Take a tour around Karen's gorgeous home, full of elegant French touches
Bold wallpaper in Karen's traditional kitchen really expresses her personality, and is combined with smart appliances and French-style furniture
Bold wallpaper in Karen's traditional kitchen really expresses her personality, and is combined with smart appliances and French-style furniture. The dark-grey units create a smart contrast against the white-painted floorboards.
1/10 Kitchen-diner
Similar wallpaper
Habitat
2/10 Kitchen shelves
Open shelving creates the perfect spot to display crockery and kitchen accessories, while a wall-mounted magnetic knife rack keeps utensils to hand.
Similar shelving
Ikea
3/10 Breakfast bar
The original farmhouse larder doors were revamped with glass panels to let light in to the open-plan kitchen-living space. A contemporary breakfast bar and stools make a handy spot for eating.
Similar pendant lights
Mydeco.com
4/10 Living-dining area
The dining area combines a neutral palette with shabby-chic furniture and French-style accessories. Karen chose a large farmhouse-style table so that she has plenty of room for entertaining.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Tablecloth
Cath Kidston
5/10 Living area
Karen recycled some distressed window shutters and had a builder create doors that lead to the utility room from the open-plan living area. A large shabby-chic armoire creates a pleasing contrast against the more modern breakfast bar.
Similar armoire
The French Bedroom Company
6/10 Fireplace in sitting area
The original house didn't have many period features, so Karen added some, such as this striking stone fireplace in the living room. Next to it, a painted cupboard provides some handy storage.
Similar pouffe
Graham & Green
7/10 Main bedroom
Karen loves the large gold French bed, which takes centre stage in the bedroom. An ornate chandelier and painted bedside table add to the elegant feel of the room.
Similar bedlinen
Sainsbury's
8/10 Spare bedroom
The guest bedroom has been kept calm and uncluttered, with pretty bedlinen and an all-white scheme.
Similar wardrobe
Melody Maison
9/10 Bathroom
The French theme continues into the bathroom with a stylish roll-top bath and striking Venetian-style mirror. Karen found the colourful splashback tiles on her travels years before and kept them, knowing she would find a use for them.
Similar mirror
Sweetpea & Willow
10/10 Exterior
The front of this former farmhouse was revamped and given a contemporary look.
Love this? See more gorgeous homes in this month's issue of Style at Home. Plus be the first to hear about our favourite homes buys and finds on Facebook and Twitter.
Heather Young has been Ideal Home’s Editor since late 2020, and Editor-In-Chief since 2023. She is an interiors journalist and editor who’s been working for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines for over 20 years, both in-house and as a freelancer.
-
How to get rid of dust — 7 easy tricks that'll leave your home spotless and prevent future build-up, according to cleaning experts
Say hello to a dust-free home
By Lauren Bradbury
-
What is recluttering? This unconventional decluttering trend is causing a stir amongst the pros
Don’t clear out clutter, ‘curate’ it instead…
By Tara King
-
I'm seeing Galentine's Day tableware everywhere on social media — top viral buys
February 13 is all about celebrating friendship this year
By Kezia Reynolds