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0:00:19 > 0:00:22- Welcome to the 04Wal archives.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27- Over the years, more people - are redesigning their houses.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- The contributors to this programme - take design seriously.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- We start with Shan James.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05- Shan James is an interior designer.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- When she bought - this top floor flat in Penarth...
0:01:09 > 0:01:14- ..it gave her scope to display - her design skills in her own home.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- What attracted you to this flat?
0:01:20 > 0:01:21- What attracted you to this flat?- - The view.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- Look out of the window - - it never stays the same.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- It was a sunny day - when I saw it for the first time.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30- I had to have it.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- It needed a lot of work, - but it had great potential.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- That's important to me.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- I didn't know this place existed.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44- I lived in Penarth - before I moved here.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- It's so quiet and so private.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- The view is stunning as well.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52- I was very lucky to find it.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- There was nothing in this room.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01- There was a cheap and nasty - orange laminate floor.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- There was a door in the middle, - which we moved.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10- We put in another kitchen - next door as a utility room.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12- It's our mess room, really.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- The bathrooms had been done - but not to a very high standard.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19- We changed the flooring in them.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- I think the place works really well.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- It's like a huge cave - - one room leading to another.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- It must be harder to design - your own home than a client's house.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- Yes, it's definitely harder.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57- I'm a regular visitor to London - and I see the new designer ranges.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- I want to incorporate them all - in my home.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- I have to hold myself back, - take a step back and think about it.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- I also live with it for a while.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- This flat is your calling card, - as a designer.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- Yes, that's true.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- I'm delighted to have been able - to make my mark on this flat.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- It's turned out really well.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- When clients come here, - they can see what I like...
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- ..and they see what I'm all about.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- We can then take it from there.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- How does it feel - to live in this flat?
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- It's great.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- If I were married, with kids, - it would be different...
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- ..but it's perfect for me.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- I enjoy coming back here - to relax at the end of a long day.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- I chill out completely - when I'm here.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- It's my haven, really.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- With a window like that, - you can show off all your assets!
0:04:04 > 0:04:06- I could, but I try not to!
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- A stone's throw - from Covent Garden, London...
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- ..Dorian Bowen has found a sanctuary - from the city's hustle and bustle.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- It isn't the world's biggest flat, - but small is beautiful.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03- There are eight flats in the block.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- They haven't been converted.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- They were built - as flats originally.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- Even as far back as 100 years ago...
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- ..people capitalized - on high land prices.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- The layout of the flat - makes the most of the space.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- The bathroom and the kitchen - are small.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- I haven't knocked down walls - or made big alterations.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- There was nothing to be gained - from doing so.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Even so, a lot of work - has been done.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- The whole flat has been replastered.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- The walls and the ceilings.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- A wooden floor - has been laid in every room.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54- I also built cupboards - to store the things I use every day.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- That gave me the opportunity - to simplify the whole flat.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- There's less clutter here.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05- London life is fast.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- It's speeding up, - rather than slowing down.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- It's good to come home - to a clean, neat and tidy flat.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- This is the only colourful room - in the flat.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- The rest is very white.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- I watch television or read - in this room in the evenings.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- I wanted it to be different - from the other rooms.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- I didn't want the whole flat - to be white.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- This room feels totally different - from the others.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- The design in the rest of the flat - is very simple...
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- ..with a few dramatic twists.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- Yes. That's what works best here.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- If you keep it simple...
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- ..you can introduce items - that alter the whole mood.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- You only need one or two pieces - of furniture...
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- ..or a floral arrangement - to transform a room.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- There's an enormous stag's head - above the bed.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- I was at a party one Saturday night.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09- A friend told me they were having - a stock clearance at a shop.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- It was called The Scotch House, - in Knightsbridge.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- I went there the next day - and I chose a few items.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- They included the stag's head.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- Putting it above the bed - is a strong statement!
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- What are you trying to tell us?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- It's been there for a while.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- I sleep much better - than I did the first night!
0:08:37 > 0:08:42- The bathroom has character, - thanks to the use of light.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- There's an old frieze - above the bath.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- A friend of mine makes friezes.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- He found old moulds of the - Elgin Marbles at the British Museum.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- They had been thrown in a skip.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- He collected these old moulds - and now he sells them.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- I have one of the Elgin Marbles - in my bathroom!
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- The tricky thing about the kitchen - is including essentials...
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- ..such as a cooker - and a washing machine.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- It's hard to find a cupboard - that can house them all.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31- I worked around the white goods - when I had the cupboards built.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- That has given me - good storage space in the kitchen.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- I used stainless steel - to give the kitchen clean lines.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- I feel safe in this block.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- I enjoy living in a block - where you see other people around.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- We look out for each other. - There's a sense of community here.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- We all sit outside in summer.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- I enjoy living here.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- It enables me to walk - around central London.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41- .
0:10:44 > 0:10:44- 888
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- 888- - 888
0:10:49 > 0:10:50- Welcome back to 2006.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- The next two houses featured - were redesigned in a dynamic way.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- One is a South Wales farmhouse.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- The other is a monochrome house - in the Vale of Glamorgan.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16- This house, near Cardiff, belongs - to Ffion Elinor, Lee, her partner...
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- ..and Mali, their daughter.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25- Designers Ffion and Lee - transformed this unusual house...
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- ..into a tasteful family home.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- We've been here for about a year.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- It was a long process.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- We moved in and lived here - while the alterations were made.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- It was hard work.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- We couldn't do anything - until Mali had gone to bed.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- We had many late nights - when we were working on it.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- When you live in a house...
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- ..you know what works - and what's needed.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- The house had bags of character.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- I liked having two rooms - on different levels.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- We have a spacious front room.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- The high ceilings also appeal to us.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- We knew we could do something here.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- It was exciting - to start from scratch.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- The best thing we've done...
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- ..is to decide - to stick to two colours.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- We painted the whole house white, - to give us a white canvas.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- We then bought the furniture - for the front room...
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- ..and the black and white chairs.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- It looked so stunning in the room - that we stuck to a monochrome theme.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- Restricting the colours - made it easier.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- The fact we only shopped - for black and white items...
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- ..led to fewer arguments!
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- You're both designers, - but I'm sure your tastes differ.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- Was it a smooth process?
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- Lee came home from work to see - I'd put something on the wall!
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- He didn't have the energy - to take it down.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- That's how we made decisions!
0:13:27 > 0:13:32- Like the other rooms, I wanted - a feature wall in the kitchen.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- I was keen to do something in here.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- It was a last-minute thing.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- I'd been searching for wallpaper - and I found a sample of this paper.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- I showed it to Lee - and he wasn't sure about it.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52- Before Lee knew what had hit him, - half the paper was on the wall!
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- I really loved it.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- It injects some additional character - into the kitchen.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Leave the kitchen - via the central hallway...
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- ..and to your left - is the dining room.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- The monochrome theme - is in evidence...
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- ..but this room feels - slightly different from the others.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Yes, that's true.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- I wanted a slightly grander feel, - as this is the formal dining room.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- We eat in here in the evenings.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- I wanted a room that could - transport us to another place.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- The black wall - has worked quite well.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- I think it's very inviting.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01- There's a mixture of styles in here. - It's very eclectic.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- That's precisely what I like.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- This is the lounge, - the largest room in the house.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- This is the room we tackled first.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- We had to buy new furniture - for this room.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- We didn't own anything - that was big enough.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33- We knew this sofa would fit in here.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- That was our first purchase.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- We found the check chairs - in the same shop and I love them.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- The floor is wonderful. - I've never seen such long blocks.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- This is the original floor. - I love the colour too.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- Do you spend a lot of time in here?
