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0:00:21 > 0:00:26- Tonight, we meet a couple who - left London and moved to Ferryside.
0:00:26 > 0:00:32- We'll also meet a lady who loves - London, especially Notting Hill.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38- Finally, a stable converted - into a contemporary home in Cardiff.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- Betsan was born in Wales - but she grew up in London.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11- She planned to stay there...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- ..but things changed - when she met her husband.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- She decided to move - to a special house in Ferryside.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22- Initially, - we fell in love with the house...
0:01:22 > 0:01:27- ..but the beach is also enchanting - and the view is stunning.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- I found it on the internet.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- I was bored one day...
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- ..so I went online - and I found my dream home.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42- The house was empty, wasn't it?
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- Yes. It had been empty - for around 20 years.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50- In what condition was the house - when you bought it?
0:01:51 > 0:01:53- It wasn't good.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- Water leaked in, at the back.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- Dampness was a problem, - and there was Artex everywhere.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- It was - in a generally poor condition.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- But we could see its potential.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08- We didn't have a vision, as such...
0:02:09 > 0:02:14- ..but we recognised the things - we could change in the house.
0:02:14 > 0:02:15- It all came together.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- We knew - we could make this house look great.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- What have you done to the exterior - of the front of the house?
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- The outside walls - were pebble-dashed.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- We removed the pebble-dash, - replaced the windows...
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- ..and applied a lime plaster - to the walls.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- All we did then was paint it.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- We wanted it to blend in - with its surroundings.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- It was built around 1850.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30- It was built at the same time - as the railway reached Ferryside.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54- As you can see, this is the kitchen.
0:03:55 > 0:04:01- There's an old table, old furniture, - old spoons and old plates in here...
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- ..but it still - feels like a modern kitchen.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- The lighting is contemporary and - light floods in through the Velux.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- It feels modern. - That's partly due to the colours.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- These Georgian colours - are also contemporary.
0:04:38 > 0:04:39- This is the lounge.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45- The chairs may be antiques but I - don't feel scared to sit on them.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- They're chairs - which are meant to be used.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- Chairs designed for us - to flop into them.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58- The worn, painted floorboards - give this room an even cosier feel.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- There's nothing you can't touch - because it will fall apart.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- Everything is used.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- This room is completely different.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- It's more of an antiques showroom...
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- ..though it's a functioning - dining room with practical chairs.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45- The chairs are not only practical - but also very pleasing to the eye.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50- It sums up Betsan and Tim's - achievements in this house.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55- They've filled it with antiques but - it is still completely practical.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- It looks like St Fagans - but it's a 21st century house.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- We wanted - to keep the front bedroom simple.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- We decided to keep - the tongue and groove on the walls.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43- We painted the floorboards and - we also used rag rugs on the floor.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- The bedspreads are old - and so is the bed.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- I love Welsh bedspreads.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- I love the colours and the designs.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- They're things of beauty...
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- ..which should be expensive - but are relatively cheap.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- Do you dislike contemporary design?
0:07:39 > 0:07:40- Do you dislike contemporary design?- - No, not at all.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- I like modern things.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- You must be sympathetic.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53- If you live in an old house, - you must choose sympathetic designs.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- We use modern inventions - such as televisions and stereos.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- We kept the bath, - the basin and the toilet.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33- We were tempted - to have a roll-top bath installed...
0:08:33 > 0:08:39- ..but all we've done is paint it, - remove the carpet and fit a shower.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- This is Betsan's home - and it is her haven.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- It's a world apart - from her life in London.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- I adore my little room.
0:08:58 > 0:09:05- It's where I write, - study and do some needlework.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- I can sit at my desk - and look out over the garden.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- It's wonderful.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- You've spent most of your life - in London.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Ferryside must be a massive change!
0:09:36 > 0:09:41- Yes, it's far more peaceful here - and it's far less stressful.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- It's a much nicer place to live - than London.
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0:10:18 > 0:10:23- Sioned Emrys loves London life, - but this is only one of her homes.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- It's a mews.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- It's two houses, knocked into one.
0:10:32 > 0:10:38- It was used as a coach house - and a stable block until the 1940s.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- The mews houses - you see all over London...
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- ..are considered to be - very desirable residences.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- Her work as a designer and writer - brings Sioned to London.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Where better to live and work - than Notting Hill?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- I've lived in Notting Hill - for 25 years.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- You get used to living - in a certain area...
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- ..and it's a wonderful place.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- I moved to this mews - around two years ago...
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- ..after carrying out - a few repairs to the house.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25- The walls were painted orange - and the kitchen was bright green.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- It was a blank canvas, really.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- I decided not to spend - too much money on the decor.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37- I stuck to one colour palette - and kept it simple.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42- I went on a few expeditions to IKEA - and the rest came from India.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- Several items in this room - came from India, didn't they?
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Yes. It's tricky to go to India - and not buy things!
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- The rug on the table and the one - draped over the stairs...
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- ..came from a warehouse in Delhi.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- They're pure silk - and they were woven in Iran.
0:12:06 > 0:12:12- You'd never associate such - vivid colours with Iranian rugs.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18- They're more typical - of rugs you'd find in South America.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- I adore them.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- They're wonderful.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- And they were a bargain, to boot!
0:12:42 > 0:12:47- There are two bedrooms on the ground - floor of this three-storey house.
