One of my initial fears of having a white kitchen and then deciding against going for wood worktops (lots of discussion about my reasons for this in this post) was that the kitchen would end up lacking warmth. White cupboards, dark slate flooring and white walls could turn a kitchen very clinical very quickly and I was acutely aware of avoiding that situation.

One thing I did to counter this was adding a bit my favourite warm metal to the mix: brass and gold. The touches I have added (like the new cupboard handles and the sprayed utensil rails as well as all the touches of gold on my shelving) have gone a long way in getting some of that warmth back into the room and I really believe once the currently stainless steel lighting is changed out, it’ll help a lot.

However, adding little touches of wood will do the same thing and this was my intention. As I’ve said in my previous posts about the kitchen, I was kind of β€˜over’ all the turquoise in this room which I’d added about 3 years ago now and I wanted to bring different colours in to tie in with both the wallpaper in the shelving as well as the dining room.

That meant the pale turquoise clock and the blind had to go. So it was actually quite impressive timing that within days of making the decision to go with wood for both of those items, Newgate Clocks got in touch to see if I wanted to check out their famous wall clocks.

Newgate Wimbledon Wall Clock

They have loads of different styles available from vintage to contemporary and everything in between and I dizzied myself for a while with all the considerations. But then I found this one – the Wimbledon wall clock which has a simple but slightly retro feel in a size that I knew would be perfect for the space.

Newgate Wimbledon Wall Clock

I really like the dark wood and the simple design as I think it adds to but doesn’t fight with anything else in the space. I imagine the clock will look even better combined with the brass lighting I hope to be getting in here at some point soon(ish)! I think the scale is better as well – I liked the old oversized one when I first got it but after a while I felt like it was looming too much into the space. This one just works so much better β€“ it’s quieter stylistically but classically good looking as well. It’s the Cate Blanchette of clocks.

Newgate Wimbledon Wall Clock

Now, the turquoise blind had always meant to be temporary (I think we paid Β£16 for it!) so I thought I would continue that dark wood theme in a set of custom wood blinds as well. We have them in our living room and in the dining room so it made sense to be consistent with my choices and go with the same in our kitchen.

white kitchen with wood blind

I had been waiting for Wayne to find some time in his busy DIY schedule to hang it and then one day last week, I just thought to myself, β€˜Ya know, you used to do all this stuff on your own before Wayne came along – just hang it yourself, ya lazy cow!’ (I know, I can be quite harsh with myself at times) So I got the drill out and the level and some rawplugs and went to work hanging it myself. I was pretty damn proud after it was hung and Wayne was thrilled I’d knocked something off his list!

white kitchen with wood blind

white kitchen with wood blind

Excuse the peeling paint – it’s on the list to sort out!

I’m really pleased how much the clock and the blind make a difference in terms of warming up the space.

white kitchen with wood accentsJust as a little before and after…

Clock and blind before and after

What I would love to do now is add a fabric pelmet (again, more warmth!) similar to what I did in the dressing room but use Designer Guild’s Alexandria fabric in magenta – it’s the same line as the wallpaper I used to back the shelving and I am in LOVE with it. The only issue is the price tag – around Β£80/metre and really, I’ll only need half a metre but it doesn’t appear anyone sells it in half metre lengths!

Designers Guild Alexandria Magenta Fabric

(If anyone out there is UK based and fancies splitting a metre with me, just let me know – I would be totally open to going this route to save us both a few pennies!)

But in the meantime, I’m pretty happy with just this little bit of progress!

Swoon Worthy kitchen

I know it’s only baby steps but every little bit helps right? What do you think of the changes?

 

Disclaimer: I received the wall clock free from Newgate Clocks in exchange for my review but as always, all words, images and opinions are my very own. Thanks for supporting the businesses that support Swoon Worthy.


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Swoon Worthy
Newgate Wimbledon Wall Clock
Newgate Wimbledon Wall Clock
Newgate Wimbledon Wall Clock
white kitchen with wood blind
white kitchen with wood blind
white kitchen with wood blind
white kitchen with wood accents
Clock and blind before and after
Designers Guild Alexandria Magenta Fabric
Swoon Worthy kitchen
Meet Kimberly
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Amara IBA19 Winner Home Styling
Vuelio Top 10 2020
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Ad (Press Sample) There are few kitchen products that are considered absolute classics but there is one that I have lusted after for YEARS and that is the utterly iconic @lecreusetuk large casserole pot. 🀩

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My little neglected makeup/dressing room has had a glow up πŸ₯°

#swoonworthy #beforeandafter #dressingroom #makeupvanity #closetgoals
My new rug can't compete with that belly.

