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0:00:19 > 0:00:22- Tonight, we visit Plas Penglais...
0:00:22 > 0:00:27- ..the home of generations of - Aberystwyth University Principals.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- We will also see - a terraced house in central Cardiff.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- This is a small house - with big ideas!
0:00:36 > 0:00:40- First, we'll take a look at - an ambitious project in Dolgellau.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58- Many people fall in love with - the houses in the Dolgellau area.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03- That's exactly what happened - to Rhys and Sarah Gwynn...
0:01:03 > 0:01:05- ..when they found Troed y Gader.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- This is a labour of love.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- We'd been house hunting - for two years...
0:01:18 > 0:01:23- ..but we couldn't find anything we - liked which was within our budget.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- We heard this house was for sale...
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- ..and we approached the owners - immediately.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- It was in reasonably good condition.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42- We'd already decided - what our aims and our plans were...
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- ..and we wanted to do as much work - as possible.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- Did you realise it would entail - so much work when you started?
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- We thought it would take two years, - not six years!
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- We can see - light at the end of the tunnel.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06- The manual labour has been done.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11- It's now a matter of putting - everything back together again.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- Here we are, in the back room.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- It's great to see a lovely fire - in a room like this.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35- I'll warm my bottom here!
0:02:36 > 0:02:37- It's cold outside.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- There's a wooden beam - above the fire.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47- It was actually cut from - a tree which grew in the garden.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- It's a huge chunk of wood!
0:02:51 > 0:02:53- At least a foot and a half deep.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59- A spiral staircase - will be inserted into this space.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- The staircase - will lead to the first floor.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- Walk through the gap - and you'll reach the hallway.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- This is the utility room...
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- ..and this kitchen - is the work of the DIY SOS team.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- Wonderful.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- Whose idea was it to invite DIY SOS - to give you a kitchen?
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- It was my idea.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- I was watching the programme - around three years ago.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- It was a very windy, cold night.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- I decided there and then - to write to them.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- I had hoped they'd offer to do more - but they only did one room!
0:03:49 > 0:03:54- They did a tremendous amount of work - in three days, fair play.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- What will this room be, - when it's finished?
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- This will be the master bedroom.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- It was two rooms, originally.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- Knocking two rooms into one - let in much more light.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- This will be a pleasant room.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- The sun shines through this window - during the day...
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- ..and we can see the sunset - through the other window.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- We want to use warm colours - in this room, to compliment the sun.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- You've lived in a matchbox - for three years!
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- You'll be rattling in this house.
0:04:57 > 0:04:57- You'll be rattling in this house.- - It will be wonderful - to have lots of space!
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- It will be wonderful - to have lots of space!
0:05:00 > 0:05:05- Won't you huddle together - in one room, like a pack of huskies?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- We'll snuggle up - in front of the fire, downstairs...
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- ..and the children will be up here.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- What will you do with this caravan, - when you've moved in?
0:05:19 > 0:05:20- We'll burn it!
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- We're not sure - what we'll do with it.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- We'll get rid of it, - that's for sure!
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- It may be useful for the children.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- It may be useful for the children.- - No - we're getting rid of it!
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- Cris Dafis bought - an ordinary, terraced house...
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- ..as a blank canvas - for his imagination and his ideas.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00- You know what you're getting - when you buy a house like this.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- I wanted a house - that needed work done to it.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- In fact, it would have been easier - if I'd bought a ruin!
0:06:09 > 0:06:14- Work had been done to it - and that made things harder for me.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- I wanted to knock down walls - and create an open space.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- I wanted fewer rooms in the house.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- That was my aim.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28- I live alone...
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- ..so I wanted a space, - rather than lots of rooms.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- I decided I wanted the entire house - to be one colour.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- It was a tossup - between white and cream.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- I chose white - because it looks clean.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- This is the lounge.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- This is the cloak room!
0:07:28 > 0:07:29- It's very musical.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- You can either hang your clothes - on these hangers...
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- ..or play them, like triangles!
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- This is all that remains - of the wall...
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- ..which separated - the front room and the middle room.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- Thank goodness it's there, - or the roof would collapse!
0:07:48 > 0:07:49- The kitchen is this way.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- This extended kitchen is not only - a wonderfully open, clean space...
0:07:56 > 0:08:01- ..but it also draws your attention - outside, to the garden.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- The tiles - are laid in straight lines...
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- ..which continue outside the window.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Something as negative - as a long, narrow garden...
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- ..seems to suck you outside, - as though you were in a vortex!
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- Did you design this kitchen, Cris?
