Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan enjoyed a break from home renovations as they jetted off for some pre-Christmas sun in Dubai last week. But as the couple finally move into their Essex mansion, an insider tells Closer that making their house a home is harder than it sounds.
Their £3.5 million mansion is said to boast an outdoor pool, a private sauna, a cinema room, five huge bedrooms – and our insider says the couple are taking full advantage of the never-ending space.
They reveal, “The house is so big that they can live in separate wings when the need arises, and then come together when they want, or when they’re hosting and having friends over.”
But while their mansion looks picture-perfect, it certainly doesn’t feel like a home quite yet. Our insider reveals, “There’s no question the house serves as great Instagram content, but living in it day-to-day is another matter. Michelle often feels like they must plan what they’re going to do and in what room, otherwise it can feel like you’re just aimlessly wandering about. Mark thinks it’s perfect and fancier than any hotel he’s ever been to – but he’s happy to let Michelle do her thing.”
The pair have taken fans along for the ride with their renovations, showing everything from cream carpets to white sofas. But while Michelle and Mark – who married back in 2015 – are thrilled to be finishing their dream home after years of work, it hasn't come without a few bumps in the road.
The inside adds, "The big difference between them is that Mark really wants to spend time with the lads and his family, whereas Michelle likes a more calming space to be on her own or hang with her friends. Part of what Michelle is keen to do is try and create some new areas where it gives them the best of both worlds.”
And to create that neutral space, the Our Girl actress hasn’t hesitated to call in the professionals. Our insider shares, “Mark has been the one who has taken charge during the renovations and was behind their joint Instagram account for the home. But behind the scenes, Michelle has been getting more involved and recently hired a feng shui expert to make sure that their home is more balanced out – and that they’re both able to enjoy the space harmoniously.”
The couple, both 35, spent the past six months living apart while Michelle was filming in Australia for BBC drama Ten Pound Poms – and the couple have been candid about how they navigated their long-distance marriage. Opening up earlier this year, ex-TOWIE star Mark shared, “You have to learn that you’ve been together for a
long time. It’s exciting at first, but then it goes back to being a 10-year relationship.”
When asked last year about what they were most looking forward to when it came to reuniting and living together in their new home, Mark shared, “Just having that house and that base again, we can’t wait,” and Michelle agreed, “We’ve built it to our dream, and we’re so excited.”
While Michelle was filming across the globe, Mark enjoyed many holidays to spend time with his wife – with reports saying Michelle was keen for the pair to make a permanent move to Australia. But with so much money and time invested in their Essex mega-mansion, it seems a life down under will have to wait.
And with the loved-up pair now adjusting to living in the same country – let alone in the same house – our insider says Mark and Michelle know that turning their impressive house into a cosy home will take time. Our source shares, “It’s a really overwhelming experience to settle into some kind of normal life for them both. They’re used to so much excitement with travelling that staying at home makes them feel as if they’re going through the motions of their marriage.”
And our insider says the pair are also aware of outside pressures – and with their huge new house comes the expectation for them to expand their brood and fill the rooms – revealing, “They’re keenly aware that everyone’s wondering when they’re going to start a family now that they have this big house, but they’re still not ready to think about it just yet. They want to make sure their home life is perfect – but some of their family and friends can’t help but feel they might find themselves rattling around in such a big space that they have all to themselves.”
