I have only just woken from my chocolate-alcohol-and-turkey-induced coma. It was a good place to hang out for a couple weeks, I must admit. Christmas and the New Year have gone by in a flash it seems and here we are with a nice clean slate in front of us by way of a brand spankin’ new year. I feel good guys. I feel like I have a renewed enthusiasm for whatever lies ahead and I think a break is sometimes exactly what we need to give ourselves a bit of a ‘reboot’!
I like to do these ‘year in review’ posts as much for you (to see how sometimes progress can seem slow but you can actually accomplish quite a bit in a year) as I do for myself. I always go into these posts thinking, Oh man, NOTHING HAPPENED and then realise with delight that a lotΒ more happened than what I’d remembered.
A little disclaimer: I never want these posts to seem gloating or obnoxious so please know that’s not my intention. But I think it’s important to celebrate our accomplishments, to remind ourselves of what we can achieve when we put our heart and soul into something. And while there have been plenty of challenges, difficult decisions, disappointments and things that didn’t quite go to plan, well, I want to start the year on a positive note. So that’s what I’m going to do dammit.
I have to say that 2015 has probably been one of my most exciting years as a blogger. It was the first year of going totally freelance – a scary prospect and a total risk which paid off in so many ways. I can’t even imagine how 2016 could top it.
I actually started off 2015 with a totally new design for Swoon Worthy which I felt much better represented what I’m all about and then I gave it another mini re-brandΒ this past October to freshen the look up. But it wasn’t just the blog that got refreshed. The house did too!
What did we actually accomplish in the house?
My very favourite project and definitely the most popular of the year was the total transformation of our neglected and quite frankly ugly hodgepodge of a second bedroom into a totally glam Home Office as part of the One Room Challenge. It was a huge undertaking from ceiling to floor and everything in between and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result! You can see the entire process here.
My living room got a brand new look by making a few small changes rather than buying all new furniture. New wallpaper from Sian Zeng changed the entire theme, I replaced the turquoise curtains with these cranberry velvet ones from Ikea, re-wallpapered my chest of drawers and pulled back all the different colours in the accessories for a more sophisticated palette of raspberry, olive, black and white. Finally, I replaced the light fixture with a gold beauty from John Lewis. I’m still totally in love with this space.
Thanks to the awesome peeps at Original Style, we finally tackled the front patio of the house. New tiles totally transformed the look and paid homage to the age of the property with a contemporary twist.
The front of the house wasn’t the only outside place we made progress. With the help of Homebase, we finally added some steps to back deck, got a new shed and new outdoor furniture, rug and accessories to reveal a very colourful boho look which definitely eased the pain of the fact we barely had much of a summer in 2015 due to unusually cold and rainy days!
In a total act of “I’m so over it”, I completely removed the gallery wall in my dining room which led to some smaller changes that are leading to much BIGGER changes over the next year. Stay tuned for more on that very soon – there’s a plan people – and it doesn’t involve going either dark berry OR emerald! WHAT?! Can’t wait to share what I’ve come up with!
In the kitchen – despite trying to prioritise it in 2015 which totally didn’t happen – we did manage to replace the cooker hood and backsplash, I glammed up my IKEA Grundtal rails with some spray paint, replaced the blinds and clock and DIY’d some new lighting. It’s back on the priority list for real this time in 2016.
In the bedroom, we got an amazing new mattress thanks to Eve, some gorgeous new bedding from Secret Linen and I gave the space a refresh with new art and a few accessories. It made me fall in love with it all over again without really having to spend an enormous amount of money – exactly the kind of refreshes I love.
2015 was also filled with some amazing highs as well.
We welcomed a new fur baby into the family with our Sheltie puppy, Quito. He’s hilarious and sweet and funny and we both adore him completely. Even if he has managed to destroy our dining room rug as well as the back garden and still has us up at 5:30am every morning *yawn*. He’s growing out of his puppy craziness though (and he’s fully house-trained now – yes!!) and becoming a really lovely well-behaved dog who’s just brilliant to have around.
I was able to do a little travelling this year toΒ Menorca, Dublin, Munich and Edinburgh – all fabulous places for all different reasons.
Speaking of Munich, my biggest blogging highlight was winnng Most Creative Project in the Callwey Interior Blog Awards in Munich. Yes I totally cried and I couldn’t have been more surprised to win. Such a total privilege as well as a truly amazing weekend, one I certainly won’t soon forget.
JOHN NASSARI PHOTOGRAPHY
I was also shortlisted once again in the Amara Interior Blog Awards – a huge privilege especially when there was so much talent represented. I was honoured to be a part of it again and I can’t thank you guys enough for your votes to get me there!
I was also so incredibly grateful to be named one of the Daily Telegraph’s Top 10 Interior bloggers alongside some of my favourite bloggers in the UK.
I also saw my home published in Your Home Magazine here in the UK, Petra Magazine in Germany and my wallpapered chest of drawers was featured in The Irish Independent. Being featured in print – eeek! I’m always so blown away when it happens and it happened in three different countries! Totally surreal!
Speaking of surreal, I was also published in the German Interior Design bookΒ Wohnideen β Aus Dem Wahren Leben Best of Interior Blogs by Callwey Publishing! Such an awesome feeling and the book was truly gorgeous. I was so happy I was able to give a few away to you guys too!
Along with my style sister, Shannon from Burlap and Lace, we introduced a new hashtag to Instagram in 2015 – #colorshare where we get to enjoy your gorgeous colourful homes! We took a little break in December but it will be restarting this month – yay!
I also got to work with some great brands – Joss & Main, Wayfair, John Lewis, Together Insurance, Design Raaga, Voga, Out There Interiors, Original Style, Homebase, Habitat, SkullBliss, Darlings of Chelsea, Sian Zeng and French Bedroom Company to name but a few! It’s these fabulous brands that assist me in bringing fresh content to my blog and I’m so privileged to be able to work with them. I simply wouldn’t be able to do as much as I do now without their help. As I always say, however, I only work with brands I really love and that I am happy to endorse and I will continue to be super picky who I work with in the new year – that just won’t change EVER!
And finally on a personal note…
I know I’ve never talked about this on the blog and I really struggled with whether or not to even include thisΒ (I’ve deleted and retyped this section a whole bunch of times) because it has nothing at all to do with interiors but then I thought, perhaps some of you can relate so maybe it’s worth mentioning…
I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life and I think I’ve probably tried every single “diet” under the sun. Well, it was only this past year that I finally found something that works for me – after searching for the last 30 years.
That first picture up there on the left was when my bathroom was photographed for Your Home magazine (that picture never made the magazine, wonder why?!). Wow, did I feel horrified, low, stunned and miserable over that picture. That same month I decided to give up processed sugars and in February, I gathered up my courage and joined Whole30. I did it because so many foods disagreed with me and I wanted to try an elimination diet to get some answers, not necessarily to lose weight. I had tried and failed to lose weight so many times in the past so I didn’t really expect this to be any different but I just felt unwell too often, had no energy and generally just felt really down about my appearance.
I fully adopted a paleo diet thereafter and slowly but successfully, I’ve managed to shed 3 stone (42 pounds or 19 kilos) in the last year without even feeling like I was trying*. As a result, I have so much more energy, I sleep so much better, food no longer disagrees with me and I finally feel good about myself. I’ve dropped 3 dress sizes and have rediscovered my love of both fashion and makeup. (And yes, this year I decided to take a risk and include both food and makeup in my Instagram account.)
I think food and diet is probably a bit like religion. When you find something you love that works for you, you become a bit evangelical about it and you want EVERYONE to do it with you but the truth is, I think everyone just needs to find whatever works for them and their lives. So just because the paleo diet works for me, I’m not saying it will be everyone’s answer of course. But I’m truly happy and excited to finally find a way of eating that feels totally right and natural for me. I still have a bit more to lose so 2016 will hopefully mean getting to my goal weight!
*I’m not saying this was easy or I didn’t have to use willpower! ;) Of course it’s beenΒ challengingΒ and adjusting to making everything from scratch has taken a lot of planning and prioritising my health over convenience. I just mean to say that once I got into the swing of it all, I loved it so much that I wanted to keep going and my motivation has remained very high, something that I felt was always missing in previous attempts to lose weight or adjust how I ate. Also? I gained 3 pounds over Christmas because I’m not a robot and hell yeah, bring on the chocolate and Bailey’s. But I’m back on the wagon now in the New Year! Nothing wrong with a little splurge every now and again.
