Edwardian Home Tour: A Charming Manchester Residence

We try to feature a House Crash at least once a month, and although it’s been nearly two months since our last one, this delightful tour from the UK is worth the wait. This Edwardian home, full of personality and thoughtful design, felt perfect for a closer look. Since it’s a bit far for a road trip, we gathered the details and photos virtually to share the highlights with you.

Meet Kimberly, an American who has lived in Manchester with her husband Wayne for over a decade. They moved into this Edwardian house, built in 1906, in June 2010 and have been gradually making it their own ever since. The house may not be massive, but it’s layered with style, warmth, and clever design choices that make every room memorable.

The front door has lovely details—a dragonfly door knocker, a glossy black finish, and a geometric doormat from Ikea. Small touches like the number transfer on the door elevate the exterior and hint at the thoughtful styling inside.

Dining Room: Bold Color and Pattern

One of the standout rooms is the dining room, painted a rich royal blue (Dulux Wild Water 1). The mix of textured chairs, a large brass mirror, and layered patterns creates an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. A fireplace—even if non-working—adds architectural charm and a focal point that grounds the space.

Many pieces in this room were sourced secondhand and refreshed: dining chairs found on eBay were painted and reupholstered, a brass mirror was thrifted, and the brass light fixture came from Habitat. A collage frame arrangement reaches up to the crown molding and mixes type, images, and maps for a lively, curated wall.

Personal Art and Upcycled Finds

Kimberly painted the abstract artwork above her secondhand bar cart herself, bringing a bespoke feel to the mix. She also painted a large piece hung opposite the fireplace, placed above a thrifted console table that she refinished with new paint and hardware.

Kitchen: Light, Practical, and Handmade Details

Behind the dining room, the kitchen feels light and airy. Kimberly and Wayne completed a lot of the work themselves, including tiling the backsplash and laying heated slate flooring. They removed a lowered ceiling and replastered to gain nearly a foot of headroom, which made a noticeable difference in the room’s scale.

The kitchen includes a large glass door flanked by half-windows that brighten the space. Shiny brass cabinet hardware—another eBay find—adds a classic touch. For storage, Kimberly and Wayne prefer open and accessible solutions: doorless cabinets showcase dishes and utensils, and patterned wallpaper behind shelving introduces color and texture.

Living Room: Elegant and Unexpected Pairings

The living room showcases creative pairings: a dresser revamped with wallpaper sits near a gorgeous fireplace, and the same wallpaper appears on the opposite wall for continuity. A marble table, sculptural papers (Cole & Son’s Cow Parsley in Yellow), and thoughtful accessories make this room feel both elegant and personal.

Master Bedroom and Dressing Room: Moody, Luxe, and Functional

The master bedroom uses dark, moody walls (Dulux Night Jewels 1) balanced by splashes of yellow and gold and stunning blue side tables. Kimberly painted and customized inexpensive Ikea Rast dressers into striking bedside tables, proving a little DIY can yield big impact. A custom-made, shapely headboard anchors the bed, paired with leopard pillows and rich textiles for a dramatic yet cozy retreat.

Kimberly’s dressing room is a standout for its curated mix of statement pieces: a dramatic mirror, Osborne & Little Grove Garden wallpaper, and a painted secondhand dresser with brass hardware. Functionally, two Ikea Billy bookcases with painted backs keep shoes, bags, and accessories organized in a stylish way.

Thanks to Kimberly and Wayne for letting us peek into their thoughtfully styled Manchester home. Their blend of thrifted finds, DIY projects, bold wallpapers, and layered textures makes this Edwardian residence feel warm, personal, and endlessly inspiring. What stands out to you? The dining room chairs and wallpapered dresser are favorites here, while the navy-and-yellow bedroom combo is a striking choice worth trying at home.

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