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0:00:19 > 0:00:21- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- We've now reached 2007 - in our trawl through our archives.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29- This programme takes us - to beautiful towns and villages.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32- Each one is different, - as are the houses.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34- We begin in Cowbridge.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- This is the story of two sisters - who live next door to each other.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50- Ten years ago, - Linda Adams and Hawys Pritchard...
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- ..left their commune in London - and moved back to Wales.
0:00:54 > 0:00:59- For the first three years, - they lived together in Linda's home.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- The cottage next door - then came on the market.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- Now, Hawys lives in Number 9 - and Linda lives in Number 10.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15- We wanted to come home to Wales - and we found a house in Cowbridge.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- We escaped from the commune - in Linda's house in London.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- The commune - had got a bit out of hand.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- We wanted some fun. - We wanted some peace and some fun.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34- We lived here for three years, - just the two of us, and we had fun.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37- Yes.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- Fortunately, the house next door - came on the market.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44- We bought it and I moved in there.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- We wanted to live near the sea...
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- ..but could only find bungalows - or huge houses.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08- We came to Cowbridge - to visit an estate agent's office.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- That's when we realized - what a lovely town this is.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18- I thought it was very pretty. - I wanted to live in an old house.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23- I like things that have been used - and that's why I loved this house.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- It's an 18th century house.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29- There were three houses here - originally.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34- There's a window - where the third front door stood.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- They may have been the outbuildings - of a long-gone mansion.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- I have a 19th century map, - but there's no reference to it.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- I didn't want to have to do - much work on the house.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- I did a lot of work - on the Muswell Hill house.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- I never want to do that again.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- I lived in a big house. - Friends lived on the top floor.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- They came to stay for a month, - while they bought a house.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13- Their sale fell through, - so they stayed with me.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- They actually stayed - for around ten years!
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- Good grief!
0:03:20 > 0:03:21- Good grief!- - Yes.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- I've mentioned the people - who lived with me in Muswell Hill.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- Take a look at some of the things - they made for me.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- First, the leek cupboard.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43- Tim made the cupboard and Jane, - his partner, painted the leek.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49- Because you were moving to Wales?
0:03:49 > 0:03:50- Because you were moving to Wales?- - Yes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55- The table is also a symbol - of their guilty conscience!
0:03:55 > 0:03:56- Yes. Tim also made the mirror.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- Yes. Tim also made the mirror.- - They're custom-made for this room.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- Yes, that's right. I was lucky.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- Before we came here, - I was nervous about leaving London.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- I wanted to come back to Wales. - England never felt like home to me.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- I had lived in a house - that was full of people.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- Hawys promised never to leave me - in the rain, in Wales, on my own!
0:04:29 > 0:04:30- The rest is history.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- Linda and Hawys - now live in separate buildings...
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- ..but only the width of this fence - separates them.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51- This is Hawys's house.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- Hawys Pritchard - lived in Spain for years...
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- ..but she didn't stay away - from her homeland forever.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- She now lives here - with Dick, her partner.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- I lived in Spain long enough - for it to change me.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- Had you asked me 15 years ago...
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- ..I'd have said it was impossible - for me to come back to Wales.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- We all change, don't we?
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- Homesickness kicked in - and we decided to move here.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- I met someone - he's now my partner.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- This house came on the market - and we bought it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- We've taken over a row of houses!
0:05:42 > 0:05:43- This was a small, dark house.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- A man had lived here on his own - for many years.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51- This part is new.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- The original house was tiny - and it was really dark.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00- We tried to take advantage - of the natural light that comes in.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- Our lifestyles have changed, - naturally.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Since we forged - these new living arrangements...
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- ..we have respected - each other's privacy over the years.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- It has worked out really well.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- We've decided to build an extension, - to make room for a piano.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- I'm not sure - how Hawys and Dick will react...
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- ..to having a grand piano next door!
0:06:33 > 0:06:38- I'm sure we'll discuss it at length - before the plans become a reality.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- I think the walls are thick enough.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Huw and Ann Iorwerth bought this - house in Llansteffan 20 years ago...
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- ..and filled it with colour and joy.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- Ann and I - had both been married before.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- Ann moved in with me - in Carmarthen...
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- ..but she and her son, Jake, - always called it "Huw's house."
