July 18th 2024.
Kimberly Hart-Simpson, a talented actress known for her role in Coronation Street, has a confession to make - she is a self-proclaimed brand addict. However, when it comes to interior design, she doesn't follow trends. In fact, her home is a unique blend of sportswear-themed decor, which she refers to as her "upside-down" house. The best part? She was able to create this one-of-a-kind space for less than £1,000.
It all started when Kimberly lived in a cutting-edge housing project in Salford, Greater Manchester, about ten years ago. She fell in love with the area and promised herself that she would one day return. And when she stumbled upon a house for rent on Gumtree, right across from her old home, she didn't hesitate to jump at the opportunity. She explains, "My back garden now backs on to my old back garden. I always wanted to move back to the area. The houses have really funky designs - the bedrooms are downstairs, the kitchens in the middle, and the living room's on the top floor."
As a single, self-employed woman, Kimberly finds it challenging to get on the housing ladder, so she is content with renting for now. She says, "I don't mind too much, it's still my home." What makes her home truly special is her love for brands. The walls are adorned with two of her favorites - Nike and Adidas. But instead of buying new items, she upcycles second-hand T-shirts from the British Heart Foundation to create vibrant blankets, cushion covers, and throws. Kimberly is a proud ambassador for the charity and embodies their "Reuse Revolution" by only buying new when necessary.
She explains, "It's not about saying everyone has to buy second-hand. That might not be for everybody. But there are small changes that we can make collectively that will make the biggest impact. Plus, the money you spend in a charity shop goes on to change people's lives, so it's the gift that keeps on giving. And charity shops are fun - you'll probably find unique items for your home."
Walking through Kimberly's home is like taking a trip through time and different styles. Her house is a new design inside an old terrace building, with a layout that is more suitable for modern living. She added a terrace on the first floor and installed lightwells where chimneys once stood. Clever space-saving solutions can be found everywhere, such as a sunken bath hidden beneath the floorboards.
The heart of Kimberly's home is the kitchen and dining area, where she has a gorgeous dining table and chairs from the British Heart Foundation. She adds, "Handily, the charity does home deliveries." But what truly stands out is her creativity and ability to upcycle. She proudly shares, "I've got some second-hand hoodies which I'm going to be using to upholster the seats. It's dead easy to upcycle." The center bowl on her dining table is vintage, and the room features a set of Corrie caricatures that she bought second-hand on Facebook Marketplace. She explains, "I bought them because my dad was a massive Corrie fan, and I wanted them around to remind me of him. I got on the show years later."
Kimberly's living room is cute and cozy, with an AMC Furniture sofa covered in a throw and cushions made from second-hand sports T-shirts. Her passion for upcycling branded clothing led her to start her own company, Hart-Work, which gives new life to items that would otherwise end up in a landfill. She says, "Having my own business in upcycling, I want to live by what my brand suggests we should all do." The living room also features an Adidas trainer built with Lego and a neon logo light, along with several others found throughout the house. A beautiful lamp base in the shape of a woman was a charity shop find, and when Kimberly shared a picture of it on Instagram, one of her 140,000 followers reached out to her, happy to see her late nan's lamp in a new home.
Kimberly's "brand addiction" extends to her bedroom as well, with a giant, flat backdrop made from repurposed fabric from the British Heart Foundation, emblazoned with a neon logo. She explains, "When it comes to my home, I'm not inspired by anyone else - no one has the same taste as me, and you won't forget my house. It feels like a cross between being in a JD Sports shop, a shoebox, and a music video."
The second bedroom is used as a wardrobe for Kimberly's extensive collection of second-hand clothing. She estimates that 95% of her clothes were bought second-hand. She adds, "A lot of things in my house, I've had to make myself because they don't exist in the world. It adds my personality to the space and makes it very much my vibe." As you walk through the house, it feels like an art gallery or a museum, with unique pieces everywhere you look.
By upcycling and reusing, Kimberly was able to decorate all three floors of her home for less than £1,000. She concludes, "It's not a mature 37-year-old's house, but I am 37, and I am mature - and I'm very proud to call this my home." If Kimberly's house has inspired you, you can visit the British Heart Foundation website and eBay page to give to a good cause and find treasures of your own.
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