Christina Applegate, an acclaimed actress recognized for her roles in “Married with Children,” “Samantha Who?” and “Dead to Me,” has resided in her 4,740 sqft Hollywood Hills home for over 25 years. But despite her affection for the house, she always found her kitchen displeasing.
Applegate, the daughter of record producer Robert Applegate and singer Nancy Priddy, has faced significant health challenges. She was diagnosed with cancer in her left breast in 2008 and underwent a double mastectomy. In 2021, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
She revealed her MS diagnosis through a tweet in August 2021, stating, “Hi friends. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with MS. It’s been a strange journey.” She expressed gratitude for the support she received from others with the same condition and acknowledged the challenges she faced.
She also shared that she was taking the necessary steps to manage her condition and requested privacy as she navigated her new reality. She wrote, “As one of my friends that has MS said, ‘We wake up and take the indicated action.’ And that’s what I do.” Even after her diagnosis, Applegate continued to work and completed shooting for her Netflix series “Dead to Me,” saying the rest of the cast feel like part of her family.
After wrapping up the series, she made an appearance on the “Kelly Clarkson Show” in December 2022 to talk about her condition. She revealed that she had been diagnosed while still shooting the show, and it hadn’t been easy to continue working, but she felt she had to. Applegate uses humor as a coping mechanism and encourages others to feel comfortable around her.
During her chat with Kelly Clarkson, the actress revealed that she had even composed a parody of “Santa Baby” and sang it to the audience, “Disaby baby, hurry down the chimney tonight… I can’t, ’cause my wheelchair won’t fit down it.” The verse had its intended effect on the audience, who burst into laughter, and Applegate stated that a “humor shield keeps me OK, but of course, down on the inside, you feel things.”
Applegate has owned the Los Angeles property since 1995. She bought this secluded property, built in 1985, for $950,000. It comes with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a two-car garage, and a swimming pool.
Over the years, Applegate updated every room in the house to suit her needs, except for the kitchen, which she described as “The ugliest kitchen of anyone I know.” Applegate had always wanted to redesign her kitchen, but she was aware that it would be a massive undertaking. The thought of the extensive work and disruption that a renovation would cause held her back.
A flood that damaged the flooring throughout the house prompted Applegate to finally undertake the massive task of renovating, and she decided to include the kitchen she described as “godawful.” She enlisted Jessica Today from Laurel & Wolf, an online interior design platform, to help transform her outdated kitchen into a stylish, organized cooking space adorned with lovely countertops and ample cabinetry.
Room of the week: Christina Applegate's bright white kitchen remodel https://t.co/ZV72VVukhd via @peoplehome pic.twitter.com/7yXYKDPBDl
— People (@people) July 12, 2016
Applegate was overjoyed with the result of her kitchen makeover, which she said had significantly improved her living experience in the house. The renovation resulted in a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The new kitchen is a bright, open space that features white cabinets, white marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a large island.
The cabinets now feature paneled wood shelves, providing an ideal spot to showcase wine glasses. The dark stain of the shelves offers a striking contrast to the glossy white cabinets, adding depth and character to the space. The lighting is bright and warm, and the accessories are minimal and chic. But the renovation didn’t stop at the kitchen.
Applegate revamped the dining room, which was once a drab and dreary space, with a cozy nook, complete with a tufted bench, replacing the old table and chairs. A statement lighting fixture serves as the centerpiece, enhancing the overall ambiance of the dining area.
Along with the kitchen, she added a functional mudroom with storage for hats, coats, and shoes, where she and her guests can take off their shoes and store their belongings, eliminating the clutter in the foyer. She also added a few touches to the laundry room and designed the entryway cabinets with numerous compartments and hidden spaces, perfect for organizing keys, mail, and other small items that can otherwise cause clutter.
Applegate’s home, now valued at approximately $1.5 million, has become a place of celebration and comfort, a stark contrast to the discomfort she felt in the past. The cost of the kitchen remodel, according to Applegate, has significantly improved her living experience in the house, making it a worthwhile investment.
In her own words, Applegate expressed her satisfaction with the renovation, “It’s so much nicer, so much more comfortable. It’s a place now where we can celebrate as opposed to a place that we want to get out of as fast as possible — which is what it was like for me for the last 20 years of living in this house.”
She further added, “Before you would come into the foyer, and it was just shoes everywhere. It was awful. Now, people can go into the mudroom, sit on a beautiful bench, and put their shoes on.” This comprehensive renovation has not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of Applegate’s home but also significantly improved its functionality, making it a true sanctuary for her.
Despite the initial chaos, Applegate’s positivity led her to view the flood as a fortunate event that led to the much-needed kitchen renovation. The actress is now facing her health struggles with the same positivity. Her journey is a testament to her resilience and determination, both in her career and her personal life.
Applegate has been very open about her brave battle with MS, and her efforts to normalize it are truly inspiring. After completing the series “Dead to Me,” she took a brief hiatus before returning to the spotlight. She acknowledged that people had seen her as a certain person for almost 40 years, and now she was different, which was incredibly challenging.
In November 2022, she made her first public appearance since announcing her MS diagnosis in August 2021. She attended her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, where she was honored with a star. Christina Applegate continues to navigate her new reality with grace and humor, proving that she is a beacon of strength and positivity.