We like to House Crash at least once a month but somehow it has been nearly two since our last one, so we’re sorry for the delay, but we hope that this awesome one all the way from the UK makes up for it! We knew as soon as we saw this place that it was primed and ready for a crashing, and since it’s a little too far for a road trip, we had a lot of fun getting all of the virtual details (and photos) for you guys.
Meet Kimberly. She’s married to Wayne, and is an American who has been living in Manchester, UK for over a decade.
This is her charming Edwardian home that was built in 1906. They’ve lived here since June of 2010, and have been having fun putting their stamp on it since the day they moved in. It might not be giant, but it’s packed with style, personality, and feel-good vibes. Can you see that dragonfly door knocker? She got it here and I’m in love. The geometric doormat from Ikea is also doing things to me, along with that cool transfer film door number over the glossy black door (from here).
Once inside, let’s start with one of my favorite spaces – her dining room, which is a rich royal blue color (it’s a UK paint called Dulux in Wild Water 1). I really like how Kimberly mixed in those great textured chairs, a big brass mirror, and a lot of fun patterns. It’s a space that feels upscale but also doesn’t take itself too seriously, which I think is a pretty amazing mix. And a fireplace – even a non-working one – in a dining room is a major score. Makes me want to get an old reclaimed mantel and plop it onto the back wall of ours…
The dining chairs were thrifted from ebay and then painted/reupholstered – and she also found that brass mirror on ebay while the brass light fixture came from Habitat. On the other wall there’s a big frame collage full of even more pattern and color. I love how it goes right up to the crown molding and has everything from words and letters to colorful images and maps.
Kimberly also painted the art above her secondhand bar cart herself. Here’s a close up.
She did another big painting across from the fireplace over the thrifted console table that she found, which she also painted and added new hardware.
Behind the dining room is the light and airy kitchen. Kimberly and Wayne did a ton of things themselves in this room, like tiling the backsplash and laying the slate flooring (which is heated!). They even ripped down a false (lowered) ceiling, and then plastered to add nearly a foot of head height.
How sweet is that big glass door with those two half-windows on either side? The shiny brass cabinet hardware that she found on ebay is pretty amazing too.
Both Kimberly and Wayne prefer casual and easy-access storage in a kitchen – so a lot of their stuff is housed in doorless cabinets. Once again Kimberly wasn’t afraid of a mix of textures and patterns, so it was fun to see how she layered swirly wallpaper behind lots of kitchen storage and lined up all of their cooking utensils so they hung right within reach from the counter.
Now let’s check out the living room, where there’s a really cool dresser that Kimberly made over with wallpaper. And it’s not just any wallpaper, it’s the same stuff that she used on the wall across from that gorgeous fireplace.
Everything from the marble table to that pretty branchy paper (it’s Cole & Son’s Cow Parsley in Yellow) is elegant but interesting. Kimberly just has a way of pairing things that I’d never think to put together.
Her master bedroom is another moody space like the dining room, with dark walls (they’re Dulux Night Jewels 1). I’m so into the splashes of yellow and gold along with those stunning blue side tables. Can you believe those are Rast dressers from Ikea that Kimberly hacked with new paint and hardware?
I really like how that she paired that shapely headboard (she splurged to have that custom made) with everything from leopard pillows (which she found on Etsy) to those royal blue dressers and dark walls.
And here’s Kimberly’s dressing room. One thing that really struck me was how many special pieces there are in here – like that statement making mirror, the gorgeous wallpaper (it’s Osborne & Little’s Grove Garden in Green), and the secondhand dresser with brass hardware that she painted herself. I never would’ve had the guts to put them all together, but the result is such a charming and personality-filled space to get ready in the morning. And when it comes to function, she has two Billy bookcases from Ikea in there with painted backs for storing lots of shoes, bags, and other accessories.
So a big thanks goes out to Kimberly and Wayne for so thoughtfully allowing us to peek in on their lovely little UK home! You can see more and follow Kimberly over here on her blog – but first let’s play the favorite part game. I’m loving the wallpaper in the dressing room and the living room along with those dining room chairs – and John really likes the navy and yellow color combo in the bedroom. Your turn.
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Anele @ Success Along the Weighn says
The kitchen is my favorite.