0:08:46 > 0:08:51- No, an architect drew up the plans - for this section of the house.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- I knew the kind of thing I wanted...
0:08:53 > 0:08:59- ..but I needed an expert to decide - on the measurements and the details.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- That was taken out of my hands.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10- I knew I wanted a large window which - would be a glass wall, in essence.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15- I told the architect I wanted it to - be light and he drew up the plans.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- You have a glass wall - over there...
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- ..and the windows in the roof - let in even more light.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- The architect - added that row of windows.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- They aren't real windows, - because they don't open.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- They create a stunning effect - in mid-morning...
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- ..when the shadows of the lamps - hit the wall.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- This is a kitchen - but it doesn't look like a kitchen!
0:09:46 > 0:09:51- The kettle, microwave and cooker - make it look like a kitchen!
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- I wanted to conceal - the freezer and the fridge.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- I don't waste an inch of space - in this house.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- I use every square foot - of this house.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- There is no wastage.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- This is the bathroom.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- This is the master bedroom.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- The only bedroom, in fact.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43- What better way to conceal - odds and ends in a bedroom...
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- ..than put a blind in front of them?
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- There's another one, over here.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- These aren't traditional - bedroom odds and ends!
0:11:28 > 0:11:33- People usually make houses bigger - when they build an extension...
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- ..but you've made it smaller!
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- You've done away with one bedroom.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- You've done away with one bedroom.- - Yes, but I haven't done away - with any space.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Yes, but you have fewer rooms.
0:11:42 > 0:11:42- Yes, but you have fewer rooms.- - That's true.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43- That's true.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- I didn't need a second bedroom.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- I needed some office space.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- I don't like having guests stay over - and this was a perfect excuse!
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- Don't you worry people will think - you're Billy No Mates?
0:11:59 > 0:12:00- No!
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- I spend more time here at night - than during the day...
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- ..because I'm out working.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- The way the house looked at night - was important to me.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- We spent a lot of time - deciding how to stage the lighting.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- What do the neighbours think of it?
0:12:46 > 0:12:51- What do the neighbours think of it?- - The lady who lives next door but one - came here and she loves it.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56- She said, "It's lovely! It's like - a spaceship!" about the kitchen.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- "It's a pity you can't move it - to somewhere nice!"
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- I've created something - that's relatively radical...
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- ..but it isn't quite radical enough - for me.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- I'm not exactly sure - how I'd do it...
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- ..but I want to be far more extreme - in my next house!
0:13:24 > 0:13:24- 888
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- 888- - 888
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- Plas Penglais is the home of the - Principal of Aberystwyth University.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- The house goes with the job...
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- ..and Derec Llwyd Morgan - is about to retire.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45- He invited us here to see the house - before he has to vacate it.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- We really took to this house.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- To the manor born!
0:13:55 > 0:13:56- It's a cosy house.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- It may be big but we make use - of every single room.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- We've grown to love it - and yes, we'll miss it.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- There's already a lump in my throat - when I think of leaving this house.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- We were both - raised in small, terraced houses.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- When we moved - to this large, luxurious house...
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- ..we thought all our visitors - would expect us to be very grand!
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- I never thought I could live up to - people's expectations...
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- ..of the principal's wife!
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- Jane wasn't keen to move here.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- It wasn't in a state of disrepair...
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- ..but no work had been done to it - for 25 years.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- The college decorated it - from top to bottom, fair play.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49- There was a price to pay.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- We have lots of house guests - and dinner guests.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- It's a public and a private house.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- I was hesitant because - I loved the house we'd built...
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- ..and the prospect of living here - made me nervous.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- There was a farmhouse here in 1770.
0:15:08 > 0:15:14- It remained in the same family until - the end of the Second World War.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- The Richardes family.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- This place was called The Mansion.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- There were plans to move the - old college from the sea front...
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- ..up here, to the hillside.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- Mrs Richardes lived here in 1946.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- Legend has it she argued - with her son one Friday...
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- ..and she instructed her solicitor - to sell the house and the land.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- The treasurer presented - the principal with a blank cheque...
0:15:43 > 0:15:44- ..and he bought it.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- That's how the college acquired it.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56- This is the hall.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- You chose rich colours, didn't you?
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- Yes, they're warm colours.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- The terracotta is a lighter shade.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- There are two colours here.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- It's more pink - towards the dining room.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- Kevin Burgess - helped me choose the colours.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23- The walls were all painted a - magnolia colour before we moved in.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- All the way to the top floor.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- It was like the road to heaven - and it seemed neverending.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- I wanted to break up the magnolia - but I needed advice.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- Kevin - showed a picture by Titian to me...
