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0:00:19 > 0:00:21- Welcome to 04Wal from 2008.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- The houses in this programme - have many common features...
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- ..including modern design - and white walls.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- But their owners' vision - is completely different.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- The journey - takes us to Lake Zurich...
0:00:35 > 0:00:37- ..but begins in Cardiff.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- Beca Evans and Gruff Davies...
0:00:52 > 0:00:57- ..have recently finished renovating - a Victorian house in Cardiff.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- The property - was in a terrible condition.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- They worked on it - for nine months.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- I was naive and I thought - it would just happen overnight.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11- That's never the case.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16- It's an old house - and we kept uncovering problems.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20- Those tasks - weren't in the original budget.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- Work such as damp patches - and the need for a new boiler.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- It now feels fine - because it's in the past...
0:01:28 > 0:01:32- ..but at the time, - I said I'd never do it again.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- Describe the experience - of living in this house.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- It's a positive, - enjoyable experience.
0:01:39 > 0:01:45- It felt like home almost - immediately and that was my aim.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- I didn't want to feel - I lived in a large, cold house.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51- We're very happy here.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- This is the kitchen - and the dining room is behind me.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- There's an awful lot of orange - in this part of the house!
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- Yes. I've always dreamed - of having an orange kitchen.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29- I am obsessed - with the colour orange.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- I wanted something - with a 1970s feel.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- I wanted high-gloss units.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41- I've always loved that look - and I was delighted to find one.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- You either love it or hate it.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- The kitchen and the dining room - are part of one huge space.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- Was that important to you?
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- You can see from one end - of the house to the other.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- When we bought it, - the kitchen was there.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- The dining room was here.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- I enjoy socializing - and I enjoy cooking.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- I wanted a space where people - could sit to have a glass of wine...
0:03:09 > 0:03:11- ..while I cooked dinner.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- It was really important to me that - this area was good for socializing.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- I wanted it to have a homely feel.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24- The windows you have all across - the back wall make it a light space.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- There's also - light coming in through the ceiling.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- Yes, that's a small extension.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- These houses can be quite dark.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40- It's amazing how much lighter it is, - thanks to that window.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- It cost a lot of money - to add those few inches of wall...
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- ..but it gives the space - a really open feel.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24- Did you know exactly - what you wanted to put in this room?
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- All I knew was I wanted some colour.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- As you've seen, - the house is really white.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- I wanted to have a wall - which made a statement.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- I went for something - quite old-fashioned.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- It's a big contrast with the white.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- The furniture you've inherited - gives the room a traditional feel.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- Most of this furniture - is Gruff's family heirlooms.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59- It's nice to have the contemporary - and the classic in one room.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- You have a lovely view of the park.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- You have a lovely view of the park.- - Yes, it's like being in the Bronx!
0:05:05 > 0:05:11- There's a basketball court - and local children play there.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- It has a nice community feel.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- You've lived here for three months.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- Have you found the perfect place - for everything?
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- You're always adapting spaces - in a new house...
0:05:40 > 0:05:45- ..but the wonderful point here - is that it feels like our home.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- We're very happy here - and I hope it evolves with us.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- Cardiff's Victorian houses - are famously narrow.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02- Catrin Whitmore overcame - that problem here in Pontcanna...
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- ..by opening up the house - to create a spacious feel.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- Here's how the house looked - before work started.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- Why did you choose this house, - Catrin?
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- It's a three-storey house - and it has quite a large garden.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- It needed a lot of work doing to it - and it was a challenge.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- I couldn't leave it. - I had to have it!
0:06:41 > 0:06:46- I could see how the house could look - and I wanted to carry out the work.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- Two years have passed, Catrin.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- How did the renovation go?
0:06:59 > 0:07:00- How did the renovation go?- - It's been a long process.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- Far longer and far more expensive - than we originally planned.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- It's been undeniably difficult - but I enjoyed it.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- It needed a new roof but we weren't - aware of that when we bought it.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- The ceilings - of two bedrooms collapsed...
