Home has always been a sanctuary for Kimberley Walsh, whether an escape from the dizzying heights of girl-band fame or a cosy space to share with her family. Here, the Girls Aloud member, presenter and DIY enthusiast shares her go-to paint shades and her love of a characterful home.
Now, with two new shades and three mosaics added to her Kimberley Loves with Wickes range, Kimberley is thinking about the power of colour. We caught up with her to talk about her decorating style, her ‘unusual’ home, and the one paint colour you’ll never find in her house.
KW: Instead, be mindful of the space you’re working with. If you have a modern home, there are amazing ways to dress it, but traditional decor might not look right.
KW: There’s no point doing it if you’re going to be half-hearted. If you want to be bold and go in with colour, then you’ve just got to go for it.
KW: I don’t have any true-white rooms. I know that look can work in some spaces but, for me, it’s quite cold and stark. If you’re going to choose a really light colour, at least pick an interesting shade, not a brilliant white.
KW: I developed Subtle Sage as part of my Kimberley Loves paint collection at Wickes. It gives a real earthy, ‘bringing the outside in’ calmness to a home. I also love Soft Honey, which has a sunshine warmth, and the pretty Pale Clover for the garden. We are also launching some marble mosaics in different shades.
KW: One of my favourite paint colours I’ve created is Blue Haze. I have it in my living room and it’s so calming. Also, because I’ve got quite a traditional home, it really complements the Victorian features.
KW: Habitat was big at the time and I remember buying a lamp from there which I thought was amazing. I was working at a café and saving up to try and get a new carpet. My room was my real pride and joy. The way that I feel about interiors now is the away I felt about it then.
KW: Friends come round and go, ‘Oh, there’s another place here – and another space here.’ It’s a very unusual home, so people tend to fall in love with it because you won’t find another one like it. That’s why we’ve stayed. The kids say, ‘We can’t ever move from this house,’ and I say, ‘No, you’re going to buy it from me, aren’t you?’
KW: It's often assumed that everyone loves these modern kitchens and big, open spaces, but my house is unique in that it goes over quite a lot of floors. It’s got loads of half levels.
KW: I was always the mother hen of Girls Aloud. Everyone who comes to my home says it makes them feel welcome and comfortable, and that they don't want to leave – and quite often they don't!
KW: Wherever I lived, even in the years that I was in the band and had different apartments, home was always important to me. It was always a bit of a sanctuary. It was always important that it felt like a really nice space to be and that it felt warm.
KW: Justin and I moved in before we had kids and obviously, it was a bit big. We didn't really use the top or bottom floor. It works amazingly as a family home now, and I feel we can grow with it. When the boys unfortunately flee the nest – which I'm dreading, but I'll keep them here as long as possible – it'll still be a home where we can have the grandkids visit.
