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0:00:20 > 0:00:21- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23- We've reached 2005.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26- Only by looking back - through the archives...
0:00:26 > 0:00:30- ..did we realize - how many artists we have visited.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- Creative imaginations - may help create great homes.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39- We have three examples of that, - starting in Betws Gwerful Goch.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- This is Tremafon, - Betws Gwerful Goch...
0:00:52 > 0:00:57- ..the home of Steffan Jones-Hughes, - Jeanette Orrell, his wife...
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- ..and Honey and Ellie, - their children.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22- Although born in Bangor, - I hadn't lived in Wales until 2003.
0:01:23 > 0:01:29- We moved here from Wigan, - in the north-west of England.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- I have strong links - with North Wales.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- My grandmother lived in Porthmadog - for years.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- After moving here...
0:01:40 > 0:01:46- ..I learnt that my grandfather's - family comes from Gwyddelwern.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- Gwyddelwern is just - over the mountain from here.
0:01:52 > 0:01:58- I feel as though - I've come back home to my roots.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- Why did you move - to Betws Gwerful Goch?
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- My work brought us here.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13- I run the Regional Print Centre - at Yale College, Wrexham.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- It was very important to me - to come home to Wales.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- One of the first things I did - when we moved here...
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- ..was to go to Welsh lessons - at the college.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- It's very important to me.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37- The Welsh language - is part of my heritage.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- I have become - a bit of a born-again Welshman!
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- What sort of atmosphere is there - in the house, Steffan?
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- We wanted to create - a calm atmosphere in the house.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- We want it to be a cosy place, - where we can think.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- We love the fireplace - in the living room.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- We also love the view.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40- I can sit here for hours, - watching the weather change.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- What about the colours you've used?
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- They're calm colours, aren't they?
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- They're calm colours, aren't they?- - Yes. We chose muted colours.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58- We like light blue, grey - and white with a hint of grey.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01- They're calming colours.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- Which is your favourite room?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Which is your favourite room?- - The kitchen is my favourite room.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11- The Aga keeps it warm and cosy.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- I can sit at the table - reading, drawing...
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- ..and helping the children - with their homework.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- Sometimes, I just sit here - to think and listen to music.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- It feels like a home to us - - me and my family.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- I'm very happy.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- Artists Iorwen James - and Jack Crabtree...
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- ..live in this gem of a house - in the Nantlle valley.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- It has a fascinating history.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25- This version of the house - dates back to 1547.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35- Apparently, it was built on the site - of a hunting lodge used by Edward I.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- He used it in the age - where he had castles in this area.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- This house has a long history.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50- It's the oldest house - in the valley.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55- Imagine how the valley looked - before the quarries were opened.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01- It must have been even lovelier - before the other houses were built.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- I have a passion for houses.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- Organizing things - gives me great pleasure.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- I enjoy striking the right balance.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- You don't throw things out - - you find the right place for it?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Jack would throw everything out!
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- If an object is an heirloom - or a gift, it means something...
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- ..and it becomes important to me.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- I wanted to add a lot of colour - to the walls.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- The dining room - is next door to the kitchen.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- There are some unusual pieces - of furniture in here.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01- Take these 1930s chairs - and this farmhouse dining table.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06- The variety of styles in here - create that shabby chic look.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- This is the extension - on the extension.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- Until the 20th century, - the house ended here.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- This is the kitchen - - what they call a galley kitchen.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- The crockery is on display - on this dresser...
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- ..which Iorwen - had made for her recently.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Everything you need to cook food - and wash up after you've eaten it...
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- ..is found on the opposite side.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- It's an extension on the extension, - but it works really well...
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- ..because of the way - it has been furnished.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- If you had to leave this house, - what would you miss most?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Lots of things.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- I'd miss the house - and I'd miss living in this area.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- I'd miss the studio space. - It works really well.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- It took 20 years for Stephen West - and Shani Rhys James...
