‘I moved in next to Mum and Dad!’

Every girl's worst nightmare? Not for actress Nadia Sawalha, who discovered her dream home was right on their doorstep

Most daughters can't wait to get away from their parents, but not Nadia Sawalha. As soon as the 'For sale' sign went up on the '30s south London house next to her mum and dad's home, she put in an offer. She didn't even look round the property first!

"I bought this place without even seeing it because it was already so familiar to me - I knew it was mine!" she says.

Home life is a family affair for Nadia. As well as her parents next door, older sister Dina lives a mile away, and younger sister Julia (Saffy in Ab Fab) used to live two doors down the road.

"We're a close family," says Nadia. "When I married Mark seven years ago, he moved here because I didn't want to leave. There's no fence between the two gardens so our daughters Maddie, six, and Kiki, 22 months, have space to run around and they dive in and out of both houses. They get to see lots of their grandparents and we get babysitters. It's perfect!"

The former Celebrity MasterChef winner's favourite room is the kitchen. "It cost a fortune - over £10,000! It was a gift to myself 10 years ago when I was playing Annie Palmer in EastEnders," says Nadia, 44. "Mark likes growing herbs and vegetables and I enjoy preparing food here for my family."

Nadia and Mark Adderley, 42, a TV director, are self-confessed scavengers. "We collect modern art and have dozens of paintings and sculptures, but I also like antiques," she says. "I love rummaging in reclamation yards - they're like treasure troves. Even our leather sofa and chairs are cast-offs, which my sister Julia no longer wanted. It's such a comfortable sofa - the whole family lies on it to watch TV."

Get Nadia's look: 8 funky buys for lounge room and kitchen

IN NADIA'S KITCHEN
JULIA'S FLOWER PHOTO "My sister Julia made this from leaves in her garden. I look at it and I'm transported to Somerset, where she now lives."
TEA COSY 'This was knitted for me by my friend Jane for my birthday. It reminds me of her warm, homely style."
CHINA CUP "Mark's great-grandfather ran a china company so we have lots of his hand-painted cups and saucers."

NADIA'S TOP TIPS
Be confident about what you like. Don't be intimidated by style trends.
Don't be afraid to mix old and new. I like mixing antiques with newer pieces.
Add a flash of colour to neutral rooms with bright accessories.
If you have children, wicker baskets are essential. If you need to clear up in a hurry, all their toys can be quickly tidied up and hidden away.

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BRONZE ORCHID "This was made by artist Marc Quinn. It was bought for me by my husband two years ago. He's good at choosing gifts!"
LEATHER ARMCHAIR "My sister Julia told me she didn't like her armchairs and asked if we wanted them. They were delivered the next day!"

See Nadia in Eating In The Sun which starts on June 20, 11.30am, BBC1.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMIE HUGHES. HAIR & MAKE-UP: SARAH BOWDEN. COMPILED BY: SALLY GILLAM

• Bring the seaside to your garden!

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