And if you’ve gotten through all of this…
I just wanted to share some of my favourite posts of 2015.
So as you can see, it’s been a hell of a year! My next post will detail some of the goals and plans for 2016 and I’d absolutely love for you to be there sharing it with me! How was your Christmas and New Year?Β Will you be joining me to see what 2016 brings?Β
You certainly had an awesome year. So many great accomplishments. And I have to use you as an inspiration to work on myself. After my daughter was so bad and having to eat this strict diet, I kind of let myself go and as a result just don’t feel so well. I can’t see myself cooking that strict again because it was a pain. Trying to find what works for me or I said us as a family yet. It certainly doesn’t help having a husband who can eat whatever he wants still at age 45. Not fair at all.
Aww thanks Julia! It’s so important to take care of yourself even when you are just trying to do the right thing and take care of your family first. Wayne joined me in the Whole30 when I first did it but he’s no where near as strict as I am (and yes, he can eat what he likes as well! so not fair!) – but he does eat the same evening meal as I do so I suppose that helps! Of course, I don’t have kids so can’t imagine how much more work that all is. Like I said, I really think it’s about finding something you can actually live with! Good luck my dear xxx
Great post Kimberly. Congrats on ALL of your achievements in 2015. And hi-fives for the lifestyle change with regards to food and diet. That’s amazing! I’ve done dairy and wheat free before which was really difficult, I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it was to give up processed sugars. They’re everywhere. Props to you!! Here’s to 2016. I shall look forward to seeing what’s next for Swoonworthy (and what rug you finally decide on :) ) x
Aww thanks so much Karen! And yes, processed sugars, my goodness it was eye opening! I just make everything from scratch now so I know exactly what I’m eating but it was definitely hard to start with! Thank you so much and yes, I’ll be sharing my rug choice very soon ;) xxx
Thank you so much for sharing about your weight loss – you look fab by the way, not that you didn’t before! I’m off to read Whole30 now and kickstart myself!
Aww thanks so much Catherine! You’re too sweet! I know they tell you, ‘this will change your life!’ and I was a bit snarky about it to start with – ha! But it really has! Ack! ;) If you consider it and have any questions, just shout, happy to help! xxx
I love these posts :)
You have achieved so much in 2015, I’m superimpressed and sort of proud (even though it has nothing to do with me!).
Congrats on having found a way of eating that works for you! Struggling with weight/diets/food is a terrible way to live.
Oh, and how are the painted rails holding up? Still looking good? And what kind of paint did you use? I’m thinking of doing the same, so … any hints, tricks, warnings?
I’m so sorry, I only now realise that “a way of eating that works for you” sort of sounds like you found a way to use only spoons, because forks and knives were too difficult to handle. That’s not what I meant AT ALL, I just didn’t want to write “diet”, because that sounds too diet-y, and that’s not what I meant either and I’m so sorry, I am backing away from the keyboard now, walk along, folks, nothing to see here …
This just made me LOL by the way!! FORKS AND KNIVES ARE DANGEROUS!! I JUST USE MY FINGERS NOW ;)
Aww thank you darling! You’re too cute!! :D And yes, crappy dieting all my life has SUCKED and now I’m happy so it’s all good baby! Whoop!
As for the rails – yes, they are still great! No issues at all. I used Montana Gold Gold Chrome on them and I am actually surprised it’s not scratched but at the same time, I don’t really slide the hooks around (I just place things on them obvs so no need) so I imagine that’s why they’ve held up well :) xx
What a great post – and I have just spent the best part of half an hour getting lost in a mix of your others – all so pin-worthy too! And I love the frankness of your weightloss journey, something that many I am sure will relate to (and well done for your commitment – super impressive!). Best of luck for an even better 2016!
Thank you so much Jill – that’s really so sweet of you!! Happy New Year to you, hun! xxx
Congratulations on great year lady! Your house looks amazing and so do you, not that you didn’t before ;) I’m currently trying to shift the last stone of baby weight here myself (14 months later!) so you’ve inspired me to keep going :) It’s awful when you just don’t feel good about yourself, and it really helps to know the people you admire are often in the same boat, so thanks for sharing :D
Aww thanks so much darling!! I’m quite glad I posted about it now (I had many reservations!) – it’s weird talking about personal stuff like that sometimes but then you realise how many other people are in the same boat ;) Good luck to you my dear and Happy New Year! xx
Hey Kimberly, you look fantastic girl! We’re all back on the waggon now and glad of it, over indulging does start to make you feel rough after 2 weeks! Going to check out that diet plan.
