Interiors: unlikely object of desire – in pictures

Persistence can pay off. When Bev Carolan, 38, and her husband Paul, 42, married 12 years ago, they spotted a derelict three-storey Georgian town house for sale, close to the centre of their home town of Wigan. “We wanted to buy it but just couldn’t afford it,” Carolan says. “It was years before we finally had enough money, and then it wasn’t for sale.” The couple spent seven months trying to find the owner of the property, and another five convincing him to sell. “We wore him down in the end,” she says. The living and dining room epitomises the couple’s mix and match style. The sofa and lights above the dining table are from Ikea – the sofa recovered in wool from Abraham Moon in Leeds. The Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs are from the Conran Shop, and the table was a school science bench, from Bullet. Photograph: Lee Garland for the Guardian

The pair bought the house in April 2005, for £130,000. It had stood empty for 20 years and had a large tree growing in the kitchen. Eight months and £85,000 later, the space was transformed. The coffee table was a leather-topped executive desk in a former life. The couple cut off the legs and set it on casters. The painting, which was a gift from the artist, is by Derek Jolly. The red urn was a junk shop find and the standing lamp is a 60s vintage. Photograph: Lee Garland for the Guardian

“Our style is quite Danish and retro,” says Carolan – who works part-time as an interior designer (room-interiordesign.co.uk). The 50s-style sunburst clock is from Heals and the dresser is an eBay find. Photograph: Lee Garland for the Guardian

The view through to study. On the left is a painted, mdf bespoke unit housing the stereo.  Photograph: Lee Garland for the Guardian

In the bathroom, Timorous Beasties’ Thistle wallpaper was the starting point for the design. “I saw the wallpaper in a bar in Manchester and based the rest of the room on it. The look I was going for is rough luxe.” The sink sits on a table that was a junk shop find; Bev found the taps on eBay. “They’re from an old hospital.”  Photograph: Lee Garland for the Guardian

The master bedroom is painted a dark grey (Steel Symphony from Dulux). The bedside lamps are Anglepoise and the mustard leather reclining chair is a vintage Guy Rogers. Photograph: Lee Garland for the Guardian

The walls are offset by a white-painted wood dresser and yellow lights from a vintage store in Manchester. Photograph: Lee Garland for the Guardian

The landing features an elegant Georgian handrail and birds on the far wall, hand-painted by Bev.  Photograph: Lee Garland for the Guardian