Rug is from @laredoute_uk (not an ad) not that anyone cares πŸ˜…

#kitchendesign
I've really loved making these pretty reusable Christmas crackers! I'm still in the process of finding cute bits for filling them but they'll definitely be a centrepiece for my table this year!πŸŽ„πŸ’•

Suggestions for what to fill them with coming soon!

(By the way, I'm not a skilled seamstress so I'm sure my techniques can be improved but just sharing what worked for me πŸ€—πŸ˜…)

Let me know if this is something you'd try? ❀️

#swoonworthy #christmasdecor #christmascraft #diychristmas #diycrafts #easysewingproject
On 22 October 2022, I married my best friend! I can't believe it's been a whole year (and one day) I've been calling @2nilup my husband πŸ₯° We've been together for 15 years now and I simply can't and wouldn't want to imagine my life without him ❀️ 

#youandmeagainsttheworld #2222 

Photography: @violajayphotography 
Flowers: @primroseavenuefloral 
Dress: @camillawithlove
DIY REFILLABLE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS πŸŽ„πŸŽ‰

I've been thinking about making refillable crackers for so many years now - I just hate the waste the disposal ones create! So I'm so excited I've finally gotten around to starting this project!

I will be sharing more details on how to make them as well as ideas for what to fill them with too so stay tuned for more but in the meantime, what do you think? 

#swoonworthy #diychristmas #christmasdecor #christmascraft #easysewingproject #sustainableliving #ecofriendlyliving
Just wanted to introduce my latest plant baby in my dining room πŸͺ΄

It's from @botanique_shrewsbury and it's a Peparomia (I am probably pronouncing it wrong, I keep wanting to say
GUEST BEDROOM REVEAL 🌟

I decided on a whim, 2 weeks before we were expecting visiting family, that our guest bedroom was in desperate need of a refresh.

Well there's nothing like an impending deadline to light a πŸ”₯ under my πŸ‘ and I managed to clear out the clutter, repaint the woodwork, ceilings and walls and hang wallpaper as well as restyle the room in one week πŸ˜… (Meisha was zero help 😼)

I'm calling it Boho Vintage Victorian Grandma πŸ˜†

This wasn't sponsored in any way but the wallpaper and bedding is from @lauraashleyuk and the paint is @earthbornpaints Peach Baby - everything else I already had!

What do you think of the new look? ❀️

#bedroombeforeandafter #guestroom
#bedroommakeover
#beforeandafter
#bedroomdecor #cottagecore #vintagestyle #victorianhouse #ihavethisthingwithpink #bengalsofinstagram
πŸ”₯JOIN US ROUND THE FIRE PIT! πŸ”₯

ad | One of my favorite things to do in summer is sit around the fire pit in the evenings with a cold beer 🍻 There's just something incredibly relaxing watching those flames and embers crackle, warming yourself up and taking the edge off falling temperatures as the sun sets!

Thanks to @homefireuk they've made the whole process incredibly easy and enjoyable with their Handy Firepit Bundle which include 2 bags of kindling, 2 bags of natural firestarters and 3 large bags of kiln-dried logs πŸͺ΅ for a really great price! 

No more standing around waiting for things to light properly or billowing smoke from wet wood, everything burns beautifully! ☺️ We literally sat around this for hours as the logs last so long, long after the sun set, just chatting and enjoying ourselves! πŸ₯°πŸ»πŸ”₯

Do you love a good firepit in the summer?

#homefire #readytoburn #smokelessbyhomefire #heartofyourhome #logsbyhomefire #summerideas #firepit #gardenideas
San Sebastian photo dump - just a tiny selection πŸ˜„

We have had such a fabulous holiday to Basque Country - our first 4 days spent in the beautiful city of San Sebastian, land of pintxos, stunning architecture and some damn good wine.

#sansebastian #travelgram #photodump
A little kitchen reshuffle today so I thought I'd share πŸ₯°

It's been 4 years since we created this space and it's still one of my favourites β™₯️

#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitcheninspiration #kitchenideas #openshelvingkitchen #kitchenstyling
Ad 🩷 Before and after Deck makeover! 🩷

This little decked patio was looking worse for wear after a wet winter but @frenchicpaint came to the rescue with their beautiful Dusty Blush Alfresco Paint, perfect for all your outdoor projects!

