Studio Makin

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Studio Makin, Interior design studio, Chapel Allerton.

Approachable interior design services across Yorkshire and the U.K by Leah Makin, creating timeless, comfortable homes that support daily life, balancing function, warmth, and modern charm.

05/06/2026

Today is World Environment Day, and there’s nothing more wholesome and special than nature. 🌿

Growing up a farmer’s daughter meant I felt extra close to it all, the seasons and how important they were. I think that’s why I love to incorporate organic, natural living materials into my designs. Whether that is a beautiful piece of natural stone that will age gracefully with your family, raw timber textures, or simply making the absolute most of the natural light in a room. It grounds a space and makes it feel instantly restorative.

Projects featured: Rodenrijs Residence | Rijswijk Residence
Designs | .makin

21/05/2026

There is just something so delightful about coming home to your favourite place. That safe sanctuary, the cosy corner, the exact spot where you curl your feet up and nibble away on a cheeky evening snack. That is exactly why I am so passionate about designing layered, inviting spaces that encourage you to just grab a seat and instantly exhale.

When I’m designing a living room, I have a few non-negotiables for achieving that ultimate relaxed feel. First, it is all about the soft furnishings, I always look to layer throws and cushions with beautifully varying textures to make the space feel tactile and warm. Second, I have a strict ‘drink rest’ rule: I always aim to ensure every single seat has a surface within arm’s reach to safely pop down a drink.

And of course, lighting plays a massive part in setting that evening mood. Instead of relying on overhead lighting, I always look to layer the room with a mix of floor or reading lamps, ambient table lamps, and soft wall lights. I also absolutely love using those brilliant little portable lamps to add a warm glow to shelving and coffee tables.

Project | Rodenrijs Residence

15/05/2026

With Hop City festival kicking off today, it felt like the perfect excuse to look back at my design collaboration on The Northern Market.

If you’re heading to the Hop City after-party this weekend, or if you're just ever in Leeds and fancy a cracking pint alongside some incredible street food, you need to get yourselves down to Great George Street to the .

This underground bar and food market was such a fun one to work on. The design was inspired by all things heritage: taking cues from classic Victorian markets (which Leeds obviously does best), a dose of beer nostalgia, and a moody hint of a New York speakeasy.

We brought that vibe to life using rich heritage colours, embracing the stunning original Yorkshire stone floors, and layering in timeless, hard-wearing materials like brick-lay tiles, aged leather, and classic brass details.

My Tip: Make sure you take a second to admire the tile work and brass detailing while you're waiting at the bar for your pint. 🍻

Project | The Northern Market
Photo | Leeds List

13/05/2026

The bathroom vanity was finally installed this week, and it got me thinking about that age-old design dilemma: which material do you actually choose?

When it comes to bathroom renovations, the vanity worktop is one area where I always say it is absolutely worth the splurge. The material you choose completely dictates the feel and function of the room. But how do you actually choose between a natural stone and a man-made composite?

I’ve broken down everything you need to know about Marble vs. Quartz - from maintenance and aesthetics to the environmental impact.

Swipe across to read the breakdown. I’d love to know, are you someone who embraces the living finish and patina of natural stone, or do you prefer the total peace of mind that comes with a composite?

07/05/2026

With everything outside finally coming into bloom, it felt like the perfect moment to share one of the design concepts for the master bedroom of the Voorburg project, based over in The Hague.

When designing a primary bedroom for a busy family home, the goal is always to create a space that feels like a true sanctuary, a calm place to exhale at the end of the day.

The entire scheme was rooted in this incredible 'Adam’s Eden' wallpaper by . There is a beautiful history behind this signature print: decorative artist Adam Calkin originally painted the design directly onto a wall in his own house. When Stephen Lewis visited and saw it, he was so struck by the artwork that he resolved right then and there to figure out a way to print wide wallpaper just to do it justice.

To balance the intricate botanical pattern and bring a subtle Edwardian influence to the room, I introduced soft blue painted wall panelling to add instant architectural depth. Against this calming backdrop, the furniture and finishes were chosen to add layers of comforting, refined texture. A gracefully curved headboard upholstered in a durable, earthy wool takes centre stage, flanked by contrasting oak nightstands with a beautiful reeded detail. To ground the space, a stunning William Morris rug, inspired by a 1890s John Henry Dearle design, ties the beige, gold, blue, and green tones of the room together perfectly.

This creates a deeply inviting retreat where classic heritage meets modern family living.

If you are planning a family home renovation and want to ensure every space is thoughtfully designed, layered, and built to stand the test of time, I would love to help bring your vision to life. Head to the link in my bio to explore my interior design services.

Project | Voorburg Family Home

05/05/2026

I absolutely love how this dedicated dressing area came together for the Rijswijk project.

