Jennifer Zamparelli isn’t afraid of change, in fact she welcomes it, in both her career and in home interiors
Unafraid of change and breaking the rules, presenter and actor Jennifer Zamparelli’s South Dublin home captures the essence of her spirited style.
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From the moment you step through the front door and into the light filled hallway decorated with pop artwork, there is something wonderfully inviting about Jennifer Zamparelli’s house. Her home is resolutely unprecious in attitude. “I think you can tell if someone has a show home or a home that truly reflects their personality and energy,” says Jennifer. “I want people to come in and feel relaxed, and to think, ‘this is lovely’. It’s very much a family home.”
For the last seven years, Jennifer has shared this cool but cosy nest with her Italian husband, Lau, and their children Florence, 10, and Enzo who is seven years old. The 45-year-old, originally from Baldoyle, Dublin, first made her name appearing in the UK reality show, The Apprentice, in 2008. Upon her return to Ireland, some of her notable TV jobs have included Fáilte Towers, Republic of Telly and the hugely successful sitcom, Bridget & Eamon. Of course, she’s also been co-presenting Dancing With The Stars since 2019. Regular listeners to her show on RTÉ’s 2FM will know that last year she finished a decade as a radio presenter. So what’s life like after the mic? “I miss the show,” say Jennifer. “I miss the team. I miss the intimacy of radio. I miss the on-air crack; I miss speaking to listeners and I miss the liveness. But I have two small kids and I’ve sacrificed a lot over the years, family-wise, for my career. I just needed a break from that and they needed me.”
It was time also, she says, to let Lau, who has been holding the parenting reins, to fly with his own stunt movie career. And, her gut was telling her she had something else to do. Jennifer’s next steps have been as creatively varied as you would imagine. Earlier this year she worked on a short film, A Quiet Ocean, with director Katy McNiece, which allowed her to explore a more serious acting experience. While upcoming TV credits include a new RTÉ comedy, Showkids, which airs in October.
This August she reunites with her hero Jason Donovan on the Bord Gáis stage as the narrator on The Rocky Horror Show – where she’ll also sing and dance (including the infamous Time Warp). Are you excited? “I’m equally thrilled and terrified,” she says. “I’m looking forward to working with Jason again (her last outing was in Priscilla Queen of the Desert) but I have to be perfect – the audience of this cult show is merciless!”
She’s also writing material with comedic pals Norma Sheehan and Sharon Mannion. “It’s a process”, she says, “so we don’t know what it will all be yet. What’s this they say happens in your 40s? – oh yes, you have a melt down or you start a podcast ... So we’ll see!” she laughs.
Entering her 40s has allowed her to feel more relaxed, and she’s enjoying this decade far more than she did her 30s. “There’s less of looking at other people, and there’s more just focusing on the lane you’re in. It’s a breath of fresh air,” she says. Officially in her era of only saying yes to things that spark joy, Jennifer is lending her voice, her legs and her support to Coolmine Therapeutic Community, which empowers people to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. As part of her ambassadorship, she ran the Dublin Mini Marathon in June to raise awareness and funds. “I absolutely hate running so it was torture,” she says with a faux grimace. Adding, “but if these gutsy women can go into recovery, I can run a 10k.”
Happiest in a full home, she says, “I never want to have a house where people don’t feel like they could put their feet up on the table. That’s the thing about interiors – they are so personal and they have to work for your family. I don’t think there’s a right way to decorate your home, whatever the experts say. Decorating your home as a reflection of the life you really live will make your parties more fun, kids happier, relaxing easier, chats more intimate, guests more at ease.”
The spacious open plan kitchen and diningroom, featuring huge bifold doors leading out to the garden, is the indisputable heart and soul of the house. “It’s where we cook, hang out with the kids, chill with friends and host parties,” she says “but it was getting really gloomy and tired looking so I jumped at the chance of a vibrant update.”
Keen to go for something less conventional for the space than one shade, Jennifer wanted to experiment with different colour pairings from the Dulux Heritage range. “Let’s face it, the colour scheme was never going to be all grey,” she laughs. Full credit, she says goes to Jane, her Dulux Heritage colour consultant who gave great advice on complementary shades. “We went for Copenhagen Blue on the diningroom wall, Rosemary Leaf on the media unit, Setting Stone on the island, Fresh Flour on the kitchen cabinet units, and the doors and ceiling were painted with Piano White.” If it sounds busy, it is. But there’s a purposefulness and precision to it that works to deliver an uplifting, joyous energy. An abundance of plants, art, photographs and books make the overall effect cosy, yet somehow paradoxically calm.
“I’m thrilled with the transformation,” says Jennifer, “the room feels lighter and bigger but above all it’s comforting and welcoming. We love it.” The best part? “It’s lit a fire under me now about more painting projects,” she says with a laugh. “I’m going to do the young guy’s bedroom next – he’s very excited!”
Explore the full range of colours and recommended colour schemes on the Dulux Heritage website duluxheritage.ie
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