Modern Move

Martin Holland and Mark Walters embarked on a creative makeover to bring contemporary style to their period home

From the outside, Martin Holland and Mark Walters’ red-brick semi looks just like its neighbouring properties – however, take a step through the front door and the similarities end. Together, the couple have rearranged the space, knocked down walls and installed their own striking design innovations, turning an ordinary house into a unique home.

‘While house hunting, we weren’t looking for a particular type,’ says Martin. ‘We like different periods and styles, so it was all about the potential to create something interesting and individual.’ They viewed several options before spotting the perfect property – a Victorian semi on a quiet street. The house was under offer, but a few weeks later the sale fell through, so the couple snapped it up. ‘We wanted a project, and this was ideal,’ says Martin. ‘The house was liveable, but needed a complete overhaul.’

Apart from the recently refurbished bathroom, the rooms were bare, and the only remaining period feature was some cornicing in the hall and sitting room. The kitchen was damp, the floors were mismatched, the windows draughty and the decor throughout was thoroughly old-fashioned.

During the weeks it took to secure the property, Martin and Mark, who together run MartinMark Design, fine-tuned their ideas, forming an ambitious plan to carry out a wall-to-wall redesign in each room. ‘We were aiming for an open-plan feel, with plenty of light,’ says Martin. ‘We wanted a blend of classic and contemporary, but there had to be a unique edge.’