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- That's why we felt - we should have a home of our own.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- What attracted you to this house?
0:07:48 > 0:07:49- What attracted you to this house?- - Unexpected corners.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- I also love the size of the rooms - and the stunning views.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- I enjoy lying in bed in the morning - and looking out at the sea.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- The house is always very light.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07- When two families come together, - you must combine and integrate.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- We wanted to keep - the furniture that we had...
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- ..and the two collections - of paintings we already owned.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- We wanted to be able to enjoy - those paintings in our home.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- What sort of look - did you want to create in the house?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- Paintings are important to me.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- It's important to find - the right place to hang them.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35- Furniture isn't important to me, - but paintings are very important.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- The house is almost a gallery.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- The artworks - dictate the style of the decor.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- Yes, and we're aware of the fact - that we mustn't overdo it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- I hope this house is a home, - not a museum.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- The last thing we want to do - is create a museum.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- I feel totally at home - in this house.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- It's an idyllic place - to raise children...
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- ..mainly because - of the nature of the village.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- Having said that, - nothing remains static.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- You must move on - and develop constantly.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- I first bought paintings - when I was 21 years old.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43- I invested the money I received - as birthday presents in paintings.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- I've kept on buying, but I never - spend huge amounts on a painting.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- I empty my pockets - at the end of every day...
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- ..and save every 50p piece.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58- It's amazing! Every two years, - I have enough to buy a painting.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- You'd never guess - that I was in a traditional house...
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- ..in one of Wales's - most classical villages.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- Welcome to Townsend House - in Beaumaris.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Marian Thorogood lives here...
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- ..with Mark, her husband, - and James, their son.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- It was split into three flats - when they bought it.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- For years, Marian and Mark - lived in the first floor flat...
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- ..before they turned it - into a conventional house.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- The exterior of the house - looks a bit Victorian.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- We wanted to blend the traditional - with modern design.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- We were keen to add - contemporary touches to the house.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- A friend of mine - lives in Manchester...
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- ..and she drew up a radical design - for the rear of the house.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- That changed everything.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- It lets in more natural light.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- We started out with our hearts set - on a contemporary design.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- This is the lounge - and the dining room.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- At what point - during the planning process...
0:12:20 > 0:12:25- ..did you decide to combine - the lounge and the dining room?
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- That was the plan from the outset.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33- We had lived here, - on the first floor, for 15 years.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- We put the kitchen here too.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- We knew we would be spending - most of our time here.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- There are amazing views - from the first floor.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- It was inevitable that we would - want to capitalize on those.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- We tend to live on this floor - from day to day.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- We feel comfortable - above street level.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- We can see the sea - and the mountains.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- The dining room - flows naturally into the kitchen.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- A kitchen on the first floor - is part of the revolutionary design.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- You demolished the rear wall - and replaced it with a glass atrium.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Yes. Isn't it great?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- As I said, - my friend came up with this design.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- We demolished the back of the house.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- It gives us a far better level - of natural light.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- We had small, dark windows...
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- ..and the kitchen - was in poor condition.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- We opened it all out - to give a very contemporary space.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- Will you stay here forever?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- Will you stay here forever?- - Who knows what the future holds?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- Sometimes, - I yearn to have a garden...
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- ..and to enjoy - a greater degree of privacy.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Having said that, - I think we'd really struggle...
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- ..to find somewhere better - than this house.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- We really do enjoy living here.
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0:14:32 > 0:14:33- Welcome back to 2007.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- We now take urban living - as our theme.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41- The two houses we'll visit - certainly fit into that category.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Later, we'll meet - Phil and Christine Havard...
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- ..but first, the artist - Mary Lloyd Jones in Aberystwyth.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54- Moving from a school in Aberbanc - to a semi in Aberystwyth...
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- ..would be a backward step - for some...
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- ,,but it has been a step forward - for Mary and her husband, John.
0:15:01 > 0:15:07- I never expected to end up - in a suburban house like this...
0:15:07 > 0:15:12- ..but it's convenient - and serves its purpose very well.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- As the years went on...
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- ..we decided that it would be wise - to move to a smaller property.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- As we get older...
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- ..it's a good idea to live somewhere - where you can go for walks.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- We came here - as a downsizing exercise...
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- ..and it was the right thing to do.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- We had to get rid of many things.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- We had never thrown anything out!