I love when people have to stones to go bold in their home because I don’t! :-)
lisa says
I agree with you completely. I just don’t have the guts or the stones! LOL
FANTASTIC CRASH!
andee says
They must be really energetic people, their home screams “energy and enthusiasm”. I LOVE the kitchen! So beautiful and airy.
Julia says
I LOVE THIS! I must have the clock in the kitchen, any chance Kimberly can share the source for that? Thanks for another great post! xo
YoungHouseLove says
There’s a pretty awesome source list on her blog right here: http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/p/where-did-you-get-that.html
If something’s not on there, we hope she drops by with the info though!
xo
s
Julia says
I should have checked there first. Thanks, Sherry! xo
YoungHouseLove says
No worries at all! It’s rare to find one of those, but hers is awesome!
xo
s
Catherine says
I _knew_ it was TK Maxx!!! As much as I love working there, I also hate working there lol They get half my wages back every week :D They have similar clocks to that one (maybe not those exact colours or style but same size-ish) in all the time so keep an eye out. People think we lie when we say “Keep looking, you’ll always see something” but we’re telling the truth!
Kimberly Hughes says
Thank you! I found that at TK Maxx (equivalent of TJ Maxx in the US) :) xxx
Erica says
That is one of the most charming spaces I’ve ever seen!! I hope you’re feeling better, Sherry ;)
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet Erica, thanks so much!
xo
s
Katrin says
I especially love the Rast hack nightstands. Now if I could only get my hands on some campaign style hardware here in Germany…
prue says
Katrin, Kimberly found the hardware on ebay, why don’t you try that, too?
Search ebay UK, and if you find what you want and the seller doesn’t seem to ship to Germany, just ask. I’ve done the same, though not with campaign style hardware, and it was just fine, no problem whatsoever.
http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/2013/05/ikea-rast-hack-campaign-style-in-bedroom.html
DIYgirl says
I’ll let you in on the great Canadian secret for everything quality in woodworking and gardening… Lee Valley http://www.leevalley.ca
They have a US link and if you type campaign hardware in the search field you’ll find what you’re looking for. This is THE place for top quality tools and gadgets. Have a look around the whole site, some of the tools are works of art.
Kimberly Hughes says
I found the hardware by searching ‘Brass Military Handles’ on eBay – I don’t think the word ‘campaign’ is used quite as often, it’s more the handles used on old military chests :) Good luck with your search! xxx
Amanda L. says
I would seriously like to buy one of her paintings. If she hasn’t already, she should open an etsy shop and shoot me an email. I need some of that bright and cheeriness in my life!
YoungHouseLove says
She’s so talented, right?! I totally agree.
xo
s
Kara whitten says
Ditto! I LOVE her paintings!
Leslie says
I agree!
Janelle @ Two Cups of Happy says
Me too! She is so talented!!
Liz says
Agreed! I would totally buy one!
Kimberly Hughes says
Aww thank you! I am actually considering opening an Etsy shop selling my paintings a little later this year ;) Stay tuned!! x
Crystal says
Absolutely amazing. Favorite housecrash ever. Ever. I love how she’s managed to make color on the walls and the decor work. That can be hard to do!
Oh and I’m moving to the UK. Clearly they have way cooler thrift finds than we do. :)
Emmaleth says
Trust me, we don’t. One of the reasons I’d consider moving to the US are the awesome thrifting opportunities. Europeans really hang to their good furniture for generations, so all you can find at second hand stores is junk. :(
Melanie | Mailbox Journey says
WOW! The amount of color is amazing. Really loving that one kitchen shot with the utensils hanging.
Emily says
I love love the wallpaper in the living room. Just a little typo – paint company is Dulux not Delux :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Emily, all fixed! My eyes never would have seen that!
xo
s
Emily says
I’m in England and have spent the past month repainting with Dulux paint – drilled into the brain! (And they have the most amazing Old English Sheepdog as their brand mascot!)
Scully says
HOLY COW! I adore *everything*. I love all the colors and textures. Such a gorgeous mix. I’m swooning all over these photos.
Gina says
The pineapple sconce/candleholder thingie in the living room. I love pineapples!
Rosemary says
I love the faux fireplace in the dining room and think it would be an awesome project for your home! I’ve been tempted to put one in our rental apartment, but I’ll have to wait until I have an empty wall of my own.
lauren says
Man this place is awesome. I love color and eclecticness (eclecticity??), and a few of the spaces are a little much even for me. But more power to her! I LOOOOOVE that first picture of the dining room. Half our kitchen is a similar midnight blue color – love it.
Kati @ This Wandering Life says
If eclecticity isn’t a word- it should be.
lauren says
Alright Katy, let’s make it happen!
Kimberly Hughes says
Agree – electicity should totally be a word!! Love it! Thank you ;) xxx
Stacie says
Definately worth the wait! I love the energy and charm!
Rachel says
I love the colour and personality here! One little thing – the UK paint range is “Dulux” (you’ve got it down as Delux twice). Thanks for another fun-filled House Crashing! x
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Rachel! All fixed. My American eyes kept reading that as Delux, so I never would have noticed that. Haha!
xo
s
Heather says
The use of color in this home is amazing!!! I’m totally inspired now and this is some of the best use of color I’ve seen in a while.
em says
This house is amazing and whimsical. (Do read the “I have a dream” speech on the dining room wall!) I love all the wallpaper. And I love everything about the bedroom- the paint, headboard, pillows, lamps. Please forgive my crassness, but that looks like a bedroom where magic does, indeed, happen.
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating says
Wow, what a pleasant surprise to see Kimberly’s home here. She’s one of my best bloggy friends and I’ve enjoyed watching her spaces evolve over time. She and Wayne have completed some amazing DIYs (check out the basement before and after). Kimberly is a woman who loves color and isn’t afraid to make bold choices.
By the way, the leopard velvet pillows on her bed came from my Etsy shop. Check them out here if you’re interested!
stuckonhue.etsy.com
YoungHouseLove says
No way! Thanks for the link Hollie, they’re gorgeous pillows!
xo
s
Kimberly Hughes says
Thank you Hollie!! And yes, go check out Stuck on Hue – brilliant Etsy shop, highly recommended ;) xxx
Caroline says
This is amazing! so beautiful!
Beverley says
I love every bit of this!!
Dona says
I love the carpet in the dressing room. It’s romantic and bold at the same time. Even after the dark and dramatic bedroom, it was nice to see her girly side alive and well in the dressing room.
Laura K says
I’m so happy to see this home featured on YHL – I started following Kimberley’s blog a few months ago and absolutely adore her home, plus it’s nice to see a house tour from my neck of the woods!
P.S. the paint brand is Dulux (not Delux) – hope you don’t mind me pointing that out :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Laura! All fixed!
xo
s
Jen @ Jen Spends says
I LOVE this! I see a lot of homes in the UK that are so bland and boring. I especially like the touches of chinoiserie throughout–one of my favorite styles. The kitchen is amazing.
jeannette says
these people have awesome talent. can we know more about how kimberly developed her incredible eye?
this is your best crash yet. does kimberly blog? could you have her guest blog? i’d read every word this chick has to say. love, love, love her and thanks for finding her and featuring her. does she have an at school background and family like you, sherry?
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog says
Wow! So gorgeous and unique. I’m loving the bedroom with the deep walls and bright pops of color. :)
jeannette says
i see you say right up there she has a blog. sorry. got so excited i didn’t read thru to the end.
YoungHouseLove says
No worries Jeannette!
xo
s
Kimberly Hughes says
Haha! Thanks Jeannette! I’ve not had any formal training at all – I just love interiors and do a lot of trial and error, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t – you just have to trust yourself and surround yourself with what you love and what makes you happy ;) xxx
Heidi says
Wow, just wow! The wall color alone is stunning and then the decor on top of it is just out of this world gorgeous. I absolutely love how unique this home is and I need to take a few lessons in how to be bolder in decorating. Well done!
http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com
Tobi says
Wow, lots of color. Love the blue. TV in the dining room – is that typical in the UK? Or is it a multi-use space?
YoungHouseLove says
Hope she drops in with that info for ya!
xo
s
Meghan, UK says
Definitely not the norm over here, but it’s becoming more popular to multi-purpose dining rooms as formal dining becomes much less common!
Kimberly Hughes says
No, not common at all, we are just a bit weird! Haha! Actually, it was Wayne’s idea to have it there and I just worked the gallery wall around it. I have to say, we do use it all the time, the dining room has become a hub in our home and we spend so much time in there. It works well for us :) xxx
Constance says
I agree with others that the kitchen is my favorite – I’m a sucker for submway tile with dark grout + personality in shelving and harward. Love the stylish and also relaxed feel of that choice. Great pops of color with the wallpaper!
Steph says
WOW. This house is GORGEOUS.
And I am obsessed with those dressers. They look gorgeous and that’s such a great idea for more storage. I think I need to leave work and go measure because I want to do that. There’s no such thing as too many drawers as far as I’m concerned!
Jessica M says
This might sound a bit weird but is there a way we can submit a house for International house crashing without having a blog?
I’m not a design expert by any means but we are coming up to the end of our first year in our home and i’d be interested to see what people think of it :)
Most of my family and friends aren’t really into DIY but it would be cool too see the opinions of other house crashing junkies :)
If it’s not a think you openly take submissions for that’s no problem, I just thought i’d ask :)
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds like fun! We have an email submission process, so you can send pics to [email protected]. We love featuring folks with a blog or without!
xo
s
Amanda says
Wow! This is my favorite house-crashing ever! Gorgeous!
Michelle | Birds of Berwick says
This place is stunning! Very well done both of you!
Kim Hall says
This is one of my favorite house crashes you guys have done! I love all the vibrant colors. The dining room is my favorite.
Amy says
I’ve been coveting the mirror in the last photo for quite some time. Oh… the loves. I’m quite in love with that house.
SherriAnnelle says
I love everything about this house crash!! Amazing place! Wonderful use of color.
Jackie says
This is unbelievably beautiful – I’m obsessed. Thank you SO much for sharing. This is maybe my favorite house that I’ve ever seen. Brava!
Sherry says
Best house crash—EVER! Perfect for perking up the winter doldrums. Thanks YHL!
Janet S says
I love her brush stroke paintings and the dressing room mirror. Amazed at people that bring home thrift and make it look amazing.
Arlyne C says
So much to love here and tons of inspiration. I love her art work against the bold wall colors and of course the collage wall in the dining room because I always love those. Great house crash – thx for sharing.
Jazmin says
While I’m more of a neutral gal, I have to say she has some talent mixing colors, and bold textures, without making it feel overwhelming! I really liked her gallery wall, and her dining room is gorgeous!
She did an fantastic job!
Jazmin
Kristin says
I love the kitchen and the dining room. However, it seems like the current design aesthetic for living spaces harkens back to “college apartment”. I definitely don’t think everything has to match, but at the same time I have seen several spaces on these crashes where absolutely nothing in the room goes together. To each his own, but I apparently haven’t progressed far enough to see a room of completely mismatched furniture and patterns as “design”.
Tracy says
Great place. So funky and homey. When can I couch crash? It looks so comfy! Wallpaper and mirrors are amazing. Love the dining room colours.
Diane says
All I can say is wow!! I love the kitchen but super love the dressing room from wallpaper to carpet. The more you look the more details you find that are so eye catching!!
karla says
Wow what an adorable house!! Does going through a house crash ever make you think ‘Wow, we need to step up our game!’? Or ‘If she can put those patterns together, so can I!’? (not that you need to, it’s just how I feel after reading this!) It really leaves me feeling inspired!
YoungHouseLove says
Totally! Every house we crash teaches us and inspires us in so many ways, and we love that. We walk away saying “dang, I gotta try ___” or “I’m so into ____ now!”
xo,
s
Beth says
Is that a TV in the dining room? I love the mirrors over the fireplaces. Such a happy looking home.
YoungHouseLove says
Someone else asked about that. Hope she drops in with the info!
xo
s
Kimberly Hughes says
Indeed it is – yes, it’s a bit weird I know ;) What can I say, we like our telly! xxx
Kat@junktogem says
I love the creativity of her decor! Very personal and lovely!
deb says
What a great place!
Kim Jenkins says
Love everything – that dressing room mirror- wow. love.
Kelsey says
Okay, I am in love with that dressing room! The wallpaper, dresser, and mirror layer so beautifully!