So I feel like a lot has happened since my last renovation update even though we really only laid the flooring a couple of weeks ago but at this point, it might as well been a year ago because of everything that’s happened since that point. Right now, as I write this post, the kitchen is very close to completion with just a few weeks before we’ll be able to finally use it and enjoy it.

kitchen detail - in progress shots

My next post on the kitchen may possibly be the full reveal*. I do have lighting being installed this week and some plumbing work the following but once the worktops, backsplash and shelving are installed (in around 10 days’ time), then everything else that follows is just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s – installing the tap, finishing off the electrics and finally moving all our stuff from our old kitchen into the new one and styling it up! So exciting!!

*Saying that… we have been working on tiling and updating the fireplace so I might squeeze in a little post around that one if I get the chance!

Kimberly Duran (@swoonworthyblog) • Instagram photos and videos Aug 19

Anyway, I’ve been sharing a lot of behind-the-scenes on my Instagram so if you haven’t had a look at that, be sure to click on the ‘KITCHEN’ highlight in my stories for all the details!

(I’ll warn you now, there’s a lot of Meisha. She really needs to involve herself in every step of every single thing as you probably are already aware.)

However, for those of you who haven’t been following along there, then my post will catch you up on what’s been happening. We literally finished the parquet flooring about 3 days before the kitchen delivery and I had some last-minute paint touchups in the day or two before so we knew we were working to a deadline to ensure the entire space was fully prepared for the kitchen installation. 

All the units and appliances from John Lewis of Hungerford arrived on the back of a lorry on the 7th August and two guys made quick work of offloading everything. 

Kitchen delivery

Meisha had to supervise as they offloaded. Let me tell you – there was a ridiculous amount of boxes which took over the entire kitchen area! The picture above shows just the start but that space ended up totally full!

Thankfully, we didn’t have to unpack or sort any of that. Aaron, John Lewis of Hungerford’s expert kitchen installer actually spent the entire week – from the 12th August until 16th August – unpacking, assembling and fitting the entire kitchen.

Kitchen Install

t took every ounce of my willpower not to be checking in on him every 20 minutes because I couldn’t contain my excitement at seeing it all finally come together. I mean, it’s one thing choosing finishes from little swatches and looking at a computer render – it’s entirely another seeing the whole thing take shape in the flesh. 

By the end of the week, we were left with the start of a gorgeous space. I genuinely couldn’t be more thrilled with how it’s all coming together and I know I have called it my ‘dream kitchen’ before but it hardly feels real that this is going to be a space that’s actually ours. It really feels like complete fantasy especially after living with a kitchen for the last year and a bit that I actually despise

Kitchen - installation progress

in progress shot - bengal cat on worktops

I’m so happy with the colour of the units – that soft greeny-grey just sings in the light and I don’t for one hot second regret going with this colour (which John Lewis of Hungerford colour-matched to Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle by the way).

detail of kitchen drawers with brass hardware

I love the brushed brass handles as well against the colour and the softness of Earthborn’s Donkey Ride claypaint on the walls and ceilings just gives everything a warm glow. The flooring, of course, provides the perfect finishing touch. It’s just coming together even better than I’d imagined.

Here are a few more shots of the in-progress kitchen!

kitchen full height units fridge and larder - in progress shots

What you see above actually hides a fridge freezer (on the left) and a larder (aka pantry) on the right. As you can see, we are still waiting on the worktop larder in the above shot. Essentially there will be another panel just like the others but because it sits on the worktop, that needs to be installed before the little pantry is installed on top of it.

cutlery drawer with wooden inserts

I’ve been so impressed with the quality of everything too with oak being used throughout including dovetail joints in the drawers! Side note – I definitely do not have enough cutlery and utensils to fill that drawer! Ha!

kitchen sink in progress shots

My beautiful Koehler sink has also been installed and once the worktop is installed, this whole area will make a lot more sense! Basically, the worktop will run into the window to create a seamless look.

view of kitchen in progress

So the next couple of weeks should be pretty exciting. Lighting goes in this Thursday, then I’ve got my plumber here to hook up the dishwasher and set up for the tap installation next Wednesday then all going well, worktops, backsplash and shelving goes in on Thursday and then the tap is installed on Friday.

The following week, our kitchen installer, Aaron, is back again for the final fittings (worktop larder, kitchen handle, a internal corner shelving mechanism etc), then the plumber is back to hook up the gas hob and then we’ll have the electrician back one last time to do the plug sockets in the back splash. And then WHEW we are done!

I’d encourage you to follow me on Instagram because I’ve been sharing pretty much all the details of every step of this as it happens. In the meantime, who’s excited? What do you think of the look so far?

The kitchen is part of a collaboration with John Lewis of Hungerford and there are other sponsors that have gifted or discounted items used in our kitchen remodel. This post is independant of those agreements – I just wanted to share the progress!


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Swoon Worthy
kitchen detail - in progress shots
Kimberly Duran (@swoonworthyblog) • Instagram photos and videos Aug 19
Kitchen delivery
Kitchen Install
Kitchen - installation progress
in progress shot - bengal cat on worktops
detail of kitchen drawers with brass hardware
kitchen full height units fridge and larder - in progress shots
cutlery drawer with wooden inserts
kitchen sink in progress shots
view of kitchen in progress
Meet Kimberly
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My little neglected makeup/dressing room has had a glow up 🥰

#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 😅

#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!🎄💕

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 🤗😅)

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 🥰 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 🎄🎉

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 🪴

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 🔥 under my 🍑 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 😅 (Meisha was zero help 😼)

I'm calling it Boho Vintage Victorian Grandma 😆

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
🔥JOIN US ROUND THE FIRE PIT! 🔥

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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 🪵 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! 🥰🍻🔥

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 😄

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 🥰

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

#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! 🏝️ 🦩🍹😄

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 😅🩷

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 🙃🙃🙃 (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 🥰 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 ♥️

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

#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 😄💕

#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 🥰

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?! 😉🍋

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 🥰

#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 😂🤷🏽‍♀️ I'm so pleased we finally have some lovely shots of us together 🥰

Do you have photos of you/your partner/your family up around your home?? 🤔

#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 🥰

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 🤦🏽‍♀️ 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 😄🙌🏽

#livingroom #livingroominspo #fauxflowers #coffeetabledecor