0:12:47 > 0:12:53- The small garden, outside the - master bedroom, is a tranquil oasis.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- It's quite dark down there...
0:13:10 > 0:13:15- ..and you're drawn to the light - and to the bright colours up here.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- You only realise - it's a three-storey house...
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- ..when you get to this point.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- The glass roof - allows natural light to flood in.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- The glass roof - is a double-edged sword.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- It lets in natural light - but it also lets in heat.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- That's why there are blinds, - running across the roof.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- It's a wonderful space.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44- There are lots of things to discover - in the house's nooks and crannies.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- The green and orange - colours are amazing.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- This is the lounge area.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- But it must be - a bit more than a lounge.
0:13:53 > 0:14:00- In an open-plan house, like this, - every area must be multifunctional.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- It's a lounge, - a kitchen, a dining room...
0:14:03 > 0:14:08- ..and as close to a garden as - you'll get in this part of London.
0:14:08 > 0:14:14- The exciting thing about this room - is the bright, vibrant colours.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- Pinks, purples and greens.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22- The colours and the furniture - have strong links with the Far East.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27- An exciting combination - it makes - a wonderful room in which to relax.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- And there's another great place - to relax up there.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Sioned uses this room as her office, - at the moment.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55- This isn't a huge house but it's a - three-bedroom house, nevertheless.
0:14:55 > 0:15:01- Every inch of the space has been - utilised - right up to the roof.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02- This is the apex.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08- This leads to the balcony, - which leads to the roof terrace.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- There's a blind - outside this long, narrow window.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- It's a mechanically-operated blind.
0:15:18 > 0:15:24- It must be really hot without it - - it's very warm, with the blind down.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- I think I chose to live here...
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- ..because it's such a contrast - from my north Wales home.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- My north Wales home - is very traditional.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11- I had never lived in a contemporary, - modern house until I moved here...
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- ..so it's been - an interesting experience for me.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- I spend one week per month here, - on average.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- I'm here for extended periods, - from time to time...
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- ..but I come to London - specifically to attend meetings.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- I'm here because of work, - not pleasure.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- I love London and it's exceptionally - beautiful architecture.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- I also think - it's a very exciting city.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- This is my favourite city - in the world.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- I love its restaurants, - shops and markets.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- I would find it difficult - to be unhappy here.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- Cardiff has been transformed - in recent years.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- Areas such as Grangetown - have seen great changes.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- Film director Marc Evans - lives in Grangetown.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24- His father, who's an architect...
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- ..helped Marc turn an old stable - into a contemporary home.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- I moved in here, before I bought it.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- I grew to love - the feel of the place.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- It wasn't in good condition - but I liked the ambience.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02- The remains of several parties - are deeply ingrained in the walls.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- It had plenty of character - but it was a mess.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- What was this place, originally?
0:18:10 > 0:18:11- What was this place, originally?- - It was a stable.
0:18:11 > 0:18:17- Local people remember the mayor's - car in the garage, downstairs.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22- The ground floor was a garage and - there was a flat on the first floor.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- It was a great, original party flat - but the shape was all wrong.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- The bedrooms were in the front, - the living room was at the back...
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- ..and the stairs - led from the alleyway.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- We just changed the shape.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- The most important thing - was to have natural light flood in.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- My father was the architect - who drew up the plans...
0:18:47 > 0:18:51- ..and he realised the front - is the best side of the building.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- That's why we moved the staircase.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- It made it possible - to exploit the space.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- There are no supporting walls - in the building, which is a bonus.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- The beam going across here - allows you to open up the space.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34- I had reservations about working - on my home with my father...
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- ..but he's experienced - and it was great.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- His obsessions lay - in unpredictable areas of the house!
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- I thought he'd have set ideas - about the aesthetics...
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- ..but he didn't express an opinion - - he went with me, as his client.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- I got what I wanted.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- My father's obsessions - include a leaning towards white.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- He's a modernist, really.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- He's a great fan of modernism, - so white is the colour of choice...
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- ..unless you have - any strong objections.
0:20:10 > 0:20:17- The black detail around the doors - and the internal glazing...
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- ..are prominent features - of my father's style.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- You must respect the materials - already present in a house.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- With the brick, - we couldn't strip away the paint...
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- ..because there were - too many thick layers.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- The best option - was to paint it white.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- We left the pipes exposed and - respected the shape of the building.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- We didn't have much money, - so we prioritised.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- The staircase was important - and the flooring was important.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- We kept the ground floor unchanged, - as an industrial space.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13- An old garage.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- It can be an office, a studio - or a second living room.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- The downstairs bedroom - could be an office.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- I work from home and I need - a good working environment.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- It was important - to create the right ambience.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- The one thing we don't have - is a garden...
0:22:02 > 0:22:07- ..but you can go for a lovely walk - along the riverbank in Grangetown.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- We can walk to town from here.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15- We're part of the city without - actually being in the city centre.
0:22:15 > 0:22:21- There are flats going up everywhere - but cities evolve and I accept that.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- Nia and I - are the yuppies of this street...
0:22:26 > 0:22:32- ..and that's part and parcel of a - city's development and regeneration.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33- Having said that...
0:22:34 > 0:22:39- ..I think it's honourable to put - money and time into a building.
0:22:39 > 0:22:46- This is a street which has changed - and it will continue to change.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- I worked with my father - to adapt this building...
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- ..and now I live here, - with my girlfriend.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- It's a happy home - and that's wonderful.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones