Planning makes perfect when designing this dream home

Becks and Martin Huntley spent lots of time on design and layout to get the most out of their space when renovating

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation
(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Priced at the top of their budget and three times bigger than their previous place, Becks and Martin almost didn’t view the Victorian house in Leeds that would become their home. The couple had bought a terraced house in Leeds, renting it out when they moved to London. When their son Sam was born, they returned and lived there temporarily. But a detached house with a garden was the dream.

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THE OWNERS Becks Huntley (@the_interior_lens), a market research freelancer, her husband, Martin, an intensive care consultant, and their sons, Sam and Jacob
THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Edwardian detached stone-built house in Guiseley, Leeds
PROJECT COST £85,500

‘It had to be near good schools and the hospital for Martin being on call as a doctor,’ says Becks. ‘This house ticked all the boxes but had been on the market for over a year and required serious vision. It felt really dark and the skirting boards had been chewed by dogs!’

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

‘We moved the back door and blocked up a window in here,’ says Becks. ‘As it’s our main entrance, we added panelling and wallpaper to feel welcoming.’  Babylon wallpaper, House of Hackney. Wall panelling painted in Off Black, Farrow & Ball. Bench, Ikea. Chest and mirror with hooks, Homesense

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Ill-thought-out extensions had left the kitchen boxed in. ‘The only thing I liked was the sitting room ceiling,’ admits Becks. ‘But we were happy to get a doer-upper and max out our budget to get the house we wanted.’

The first floor was renovated first, while they saved up to reconfigure the tricky ground floor. ‘It was a blessing in disguise as we changed our minds a few times about the layout,’ she explains. After knocking down a structural wall to double the size of the bathroom, all the flooring was replaced and every bedroom redecorated.

Before

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

The house had been extended, but left the old kitchen feeling 'boxed in'.

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Four and a half years later, two structural walls were knocked down to create an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area. Although the couple didn’t hire an architect, their structural engineer and builder proved invaluable in dealing with the different ceiling heights. ‘Our builder hid all the steels and levelled the ceiling,’ says Becks. ‘This was key to making it all feel like one space.’

After

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

As the central focal point of the open-plan space, Becks wanted the island completely clear with no sink or hob. ‘It feels more social and flows into the living room better,’ she says. ‘The lighter tiles on the front break up the green cabinetry.’ Pendant lights, Nkuku. Stools, Next. Tiles on island, Tiles Direct. Rug, Wayfair

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

It took time to plan the kitchen layout as there isn’t a lot of wall space, so the island had to work hard to compensate with ample storage. ‘Using a local independent kitchen company meant we weren’t constrained by standard sizes,’ says Becks. ‘Martin was set on a range cooker, so the kitchen was designed around that, and I wanted deep drawers.'

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

Martin's dream was to have a range cooker, so the kitchen was planned around one. Shaker-style units in a pale blue green look timeless yet fresh

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

The pair agonised over the cabinetry style. ‘The old kitchen was so dark that I initially wanted something modern, clean and shiny,’ says Becks. ‘But then I realised it wouldn’t go with the age and style of the house. An in-frame Shaker style seemed more classic and timeless, while green is quite neutral and natural. It can also be re-sprayed in future.’

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

A lot of thought went into planning the open-plan space. ‘Martin is really precise,’ says Becks. ‘He drew everything out in chalk on the floor, including furniture. It was really helpful being able to visualise how big the island should be.’

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Before

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

The dining room used to be accessed via an archway from the living area.

(Image credit: Becks and Martin Huntley)

After

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

Sofa, Swoon. Art prints, Desenio and Fy! Cushions, Next, Homesense and H&M Home. Panelling painted in Shaded White, Farrow & Ball

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Opening up the dining room – previously accessed via an archway from the living area – has also been a game changer. ‘A window was blocked up here to better zone the space and create a dining nook,’ says Becks. ‘We’d always wanted a built-in seating area that could fit a lot of people around.’

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

‘Colour blocking was a quick, cheap and effective way to zone this area and make the pendant lights stand out, while the hanging plants soften it,’ says Becks. Stripe painted in Red 03, Lick. Lighting, Nkuku. Hanging planters, Amazon. Table and chairs, Barker & Stonehouse. Cushions, H&M Home

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Becks studying for a Diploma in Interior Design during the build also came in handy. ‘I made lots of mood boards and it made me think about the different colours and textures I liked,’ she says. ‘We did loads of travelling before we had kids, and Martin grew up in South Africa, so we’ve always liked rustic styles and pieces from different parts of the world – things that aren’t too matchy matchy.’

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

'I wanted to put some of the old features back in and create a focal point, so this period fireplace from a reclamation yard was perfect,’ says Becks. ‘The wardrobes were already there, which was a bonus.’ Mirror, Argos. Wallpaper, Warner House

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

Walls painted in Denim Drift, Dulux. Green throw, Homesense 

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

'I love the wall colour – it works well with green and botanicals,’ says Becks. ‘The shelf and wall hanging are both handmade.’ Bed, Barker & Stonehouse. Bedside table, Maisons du Monde. Cushions, H&M Home and Asda. Lantern, Debenhams. Walls painted in Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

For a similar desk, try Swoon. For a chair, try Cult Furniture

(Image credit: Katie Lee)

Despite a hiccup when the utility room floor had to be dug up and relevelled, the eight-week build went to schedule. However, the joinery took another eight weeks due to Covid and supply shortages. ‘It was horrendous,’ says Becks. ‘We had 14 weeks with no kitchen so we used a hob in the utility, washed up in the bath and kept our food in the living room.'

Before

Becks and Martin Huntley spent time at the planning stage for at the planning stage for a better use of space in their renovation

‘The utility room had no built-in units before and was a dumping ground,’ says Becks.

(Image credit: Becks and Martin Huntley)

After

Becks and Martin Huntley spent time at the planning stage for at the planning stage for a better use of space in their renovation

 ‘We blocked up the old window into the kitchen to accommodate the new units.’ Units, shelf and sink, Easturn. Tap, Perrin & Rowe. Prints, Homesense and Fy! Baskets, Ikea

(Image credit: Katie Lee)
Contacts

Kitchen Eastburn Kitchens
Woodburner installation Greg Charles

Becks would love to build a pod where she can run workshops on how to approach interiors projects. ‘It pays off to put the hard work in at the beginning and plan the space in detail, down to the colour palette and style of furniture,’ she advises. ‘And you don’t have to extend to get the home you want, either. We have so much more space as the thick stone walls we took out were about half a metre wide.’

Before

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

With a bulky double sink unit and mouldy carpet, the main en suite was in dire need of a revamp.

(Image credit: Becks and Martin Huntley)

After

Becks and Martin Huntley took time at the planning stages to ensure the best use of space in their renovation

A vanity unit made from scaffold boards and concrete-effect wall tiles give this room a rustic, industrial look. Vanity unit, Simply Bathroom Furniture. Hudson Reed basin, Victorian Plumbing, is similar. Berkeley floor tiles in Slate Blue, Topps Tiles. Jute rug, Surrey Style. Mirror, Maisons du Monde

(Image credit: Katie Lee)
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