Krissy Marsh is the very definition of ‘domestic goddess’. An original cast member of The Real Housewives of Sydney (RHOS), Krissy can navigate a gourmet kitchen, host like a pro and work a red carpet. She’s a mum-of-three and a stellar fundraiser: proceeds from her cookbook go directly to supporting the families of sick and injured children at Ronald McDonald House.
Meanwhile, Krissy’s created a YouTube channel with her RHOS alumni, Victoria Montano and Nicole O’Neil, in which they cook, gossip and sip signature cocktails.
Having lived all over the world and helmed her own real estate business, Krissy knows interiors and styling, too. It’s a passion she’s channelled into her stately-yet-welcoming 1920s villa in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, which she renovated with her husband, Johnny.
With three older children, several dogs (including a new puppy) and a revolving door of rellies and kids’ friends popping in, Krissy likes that her “forever” home is comfortable. There’s even an open invitation for her A-lister circle to drop in and watch the latest ep of Real Housewives on Tuesday nights and enjoy a bite to eat. So, the place has to be durable.
“From the outside, [the house] feels grand, but as soon as you come in, it feels very relaxed,” she told Home Beautiful. “I think it’s the way we’ve furnished it and the fact that you’ve got four dogs running around your feet. That’s the most important thing for me.
Somehow, Krissy manages to keep her white sofas, kitchen island bench and curtains pristine, as well as a cream carpet (cue the horror-movie theme music). Here are Krissy’s best tips for combining practicality and style, and fuss-free cleaning.
1. Choose outdoor fabric
Krissy says she doesn’t want to be precious about her soft furnishings and chooses outdoor fabrics even for indoor purposes. This means the fabrics are hardier and more resilient to dirt and even mould. She says that by using this fabric on her dining chairs, they are easily wiped over after spills and can be spot cleaned.
2. Opt for white
While it sounds counterintuitive, Krissy loves white fabric for her sofas. “I love using a lot of white because you can just throw it into soak and then into the washing machine and it comes out like new,” she says. “And it’s the same with all of our bed linen.”
3. Buy extra fabric
Krissy often buys extra fabric for her chairs and sofas. “If you get a couch made, just get additional fabric,” she says.
“Then rather than having them fitting perfectly, then you just pull them off and wash them. I could change those covers a couple of times a week because of the dogs. You’ve got to be able to have a house that’s lived in. I never want something for show. For me, it’s very much got to be a house that everyone can sit on the couches.”
4. Make your own cleaning products
Krissy hates using chemicals around the house so makes her own mixtures to use for cleaning. Her favourite is her all-purpose spray, which is a mixture of:
- 1 tablespoon soap
- 1 litre hot water
- ¼ cup white distilled vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
Mix ingredients together and pour into a trigger spray bottle. Shake and use to spray and wipe down surfaces.