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- ..when we installed the new windows.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- We discovered that the drains - were leaking into the foundations.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30- We unearthed problems - which didn't come up in the survey.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- It was rather stressful!
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- I know I stood here two years ago - but it's totally unrecognizable.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Yes, it's changed a bit! - It was much smaller then.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- We've extended to the side - and to the rear.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- The kitchen is far more spacious.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- I'm happy to say the dining table - now fits in the kitchen.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- We're stepping through - what was the external wall.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- Yes, we put an RSJ here - where the old window was located.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- We extended - into what was the garden.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- That corner - supports the whole house!
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- Yes. It's a real bugbear for me - but I'm warming to it.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33- We could have done it differently - and used struts...
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- ..but it's load-bearing, - so it props up the house.
0:08:36 > 0:08:43- I'll live with it if the alternative - is the house falling down!
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- Natural light comes in - from all directions...
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- ..through these windows - along the roof and on the corner.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Many people have said - it reminds them of a conservatory.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- I wanted a glass roof, - which would let in plenty of light.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- You can look at the garden, - while you do the washing-up.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10- I have a dishwasher, Aled, - but I do enjoy seeing the garden.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12- It works well.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- You've kept the visual impact - quite low.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- This is your bedroom, Catrin.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- The dark wall colour - suits the white floor really well.
0:09:43 > 0:09:44- It's really striking.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- Yes, I was originally planning - to paint it a dark shade of blue.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- I wanted a colour which would make a - good canvas for my flower paintings.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- We eventually plumped for grey - and it's grown on me.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- There was a lot of white - in our old house.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- It took time to get used to such - a dark room but I'm pleased with it.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- I've added a few touches of colour - to go with the strong grey.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53- Would you do it all again - in another house?
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- I'd have to say no - because this took such a long time.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- It also took a lot of energy.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- I'd love to build a new house...
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- ..or run a hotel - and put my own stamp on it.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- That's what I'd like to do.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Where my home is concerned, - I'm quite pleased with this.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- Will there be another project? - Who knows!
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0:11:36 > 0:11:36- 888
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- 888- - 888
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- Welcome back. Next, we'll meet - two women called Nia.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- Nia Morris is an interior designer - who lives in London.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Nia Joynson, a Swansea girl...
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- ..who now lives near Lake Zurich - in Switzerland.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- The house we're about to see - belongs to Nia Morris.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10- Nia is one of the London Welsh, - having been raised in the city.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- She lives near Primrose Hill...
0:12:13 > 0:12:18- ..with her children, - Charlie, Harry and Millie.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- From where - do you draw your inspiration?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- From colour, art - and my surroundings.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- Many different sights inspire me.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Places such as art galleries, - trips abroad, design magazines...
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- ..and the items I observe - in my surroundings.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- The design process is instinctive.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- I painted the house white, - then I added different colours.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- I can be more adventurous at home. - I don't worry about making mistakes.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- The house is designed to please me, - not other people.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- It's an evolving project.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- This is the kitchen.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- It's at the front of the house - beneath the road.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- There's plenty of natural light - in here.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- Stainless steel always gives - a kitchen a very practical feel.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- There are warm touches, - such as the Aga in the corner.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- This is a square dining table - and we rarely see one of these.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- Few people - have square dining tables.
0:13:42 > 0:13:48- In harmony with the aluminium style, - there are aluminium dining chairs.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54- Above the dining table, we have this - wonderful dandelion light fitting.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Move to the middle of the room - and the practical nature fades...
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- ..and we step into - a more relaxed area.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08- There are interesting shapes - in the rug and in the furniture.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- These two pouffes and an egg-shaped - object in the fireplace.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- They've made the most of this space - by putting everything in the corner.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- Step through what was the back wall - and we'll enter the conservatory.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Beyond the conservatory - is the garden.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- The office is at the back - and this is the lounge.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- The great feature - of two rooms in one is the light.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- Natural light floods in - from the front and from the rear.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01- The whole room, including the floor, - has been painted white.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- Any natural light is then magnified.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10- This creates the perfect canvas - to display colours and shapes.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- Look at the shape of the sofa - and the oval table.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- There are also some bright colours - dotted around the room.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- This gold-coloured chair, - for example...
