About Kimberly…

Kimberly Duran Swoon Worthy About Me

First of all, I would like to welcome you into my virtual home. Go on, have a seat and I’ll put the kettle on.

You’re probably here on this page to learn a little more about me and what this blog is all about so I figure the most important thing you should know is that I’m obsessed with interiors. I am an unashamed maximalist. I love colour and pattern and interiors with personality. I describe my style as ‘Eclectic Boho Glam’: Gold luxe finishes, cheeky animal prints, touchable textural fabrics, “artfully arranged clutter”, a touch of vintage and bohemian-style comfort. This all makes me weak in the knees. You’ll see a lot of that here.

You will also see a lot of accessible design ideas because I don’t have a “lottery-win” budget and I’m guessing that you don’t either. No matter. I believe that everyone has the right to a beautiful home, no matter what your budget. In fact, when your funds are limited, it makes you more creative and allows you to think outside the box (yes, there’s a plus side to not winning the lottery!). I believe you can achieve a high end look without spending a huge amount of money. I believe in my heart of hearts that you are fully capable of making your home a reflection of you even if you are on a budget, as long as you’re willing to get a little dirty (there’s a lot of DIY around here). I’m hoping Swoon Worthy will inspire you to feel the same.

 

 

Want to get personal? Keep reading…

Hi, I’m Kimberly!

I’m a content and social media marketer, editor and freelance writer and have worked in digital media for around 10 years now. I started Swoon Worthy back in 2010 when we’d first moved into our Edwardian house to catalogue the design and décor changes as well as all the DIY we were doing to make it our own. I have been lucky enough to turn a hobby into a full-time career as a freelance interiors writer and blogger and a consultant for retail websites.

I’ve also been lucky enough to have been featured in a number of magazines both in the UK and abroad, on countless websites including Apartment Therapy, Cosmo and Buzzfeed and my home has also been featured in two interior design books. I’ve been very grateful to win quite a few awards including Amara Interior Blog Awards Bloggers Choice 2019 as well as Best Home Styling Blog in the same year. I also won Pinterest UK’s Best Home Inspiration for 2019. I took home the coveted Best DIY and Interior Design Blog Award at the Vuelio Blogger Awards (2017), the Blogger’s Choice Award at the Amara Interior Blog Awards (2016) and I won the award for Most Creative Project at the Callwey Best of Interior Blog Awards (2015). Swoon Worthy has also been named one of the top interior design blogs by both The Daily Mail (2017) and The Daily Telegraph (2015). It’s been a heck of a ride.

I’m a Yank (originally from Pennsylvania) but have lived in the UK since 2001 which means my accent is sort of all over the place. I’ve thoroughly picked up the British vernacular however which makes both Brits and Americans laugh. FYI, saying ‘bollocks’ or ‘bloody hell’ with an American accent is apparently hilarious.

Right, on with the rest of the Swoon Worthy cast…

My Partner is Wayne…

We’ve been together since 2008. He’s my best mate, my partner in crime and my absolute rock. He does all the dirty work around here because he’s the kind of guy who is not afraid of dirt (which is surprising as he has really nice hands).  He’s shy but doesn’t take any shit.  He’s also quietly hilarious.  He’s an incredibly talented car sprayer (mostly working on Ferraris and Aston Martins and other ridiculously expensive cars) and if I’m nice to him, he’ll spray my furniture with car paint which is pretty amazing.

He really is quite awesome.

This is Pablo…

Also known as P, Little Man and Peopi (I don’t have a clue how you’d spell that but that’s his “Hawaiian name” and if you’ve watched ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ you’ll get the reference).

He’s our old boy but still demands cuddles when he goes outside and comes back in, even if it’s just for 10 minutes as though he’s been on some long journey and needs to tell you about it.  He misses us when we’re gone.  If you sit down on the floor with him, he will immediately start purring. He has the shiniest black coat of any cat I have ever seen which unfortunately means he’s very difficult to photograph. At 16 years old, he clearly just wants an easy life. Our other cat does not allow him this luxury, unfortunately.

We said goodbye to our little old man in May 2021 and we miss him loads…

 

This is Meisha.

Oh yes, our little terror in gorgeous leopard-print packaging is also known as The Little One, Meesh, Meisha Peesh and Meisha Peesha Pumpkin Pie.

She’s a Bengal and as such, is packed full of personality in a little body.  She’s 6 years old now but doesn’t realise she’s not a kitten any longer and will get into absolutely everything you don’t want her to, loves water and being under things (the kitchen cabinets, the duvet, my shirt), is extremely chatty and curious and cannot resist a good cardboard box. She’ll charm the pants off of anyone who visits due to her very friendly and mischievous personality. She’s often found on my lap. She sleeps right next to me at night. She’s my furry alarm clock. I don’t know how to say no to her.

And finally, this is Quito.

(pronounced ‘KEY-toe’) Our most recent addition is our three-year-old pup also known as Quito Mosquito and Lord Knobhead.

He’s a Sheltie and incredibly curious and intelligent and hilarious. He loves his walks, playing chase and tug of war. He’s a bit shy and cautious with strangers but believes his job is keeping our home safe from intruders so he’ll bark at anything he deems a threat, even if it’s just a bird. He needs to get involved if anyone is hugging. He likes a snuggle. He likes the cats’ food more than his own. He completely believes Meisha is his best mate and that she enjoys him sniffing her bum all the time (she doesn’t). They do like to play together so as the ‘younger kids’, they keep each other entertained.

So now that you’ve met everyone, I just want to welcome you to our home. From 2010 through 2018, we lived in a 3-bed Edwardian home in Cheadle Heath, about 10 minutes outside of Manchester, England. We poured so much love into that house over the years and created a home we adored – all of which has been captured over the years here on Swoon Worthy. We also learned so much both in terms of design as well as DIY. After 7 1/2 years, after nearly every part of the house was updated, we decided it was time to let that home go and find our ‘forever’ house. Happily, in March 2018, we found it. A new location and a new project – a beautiful 4-bed Victorian house nestled in the beautiful town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire.

We have another huge project on our hands now and I’ll be cataloguing all the changes we make right here on the blog just as I did with our first home. I’m looking forward to seeing the house grow with us, making it beautiful and functional and reflecting ourselves and our personality – who we are now and what we will become. Welcome to the journey, my new friend. I hope you enjoy your stay.

Current House Tour

First House Tour

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