Interview with... Kimberly Hughes
A little February treat... Another in our series of interviews with interiors insiders! This time I'm excited to be bringing you the words, thoughts and pictures of my twitter friend (and blog crush!) Kimberly Hughes. She writes the rather fab Swoon Worthy blog and features a host of gorgeous images of her home and interiors, all of which are definitely guaranteed to make you swoon.
So without futher ado... here she is!
First, can you introduce yourself and your work for anyone who isn't aware of it?
I’m Kimberly Hughes and I write a blog called Swoon Worthy where I catalogue the DIY and interior design of our Edwardian semi in Manchester and the inspiration that drives those changes. I am also the Editor of AO at Home where I work with a number of contributors across food, craft and interiors.
I’m American but I’ve lived in the UK since 2001 and so my influences are a scattered mix of styles. My home has been featured in Heart Home Magazine, 25 Beautiful Homes and Red Magazine. I’m basically an interior design addict and love colourful, glamorous, eclectic interiors.
Images of Kimberly's gorgeous home via www.swoonworthy.co.uk
Who are your design heroes and why?
Emily Henderson for her accessible style – she’s funny and warm and is more like your best girlfriend who happens to be awesome at thrifting. Abigail Ahern for leading the charge in breaking the bland, neutrals haze that I think Britain has been stuck in for too long. And Kelly Wearstler for making the 60s and 70s totally cool and glamorous.
Emily Henderson
Abigail Ahern
Kelly Wearstler
Image credits: Emily Henderson image via Emily Henderson photography by Laure Joliet, Abigail Ahern image via The Selby, Kelly Wearstler image via Elle Décor photography by William Abranowicz
Tell us one of your earliest design memories
My mother had an interior design book from Better Homes & Gardens (a popular US magazine that’s still going today) back when I was a child. I remember looking through the book over and over, absorbing all the 70s décor until it was dog-eared and falling apart.
I must have been about 5 or 6 at the time and I don’t know why I loved it so much but it definitely sparked an interest. By the time I was around 16 years old, I remember receiving a couple of hundred dollars for my birthday – instead of spending that money on clothes or going out, I redecorated my bedroom!
If you could have one item delivered to your home tomorrow what would you choose?
A vintage 1970’s brass sputnik light fixture or a Milo Baughman burlwood dining table.
Image: Sputnik via Design Weekly
Where have you visited that has most inspired you?
I absolutely loved the gothic architecture of Barcelona. Closer to home, I adore how London has so clearly grown organically – with the old sitting so beautifully juxtaposed with the new.
Image: Kimberly's own
Image via Think James Photo by James Murray
And finally, please share a design secret with us… (note: this can be anything you like, from a recommendation of a great book, a fantastic website, the best paint, a tip on designing… anything really!)
Be patient in decorating your home. The best rooms are built over time, adding and subtracting until it truly reflects you and your family. There’s a timelessness that gets lost in the rush. As nice as it sounds for everything to be done quickly, the reality is there’s joy to be had in the process. Don’t miss out on that.
Image: Kimberly's beautiful dining room, via Swoon Worthy
I'm sure you'll agree that's some pretty sound advice from Kimberly, along with some wonderful, inspiring images too... I'm heading straight into my kitchen to re-organise it and make it as cute as hers!
I love it when you read someone's answers and know you've found a design friend. This has definitely been the case with Kimberly, and I've really enjoyed getting to know her better. If you have then definitely pop and check out her fab blog, and find her on Twitter under the name too! Thanks Kimberly for taking part!
Becky
x
So without futher ado... here she is!
First, can you introduce yourself and your work for anyone who isn't aware of it?
I’m Kimberly Hughes and I write a blog called Swoon Worthy where I catalogue the DIY and interior design of our Edwardian semi in Manchester and the inspiration that drives those changes. I am also the Editor of AO at Home where I work with a number of contributors across food, craft and interiors.
I’m American but I’ve lived in the UK since 2001 and so my influences are a scattered mix of styles. My home has been featured in Heart Home Magazine, 25 Beautiful Homes and Red Magazine. I’m basically an interior design addict and love colourful, glamorous, eclectic interiors.
Images of Kimberly's gorgeous home via www.swoonworthy.co.uk
Who are your design heroes and why?
Emily Henderson for her accessible style – she’s funny and warm and is more like your best girlfriend who happens to be awesome at thrifting. Abigail Ahern for leading the charge in breaking the bland, neutrals haze that I think Britain has been stuck in for too long. And Kelly Wearstler for making the 60s and 70s totally cool and glamorous.
Emily Henderson
Abigail Ahern
Kelly Wearstler
Image credits: Emily Henderson image via Emily Henderson photography by Laure Joliet, Abigail Ahern image via The Selby, Kelly Wearstler image via Elle Décor photography by William Abranowicz
Tell us one of your earliest design memories
My mother had an interior design book from Better Homes & Gardens (a popular US magazine that’s still going today) back when I was a child. I remember looking through the book over and over, absorbing all the 70s décor until it was dog-eared and falling apart.
I must have been about 5 or 6 at the time and I don’t know why I loved it so much but it definitely sparked an interest. By the time I was around 16 years old, I remember receiving a couple of hundred dollars for my birthday – instead of spending that money on clothes or going out, I redecorated my bedroom!
If you could have one item delivered to your home tomorrow what would you choose?
A vintage 1970’s brass sputnik light fixture or a Milo Baughman burlwood dining table.
Image: Sputnik via Design Weekly
Where have you visited that has most inspired you?
I absolutely loved the gothic architecture of Barcelona. Closer to home, I adore how London has so clearly grown organically – with the old sitting so beautifully juxtaposed with the new.
Image: Kimberly's own
Image via Think James Photo by James Murray
And finally, please share a design secret with us… (note: this can be anything you like, from a recommendation of a great book, a fantastic website, the best paint, a tip on designing… anything really!)
Be patient in decorating your home. The best rooms are built over time, adding and subtracting until it truly reflects you and your family. There’s a timelessness that gets lost in the rush. As nice as it sounds for everything to be done quickly, the reality is there’s joy to be had in the process. Don’t miss out on that.
Image: Kimberly's beautiful dining room, via Swoon Worthy
I'm sure you'll agree that's some pretty sound advice from Kimberly, along with some wonderful, inspiring images too... I'm heading straight into my kitchen to re-organise it and make it as cute as hers!
I love it when you read someone's answers and know you've found a design friend. This has definitely been the case with Kimberly, and I've really enjoyed getting to know her better. If you have then definitely pop and check out her fab blog, and find her on Twitter under the name too! Thanks Kimberly for taking part!
Becky
x