0:16:38 > 0:16:43- ..and we chose the main colours - for the house from that painting.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- Tell me about these hens, Jane.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54- We were on holiday in Capetown and - we were driving through Newlands...
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- ..when we saw a man on the roadside, - selling these hens.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04- I asked Derec to stop the car and - let me go and buy a couple of them.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- They're pretty - and their eyes are very lifelike.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- They eye you suspiciously, - just like real hens!
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- They're great - fun and they're very colourful.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25- My young grandson - usually sleeps in this room.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- The workmen describe this - as The Prince of Wales's Room.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35- This is where Prince Charles slept - when he stayed here.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- Gareth Owen was the principal, - back then.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- Did you choose the wallpaper?
0:17:41 > 0:17:42- Did you choose the wallpaper?- - No, Kevin chose this.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- I didn't like it because I thought - the pattern was too intricate.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- It's grown on me.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- The colours are very subdued.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55- The colours are very subdued.- - Yes, that's right.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- It's wonderful to sit on the bed - and look out to sea.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- I haven't slept in this room.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- Now's your chance, Jane!
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- I hope you filmed that!
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- Which of the wallpapers on the walls - of this house is your favourite?
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Well, I'm fond of - the William Morris wallpaper.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- There are two studies, - next door to each other.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- This is Derec's study.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- He loves literature - and the shelves are full of books.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- It's a little bit dark, - as there's only one window in here.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- Jane's study - couldn't be more different!
0:18:56 > 0:18:57- It's much more luxurious.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- There's a huge sofa in here...
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- ..and light floods in - through the three windows.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- It's more of a parlour than a study.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- It's quintessentially Welsh.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- Somewhere to come and eat cake!
0:19:14 > 0:19:19- There are works of art on the wall - even here, on the back staircase.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- There's more than one piece - of Kyffin's work here.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- This is the rear bathroom.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- It's got a lovely shower.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- You won't be bored in here.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- There are pictures of famous - people to keep you entertained!
0:19:35 > 0:19:36- There are pictures of famous - people to keep you entertained!- - This is Derec - and that's Saunders Lewis.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- This is Derec - and that's Saunders Lewis.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- Clinique for Men. - Say no more!
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- We're back in the rear hallway.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- The main body of the house - is that way.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54- There's Designers' Guild wallpaper - on the breakfast room walls.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59- Jane's hats and handbags collection - is on display in here.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- The kitchen is through here.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- Derec and Jane - had this window put in here.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- I'm sure it made a huge difference - to this room.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- This is the dining room.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29- How much official entertaining - must you do, as part of Derec's job?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- We had to do a huge amount - in the early days.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- We hosted two dinners a week.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- Are you a keen cook yourself, Jane?
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- Are you a keen cook yourself, Jane?- - Well, I don't cook for our guests.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- I'm a nervous wreck, as it is, - never mind having to cook for them!
0:20:45 > 0:20:50- The wonderful chefs from Pen y Bryn - come here to prepare the food.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Our guests always enjoy the food - and they also enjoy the occasion.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- It's all in a day's work for us - but it's an occasion for them.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- You can't ask them to leave, then, - I take it?
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- I try not to yawn, unlike Mrs Blair!
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- The conversation tends to peter out!
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- How much use do you make - of the very large room?
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- We only use it for receptions.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- People from all over the world - see that room...
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- ..and it makes - the right impression.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- That's exactly - what it's meant to do.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- It's a luxurious room - and it serves its purpose well.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- Much of the furniture in that room - belongs to the college.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52- Yes, almost everything in there.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57- Yes, almost everything in there.- - Yes, apart from a pair of chairs - we bought in a sale, many moons ago.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- The huge rug - is the centrepiece of that room.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- It was specially commissioned - for that room.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- It's a modern rug, - in an 18th century house...
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- ..but it's taken its place - perfectly.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26- We've told ourselves all along - that we are merely caretakers.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- We knew full well - our stay here would be temporary.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35- This is a small town and I don't - want to be in my successor's shadow.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- My successor doesn't want to be - in my shadow, either.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44- It wouldn't be fair on anyone if we - were here when he or she arrives.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- What sort of house - do you plan to buy?
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- We've already bought a house but - work hasn't commenced on it, yet.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- It's a ranch, - in the middle of Anglesey!
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- He fell in love with it - but I didn't.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- It took me a long time - to take to it.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- Well, Jane, you can rent somewhere - if you don't love it!
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- I'll apply for - the housekeeper's job here!
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- S4C subtitles by- Eirlys A Jones
0:23:46 > 0:23:48