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- ..to create their home - in Montgomeryshire.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- Their home is an extension - of their artistic creativity.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14- We moved to this house - in the summer of 1985.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- We actually bought it in 1984.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- We lived in London - and had young children at the time.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32- We didn't feel that London - was a good place to raise them.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- Shani found the house.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- We decided to buy it - because it's in a rural idyll.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- This is a beautiful valley.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- The barn was also attractive.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- We're artists and we need studios.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- The barn is a good place - to have artists' studios.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- Wow!
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- There's a sense - of tranquillity here.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- You can almost hear the silence.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- It's wonderful to hear your feet - thud on the slate floor.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- I can hear the birds singing.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- This is a lived-in house.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- It's pointless to stuff your house - with antiques...
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- ..unless you can live there.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- Everything in this room - is here to be used.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- Everything has been given - a new lease of life...
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- ..to preserve this house's ambience.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- I love the personal touches, - such as the murals.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- There's even a perfect - nestling place for an Aga...
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- ..in the chimney, - beneath this lovely beam.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- It's a modern house - which is traditional in spirit.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- There was hardly any plumbing - in the house when we bought it.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16- There was just one tap.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- To give us some 20th century - creature comforts...
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- ..we did a lot of work to the house.
0:11:25 > 0:11:31- There were flat panelled doors here - and we had a Victorian fireplace.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- We took the house back in time...
0:11:37 > 0:11:42- ..and used materials - such as slate, oak and marble.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- Shani's family moved house - around 20 times.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- My family also moved around a lot.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- We wanted to create - a stable family home.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25- We raised the children here - over a period of 21 years.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- Our family history - lies within these four walls.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- We created studios in the barn - and we created a garden.
0:12:41 > 0:12:49- We've created a practical lifestyle, - in contemporary rural Wales.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- It was a solid foundation - for our family to grow up in.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Since we've lived in Dol Pebyll...
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- ..I feel Dol Pebyll - has become a part of our family.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- We're part of Dol Pebyll.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- I truly believe that.
0:13:20 > 0:13:20- .
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0:13:29 > 0:13:30- Welcome back.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- The next two homes - are in urban Cardiff.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- One is an unfussy - modern stable conversion.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- The other is Lowri Jones's - terraced house in Splott.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- What attracted you to Splott?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- The fact that people - don't choose to live here!
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- That's what I found attractive.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- I want to be able to pop - to the Co-op in my slippers...
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- ..and have no-one recognize me.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- I pop out, in my slippers - with no make-up, and nobody cares.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17- Moving to Splott gave me a chance - to experience the real Cardiff.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- I may not live in Cardiff forever.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- Houses are relatively cheap - in Splott.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- I had much more for my money.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- The first thing I had to do - was clean the house.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- I'm a good Welsh girl, raised - by a mother who loves to clean.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- We scrubbed the house - from top to bottom.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- Once it was clean, - I decorated it from top to bottom.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- I got rid of the dark colours.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- I'm always tempted - to go over the top.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- I'd have turned it into a boudoir, - with red and gold everywhere!
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- I knew I couldn't do that...
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- ..because I wanted - to hang pictures on the walls.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10- I couldn't afford new furniture, - so I had to work with what I had.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- I painted it in neutral shades - and took it from there.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- This is the result.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- I know what I like. If I like - something, I really like it.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- When I moved here, - I wanted to create a home.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- I wanted to come home from work...
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- ..to a house - that felt cosy and welcoming.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- I wanted to feel safe in my home.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42- That's why I knew I didn't want - a modern, minimalist house.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- I also knew exactly what I did want.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46- I love the 1950s.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- It's a sort of nostalgia, - I suppose.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- As a child, I spent a lot of time - at my granny's house.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- I wanted to include - elements of her house here...
