We like to feature a House Crash at least once a month, but somehow it’s been nearly two months since our last one. Sorry for the delay — we hope this beautiful home from the UK makes up for it. The moment we spotted this house we knew it was perfect for a crash, and although it’s a bit too far for a road trip, we enjoyed gathering the photos and details to share with you.
Meet Kimberly. She’s married to Wayne and has lived in Manchester, UK for over a decade.
This charming Edwardian home was built in 1906. Kimberly and Wayne have lived here since June 2010 and have been making it their own ever since. It’s not enormous, but it’s full of style, personality, and inviting details. Look at that dragonfly door knocker — a lovely personal touch — and the geometric doormat from Ikea complements the glossy black door and the stylish door number decal.
Step inside to the dining room, one of my favorite spaces. The walls are painted a saturated royal blue (Dulux Wild Water 1). Kimberly balances that bold color with textured chairs, a large brass mirror, and mixed patterns for an upscale yet playful look. Even a non-working fireplace adds warmth and charm — it makes me want to add a reclaimed mantel to our own home.
The dining chairs were thrifted from eBay and then painted and reupholstered. Kimberly found the brass mirror on eBay and the brass pendant light came from Habitat. One wall features a large framed collage filled with colorful images, maps, words, and letters — it reaches right up to the crown molding and adds lively texture to the room.
Kimberly painted the abstract artwork above her secondhand bar cart herself, which brings another layer of handmade charm to the space.
Across from the fireplace she hung a large painting over a thrifted console that she refinished with fresh paint and new hardware.
Behind the dining room is a bright, airy kitchen. Kimberly and Wayne did much of the work themselves, including tiling the backsplash and installing heated slate flooring. They also removed a lowered ceiling and replastered to add nearly a foot of headroom.
The large glass door with side windows fills the kitchen with light, and shiny brass cabinet hardware — another eBay find — adds a polished touch. Kimberly and Wayne prefer casual, easy-access storage, so many of their shelves are open. She layered swirly wallpaper behind the storage and organized utensils so they hang within easy reach of the counter.
The living room features a dresser Kimberly updated with wallpaper. She used the same wallpaper on the opposite wall, creating continuity and interest. The room mixes elegant elements like a marble table with playful, unexpected patterns.
The pairing of refined pieces and bold wallpaper (Cole & Son’s Cow Parsley in Yellow) gives the room a sophisticated yet approachable feel. Kimberly has a knack for putting together combinations others might not consider.
The master bedroom is another moody space, painted in Dulux Night Jewels 1. Accents of yellow and gold and the striking blue bedside tables make the room vibrant. Those bedside chests are actually Ikea Rast dressers that Kimberly transformed with paint and new hardware.
She paired a custom-made headboard with leopard pillows and the royal blue dressers for a layered, glamorous look.
Kimberly’s dressing room is full of standout pieces: a statement mirror, Osborne & Little Grove Garden wallpaper in green, and a secondhand dresser refinished with brass hardware. The room feels curated and individual, yet completely functional. Two Ikea Billy bookcases with painted backs store shoes, bags, and accessories neatly.
Many thanks to Kimberly and Wayne for letting us look inside their lovely UK home. It’s a great example of creative, thoughtful decorating — mixing thrifted finds, DIY projects, and bold patterns. My favorites are the dressing room and living room wallpapers and the dining chairs; John is a fan of the navy-and-yellow bedroom palette. What are yours?
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