Real Housewives' diva delights in downsizing

Home and Garden

Real Housewives' diva delights in downsizing

Kim Zolciak of 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' has downsized but that doesn't mean she's sacrificed her sassy style.

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast member Kim Zolciak says the only thing missing from her three-level townhouse in Duluth is ... "A man! A man, that's the only thing we're missing. And I'm not really so sure I want that either. I'm pretty happy." She notes, "This is a pretty cool place; I'm missing a really big closet though."

"This neighborhood works out great," shares Zolciak. "I've lived here a couple years; the community is great, like I said, my neighbor Damien, he plays for the NBA so he's in and out quite a bit, he's pretty fantastic. It's somewhat kid-friendly, it is gated, and it's roomy, it's spacious." And security cameras at her front door assure no one gets up-close unannounced.

"My neighbors are fantastic. My neighbor to my left, Damien Wilkins, he's the husband I don't have," offers Zolciak. The 'Tardy for the Party' mommy strikes a peek-a-boo pose in a portrait mounted near the living room. Her nude portrait in her master suite is too spicy to show in this PG-rated gallery.

Zolciak says her townhouse is "totally different" from the home she grew up in in Connecticut. "I had like peach siding; the kitchen was baby blue with peach. We had blue carpeting [and] white picket fences. It was decorated with flower wallpaper; my mom's house still looks like that." She adds: "My parents, I don't think they have anything black in their house. My ceiling (on first level) is black for goodness sake; I'm cut from a different cloth maybe."

"I used to live in Sugarloaf Country Club, I lived in my dream home, it was beautiful and big," reflects Zolciak. "But I felt so alone, houses are pretty far apart over there so this townhouse [which] is almost 6,000-square-feet and ... I'm connected and I like it." Zolciak commissioned Pineapple House to craft the graphic rug in the living room and handle all other custom treatments.

Zolciak has been in her 3-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath Duluth townhouse three years. Originally from Connecticut, Zolciak came to Georgia when: "My parents had moved here, then I graduated nursing school. My ex-husband came down here and got a job and we stayed." Pictured is the kitchen where she starts mornings at the counter tracking the Internet buzz 'Real Housewives' stirs up. (Check out Rodney Ho's entertaining episode recaps in case you've missed any action this season, link is below.)

"I think my house is homey. My house in Sugarloaf was a little cold," shares Zolciak. "Here it's a home. We live here, there's writing all over the walls. We have a wall (near kitchen) that everyone signs and writes on; we've painted over it twice."

"I like the little restaurants they have around here, but I usually run to Buckhead for food and shopping," admits Zolciak. Pictured is her cozy breakfast room that opens to the living room.

"I love my dining room table and chairs," though Zolciak admits, "we've never even sat there and had a meal, ever! I love Chanel, so when I had that table made and the chairs, if you look at the back [of the chairs] there are actual circles," she points out, "but I wanted like the [interlocking] 'C'-look. So I had that made."

The wig line preview party that was soured by the antics of fellow 'Housewife' cast member NeNe was the last time Zolciak entertained at her home. "It was fun. I prefer to be entertained versus entertaining." Pictured is her collection of Versace china, which is yet to serve a meal.

Zolciak says her favorite room in her Duluth townhouse is her master suite (pictured), "because that's where the magic happens." And only "custom sheets" adorn her bed.

"This home is so significant because I left so much behind and did this on my own, I left my dream home," notes Zolciak. "I did this on my own, and it is my own, and it's my girls' and I and it's perfect for us." Pictured is the lounge in the master suite.

"I am a product junkie," admits Zolciak. "If it makes you skinnier, tighter, tanner, hair straight or curly, teeth whiter, lips pinker ... I buy it. I'm looking for the fricking miracle in a bottle," she laughs. She uses everything from Vaseline petroleum jelly to La Prairie cellular renewal night cream, priced at $1000 (1.7 oz.). "I go through it pretty quickly. I didn't have it when I was out-of-town, I think I could tell a difference. My ex-husband would tell you it's all in my mind."

"I'm really extremely fussy about my style. Black, ivory, gold and red, that's it! That's all I like," declares Zolciak. "My children's rooms are pink and bright and fun. But I'm just usually fussy. I like animal prints, and putting ornate gaudy pieces with kind of more subdued traditional." Seven-year-old Arianna's room (pictured) is on the same level as the master suite and Zolciak's home office.

Arianna's bathroom is whimsical and youthful without echoing the pink palette in her room.

Not to be outdone by her younger sister, twelve-year-old Brielle's bedroom conveys design ideas from a fairytale storybook of a princess who adores pink.

"I guess the school districts here," credits Zolciak of the Duluth school system that attracted her to this suburban community. "My kids do go to private school." Pictured is the girls' playroom in the home's attic level.

"I just had my whole garden landscaped. Thanks Big Poppa 'cause I have no idea what's out there. He had them come over here and handle it. It looks fantastic." There's also a pond with waterfall and tiered floral arrangement.

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"Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast member Kim Zolciak says the only thing missing from her three-level townhouse in Duluth is ... "A man! A man, that's the only thing we're missing. And I'm not really so sure I want that either. I'm pretty happy." She notes, "This is a pretty cool place; I'm missing a really big closet though."

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