Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are preparing to leave their Essex home, Pickle Cottage, after five years, according to reports. The couple has reportedly found a new renovation project nearby, featuring eight bedrooms, 30 acres of land, a swimming pool, and a lake.
Fresh Start After Ups and Downs
A source told the Mirror that the move is about new beginnings. 'It’s a fresh start. Pickle Cottage has been a place where Stacey and Joe’s relationship has been up and down,' the source said. The couple moved into the 2.5-acre property in 2021, naming it after their son Rex, nicknamed Pickle.
Former X Factor star Stacey said at the time that the house 'needed some TLC' and shared renovations on social media. '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,' she said.
Renovations and Budget-Friendly Touches
Stacey gave son Rex's bedroom a £900 animal-themed makeover, including wallpaper, a flat-screen TV, an art desk, and a repainted fireplace. She painted the kitchen black, telling fans: 'The kitchen is now black. I just went for it! I was worried it might be harsh and dark but it feels so much more homely and actually feels brighter!'
Budget items included an £11.99 flower garland in her purple conservatory and Dunelm homeware. The garden features a pond for her pet ducks Daisy, Daphne, and Delphine, but Stacey hesitated to show the swimming pool, saying: 'I know this is the most unrelatable content ever, so I’m sorry. I almost feel embarrassed for some reason.'
Major Milestones and Marriage Speculation
Pickle Cottage hosted Stacey's National Television Award win, their July 2022 wedding, and their children Zachary, 16, Leighton, 12, Rex, five, Rose, three, and two-year-old Belle. It was also the backdrop for their BBC reality series Stacey & Joe.
However, the property became linked with marriage speculation after Stacey was photographed without her wedding ring. She dismissed claims on the Sort Your Life Out Unpacked podcast: 'Who cares if the whole world is like, “Oh, they’re on the brink of divorce”? If we know it’s not true, who cares?' She added: '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.”'
New Chapter Ahead
A source said Joe believes Pickle Cottage brought 'bad luck' and hopes the new home represents a positive chapter. The reported new purchase appeals to Stacey's love of DIY. '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 Rex, Rose, and Belle together; Stacey is also mother to Zachary and Leighton, and Joe shares son Harry from a previous relationship. The third series of Stacey & Joe, due later this summer, is expected to follow the family's renovations at the new property.