0:15:23 > 0:15:28- ..and the Georgian chaise longue, - covered in contemporary fabric.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- It echoes the colours - of the painting on the wall.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37- There are splashes of colour - and some interesting shapes in here.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- This is the light, bright - master bedroom.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- Natural light floods in - through the windows.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- The visual impact of this room - doesn't rise above waist level.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20- The interest comes from pieces such - as that transparent, purple chair.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- There's a combination of styles - and periods in this room.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- The most striking thing in here - is that block of cupboards.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- It's fixed to the wall - and it looks as if it's floating!
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- In a house as wonderful as this, - how can you not have an en suite?
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- It's at the rear.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- When we last visited Switzerland...
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- ..we saw plans of the house - Nia Joynson had ordered.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- At that time, - it was just a building site.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- The house, designed by architect - Martin Spuhler, is now ready...
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- ..and the family has moved in.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00- How much of a say did you have - in the internal layout of the house?
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- We could do whatever we liked - to walls which aren't load bearing.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12- The outer shell of the house - was designed by the architect...
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- ..and we had no say in it.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17- We chose the position of the walls.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- We also chose the flooring, - the kitchen and the bathrooms.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- I came here - three or four times a day...
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- ..in the three months - before we moved in.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- There were a lot of mistakes - in the work carried out.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- You made many choices - about the interior.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- Does that give you - a stronger bond with the house?
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- We invested a lot of time - and a lot of ourselves in the house.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- It really has made me feel - this is my home.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51- It has made my life in Switzerland - far happier.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- This room - has something for everyone.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- A balcony, a dining area here...
0:19:13 > 0:19:14- ..and a lounge.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- Even the kitchen - is a part of this room.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- It's fashionable to have a kitchen, - living room and dining room...
0:19:23 > 0:19:24- ..in a single space.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30- We changed this floor completely - from the original design.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36- This was supposed to be the lounge - and the dining room was there.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- I think the shape of the room - suits the layout we created.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- I think it's better - than the original plan!
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- There are several custom-made - light fittings in this house.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- This one, above the dining table, - is wonderful.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- This is Italian, and it includes - 20 different-coloured crystals.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- You have pinks, greens, blues, - browns and clear crystal.
0:20:01 > 0:20:08- A lady sits outside in Milan - attaching the crystals, one by one.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- Each one is totally unique.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- No two light fittings are the same.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- I worked on my husband for two years - before he agreed to buy that!
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- Let's talk about the lounge.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- This is your main socializing space.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- How much time do you spend here?
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- We're here a lot, - especially in winter.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- We enjoy reading and having a glass - of red wine in front of the fire.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- What inspired the fireplace design?
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- The time I spent - in the South of France.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- This shape comes from Provence.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- When I saw it, I loved it.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- It's a simple shape, - yet traditional.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- It isn't fussy, and there aren't - too many details on it.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- We wanted to create a fusion - of the modern and the traditional.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22- I like to mix styles.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- There are items - from Europe and Asia in this house.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- We also have modern pieces - next to traditional pieces.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- One side is all about - traditional wood.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46- The other side is ultra modern - with clean lines and aluminium.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- That was our intention - from the start...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- ..to blend the modern - and the traditional.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- The kitchen is very modern - with lots of steel.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- We wanted this side - to be more traditional.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- We used wood but - we couldn't go too traditional...
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- ..because it would be heavy.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- That's what lies behind these ideas.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- It's a lovely idea that you can - access the garden from here.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- Yes, and it becomes one huge room - in the summer.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- This is the heart of our home.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- The interior has turned out - just as we expected it to look.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- I had no fixed idea - of how the garden should look...
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- ..but we're delighted - with the way it turned out.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- The house is exactly - how I'd pictured it in my head...
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- ..before we started.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- This house is our home, - and we have no plans to move again.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones
0:23:34 > 0:23:35- .