You’ve had a great last year and I reckon you will be pretty inspiring in this one. I’ve spent last few weeks on Sarah A’s NBBS and realise the blog I started just before Xmas needs a revamp already ! Lots to do… X
Oh tell me about it! I have felt AWFUL the last couple of weeks of indulging (as tasty as it was!) and I’m so ready for healthy eats again ;)
That’s so cool you are doing Sarah’s course!! Best of luck with it this year, no doubt you’ll smash it ;) xxx
Congratulations on a wonderful year Kimberley! I agree re finding what works for you, whether it’s a particular way of eating, clothes style, makeup or house decor. Thank goodness everyone is so individual! I hope everyone who follows your blog is inspired to love themselves more and follow their instincts in 2016!
Absolutely couldn’t agree more Heather! It takes a while to figure ALL that stuff out but the rewards when you do are just so great. No point in following the crowd, right? ;) Thank you so much for your kind words and all the best for you for the new year too! xxx
I am so happy to have found your blog in 2015! Great posts and love your designs. Happy New year Kimberly. Proud of you and ALL your successes.
Awww I’m happy you found me too Nadine! Thank you so much for being so awesome, it means a lot to me! Happy New Year to you too lovely :) xxx
Congratulations on all your achievements in 2015! You look absolutely stunning in your new body and well done for sticking it through and for finding a life style change that works for you. I look forward to reading more on your lovely blog this year! Sharon
Aww thank you so much Sharon, you are too sweet! A very Happy New Year to you hun! xxx
This is such a fantastic round-up post! And I do sooo love your home office – fabulous!!
I’m very excited to find out more about your dining room plans – I’d been waiting for the berry, but can’t wait to find out more about the new idea!
And as for your weight loss, that is really excellent. And most importantly, it’s made you feel healthier and more happy in yourself. Good work Kimbo!
Congratulations on all the achievements last year, and can’t wait for this year’s transformations!
xx
Aww cheers you sweet thing you!! Oooh I can’t wait to share about the dining room, I’m properly excited about the new design so you’ll have to wait and see but things are already getting prepared and I’m ITCHING to start so you won’t have to wait long ;)
Happy New Year my friend!! xxx
P.S. #DrunkInteriorsTheReunionTour HAS to happen this year!
Kimberley, Congratulations on such a productive year! Wow! Thanks for sharing about your weight loss and health struggles and Victory!! You, like your home, look sensational. Kudos to you! I love your blog! Looking forward to 2016 and reading about all you have to share. Happy New Year!
Oh thank you so much Debbie! You are too sweet! Happy New Year to you too my dear :) xxx
Not a snark, but that bloggers top 10 list was the Telegraph not the Independent. Don’t spoil your chances of further coverage from them!
Congrats on the weight loss, sounds pretty hard core.
Oh good grief, what a div I am!! ACK!! THANK YOU (all corrected now)!! Seems all that alcohol over the break has destroyed brain cells! Ha!! Thanks so much Sue! Mwah! xx
Congratulations on such a great year and you look amazing!!!
Oh thank you Sandra, you sweet thing you! Happy New Year!! xx
I can’t tell you how much I LOVE your home! Your style of decorating and use of color is perfection. Each room is my “favorite” until I look at another. :)
Congratulations on your weight loss! That takes discipline and I applaud your efforts…I know how difficult it is. I have such cravings for carbs and sweets. There is a definite “feel good” element when I avoid them so I need to begin again. You look stunning! Thank you so much for sharing and I hope you will continue to do so.
