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0:00:21 > 0:00:24- Tonight, - Huw and Dilys Lewis's unique home.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- A taste of Serengeti in Aberaeron!
0:00:29 > 0:00:34- Iwan and Janice Thomas have built - a new house in Ciliau Aeron...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36- ..and we'll head there later.
0:00:37 > 0:00:43- We will also visit Phil Edwards and - Carys Jones at their seaside home.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- Huw and Dilys Lewis - own this unique house.
0:00:56 > 0:01:02- They lived in the Far East for years - but they've now moved to Aberaeron.
0:01:08 > 0:01:09- I came here as a child.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15- The owner of this house was an elder - at Tabernacl Chapel, as was my dad.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- I used to come here - and play in the garden.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- What attracted you to this house, - Dilys?
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- I thought it was colonial.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29- There's lots of wood here.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- There's a pleasant atmosphere here.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- How much do you know - about the building's history?
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- It's unique, isn't it?
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- The architect - came from Caernarfon...
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- ..and it was built - at the end of the First World War.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- That's all we know about it.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- You see this kind of house - in Malaysia, Singapore and Burma.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59- The architect probably had - a keen interest in arts and crafts.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05- He was certainly attracted - to something about the Far East.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- It's good to see - so much wood inside the building.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- There's lots of wood - on the exterior.
0:02:28 > 0:02:29- This is wonderful.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33- This is your lounge.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- Do you spend a lot of time in here?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Do you spend a lot of time in here?- - Yes, especially in the evenings.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- We watch television in here.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- The fireplace - is the focal point of the room.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- I'm not keen on this fireplace but - there's nothing we can do about it.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- It's part of the room.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- You get the afternoon sun in here - and the evening sun, too?
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- Yes, you can sit outside - and watch the sun go down.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- You usually find this kind of house - in the tropics.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- The idea of having a veranda - and an extended roof...
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- ..is to keep the inside of the house - cool during hot, summer days.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- It loses some of its relevance - in rainy Aberaeron!
0:03:31 > 0:03:32- Having said that...
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- ..there are some handy little nooks - at the foot of the house.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- You feel as though you're outside...
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- ..without - being exposed to the elements.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49- You can imagine you're watching - wildebeest on the Serengeti...
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- ..as they make their way - to Lampeter!
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- I'm sure you make a lot of use - of that veranda.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- It's very open, isn't it?
0:04:10 > 0:04:15- It isn't attractive in the rain but - it must be glorious in the summer.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Yes, it's lovely.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- You can sit there - and it shelters you from the sun.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- It's wonderful there, in the summer.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29- This is the bandstand.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31- The jazz band played here...
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- ..on the Tuesday after - the Aberaeron carnival, in August.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- The band played on the veranda - and on the lawn.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- That's when I thought - I should build a bandstand for them.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- The jazz band still hasn't played - on the bandstand!
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- You must have an official opening!
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- There's an Eastern flavour - to the dining room.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- There's also a strong element - of arts and crafts here.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- The front door - leads you into the lounge...
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- ..past some of the house's original - features, like these switches.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42- The architrave, the doors - and the picture rails are original.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- The panels on modern doors - would be made of plywood...
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- ..but these are made of oak.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- They became warped, over the years.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58- This was the original kitchen, - hence the stove you see here.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- This was the Aga of its day.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- It was made - by a company called Wellstood.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- The dresser over there - belonged to Huw's parents.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- This drawing is the work - of the original architect...
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- ..a man called Robert Pierce.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- He drew this in 1922, around - the time when the house was built.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32- This section of the house - was the domain of the maid.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Mabel, the maid, lived up here.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40- Wow!
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- Mabel - had the biggest room in the house!
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- She also had the best view.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58- The other bedrooms, - including the master bedroom...
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- ..are on the ground floor.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- There's a special atmosphere - in this house.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- I can't describe it - but it's a pleasure to live here.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- I can't see myself - living anywhere else.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- Yes, it's a special atmosphere.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- There's something - very calming about it.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- It's very cosy.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Can't you see yourselves - moving house?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Well, maybe to a house in France.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- A tiny house in France!
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Many people - dream of building a new house...
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- ..custom-built, - for the family's needs.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- That's what Iwan and Janice Thomas - have done in Ciliau Aeron.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- Iwan is an architect - and that's a huge advantage.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- We sold our house in Aberystwyth...