In the initial brief, my client mentioned she had always dreamt of having a simple, well-lit vanity to do her makeup and dry her hair. When reviewing the original floor plan, the existing wardrobes ran almost up to the window. By pulling the cabinetry back and borrowing just a fraction of that footprint, I was able to carve out this bespoke nook.

Positioned right next to the window, it benefits from the most beautiful natural light. We integrated a deep drawer to hide the hairdryer and makeup, plus a dedicated power source, creating a lovely, calm corner for getting ready before work or heading out for the evening.

Project | Rijswijk Residence

02/05/2026

The hardest design decisions are always the ones you make for your own home.

If you caught the first episode of my bathroom renovation series on YouTube, you may have heard me chatting towards the end about selecting the paint colours. This must have been one of the longest design choices to sign off on.

I initially wanted to use COAT paints having missed out on trying their products while living in the Netherlands. But once the hard finishes were confirmed, I started pulling the creamy, slightly pink tones from our Mandarin Stone tumbled limestone floors and found myself heavily leaning towards Farrow & Ball (Oxford Stone, Joa’s White, Jitney, and Archive were all on the shortlist).

They are all beautiful colours, but I quickly realised they were going to read far too warm against the grey tiles in such a small space. So, I scrapped the shortlist, came full circle, and returned to my original plan with Coat.

The final palette:

✷ Walls: ‘Duvet Day’ (a modern beige with a touch of grey) in an eggshell finish.

✷ Ceiling: ‘Safe Play’ (a sandy off-white) in a soft sheen finish.

✷ Woodwork: ‘Well Grounded’ (a light biscuity beige) on the door and skirting, also in an eggshell finish.

I couldn’t be happier with the results, but it truly shows that it always pays off to buy and test samples before making any big commitments.

Project | Three Pastures (In Progress)

29/04/2026

Living through a renovation quickly teaches you the value of carving out a quiet space to decompress. When the house feels extra chaotic, and the budget is entirely focused on the project, creating mindful moments doesn’t require a costly escape or a perfectly finished sanctuary.

Here are six simple, accessible ways I am currently finding a little calm amidst the dust:

1. Meditation:
Taking a few minutes for deep breathing makes a world of difference. Apps like Calm, Headspace, and Medito make this incredibly accessible, and there are some excellent free options built right into the Apple Watch.

2. Time in nature:
Getting away from the house, even just for a simple 30-minute walk, completely shifts my mood, reduces stress, and clears the renovation fog.

3. Yoga and stretching:
Rolling out a mat for some gentle Pilates or yoga helps create a true body-mind connection. I have used Deliciously Ella’s Feel Better app in the past, and currently turn to Apple Fitness to help me reconnect and stretch out tired muscles.

4. Creative focus:
Stepping away from screens and floor plans. Whether it is painting, writing, or simply getting lost in an adult colouring book, finding a low-stakes creative outlet helps the mind switch off from decision fatigue.

5. Calming soundscapes:
A quiet Spotify playlist or nature sounds can instantly change the atmosphere of a room. And when the site noise gets a bit much, my are an absolute non-negotiable.

6. Daily gratitude:
It is so easy to say we don’t have the time, but carving out five minutes with my morning coffee to use my journal keeps everything in perspective.

Creating mindful moments is simply about taking time for yourself and being present, no matter what state your home is currently in. How do you find a little solace at the end of a busy week?

22/04/2026

For the past few weeks, I have been quietly filming a new, slightly nerve-wracking project: a mini video series taking you behind the scenes of Studio Makin, starting with my own home.

Welcome to our bathroom renovation. 🛁

My clients trust me to bring their visions to life, but navigating a project for yourself, especially when an unexpected leak forces your hand and your budget, is an entirely different reality. I wanted to create this series to share exactly what goes into creating a space, from the CAD drawings and material sourcing to the inevitable messy middle of demolition and finally to the finished space.

It is also a bit of a personal step for me. I am finally stepping out from behind the laptop to share my face, the reality of my own home, and my (very prominent) Yorkshire accent with you all.

This series is a completely unfiltered look at the design process. The highs, the budget constraints, the dust, and everything in between.

I’m a bit nervous, but incredibly excited for you to see it.

Part One goes live on the Studio Makin YouTube channel tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM. Make sure you are subscribed via the link in my bio so you don’t miss it, and be sure to grab yourself a glass of red to enjoy it with. 🍷

renovationjourney leedsinteriordesign bathroomdesign

21/04/2026

One to definitely save for your next bathroom project 🛁

Take a scroll through my basin tap recommendations. As with most things, when it comes to bathroom hardware, the sheer volume of options can feel completely overwhelming. So, I’ve pulled together a lovely little shortlist of the brands and basin taps I would happily recommend to clients.

Which one is catching your eye the most? And the trickiest question is, are you an unlacquered brass, brushed brass, or a nickel fan?

Address

Chapel Allerton

Website

http://www.makin.studio/bio

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Studio Makin posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Studio Makin:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Interior Service in Chapel Allerton?