Happy New Year!
xo
Pat
Aww thank you so much for your lovely comment Pat!! And hell yeah, I went through major withdrawal of both sugar AND carbs (it wasn’t fun) but my saviour was sweet potatoes – glorious, carb-y sweet goodness! HA! The cravings honestly go after a couple of weeks though, I promise, then you don’t even think about it ;) Happy New Year to you too hun! xxx
Such a fab piece, I love your writing. Your home looks amazing and I have no idea why your bathroom wasn’t featured in Your Home – it’s so cool! I do find your posts very inspiring as a new blogger. And well done on the weight loss, I wish I could walk away from my love of chocolate sometimes. Happy 2016
Aww thanks Maxine!! Sorry for the confusion – the bathroom WAS featured (yay!) but they didn’t use that particular shot (or any shots of me as it goes!) because I think they thought, ‘hmmm no we only want hot people in our magazine’ LOL!! And you’re gorgeous and have a fab figure, so hell, keep eating chocolate if you want it ;) My ‘treat’ is Green & Blacks organic dark chocolate which I still eat from time to time – doesn’t mean you have to give up EVERYTHING you love :D xx
Kimberly – hand on heart you were my favourite blog find of last year and the one that I am always most excited to read. I adore everything that you do, and when that pup came along – oooh my! You should be incredibly proud of yourself. You are super talented & have a knack of being able to totally connect with your readers. And as for your personal achievement – wow. I am sure you are an inspiration to so many people, personally & professionally and I look forward to seeing what you get up to in 2016. Thank you for being there! Sarah x
Oh Sarah, THANK YOU for such a lovely comment!! I just want to send you a big hug because that really means a lot to me. Happy New Year darling! xxx
Right back at ya, lovely lady! Without knowing it you have inspired me to really get going this year, so hopefully 2016 will be a great one for us all. x x Big squeeze for you xx
What an astounding year, Kimberly!! A huge WHOOP WHOOP to you! You are killing it with the blogging and I’m so chuffed for you for finding a healthy way of living that is doing you so much good! You look A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Now, I hope some of that rubs off on me this year ;-)
Aww thank you so much my dear! Hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year :D xxx
Wow – it’s going to be hard to top last year I think – but I’m sure you’ll pull something out of the bag. Well done for all your amazing achievements. I’m only just starting out in the world of blogging but you are so inspirational and if I only achieve a small amount of what you have, then I would be very happy. Good luck for 2016 and beyond – can’t wait to see what you’re going to be up to and thank you for sharing with us and taking us with you on your journey.
Oh that is so nice of you Jane!! Thank you so much – may 2016 be the year we both smash it ;) xx
Yes, yes, yes!
You know I love your blog and your style so it’s been a joy to read and see all the moves you’ve been making. Keep repping for us colour lovers – you’re doing us proud! And major props on finding and maintaining (never easy) a lifestyle that works for you, may your fabulousness never wane! :)
Oh thank you so much Delali, you sweet thing ;) A very happy New Year to you lovely! xxx
Congratulations Kimberly on such an amazing year, I can only imagine how hard you work, you connect with your readers, your writing style is gorgeous and you have exquisite taste…….of course you were going to have a great year! I hope 2016 brings you even more happiness and achievements, as you absolutely deserve it. And well done on your weight loss….having been incredibly overweight myself, I know how lousy it makes you feel about yourself, how it eats away at your self esteem, so well done your commitment to your new eating plan. You look amazing, and what’s more, you feel amazing which is the main thing! I’ve put on a whole stone over Christmas!! So back to healthy eating for me :) xx
Aww thank you so much Rebecca!! That means so much to me, genuinely so nice of you *sniff* And thank you re the weight loss – I wish it hadn’t taken me so bloody long to finally figure it out but like anything, ya just gotta take it day by day, right?? And oh my god I didn’t take your comment the wrong way at ALL ;) It’s absolutely fine!! Ha! Thank you thank you darling! xxx
P.S. I just realised how my comment sounded!! I wasn’t suggesting you were incredibly overweight!! You weren’t, you looked gorgeous to me!!!! I was just saying that I was incredibly overweight. And could therefore empathise if you FELT overweight. You looked gorgeous then and gorgeous now!!!!
Happy New year Kimberly, hope you Wayne and the furries had a good Christmas. Wow you had a fantastic year, you’ve worked chuffing hard for it congratulations xxx.
You look really good in the photo you put on, its not an easy task trying to lose weight than keeping it off good on yeβΊ, and can just say im also really looking forward to this year and i can’t wait to see where you will take us all next xxx
What a amazing year you had, you should be very proud of your achievements.
But excuse me, regarding one of your comments above – you are hot lady! Well done on your weight loss, you look fabulous and even before your beauty shone out of you.
Although this is an interiors blog, I for one like to occasionally read (and see – so yes more vlogs please) something more personal.
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I so want to dognap gorgeous Quito lol! xx