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- ..and we scoured the Aberaeron area - for a house that suited us.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- We rented the house - next to this plot...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- ..and we couldn't find - anything that suited us.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- We saw this plot every day - and we decided to build here.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- It's been designed to be our home, - not a show house.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Everything we've done has been - geared to making this our home.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- It had to be practical.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- It's a very modern house.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- It's in no way - a traditional, Welsh house.
0:09:03 > 0:09:04- I disagree with you.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- It's certainly a contemporary house.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- There are - contemporary elements here...
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- ..especially when you look at - this corner window.
0:09:15 > 0:09:16- I would certainly say...
0:09:17 > 0:09:22- ..it includes elements of the - traditional, Welsh, country house.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- Things like the white render.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- You see it time and time again.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- If you look at the gable, - it's certainly very big...
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- ..but take a look - at the position of the chimney.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- The chimney is part of the gable. - It isn't detached from it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- That's a traditional feature - of the older houses in this area.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50- There's a small window in the gable - and, again, that's common.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- We used colours.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- The windows, the slate - and the bricks divide it up...
0:09:58 > 0:10:03- ..giving you an impression - of a fairly traditional gable.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- Which materials did you use - to build the actual walls?
0:10:08 > 0:10:09- Are they stone walls?
0:10:09 > 0:10:15- Are they stone walls?- - No, it's a timber frame, so - it's contemporary, in that respect.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Those long windows look fantastic.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- A Danish company - made all the windows.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- We've used these in a few places.
0:10:35 > 0:10:41- I first saw these windows in the - House of the Future in St Fagans.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46- They're factory-made and - they're made to a very high spec.
0:10:48 > 0:10:54- The standard of the seals is high - and the glass is a good insulator.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- They're quite expensive.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- They're finished in the factory, - so they're maintenance-free.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- The glass is a good insulator - as are the walls, I assume.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- Yes, we've gone for - six-inch timbers.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- That means you have - a six-inch cavity in the walls.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- We filled the cavities - with recycled paper.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- A company based in Ebbw Vale - recycles paper and treats it.
0:11:28 > 0:11:29- The paper is pulped...
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- ..and an expert comes - to spray it into the wall cavities.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- In theory, this should minimise - our heating bills.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- This is your living room.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- This is your living room.- - Yes, that's right.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- We tried to create an open space - on the ground floor...
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- ..without it being completely - open-plan.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- The kitchen and dining area - are over there.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- This is the family area.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- There will be a screen here...
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- ..and we'll be able to open - and close the doors.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- It gives us the best of both worlds.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28- We can close off the room or - we can have a completely open space.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- This is the master bedroom - and it's a whopper, isn't it?
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- There's plenty of room for a bed - and lots of wardrobes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:52- The views are stunning.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- Why move to the countryside, - if you can't see the fields?
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- This room is very unusual.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05- There's a room in the loft with - a gallery overlooking this bedroom.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- If space - is the biggest luxury of all...
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- ..you're in the lap of luxury - in this house.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20- There's another floor, above the one - containing all the bedrooms.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- The children - will love playing up there.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- Can you see yourselves - outgrowing this house?
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- Do you have any plans to add to it - or make any changes to it?
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- Perhaps - you plan to extend the family!
0:13:53 > 0:13:54- I'm not sure.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- It would be difficult - to make any changes to this house...
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- ..but we'll certainly - work on the exterior.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- We want to make the house - an extension of the garden...
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- ..and make the garden - an extension of the house.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- That's the next step.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- We've built the house...
0:14:16 > 0:14:21- ..but we need to look at its - relationship with its surroundings.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22- Phase two!
0:14:22 > 0:14:23- Phase two!- - Yes, we'll work on it.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- 888
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- Phil Edwards and Carys Jones...
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- ..live in a house close to the beach - in Llansteffan.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- The sea is very important to them.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- My parents moved to Llansteffan - when I was nine years old.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- I went to college - and I worked in Cardiff.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18- It felt very natural to me to - move back here in the early 1980s.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23- We're lucky because - this has been a conservation area...
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- ..since I was a child.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- It can be a pain when you want to - make changes to your property...
0:15:30 > 0:15:35- ..but it's good, in the sense that - the village hasn't changed a bit.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- Is the sea important to you?
