She's set to return to our screens as much-loved EastEnders villain Janine Butcher after a six-month break but, when she’s not busy filming, actress Charlie Brooks loves nothing more than to be at home with her daughter Kiki, eight.
“My house is around 100 years old and has six bedrooms. I’d describe my kitchen as shabby chic and it’s my favourite room – this is where it all happens,” beams Charlie, who won over the nation in November during her stint on I’m A Celeb! “Pottering around at home on a Sunday morning makes me really happy. ”
And Charlie, 31 – who’s dating architect Ben Hollington, 31 – certainly makes use of the hub of her home, regularly cooking and entertaining for friends.
“We have the best parties – sometimes it’s so much more fun dancing round the kitchen table till the early hours than it is to go out,” she says.
'My house is around 100 years old and has six bedrooms. I'd describe my kitchen to be shabby chic'
Having lived in her Victorian home in south-west London for six years, Charlie’s daughter has grown up there and the walls are covered with her photos and drawings. “There are so many happy memories in this house. Kiki’s a huge part of my life – so naturally the rooms, including the kitchen, are filled with pictures of her childhood,” she says.
“All my friends have kids so every weekend my garden looks like a buggy park – but I love filling my home with visitors.”
Charlie's kitchen secrets
High tea
“This teacup is from one of my favourite antique shops in Hampton Court – I’ve got two others but they’re all different – I like that mismatched look.”
Health saviour
“This juicer has changed my life over the past few months. I overindulged while travelling in Oz – so I’m on a detox now! My favourite juice ingredients are kale, spinach and beetroot.”
Box of kisses
“Kiki gave me this lovely trinket box for Mother’s Day and she filled it with individually cut out kisses – such a cute idea.”
'I bought this gorgeous cupboard on eBay and I absolutely love it – I think it adds a lot of character to the kitchen and fits with the vintage feel of the room.'
Sign your name
“One of my best friends made this for Kiki’s birthday when we’d just got back from Oz – I think it fits really well with the room.”