The deck has been a few colours over the past few years but this is definitely the most fun and gives the whole space such a tropical vibe - even in Shrewsbury! 🏝️ πŸ¦©πŸΉπŸ˜„

The paint has incredible coverage and was so nice to use - I loved the tools they provided too, especially the oval brush which got into all the nooks and crannies easily!

Let me know what you think of the new colour! 

#frenchicpaint #beforeandafter #deckmakeover #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #outdoorproject
So on a whim I decided to paint the bedroom pink yesterday πŸ˜…πŸ©·

This room has been neglected for so long as I've wanted to fully redecorate for about 3 years now but there are always other bigger priorities or a lack of time/energy/money so I keep putting it off πŸ™ƒπŸ™ƒπŸ™ƒ (tell me I'm not the only one) but happily this didn't cost a penny as I used what I already had although it did take me the best part of a day!

I went through my paint stash and found that I had extra @coatpaints Percy from when I did the living room early last year -- well I'm not one to let something this good go to waste (honestly this paint is absolutely wonderful to work with and has amazing coverage) and my goodness it's just so pretty in here πŸ₯° I also moved my pink curtains from my office into here and the whole room just glows!

I might actually be able to live with the mural a little longer until the room gets the attention it deserves! Let me know if you like the change β™₯️

*For those who are wondering, it used to be white walls and I had grey curtains! πŸ˜…

#swoonworthy #bedroomdecor #bedroommakeover #bedroomdesign #pinkpinkpink #pinkinteriors
A little photo dump from my recent living room shoot because I still love to dig into the details of a still photo πŸ˜„πŸ’•

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #photodump
ad How to De-stress at Home in 6 Simple Steps 😊

April has been #stressawarenessmonth and so I've teamed up with the wonderful @frenchbedroom to share a few simple tips in creating a cosy sanctuary at home!

One of my favourite ways to add a feeling of comfort and relaxation is with glorious touchable textures and the stunning Mulberry Silk ruffled cushion from French Bedroom not only looks spectacular but feels incredible too! Pairing this with other feel-good fabrics will add depth to your design and will beg you to sink in and unwind 😍

French Bedroom are also now stocking my own home fragrance brand @swoonworthyscents candles, adding another element of calm with scent to your home. I chose No 02 Sunday Morning for my living room with rejuvenating Jasmine and refreshing pine and lemon notes πŸ₯°

Check out my latest blog post for more tips on creating a relaxing sanctuary in your home via the link in my bio!

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #frenchbedroom #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #calming #aesthetic #cottagecoreaesthetic
Who needs pancakes when you can have Lemon Drizzle Cake with Lemoncello glaze?! πŸ˜‰πŸ‹

I've had such a craving for this cake for a while so figured I'd make it today! This is a recipe from @bbcgoodfood and it's rather gorgeous πŸ₯°

#baking #lemondrizzle #lemoncake #bakewithlove #shrovetuesday
Are you lucky enough to be owned by a cat? 🐈🐾

#bengallove #bengalsofinstagram #bengalcat #bengal #catsofinstagram #catlife
Finally managed to get the gallery wall completed in our hallway!

I couldn't have been happier with @violajayphotography capturing our little intimate wedding in October and knew as soon as I saw the photos I had to print them for our home! I admit, I've never been one to hang photos but it's probably because all we ever had after 14 years together was selfies πŸ˜‚πŸ€·πŸ½β€β™€οΈ I'm so pleased we finally have some lovely shots of us together πŸ₯°

Do you have photos of you/your partner/your family up around your home?? πŸ€”

#gallerywall #autumnwedding #hallwaydesign #hallwayinspo
✨These little vintage copper pans needed some TLC! ✨

After searching for a while for vintage copper pans, I found these on eBay - they looked quite grim on the ad but I knew they could be shined up nicely! A little @barkeepersfriend later (not an ad!) and I'm loving how they look in my kitchen πŸ₯°

Let me know if you like the new addition ❀️

#kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #vintagestyle #kitchenstyling
Oh hey living room, nice to have you back ☺️

I always feel very ready to remove the excess of Christmas decor pretty much as soon as the 26th arrives but I've been later than usual this Twixmas as we've both been unwell the last couple weeks πŸ€¦πŸ½β€β™€οΈ Nevertheless, I've managed to get things packed away and I styled this little faux arrangement today for my coffee table so ya know, small victories πŸ˜„πŸ™ŒπŸ½

#livingroom #livingroominspo #fauxflowers #coffeetabledecor