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Is the sea important to you?- - It's certainly important to me.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- I've loved boats and fishing - since I was a child.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- This is a fishing village.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- My father was in the Merchant Navy, - so it's in my blood.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- I was raised on a hill farm - in Flintshire...
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- ..and I enjoyed breathtaking views.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- I was a student in Cardiff, - I moved to Aberystwyth...
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- ..and I lived in Swansea - before moving here.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- They're all by the sea.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- I've lived by the sea - throughout my adult life.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- I couldn't cope without the sea!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- Carys and I have known each other - for 30 years.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- We met in our student days.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- We only saw each other - once every five years...
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- ..but I always asked for her advice - when I wanted to redecorate a room.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43- I'd pick up the phone and ask her to - come and redesign the room for me.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- I employed her - as an interior designer.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51- She works for me, full-time now and - I don't have to pay her any more!
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- That's true.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- I decide what to do with a room - long before I work on it.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- I buy everything beforehand...
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- ..and I draw up detailed plans - before I get started.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- What's the interior designer's - rule of thumb...
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- ..regarding ceiling colour?
0:17:19 > 0:17:24- Can you explain why you chose - this colour for the ceiling?
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- I chose a dark shade from - the colour palate for the ceiling.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- Most people would be shocked - and they'd say it's too dark...
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- ..but it works well - in a room like this.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- There's a lot of headroom in here - and it's a light room.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- A white ceiling in a room such as - this can make it feel impersonal.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48- It can seem very cold.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- The dark ceiling - helps you focus on the floor.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- Lighting is more effective, too.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- We step out of the lounge, - into the hall.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- There are echoes of the sea here.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Yes, a strong maritime theme.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- I stuck some seashells on the wall - and I painted over them.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- Most of the maritime objects in here - has been here for several years.
0:18:31 > 0:18:37- I've redecorated since then but - I didn't change the colour scheme.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- I'm very fond of these colours.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- You've done something interesting - to the stairs.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- Rope softens the staircase.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Spindles don't reinforce - the handrail...
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- ..so I replaced the spindles - with the rope.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- It softens this area of the house.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- It fits in with the maritime theme.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- We take bed and breakfast guests - over the summer...
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- ..and this is the first thing - our guests see.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- It usually makes - a favourable impression on them.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- The bed and breakfast bedrooms - are on the first floor.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- They're all - named after local rivers.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- These unremarkable stairs - don't seem to lead anywhere...
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- ..but you couldn't be more wrong.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09- Look at this!
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- This is Phil and Carys's - fantastic bedroom.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- There are acres of shelves - for books and clothes...
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- ..and there's a clothes rail, - over there.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- There are some names - written on those intriguing doors.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- There are some more doors over here.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- They're old pew doors, - from a church.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36- The church was renovated and Carys - and Phil bought some of the doors.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41- The names of the houses - where the congregation lived...
0:20:41 > 0:20:42- ..are painted on them.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- What do we have over here?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- A very useful area.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- There's a toilet and a basin - over here...
0:20:51 > 0:20:52- ..and this is a shower.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- You could hop out of bed and into - the shower to scrub your smalls...
0:20:58 > 0:20:59- ..at the crack of dawn.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- Do you spend a lot of time in here, - other than when you're eating?
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- I spend all my time in here and - you spend a lot of time in here.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- We spend our waking hours in here.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- It's turned into - a traditional, Welsh kitchen.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- Everyone gathers in here to talk.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- We sit here and talk - after we've been out for a meal...
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- ..and we watch television in here, - rather than in the lounge.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01- We hardly use the lounge because - people tend to gather in here.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- When I'm preparing a meal...
0:22:04 > 0:22:09- ..I don't have to miss out on - a social gathering to go and cook.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- I don't have to miss out on anything - because I'm cooking.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- I can cook, clear up - and wash the dishes...
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- ..and be part of the conversation - or watch television.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- There's a handy door over there, - which I sneak through...
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- ..when it's time - to do the washing-up.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- There's a great community here.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- It's quite cosmopolitan and - there's a lot of Welsh spoken here.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- We have quite a good social life, - don't we?
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Yes, it gives you - a sense of belonging.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Aberystwyth - has a similar reputation.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- Once you're there, you never leave.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- S4C subtitles by- Eirlys A Jones
0:23:39 > 0:23:40