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- You've been very disciplined - in the stripping process!
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- It wasn't easy, - I can assure you.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11- Making the decisions wasn't easy, - but it came as a relief to us.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- I enjoy having a certain amount - of traditional furniture.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- It's nice to be surrounded - by history...
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- ..and to have new ideas.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- Where would you have put - this collection of pictures...
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- ..if you didn't have this wall?
0:16:39 > 0:16:44- When we lived in the former school, - it all fitted on the dresser.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46- It was a chaotic dresser!
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- We then came up with the idea - of creating an interesting wall.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- As it gets overcrowded, - we have to take items away.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- There's a lot of blue here, - as there is in your work.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- The shade of blue behind me - and the green on the door...
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- ..were inspired by a trip to India.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- I saw that colour over there - and tried to match it on the door.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- I wanted to have strong colour - in one area of the house.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- It's all instinctive, I think.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- Why do we choose certain colours? - It's a mystery.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- I certainly get a lot of pleasure - from using clashing colours.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- It creates something - that is visually exciting.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- It's certainly exciting.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- All the other walls are white.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44- Must walls be white?
0:17:45 > 0:17:50- White creates a good backdrop, - especially if you make alterations.
0:17:53 > 0:17:59- You make a simple decision and you - don't waste time thinking about it.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- Is the house's decor - an extension of your work on canvas?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Yes, in a way.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14- I think it's important - to be surrounded by things...
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- ..that are easy on the eye.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- With this house, we had to choose - our furniture very carefully.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- That's because the house isn't huge.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- It's easy to fill it, as though - it were some sort of cupboard.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01- As soon as we saw the view, - we knew that it was the house for us.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- We've been here - for nearly 20 years.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- The city has changed dramatically - during that time.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- Phil and Christine Havard - and their two children...
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- ..can see a chunk of Welsh history - from the windows of their house.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- We can see several buildings - that weren't there when we moved.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- It isn't an ostentatious house.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- It's an Edwardian, double-fronted, - semi-detached house.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- It may be an ordinary house...
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- ..but it's also - a beautiful and happy house.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- It has changed drastically - since we've been here.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- It was tidier in the early days!
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- We had less stuff.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- Welsh furniture is Phil and - Christine's work and passion.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- The contents of their home - reflects that perfectly.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- In my opinion, - Welsh hand-built furniture...
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- ..is some of the world's best - hand-built furniture.
0:20:15 > 0:20:20- Of course, as this furniture - is made of Welsh wood...
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- ..particularly Welsh oak...
0:20:25 > 0:20:31- ..it's remarkable furniture, - really exceptional furniture.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- I like a variety of wood.
0:20:37 > 0:20:43- Welsh craftsmen used all sorts - of wood, whatever was available.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- The house is full of furniture - made of all sorts of wood.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- The most important thing - is the patina.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- Whatever wood it is, it must have - a good colour and a great patina.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- Patina is the skin on the surface - of a piece of furniture.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- If a piece is old...
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- ..it should have a patina - that reflects its age.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- A patina with real depth to it - is what appeals to me.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- We rarely see a dresser - without its top half.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- Yes, that's true.
0:21:24 > 0:21:30- A full dresser suits a farmhouse, - but this isn't a farmhouse.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- Some people like the racks, - but I prefer it without.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- Many pieces come from the area - where Phil was brought up.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- The clock and those samplers, - for example.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- Do you like them?
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- Do you like them?- - Yes, I've grown to like them.
0:21:48 > 0:21:55- You must understand that no-one - can appreciate items like Phil!
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- He's the only expert in the house. - The one and only!
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- I'm just the one who says, "No!"
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- I'm just the one who says, "No!"- - Every home needs one of those!
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- What sparked your interest - in collecting old furniture?
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- I was keen on furniture, - even when I was young.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- I remember my grandmother - had a table similar to that one.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- It had a shaped apron and fretwork - similar to what you see there.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39- I think that's why I started - to take an interest in antiques...
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- ..especially in furniture.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- I love these antiques.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- A piece of wood with a good patina.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- I always say he'd never leave me - for a fluffy blonde...
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- ..but a dresser with a fret?
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- Ooh! That's a tricky decision.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- Yes, maybe.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones
0:23:39 > 0:23:40- .