my bedside table? Maybe something from Anaïs Nin or Dorothy Parker. I’ll watch a French film like Godard or maybe even Fellini, depending on how I want to dream that night. That’s kind of where I go in my little Criterion channel. Very comfortable.

Which room in your house is your favorite and why?

Well, cooking of course! This is where everyone gravitates. My kitchen also holds a lot of memories of my grandmother. It’s just very farm, very relaxed, lots of French cutting boards and old wooden bowls and things I’ve collected on my travels, lots of big old wooden tables, because I like to make big spreads of food. I’m going to make a whole cauliflower roast and I’m also making a lot of sourdough, so I need a lot of counter space because I’m proofing bread. And I have my sourdough starter (named Astrid; you have to name a sourdough starter). When I’m at home, I get up very, very early – during the baker’s hours – and so I’m always in my kitchen. I miss it! I’m on the road. I haven’t been home in a few months, so you’re making me homesick!

I am homesickness for your home sounds spectacular. Speaking of which, what item in the house has extra sentimental value?

My grandmother’s upright piano. I had to refurbish it, refinish it and, yes, that makes a lot of sense. I remember my grandfather (and) my father playing the piano. I can play the simplest things, but my son Dylan is an excellent pianist. Self-taught! Truly magnificent.

I love you: recipes from the heart (a recipe book)

$24.5.00, Amazon

Describe an item in your home that you brought back from a trip.

This last thing I brought back is crazy. It’s a vase, but it’s very inspired by Gaudí. I was just in Barcelona. I went to the cathedral, Sagrada Familia. I was obsessed with Gaudí’s buildings and would visit them all very early in the morning before everyone got up. The pottery has all this kind of lavender growing in it, so it’s quirky and quirky.

If you could change one object or feature in your home, what would it be?

I would like to finish my greenhouse. I have a nice place to eat in the garden, but it’s very weathery there, so I want to be able to eat throughout the seasons close to my garden.

What are the oldest and newest things in your house?

The oldest thing in my house is just the house! The house is 100 years old and has many doors, hardware and everything else. I don’t find anything new. I don’t really buy a lot of things. I think I have everything I need.

Originally appeared on Architectural Digest