When Stephanie of Casa Watkins asked if I’d like to participate in her My Home Style blog hop and I heard that it was a ‘before and after’ edition, I knew that both old and new readers alike would enjoy it as much as I would taking part. Seeing a room transformed is such a satisfying process, isn’t it? I have to admit, however, after blogging about my home for 6 years, even I sometimes forget how far we’ve come.
Throughout this entire week, more than 20 different bloggers are sharing their own before and after spaces. There are so many fabulous styles covered here so please do make sure you check those all out at the bottom of the post. Stephanie asked each of the bloggers taking part to choose three words to describe our style. For me, this was an easy one because, well, it’s right in my tagline: ECLECTIC BOHO GLAM.
So for those of you coming here from Copper Dot Interiors or who are making their way through the tour, I just wanted to say welcome! As a little background information for those who don’t know me, I’m an American ex-pat who has lived in the UK since 2001 and my other half Wayne and I have transformed this Manchester area home into an eclectic boho glam space we both love. We live here with a lazy rescue cat called Pablo, a Shetland sheepdog called Quito and a crazy Bengal cat called Meisha. Welcome to my home, I’ll put the kettle on.
While pretty much every space in my home has undergone some kind of transformation, I decided today to show off our living room.
Even those who have followed my blog for some time may not remember that it used to look like this when we first moved in! Brace yourselves…
Over the years with a bit of vision, creativity and DIY, the room has been transformed from a very boring and bland space with old and hand-me-down furniture to something a little more grown up and glam.
Here’s what it looks like now…
Let’s explore the three words I choose to describe my style first…
ECLECTIC
You’ll notice there’s a wide range of styles represented in this one room alone. From the classic shape of the chesterfield sofa, to the mid-century modern woven hoop chairs, no style is really off limits for me. The TV cabinet dates back to the 1930’s (updated with some paint and mirror glass) while the coffee table from West Elm is quite contemporary in style.
Check out my post on my no-fail formula to creating the perfect coffee table vignette!
To keep things consistent rather than chaotic, the colour scheme of cranberry, pink, green and gold is repeated throughout the space, velvet is used on quite a few elements (the couch, the small settee and my curtains) and all the backs of the furniture are relatively the same height. All these elements help to pull the room together. For more tips on decorating with an eclectic style, check out my post here.
Yes, you can still have a pretty home with fur babies! Check out my tips on living with pets here!
BOHO
I always loved the comfort of bohemian design and this is reflected in some of natural materials I use in my space. I’ve always loved leopard print and the velvet bolster cushion adds a touch of exotic pattern to the scheme.
Check out my post on how to create your own bolster cushion here!
The cowhide rug on the floor as well as the goat hide throws on both the sofa and chair give the room comfort, texture and warmth while the plants provide an organic touch along with lots of additional colour and form.
The vintage table and hoop chairs are from eBay. Check out my 5 Favourite Second-Hand Scores here!
GLAM
The one word that crops up over and over when people describe my style is ‘glamorous’ and this is probably due to all the gold and brass that evades every single room of my home. I love it’s reflective quality, the way it bounces light around a room and the warmth it brings to any space.
That little dresser has had many makeovers! Check out the DIY on wallpapering a chest of drawers here.
Gold has always been an aspirational metal and in centuries past, one which only the rich were able to afford. Today, of course, a gold finish is much more affordable but it still retains a certain glamour and it lends itself well to glamorous design, even if your bank balance isn’t quite up to royal standards! ;)
GET THE LOOK
For those who’d like to get a little Eclectic Boho Glam style in their home, I’ve identified a few key pieces that will help you in the process:
one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven
I hope you enjoyed my little before and after today! To continue on this fabulous tour, be sure to check out Ariel from PMQ for Two next!
If you’d like to see lots of before and afters of my home, do have a look at my house tour or subscribe for updates!
For the whole tour, check out the list below! Thursday and Friday’s tours will be live on those days too so be sure to check back here.
MONDAY
Casa Watkins Living / Polished Habitat / Lovely Etc. / Blue i Style / Organized Nashville
TUESDAY
Roots North and South / My Life From Home / Monica Wants It / The Striped House
WEDNESDAY
Pocketful of Posies / Up To Date Interiors / Copper Dot Interiors / Swoon Worthy / PMQ for Two
THURSDAY
The DIY Mommy / Boxy Colonial / The Happy Housie / Domicile 37 / Willow Street Interiors
FRIDAY
Cassie Bustamante / House Full Of Sunshine / Farmhouse 40 / Iris Nacole
In the meantime, can you believe how far this one room has come? It still amazes me that it used to look like that! What rooms have you transformed over time? I’d love to hear from you!