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- ..and to add a touch of glamour - here and there.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- I love wallpaper.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- I've always loved wallpaper.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- My parents are fans of wallpaper.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- It's warm in an old house.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18- Wallpaper adds warmth.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- I was tempted - to plaster the whole room with it.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- I love it. If I could, - I'd make a dress out of it.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- I adore it.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- Originally, - I only did the alcoves.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- I then realized that it had - to go across the chimney breast.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- I decided to leave it there - and just enjoy that wall.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47- The room would have been too dark - had I covered all the walls in it.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52- I wanted to use this room - during the day and in the evenings.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- How often do you use this room?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- I use this room almost every day.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- There's something quite lovely - and decadent...
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- ..about starting the day - the right way.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- A tablecloth, nice china, - coffee and croissants.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- That's how I start the day, - if at all possible.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- I often have breakfast in here.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- I love to sit here - for a bit of peace and quiet.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- It's a lovely room - and I'm surrounded by pretty things.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- I dine in this room - almost every day.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- Even when I was single, - I'd come home and eat in here.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- That was pure indulgence.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- I may have been on my own...
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- ..but that didn't mean - I had to let my standards slip.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- I'd come in here, have a nice meal - and just enjoy myself.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55- It's a well-used room.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- A dining room - is a wonderful asset.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- I'd recommend it to everyone.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- I love this house. - It meets all my needs.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- It ticks every single box.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- I enjoy buying items for the house - and I love collecting things.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- The day will come - when it will be too small for me.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- Having said that, if I live here - for the rest of my life...
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- ..I'll be happy.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33- Since I've moved here, - I've had nothing but good times.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Who could ask for anything more?
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- Cardiff has been transformed - in recent years.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- Areas such as Grangetown - have seen great changes.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- Film director Marc Evans - lives in Grangetown.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- His father, who's an architect...
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- ..helped Marc turn an old stable - into a contemporary home.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- I moved in here before I bought it.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- I grew to love - the feel of the place.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- It wasn't in good condition, - but I liked the ambience.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- The remains of several parties - are deeply ingrained in the walls.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- It had plenty of character, - but it was a mess.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- What was this place originally?
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- What was this place originally?- - It was a stable.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- Locals remember the mayor's car - in the garage downstairs.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03- The ground floor was a garage, - with a flat on the first floor.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- It was an original party flat, - but the shape was all wrong.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13- The bedrooms were in the front, - the living room was at the back...
0:20:13 > 0:20:17- ..and the stairs - led from the alleyway.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- We just changed the shape.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- The important thing - was to have natural light flood in.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- My father was the architect - who drew up the plans.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- He realized that the front - is the best side of the building.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35- That's why we moved the staircase.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- It made it possible - to exploit the space.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- There are no supporting walls - in the building, which is a bonus.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48- The beam going across here - allows you to open up the space.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- I had reservations about working - on my home with my father...
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- ..but he's experienced - and it was great.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- His obsessions - lay in unpredictable areas!
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- I thought he'd have set ideas - about the aesthetics.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33- He didn't express an opinion. - He went with me, as his client.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- I got what I wanted.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- My father's obsessions - include a leaning towards white.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42- He's a modernist, really.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- He's a great fan of modernism, - so white is the colour of choice...
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- ..unless you have - any strong objections.
0:21:51 > 0:21:59- The black detail around the doors - and the internal glazing...
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- ..are prominent features - of my father's style.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- You must respect the materials - already present in a house.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- With the brickwork, - we couldn't strip away the paint...
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- ..because there were - too many thick layers.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- The best option - was to paint it white.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- We left the pipes exposed - and respected the building's shape.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- The one thing we don't have - is a garden...
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- ..but you can go for a lovely walk - along the riverbank in Grangetown.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- We can walk to town from here.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- We're part of the city - without being in the city centre.
0:22:41 > 0:22:47- There are flats going up everywhere, - but cities evolve and I accept that.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- Nia and I - are the yuppies of this street.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58- That's part and parcel of a city's - development and regeneration.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- Having said that...
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- ..I think it's honourable to put - money and time into a building.
0:23:05 > 0:23:12- This is a street which has changed - and which will continue to change.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- I worked with my father - to adapt this building.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- I now live here - with my girlfriend.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- It's a happy home - and that's wonderful.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones