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0:00:20 > 0:00:24- Tonight, we visit Penarth - to see an old sea captain's house...
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- ..which has been transformed - by Sue Roderick.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33- We also discover Hendre House, - one of the lost houses of Wales.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- It's being renovated - by Michael Tree.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- First, the smallest house - we've featured on 04Wal.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- Glyn and Lee Davies live here.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- Pen-y-Graig is a stone's throw from - this quarry in Penrhyndeudraeth.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08- The house is over 300 years old.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- We rarely visit a property...
0:01:25 > 0:01:30- ..where you can see the whole house - from one spot.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- Wales is a small country - and, as we know, small is beautiful.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- We made our way to the house, - through the jungle outside...
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- ..and this place - was full of spiders' webs.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- I felt like Indiana Jones!
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- It was love at first sight.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- Our offer on the house - was accepted...
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- ..within three days - of that first viewing.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- Was the house structurally sound?
0:02:09 > 0:02:10- Was the house structurally sound?- - Yes.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16- Whoever built this, 300 years ago, - knew exactly what he was doing.
0:02:17 > 0:02:25- The two main walls are between - four and a half and five feet thick.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- The two side walls of the house - are at least three feet thick.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- This house is completely solid.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- It has no foundations.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- This cottage was built on a rock - and it's as solid as a rock.
0:02:49 > 0:02:55- Was it always your intention - to create a Victorian-style cottage?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- Yes, most definitely.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- Neither of us - is overly keen on modern furniture.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- We both like antiques.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- We're very organised and we know - where everything is in this house.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23- The air turns blue on the odd - occasion when we lose something...
0:03:23 > 0:03:28- ..but, that said, we know it's got - to be somewhere in this one room!
0:03:28 > 0:03:30- There isn't much scope!
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- You've spent a lot of time - in the garden.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52- Are you a keen gardener?
0:03:52 > 0:03:53- Are you a keen gardener?- - Yes.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55- This was an orchard.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- Every single tree was diseased.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- I had to dig them up - and get rid of them.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- We now have three apple trees.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13- We had to wait for three years - before we could plant them...
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- ..to give the disease time to clear.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- We enjoy gardening...
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- ..and we grow eighty percent - of our own vegetables.
0:04:27 > 0:04:28- We also keep hens.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- It's like The Good Life!
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- I hope Margo Leadbetter - doesn't live next door!
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- No, luckily for us!
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- There are no prizes - for guessing this is the bedroom.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- It's quite cramped - but all the essentials are here.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- There's restricted headroom - in here, too.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09- There's a television in here - and there's plenty of storage space.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- There's a bookcase and a chair - either side of the bed.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- There are two lamps here, too.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- When you live in a small house, - you learn to be neat and tidy.
0:05:38 > 0:05:44- This was described as the - second bedroom, or the dining room.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45- It was laughable!
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- There's no room for four chairs, - never mind a table!
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- This is the lounge. - You relax in here.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- Did you - have that lovely window fitted?
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- Yes, the window was only half that - size when we bought the cottage.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- We wanted a bigger window there.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- It lets sunlight - flood into the room.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- It's wonderful - to see the sun from here.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- Why is this dormer - higher than the other ones?
0:06:21 > 0:06:25- We think - there was a door there, originally.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- They would bring the animals - into the house...
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- ..and their body heat - would heat the house.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- It wouldn't have smelled too sweet - in here!
0:06:37 > 0:06:43- You only have two chairs, so what - happens when you have dinner guests?
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- There are two chairs in the bedroom.
0:06:49 > 0:06:56- If we're having a formal dinner, - we'll carry the chairs downstairs...
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- ..and move the sofa - towards the fire.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04- We normally have a buffet - and everyone sits around the fire.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- I can't fault this cottage. - I'm moving in next week!
0:07:09 > 0:07:10- Thank you.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- We wouldn't move, - even if we won the Lottery.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- No other property - could mean so much to me.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- We spent a whole year - rebuilding the interior.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- I wouldn't - want to go through that again.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- I'd be happy - to work on another garden...
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- ..but I'm more of a gardener - than I am a builder.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- You're happy sitting here, - by the fire.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- Yes, all I need now - is an Irish wolfhound...
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- ..a cigar and a glass of rum.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- I'd be very happy!
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- A book called - "The Lost Houses of Wales"...
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- ..lists the lost houses of Wales!
0:08:21 > 0:08:26- Hendre House was so lost, it wasn't - even mentioned in that book!
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- Hendre House, built in 1815, - stands proud above the Conwy valley.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48- It was owned by Lord Mostyn and the - Blackwells were his first tenants.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- A local butcher bought it in 1938...
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- ..but, due to structural problems, - he couldn't live there.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- Legend has it he enjoyed coming - here to practise playing the organ.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07- The house lay empty until - Michael Tree bought it in 1997.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- He describes Hendre House - as his ferme ornee.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16- He's slowly renovating the house, - with the help of John, the builder.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- What's so special about this house?
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- It's special because - it hasn't been spoilt in any way.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- When I first came here...
0:09:29 > 0:09:34- ..the rain fell from the roof, - all the way down to the cellar.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- Most people - would have been put off by that...
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- ..and found somewhere else to buy.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- That's true, - but I wanted to buy a new house.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- I'd already sold my house, - in Llangollen.
0:09:52 > 0:09:59- I thought this was the best house - I'd seen for many, many years.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- This is the rear of the house, - where the maids would cook.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18- The minions worked over there - and this is where they lived.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- They lived in the basement.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- This is the most recent extension.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28- As you can see, there's a crack - going from the top to the bottom.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- The walls aren't bound together.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36- They've used two different stones - and it almost looks glued on!
0:10:37 > 0:10:42- If you walk to the front, you can - see the simplicity of the design.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- This is typical of Georgian design.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51- A window on both sides of the door - and one window above the porch.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- One thing makes this house - rather unusual.
0:10:55 > 0:11:01- There's a bay on this side - and it stretches from top to bottom.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- You can see this side of the valley - from there.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- You can also see all the way - down there, to the sea.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- John, the builder, enjoys the - scenery, when he's not hard at work!
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- How much have you managed to do?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- I've done the parapet.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- I took it all down and I rebuilt it.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33- I've nearly finished.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- What's the next step?
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- The next step is to - take all the slate off the roof...
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- ..fit new felt and new battens...
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- ..and pull both chimneys down.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- That sounds like a lot of work.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54- That sounds like a lot of work.- - Yes, that's right.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- I'm sure you learn as you go along.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59- I'm sure you learn as you go along.- - Yes, that's true.
0:12:00 > 0:12:06- I watched experienced builders at - work and picked up tips from them.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- You'll be sorry to see this job end.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16- You'll be sorry to see this job end.- - I'll have reached retirement age, - by then!
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- Work on the interior will commence - once the exterior is sound.
0:12:35 > 0:12:41- How long will it take for work - on the house to be completed?
0:12:42 > 0:12:48- To finish everything, including - the furniture, the garden...
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- ..and the cowshed?
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- Seven or eight years, perhaps.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- Do you plan to live here?
0:12:58 > 0:12:59- Do you plan to live here?- - Yes.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- Lord of the manor!
0:13:01 > 0:13:02- Lord of the manor!- - No.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- The house servant - would be closer to the truth!
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0:13:27 > 0:13:29- 888
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- I had a soft spot for this area.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57- The views attracted me.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- I like to see the sea, - like all girls from Porthmadog.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07- I found this house and I realised - it needed a lot of work done to it.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08- It was a huge project!
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- What condition was the house in - when you bought it?
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- It was in good condition - but I didn't like it.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- There were small rooms, everywhere.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- This is an old pilot house - and it's long and narrow.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- It's a three-storey property.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- The next step was to make sure - it fulfilled its potential.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- How did you go about achieving it?
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- I bought it without ensuring my - plans for the house were realistic.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- I can be a little impulsive!
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- I employed a structural engineer - and he was crucial to the project.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- I talked to several architects - but their ideas were boring.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56- They were either unadventurous or - their designs didn't appeal to me.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- They tended to stick to their guns.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- The structural engineer - told me I could do all this...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- ..and the house wouldn't fall down!
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- That's all I needed - because I already had the ideas.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- I wanted to open it all out.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17- Taking down the walls and making - sure the house didn't fall down...
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- ..was a huge undertaking.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- Were you tempted to give up on this - house, even though it had potential?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- No, I knew this house had potential.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- I wanted to see the view - from every part of the house.
0:15:52 > 0:15:58- The house looks like a traditional, - Victorian property from the outside.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- Once you step inside, you realise - it's like a loft conversion.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- Yes, it's very open here.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12- Furniture was a real headache for me - when I realised there were no walls!
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- I had to get rid of a lot of the - furniture I had in the other house.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- You can't put anything - against the wall, you see.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- There may be no walls here but - this takes its place really well.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- Yes - it's all down to luck.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- This is an old piece, - which belonged to my aunt.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- You can tell from these marks...
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- ..that this was upholstered, - at one time.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- That makes it more interesting.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- You couldn't see - the ornate patterns.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- I can't believe - it was covered with material.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53- I have no idea why they did all this - intricate work if it was covered.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54- Isn't it strange?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- The kitchen's through there.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- You can shout at people - when they play the piano!
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- Yes - I tell them to shut up!
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- This is one, large room...
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- ..but you've divided it - very cleverly.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- This must be the comfy area.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- Yes, this is the comfy area - and there's a fire at both ends.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- It's very cosy - when I light both fires.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- Look at this!
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- Is it a gin and tonic?
0:17:28 > 0:17:29- Is it a gin and tonic?- - A gin and tonic?!
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- Sipping a gin and tonic as you - watch the sun set on your empire!
0:17:34 > 0:17:35- No, I watch the boats.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37- This is the dining room.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- The dining area, to be precise.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- The dining area, to be precise.- - Yes, this is an important area.
0:17:42 > 0:17:43- Light floods in here.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- Light floods in here.- - It's very noisy when it rains.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- The kitchen is very important.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- It's small but it's practical.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- Everything's within easy reach.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- I've concealed - as many implements as possible.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01- It's lovely and neat.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- You can see your guests - while you cook.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- That must be a bonus.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- Yes, I can see people - as they sing by the piano.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- I've never been invited - to one of your soirees!
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- You'll be invited, soon.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- The most striking feature - of this house, for me...
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- ..is this atrium, - at the back of the house.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- The garden was right here.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- This leads from the kitchen - and the dining area.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- This was the back wall.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00- This gives the owner the opportunity - to display objects like this light.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- You could hang a picture there.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- The bedrooms are through here.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- I'm walking through the back wall!
0:19:11 > 0:19:12- Easy peasy.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17- The staircase was moved from here - when the extension was built...
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- ..which left Sue - with a space to fill.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- She decided to create a study here.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- This is the master bedroom.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28- Here we are!
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- She's an actress and, as you'd - expect, she has lots of clothes.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- She applies her makeup in front - of this mirror before she goes out.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- This is the piece de resistance.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- Take a look - at this magnificent bathroom!
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- A sunken bath.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47- Isn't it wonderful?
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- It's not ideal - if you've had a drink...
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- ..and you're looking for the loo - in the dark!
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- I'm not sure I'd want to - see myself in this huge mirror...
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- ..when I climbed out of the bath.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26- It's very cosy in here.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- The fire makes it very intimate.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- Yes, there's - an apartment kind of feel to it.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- I liked the idea - of having an apartment in LA...
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- ..like they say in the films!
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- I wanted an apartment and you - can't beat the views you get here.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Was this a mess - when you bought the house?
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- Yes, it was wild and overgrown.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- There wasn't much here, really.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- I had this terrace put in.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- It was a big job - and it was quite scruffy.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- It was private and I liked that.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- There were steps here, - in the middle, leading up here.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- I moved the steps to the side - to make room for the terrace.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- I wanted to be able to see - into the house from here.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- You can see the extension from here.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- Yes, you can see the atrium - in all its glory.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- The problem with the extension - is I can't clean the windows.
0:22:02 > 0:22:03- It's really tricky.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- It was a good idea - but the windows are filthy.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- Don't pan up there, please. - It hasn't been painted!
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- You've created a unique property.
0:22:47 > 0:22:48- Yes, I think so.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- Nobody else in this street - has opened up the ground floor.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- A few of my neighbours want to do it - after seeing this.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- What other ideas have you had since - you finished this house?
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Will you sell up - and start again in another house?
0:23:06 > 0:23:08- No, I'll stay here for a while.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- I'm sure I will move again, - at some point.
0:23:12 > 0:23:18- I'd love to buy an old cowshed, - in the country and convert it.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- That's my dream.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- S4C subtitles by- Eirlys A Jones
0:23:48 > 0:23:49