Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon apparently have their sights set on a brand new home (Picture: Jeff Spicer/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are reportedly preparing to say goodbye to the Essex home that has defined the last five years of their lives.
According to reports, the couple has found a new renovation project just a short distance from Pickle Cottage, with the sprawling estate said to feature eight bedrooms, 30 acres of land, a swimming pool, and even its own lake.
The move is thought to offer far more than just extra space for their growing family. A source told the Mirror that it’s about new beginnings.
‘It’s a fresh start,’ the source said. ‘Pickle Cottage has been a place where Stacey and Joe’s relationship has been up and down.’
The couple moved into the home, which features an incredible 2.5 acres of land, in 2021 and quickly decided to name it after their son Rex, who is often referred to as Pickle.
Former X Factor star Stacey revealed at the time that the property ‘needed some TLC’ and that they were set to invest in some home renovations.
Stacey and Joe were overjoyed at the purchase of the sprawling property in 2021 (Picture: Instagram)
‘The house needs lots of love and TLC which I cannot wait to show to you. But Pickle Cottage is going to be ours and we cannot wait,’ the presenter said after the big purchase.
Stacey quickly got to work overhauling the home and sharing glimpses of her renovations on social media, telling fans: ‘I definitely don’t tell myself often enough, how proud I am of all of the love and hard work I’ve put into Pickle Cottage.
‘Not a day has gone by for the last year I haven’t worked my little bum off doing whatever I could to make this special house our home.’
Some of the renovations included an incredible £900 makeover of son Rex’s bedroom, which featured an animal theme throughout.
The new property reportedly has a pool like Pickle Cottage (Picture: Instagram)
Known for doing things on a budget, Stacey included animal wallpaper, a flat-screen TV, an art desk, and repainted fireplace.
One room that Stacey admitted could spark some controversy, however, is her stunning kitchen, which she opted to paint completely black.
She told fans at the time: ‘The kitchen is now black. I just went for it! It is the last f**k it year after all. So here she is. Let me know what you think! Or don’t if you hate it. I actually didn’t realise how much cosier and just all around prettier painting it black would be.
‘I was worried it might be harsh and dark but it feels so much more homely and actually feels brighter! I loved the white but omg this is special! So glad I just went for it!’
Stacey has also used a number of budget items to add her own touch to the property, from an £11.99 flower garland in her renovated purple conservatory to a number of purse-friendly Dunelm homeware items throughout.
Stacey and Joe have spent a lot of time and money fixing up Pickle Cottage (Picture: Instagram)
Stacey has made a number of renovations throughout the property, including totally redoing multiple bathrooms (Picture: Instagram)
Things are no different in the garden of the home too, where Stacey is a proud owner of an incredible pond for her pet ducks, Daisy, Daphne, and Delphine.
However, Stacey revealed that she isn’t always keen to show off the huge swimming pool in the garden, stating that she fears the content isn’t relatable to her fans.
She remarked: ‘So many of you asking to see the tiles. But I know this is the most unrelatable content ever, so I’m sorry. I do cringe sharing it. I almost feel embarrassed for some reason.’
It comes after Joe and Stacey revealed that their six children won’t be inheriting their huge £6,500,000 fortune.
‘They’re going to have their own lives and they need to have their own dreams, careers and that doesn’t come from us giving them everything. It’s a constant battle,’ she told the Mirror.
Stacey has built an incredible enclosure for her pet ducks (Picture: Instagram)
Stacey’s very pink utility room at Pickle Cottage (Picture: Instagram)
Stacey has added her own personal touches throughout the property (Picture: Instagram)
The home has hosted many major milestones since the couple moved in. Stacey won a National Television Award while living there, the pair tied the knot in the garden in July 2022, and it became home to their children Zachary, 16, Leighton, 12, Rex, five, Rose, three, and two-year-old Belle.
It also served as the backdrop for much of their BBC reality series Stacey & Joe, giving viewers an unusually candid glimpse into family life behind closed doors.
However, the property has also become linked with months of speculation surrounding the state of the couple’s marriage.
Rumours intensified earlier this year after Stacey was photographed without her wedding ring, although she later dismissed claims there was trouble between the pair.
Appearing on the Sort Your Life Out Unpacked podcast, she insisted outside speculation had no impact on their relationship.
It’s said to have plenty of space for the couple’s five children (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Hamleys)
‘Who cares if the whole world is like, “Oh, they’re on the brink of divorce”,’ she said. ‘Being in the public eye creates certain pressures, but not on our relationship. If we know it’s not true, who cares?’
She added that their marriage is much like anyone else’s.
‘Sometimes I fancy the pants off him and can’t wait to come home to see him. Sometimes I’m like, “Get out of my stratosphere – stay away from me.” I think we’re just like any other couple.’
According to the publication, Joe also believes leaving Pickle Cottage behind could help them move on emotionally.
The source claimed he feels the property has brought ‘bad luck’, with the couple hoping a new family home will represent a more positive chapter.
The reported new purchase is also said to appeal to Stacey’s well-known love of DIY and home renovations.
Stacey is likely to bring her DIY flair to the new house (Picture: Instagram)
‘This house needs a bit of love and work to make it the absolute dream home where they can make new memories,’ another source told The Sun.
The couple share children Rex, Rose and Belle together, while Stacey is also mum to Zachary and Leighton, and Joe shares son Harry from a previous relationship.
If the move goes ahead, fans may not have to wait long to see the transformation.
The third series of Stacey & Joe is due to air later this summer, and reports suggest cameras are expected to follow the family as they renovate their latest project.
After years of sharing every makeover, decorating challenge, and family milestone at Pickle Cottage, it appears the next chapter could be beginning at an entirely new address.
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