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

kitchen with worktop and wallpaper

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

Similar wallpaper
Habitat

2/10 Kitchen shelves

kitchen with shelves and crockery

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

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

breakfast bar with stools

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

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

dining area with table and armchair

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

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.

Tablecloth
Cath Kidston

5/10 Living area

living area with breakfast bar and clock

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

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

living room with fire place and wall mirror

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

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

bedroom with chandelier

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

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

white bedroom with wardrobe and mirror

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

The guest bedroom has been kept calm and uncluttered, with pretty bedlinen and an all-white scheme.

Similar wardrobe
Melody Maison

9/10 Bathroom

bathroom with washbasin and mirror

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

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

house exterior with white windows

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

The front of this former farmhouse was revamped and given a contemporary look.

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Heather Young
Editor

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.