One of the most stylish homes in Ilkley is for sale

Serial renovator Mike Beatson-Smith can’t help but look for the next move.Wanderlust kicks in as soon as the last lick of paint has dried and the furniture and accessories meet with his high standards.This is good news for would-be buyers because over the years Mike, design director at Freemans, has left behind a trail of beautifully restored homes decorated in the best possible taste.Fortunately, his husband Brian and their daughter Scarlett have supported him in his perpetual quest for “the one” and have just agreed to flit so he can embark on another project.
Sharon Dale
By Sharon Dale
Published 1st Apr 2023, 05:30 BST

“It’s another ‘forever home’.” laughs Mike, who is buying his heart’s desire, a Grade II listed house in Ilkley in need of modernising.

That means the dated 1960s bungalow in Ilkley, which he transformed into a sensational des res, has just hit the market. The property on Victoria Avenue, Ilkley, is now for sale at £1.5m with Dale Eddison.

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The four bedroom home is unrecognisable from its former self after being extended front and rear. “We got planning permission to create a two-storey house but we were renting a bungalow at the time and realised how much we enjoyed single-storey living, so we altered the plans and extended out instead,” says Mike.

What was a dated bungalow is now a fabulous des resWhat was a dated bungalow is now a fabulous des res
What was a dated bungalow is now a fabulous des res

The exterior was clad in black, low-maintenance cladding from Canada and what was a tiled roof was swapped for a black metal one supplied by Catnic.

“The roof was expensive and I had to pay for the builder to go on a course on how to fit it but it’s low maintenance and guaranteed for 25 years, plus I like the look of it,” says Mike.

Inside is a lesson in how to maximise natural light and views and make the best use of space. Needless to say it is super stylish with walls in Farrow & Ball neutrals, which provide the perfect backdrop.

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The property has a utility/boot room and a laundry, three spacious double bedrooms with ensuites and a snug that could be a fourth bedroom and includes another ensuite and a separate shower room.

The sitting area in the open plan living spaceThe sitting area in the open plan living space
The sitting area in the open plan living space

The star of the show is the enormous open-plan living, kitchen and dining space with a small prep kitchen off it. Its full-height gable window floods the room with light and a picture window, strategically placed opposite the dining table, frames the plants and trees outside.

The house sits on a large plot a south west facing lawn with a decked seating area at the front and a lawn and seating area at the back. There is also a detached garage and a driveway.

Mike and Brian have climbed the property ladder by renovating houses and their next move will be their eighth in 23 years.

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“We bought our first house for £46,000 in a not so desirable area, did some work on it, sold it for a profit and traded up and carried on doing that every few years.

The kitchen in the open plan living spaceThe kitchen in the open plan living space
The kitchen in the open plan living space

“I think number eight will be the one but whatever happens we will be staying in Ilkley. We love it here. It’s got everything you could wish for”, says Mike.”

Contact Dale Eddison, tel: 01943 817642. Find Mike on Instagram at @behind_the_beech_hedge

Related topics:Ilkley