Ben Hillman, the presenter of A Place in the Sun, recently shared an amusing yet concerning incident involving a home decor decision that nearly jeopardized his marriage with wife Gaby Hillman. The couple has been married for over 14 years, and their home in Shoreham-by-Sea was the backdrop for this domestic drama.
Hillman, who is well-known for assisting British couples in finding their dream homes in sunnier locations, made a significant mistake while choosing colours for their kitchen. He explained that a concealed door in the kitchen leads to the utility space and, in an attempt to add a burst of colour, he painted the inside of the door orange while Gaby was at work with the NHS.
In an interview with House Beautiful, he recounted the moment Gaby returned home to discover his spontaneous decision. “Our kitchen is Tiffany blue, and I thought it would be lovely to open the door and get a pop of orange,” he said. After painting the room with two coats of orange, Gaby’s reaction was less than enthusiastic. Hillman admitted, “When she returned, she was thoroughly unimpressed. The orange is now gone. My marriage was much more important!”
Balancing Family Life and Work
When he is not showcasing properties on Channel 4 alongside co-hosts Jasmine Harman, Laura Hamilton, and Sara Damergi, Hillman dedicates his time to his family. He and Gaby are parents to two daughters, Honour and Hope. The family resides in West Sussex, and Hillman often shares glimpses of his family life on social media.
On their tenth wedding anniversary in 2021, Hillman shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing his joy about reaching this milestone. He noted, “Today is a good day because it is my 10th wedding anniversary. Can you believe, how fantastic is that? And we’re going to a little music festival down the road, which I’m super excited about…”
The pandemic lockdown provided Hillman with an extended period at home with his family, which he cherished. He reflected on the experience, stating, “I’m a real home bod, I love being around my family and being around my kids; they’re the number one thing in my life.” He also discussed the challenges he faced when his filming schedule resumed, which significantly reduced his time with his daughters. “To be intensely with them for all that time [through lockdown] and then all of a sudden not, that was quite tough,” he shared.
Through these experiences, Hillman has managed to navigate the complexities of family life while maintaining his career in television. His recent decor mishap serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and collaboration in a marriage, even when it comes to seemingly minor decisions like paint colours.