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- Yes, although we spend - most of our time in the playroom.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- We have a big television in here, - so this is where we watch films.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06- It's also where we bring guests - because it's always clean and tidy.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Like some sort of parlour?
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- Yes, that's right.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- When my parents visit, - we come in here.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- If you could change something, - what would it be?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- I'm not interested in redecorating.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- I'd rather move to a new house - and make a fresh start.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- I'd rather move house - than redecorate this one...
0:16:44 > 0:16:46- ..and have a bit of colour!
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- We won't have - so much black and white next time.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- We're familiar with the rows - of terraced houses in the valleys.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- Far above the noise and grime - of the industry...
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- ..houses like Cefn Pennar Uchaf - were built.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- Roland Powell and Ralph Sanders, - his partner...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- ..moved from Cardiff - to Cefn Pennar Uchaf.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- Following lots of hard work, - the house is now their home.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- I've enjoyed seeing the house - come back to life.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- The house was in an awful state, - but it had great potential.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00- I enjoyed breathing new life into it - and letting the light back in.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- We warmed it up - and filled it with nice things.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Where did you start - the renovation project?
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- We had to get the water - and electricity fully functional.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- The whole house was rewired.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- There was no proper bathroom - so we had to create one.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- We wanted a toilet, a basin - and a bath in one room.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36- We started in the attic - and worked our way down.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- We laid new floors, hung doors - and decorated the rooms.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- How did you go about - designing the interior?
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- We didn't design it, as such.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- We'd start with an item - of furniture or a painting...
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- ..and took it from there.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- We kept working - until the room was finished.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- It's easy - you need confidence.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- Put something in a room, - decide that it works...
0:19:11 > 0:19:12- ..and it will work.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- This is a very contemporary kitchen.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- Yes, although the floor - is traditional.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- It had to be easy to clean - and practical.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- I like the fact - that you can walk around.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39- There's plenty of room here.
0:19:39 > 0:19:45- It was so spacious that we decided - to install an island unit.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- When we're cooking dinner - for our friends, it's great.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- We can talk to each other - while we prepare the food.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- It's better than cooking - on the edge of a room.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- The island was a great decision.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27- We leave the kitchen and walk down - the hall, to the front of the house.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29- That's wonderful.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- You enjoy a wonderful view - of the valley through this window.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- Yes, it's an unusual touch - in an old farmhouse.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- This was the first thing we noticed - when we viewed the house.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- It's a very light area - and the view is really great.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- Whoever built this house - must have been wealthy.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53- Yes, he was a farmer...
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- ..who wanted to show the world - how successful he was.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03- This banister is a sign - that the house is one of substance.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Did the stairs require any work?
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- No, we just painted them.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13- The spindles were alternate green - and red, and took a lot of painting!
0:21:15 > 0:21:16- Tell me about this floor.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- We changed it because we wanted - something traditional.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- These are similar - to the original tiles.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- They're beautiful - and they catch the light.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- Let's look at the lounge.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- This is a warm colour.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- Yes, we wanted - a warm, welcoming colour.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- We chose this shade of red - because it's such a warm colour.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- We also put a red stain - on the floor.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- It's old-fashioned, but also modern.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- We painted the ceiling brown, - but it was too much.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02- It felt as if we were in a box!
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- You've surrounded yourselves - with pictures.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- There's a small collection - of Josef Herman paintings there.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- He did a lot of work - in the South Wales valleys.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- He painted coal miners - and local people.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- The John Elwyn picture in the corner - is my favourite.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- It reminds me of my grandparents.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34- There's nothing higher - than your navel in this room!
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- In addition to the kitchen - and the lounge...
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- ..the ground floor - has a dining room and a music room.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Have you formed - an emotional bond with the house?
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- Yes, I think so.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08- We haven't been here long...
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- ..but I'm usually itching to move - straight away.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- I can't imagine moving from here.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- The view is great - and the house is so alive.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones