Young House Love

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House Crashing: Cheery Across The Pond

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.

Swoon Self Portrait

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).

Swoon Front Porch

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…

Dining Room1

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.

Dining Room2

Kimberly also painted the art above her secondhand bar cart herself. Here’s a close up.

Dining Room 5

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.

Dining Room3

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.

Swoon Kitchen 1

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.

Swoon Kitchen 2

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.

Swoon Living 1 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.

Swoon Living 2 Couch

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?

Swoon Bedroom 1

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.

Swoon Bedroom 2

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.

Swoom Dressing Room

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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Comments

  1. Betsy says

    This house is freaking amazing. I love every room (but why is there a tv in the dining room??)

    I officially NEED a dressing room more than a nursery so we are kicking the baby out.

    :)

    Reply

    • Kimberly Hughes says

      I know it was a very strange choice but one Wayne insisted on ;) We spend so much more time in the dining room and it’s made it a much more sociable space as it opens on to the kitchen. I know it’s a little unorthodox but it works well for us :) xxx

  2. Kim S says

    Oh my gosh, I love this place! Isn’t it funny that I didn’t even notice the TV on the dining room gallery wall until I started reading the comments? There is so much other fun stuff on that wall that the TV just blended right in…I love that idea though, we would certainly use our dining room table more if we had a TV in there, ha! And I have to say that I laughed out loud at the “Carpe Diem” print. Also, I think I’m going to steal the idea for hanging kitchen utensils…are those hooks on curtain rods? So handy!

    Reply

  3. Bea says

    What an adorable little house! She just gained another follower. I love the style she uses, especially the colors and mixture of patterns! Can’t wait until I’m out of high school and college and design my own little home. That’s why I’m planning early.

    Reply

  4. Kati @ This Wandering Life says

    I love this crash. Seriously awesome. My favorite is the entire living room, and I’m scared off by the dark bedroom- but I LOVE how she pulled it off. Like Anele said in the first comments – I don’t have the stones for it haha! I sent it to my husband to ask him if he liked any of the elements in it. My husband’s style is “Paula Deen Country” meaning overstuffed furniture, mature colors and lots of wood and lots of matching. As in, if he could just buy the entire living room set from Haverty’s, he could not be happier. Poor thing, I’m the one changing the house and putting industrial, contemporary, thrifted and up-cycled touches in our place! So maybe this crash will help him to see that I really am moderate in my boring choices lol!

    Reply

  5. Laura says

    Loved this house crashing post! I’m an American married to a Mancunian and we live in the US. I’m excited to have a new blog to look at that is located in my husband’s hometown. Kind of makes me want to move over there…but visits to England and this blog will work for now!

    Reply

  7. Lee Ann says

    I am always so jealous of people who can use color this way! It’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing. One day I’ll be brave and paint a room a color other than linen … or beige … or khaki … or wheat, with trim a color other than … white … or white … or white.

    Reply

  8. Rebecca says

    Omg, I literally stopped and stared at that gorgeous kitchen. I love the play of light with depth (that slate floor! The awesome wallpaper in the shelves!), and WHAT I would give for that door with the little half windows. Also love that living room–I love the idea of one wall of wallpaper, just an accent wall with a fantastic punch. Amaaazing.

    Reply

  10. Tammy says

    Love it all but especially the foyer table with that great artwork and that bedroom! Wow!!! That’s a unique room. Not something I would personally like for myself but I think it’s wonderful!T

    Reply

  11. Rachael says

    So, I can’t link as I’m on my phone, but Dulux in the UK is sold predominantly in B&Q. That has exactly the same name and store design as Home Depot. They are the same store and sell the same paint brands in different names. So, if you like Dulux colors, just look at Behr or get them to colourings match Dulux colors.

    Reply

  14. Janey says

    Love this house crash and Kimberly’s house so much! Her style is totally different than mine, so I won’t be actually trying to copy it, but the way she injects personality and fun into her home is inspiring. And her use of color is fabulous, another inspiration to go a bit (or a lot!) bolder. Also, hope this is not too personal, but her photo is so pretty–she has such a beautiful face and so much warmth and sparkle. It’s a portrait that really shows how much her home reflects her.

    Reply

  17. Tracey says

    This crash couldn’t have come at a better time! I looked at my hubs the other day and said, “I just need some pops of color… It’s all so drab.” He actually agreed (which was a relief and not at all offensive.) I went out and bought bright fuchsia pillows, lime green seat cushions and painted a frame Kelly Green. Not much, but I LOVE it all and keep wondering why I’ve been playing it safe all these years. I absolutely cherish houses like Kimberly’s and thank her (and everyone with guts) for their fearless inspiration!!!

    Reply

  20. Nicole E. says

    OH, dear goodness, for the love of all that is beautiful and holy! I was absolutely lovestruck when I saw that first picture, but the instant I spotted the elephant in the dining room, I KNEW this woman is my design soulmate! Hot mamba, this house is fantastic!

    Reply

  26. Melanie says

    Any idea where Kimberly’s dining room light fixture is from? Couldn’t find its source on her blog and I love it! Wondering if it is vintage…

    Reply

  27. Robin R says

    I desperately want that mirror over her blue dresser in the dressing area. I even called the UK company listed to get a shipping rate for the U.S. they won’t ship it that far :( I just LOVE that mirror! I need something that large and statement making in my dining room. Anyone know a U.S. company or website that will ship to U.S. with that mirror? Love, love, love! Her style is a bit more bold than mine but inspires me to go outside my box. Would love to do bold blue walls!

    Reply

  30. Stephanie says

    I DID IT! After finding your blog and reading it for a few weeks I decided I had to start at the beginning. So I did, and I DID IT! For several weeks I have been reading from the beginning (skimming some, I admit) but I felt I had to know you from the beginning. Now when my kids ask, “Are you still reading that blog?” I can say that I’m just keeping up with my new friends now! Good luck with Baby B, it will all be just fine. My 2nd C-Section after an emergency 1st was so much easier and I’ve heard that from so many people. Thanks for a great read! ~Stephanie/Des Moines, Iowa

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      You’re so sweet Stephanie! You deserve a bumper sticker or something for surviving those archives full of tiny pictures and random posts!

      xo
      s

  31. Brenda says

    I’ve been following Kimberly for a little while. Love her creativity and resourcefulness. Favorites? I drool over (read covet) the dressing room mirror, really like the look of the wallpaper behind the shelves in the kitchen and I thought the OLD coffee table looked great and like it even more since I found out that it can be made into a side table also. Nice crash!

    Reply

  32. Nancy O'Leary says

    I love the window film on the window over the front door. It’s from an English company. Does anyone know if you can get something similar in the States or if this company will ship overseas?

    Reply

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