Real Housewives of Sydney's Krissy Marsh on savvy property buys and proper home organisation

The supremely organised reality TV star even labels her egg containers.

 What is your strongest memory of your childhood home?

Growing up on acreage with my parents, three sisters, 13 horses, four dogs and 100 birds in Queensland. We loved it when it rained because the three dams overflowed and ran into each other and would we make mud slides and swim our horses.

What do you recall most about buying your first home?

I bought my first home with my three sisters – we each put in $8000 for the deposit that we had saved and bought an old Queenslander in Clayfield. In less than 18 months we had doubled our money – not only was it a very wise investment, but it gave me a taste for the property market and led me to pursue a career in real estate and become a licensed real estate agent.

What was the best part of home ownership?

For my sisters and I, it was that we had the capital appreciation and could begin to value-add to our property with renovations and furnishings – we could start to make the property our own. Because we all went into the investment with the same goals, it made for a great experience and kick-started our financial independence.

And the worst?

By far it has to be DIY reno disasters … I once ripped up old lino with a kitchen spatula as I was replacing the flooring with floorboards. It meant it took much longer to get the flooring in because the mess I had made had to be cleared up and removed properly. There was also the time I painted my windows and they dried in the closed position. Of course it was summer. I finally got them fixed in winter.

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Can you share any tips for organising a home?

Where do I start? I have so many tips for home organisation – everything should have its place and you should constantly audit and throw things out. Go to IKEA and buy their plastic boxes in all the different sizes – one for swimming gear, one for batteries, sort the bathroom with trays for toothbrushes, soaps and other toiletries. Use larger boxes for sporting goods, crafts, bags. I love a Dyno labeller and label absolutely everything in the house, including pantry items, so I know when something has run out or needs replacing. I even label the egg container so I know which end to take the eggs from so the oldest are used first.

Do you have a favourite room?

It has to be my kitchen – it is the heart of the house and looks out into our garden. My husband and I love to cook, as do our three kids. We have a very large six-metre island bench where family and friends like to congregate. My kitchen is filled with two of everything from ovens to sinks to dishwashers.

What is the best piece of furniture or household item you have ever owned?

Without a doubt it is my 18th century antique Chinese sideboard that I bought in Shanghai. It has a drawing of Yellow Mountain on the side which I climbed when I first went to live in China. It is a much-treasured piece and suits the style of our property.

What is the worst household item?

Not a typical household item but phone chargers: with three kids, they always go missing, so we fight over who has taken them.

Do you enjoy gardening?

Gardening is one of my favourite past-times and I have spent time creating my backyard so that it is a lovely summer sanctuary for family and friends to enjoy. I also enjoy growing herbs I can use for my cooking.

If you could live in a dream house, anywhere in the world, where would it be?

My current house is absolutely my dream home – my husband is an architect and we have designed every inch of it how we want and to suit our family life. We are fortunate to overlook beautiful Bondi Beach and have a north facing sun-drenched backyard. Honestly, there is no better place in the world to live than Sydney with its beautiful beaches and fresh air (much appreciated after living in China), harbour and boating life.

Trained real estate agent and valuer Krissy Marsh starred in Real Housewives of Sydney. Sister series Real Housewives of Melbourne returns to Foxtel’s Arena channel on December 6.