There are so many things to love about this space – leopard print, chest of drawer styling, pink!!, the fiddle leaf, and THAT SOFA!! Perfectly done.
Thank you so much Caroline! We clearly have very similar taste! ;) xx
Wow I’ve never seen the before pictures before!! That really is quite a transformation.
Kristina does the Internets
Thanks Kristina! Yeah it was pretty awful when we’d first moved in – ha! xx
This after is giving me life! LIFE I tell you! I love the light fixtures. Those always blow me away.
Aww thank you so much Ariel! xx
I love it all. The leopard print against the goat skin against the botanical wallpaper.magnificent as always
Thank you lovely! Mwah! xx
your style is just so good- that beige is NOT you at all!!! loving your vibe and what you’ve created!
Why in the world I thought I liked neutrals at the time I’ll never know! I blame Pottery Barn ;) xx
Such an amazing before and after. The best
Thank you lovely friend!! Mwah! xx
Very pretty and definitely glamourous! I sure love the wallpaper touches!
Thanks Christina! I never shy away from a good wallpaper ;) xxx
Love it all, but the Leigh Viner print is my favorite! I’ve got 3 of her prints in the house now and dream of adding an original one day!
Thanks so much Melissa! I have another one of her prints in my dressing room – she’s amazing! I couldn’t believe my luck finding her prints in John Lewis for a fiver!! xxx
Your “before” picture is so inspirational because your “after” is so incredible!!! There’s nothing I don’t adore about your style, girl! Flawless!
Aww thank you lovely! Mwah! The feeling is mutual! xxx
The before is certainly not “you”. :) You have an amazing talent for creating such a beautiful after. I so wish you were closer ~ I need help! :) Seriously, the wallpaper is stunning and putting it on the cabinet is brilliant! There are so many wonderful elements and I love it all!
xo
Pat
It’s crazy looking at the ‘before’ now – it really wasn’t me at all but it took me a while to really figure out my style :D Thank you so much for your lovely comment Pat! xxx
Wow! What a transformation. Really love your style.
Thank you so much Shelley! xxx
I love this, Kimberly – it’s GORGEOUS! You have such a unique style that’s full of personality and pizazz. That chesterfield couch is perfect… yep, swoon is right! Loving the glam touches, the wallpaper, and your confidence in mixing colours and patterns. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home! xo
Thanks so much Karen! What a sweet comment, you’ve made me smile today! xxx
What a dreamy space! If only I had more than one house to decorate, I’d do this in a heartbeat. I love it!
I always say I need another house to try out more ideas on! Haha! Thank you Iris!! xx
I know you’ve said before that this Blog you do is your full time job now, but when you see the pictures like that you can also see the love, and pride that both you and Wayne have poured in to it. Its a very beautiful room, but it’s not a show house room like you some times see, it’s a room where you can kick off you’re heels {or steel toe caps} have a glass of what ever, and enjoy you’re evening, now that to me is worth anybody’s weight in gold, priceless xxx
Oh Pauline, you always leave the best comments!! Thank you lovely, that means a lot to me xxx
What an incredible makeover! That wallpaper is stunning!
Thanks so much Amy!! xxx
What a beautiful space! I love the wallpaper behind the sofa and the chest with wallpaper! Hmm….sounds like I might need more wallpaper in my life…
Thank you Gretchen! The amount of times I considered getting rid of that chest (so many!) but decided to make it over instead is crazy ;) I do love it now – amazing what a bit of paint and wallpaper can do! xxx
I love all of your bold choices! Your home is so beautiful!!! xoxo
Thank you Laura! That’s really sweet of you! xxx
Yowzers! What a dramatic before and after. Your home is stunning! It makes me want to wallpaper every room and add more color. Beautiful.
Aww thank you Kathy! Hell yeah to colour and wallpaper! Go for it ;) xxx
This room of gorgeous! I love how you mix so many materials and finishes. Great job :)
Aww thank you so much Jen!! Mwah! xxx
I feel like you are the queen of this style and you OWN IT!! You already know, I adore you and am a huge fan!!!
Aww thank you Jessica! You are too sweet :D xxx
This is why I love your blog. You have a picture in your head. Your go for it. And it turns out so perfect and just…. perfect. Each and every time. Every. Time. I love your style. I hope you continue to stay different ‘cos I love it.
Marie
Aww cheers Marie for such a lovely comment! You put a smile on my face today! Mwah! xxx
Absolutely beautiful Kim! Just divine! I love how well you mix that glam side into boho eclectic. Wonderful transformation.