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0:00:20 > 0:00:26- In 04Wal this week, how Dorian Bowen - gave a cottage a new lease of life.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- We meet Sarra Elgan.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- She's still working - on a cowshed conversion.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- First, to Swansea Bay...
0:00:39 > 0:00:44- ..and a 1970s house brought - very much into the 21st century.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:01:04 > 0:01:10- Lesley Taylor Bottomley transformed - this unremarkable 1970s house...
0:01:10 > 0:01:13- ..into a home with real wow factor.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- Lesley is an interior designer.
0:01:17 > 0:01:22- She has appeared on programmes - such as This Morning...
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- ..and she's written - several interior design books.
0:01:28 > 0:01:29- Our house was too small.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- We wanted a four bedroomed house...
0:01:34 > 0:01:38- ..and we wanted to live - in a house with a view.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- When we went house-hunting...
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- ..because I'm an interior designer, - I didn't want a finished article.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51- I was on the lookout for a house - on which I could put my own stamp.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- How would you describe your style?
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- I think this house - really dictated the style to me.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- It's a 1970s property, - with large windows.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12- I wanted something - contemporary but not minimal.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13- It doesn't work for me!
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- We have too much stuff - to live in a minimal house.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23- I wanted something which felt - comfortable and relaxed...
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- ..with plenty of texture in it.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- Several items are trendy - and very much of the moment.
0:02:31 > 0:02:37- I'm sure I'll introduce new elements - to the design in a couple of years.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- I wanted to create - something you don't see every day...
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- ..without being stand-offish.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10- The kitchen is in the centre - of the house but it's very light.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- Yes, it's very light now - but there was a wall here.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- This room was very dark.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- I took out the wall and replaced it - with glass and it works well.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- I wanted shiny surfaces, - so light would bounce off them.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- These simple units are fantastic.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- What is their function?
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- They're storage cupboards, - fridges and so on.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- A microwave, an oven...
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- ..and a coffee machine - - an interior designer's must!
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- Must have caffeine!
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- It's great. It's wonderful.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- I wanted it to be simple.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52- I wanted a 1970s style kitchen.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57- My mother walked in and said, - "We had one of those, in the '70s!"
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- That's exactly - what I tried to achieve.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- It's lovely to have this hallway, - leading into the kitchen.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- I wanted the house - to have an open feel...
0:04:09 > 0:04:11- ..but it had to be practical, too.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15- Open-plan living - isn't always practical.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- I think it works well.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- This is very open.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- It's open, all the way to the roof.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- It's very light.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- We had flat roofs. - This section is new.
0:04:27 > 0:04:28- It works well.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54- In a house crammed with wonders, - I think this is the real triumph.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- This glass roof - lets light flood in...
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- ..and it bounces off the walls - and the floors beautifully.
0:05:01 > 0:05:07- To the left, separating the hall - and the kitchen, is this glass wall.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- This lets light - flood into the kitchen, of course.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- This staircase - leads to the first floor.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- It's a beautiful, wooden staircase - with an amazing, glass handrail.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22- It must be an inch thick.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- This is its crowning glory.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30- You've already seen me through - this breathtaking glass landing.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- This leads to the bedrooms.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- This is the master bedroom.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58- It's incredibly luxurious - and I love this solid wood floor.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- The doors are solid wood - and the handles are leather-covered.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06- Isn't that gorgeous?
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- I think - that's a really special touch.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- There are many different fabrics - on the huge bed...
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- ..giving you a variety of textures.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- The television is on the wall, - opposite the bed.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- You can watch television - in your sleep, if you so wish!
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- Undoubtedly, the star attraction - of this room is the view.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- Tucked away in the corner - of the room, is the en suite.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- You said you can almost see - the whole house from the kitchen.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- You can also see the whole house - through the fireplace.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- Yes. I wanted the house - to have a very open feel.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- I have two children and there's - heavy traffic in this house...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- ..so it had to be practical.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- The colours - are either light or dark...
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- ..apart from - this lovely block of red behind me.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- You need a bit of contrast.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- In rooms decorated - in browns, creams and white...
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- ..you need a little bit of oomph.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- There's my oomph! - The Chinese silk wallpaper.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45- The room has a few red accessories, - just to tie it all in.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- Most of the items in here - are very contemporary.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- That fantastic cabinet isn't new.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- That fantastic cabinet isn't new.- - No. That's my grandmother's cabinet.
0:07:58 > 0:07:58- No. That's my grandmother's cabinet.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- My grandmother asked me - which item of hers I wanted...
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- ..and I replied, - "That's what I want!"
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- My grandmother visits me here - and she's happy with it.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11- It's really special.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- What do you find most satisfying - about the house?
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- I'll rip it out and start again - in a couple of years...
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- ..but I'm satisfied with everything, - at the moment.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48- I think the house - was crying out for certain things...
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- ..and I worked with that.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- This is Sarra Elgan's cowshed, - in the Vale of Glamorgan.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- It's a work in progress.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- The plans have changed - since our first visit.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- This place was like a bombsite, - the last time we were here.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- It didn't look like - it had much of a future...
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- ..but you're half way there.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Yes, we're over half way.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- The weather has been favourable - and that helped.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- The builders worked very quickly.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- I'm really pleased - with the progress.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- Its potential is now obvious.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Yes, although I admit - it wasn't easy to see it, at first.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- The extension has been built...
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- ..and I can see how it will look, - when it's finished.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- You had very definite plans - for the house.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- Have some of those plans changed?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- Have some of those plans changed?- - Yes. A lot has changed.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11- As things developed, I realised - certain rooms would work better...
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- ..in a different part of the house.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- We've swapped rooms around.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- The shape of the house - hasn't altered.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- This is the shape we wanted - and we stuck to the original plans.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- We decided to have it open-plan, - so we'll have a hall-diner.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43- There will be a fireplace here - and the living room will be there.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- You'll look through the fireplace - and see the living room.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50- It'll be open-plan.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- I think it makes the most - of the space available to us.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- Will you spend a lot of time - in this part of the house?
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- I think we'll get most use - of this room when we have guests.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- We'll eat in here, - when we have dinner guests.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- We may not - spend that much time here.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Only when it's party time!
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Yes. This area will be kept tidy!
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- Leading off the main hallway - is this corridor.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- It takes you past this room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- Yes. This is a bedroom but we - may use it for a different purpose.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Next door to it is the bathroom.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- Hello!
0:11:54 > 0:11:55- What's this room?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- What's this room?- - Another bedroom.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- I love this room.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- Just look at that view.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- We'll put a huge window in there - and we'll enjoy the amazing view.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- We planned - to have the lounge here...
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- ..but there's a great view from - the other end of the house, too.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- We thought it would be nice - to have this as a guest bedroom.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- We're standing in the kitchen.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- We're currently choosing - the kitchen fixtures and fittings.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- I want a traditional kitchen, - with modern touches.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- I want a distressed paint effect.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- This is the extension.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- Is this the lounge?
0:12:48 > 0:12:49- Is this the lounge?- - Yes, this is the lounge.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- The view from this side of the house - is so amazing.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- We moved this room from the far end - to this end of the house.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- We'll have a fireplace there - and coves in the walls.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- You can imagine the finished effect.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- I can't wait to wake up - in the morning in this house.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13- It will be nice.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15- Yes. Fantastic.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17- I might move in, too!
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- I might move in, too!- - You can have the guest bedroom.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- The master bedroom, the bathroom - and guest bedrooms...
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- ..will be situated above the lounge.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35- What's the next step?
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- What's the next step?- - I've waited ages and ages for that.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- Choosing the kitchen units - and the bathroom suite.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Choosing lights and fittings, too.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- I can visualise the finished house.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- Once the windows are in, - it will look completely different.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54- That's the fun part.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- Simon, my husband, - has done the hard work.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- The hard work starts here, for me.
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0:14:32 > 0:14:36- This is a cottage called Bryn Eglur, - in Carmarthenshire.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- I was last here - when we filmed Y Ty Cymreig...
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- ..and it had gone to rack and ruin.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- The house - is 250 years old this year...
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- ..and Dorian Bowen - has given it a new lease of life.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- To me, what was interesting - about this cottage...
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- ..was that it had been empty - since 1965.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14- The cottage was in hibernation, - nothing happened until I arrived.
0:15:14 > 0:15:20- It was interesting to come here and - consider what I wanted to create.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29- I wanted - the appearance of an old cottage...
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- ..and to re-create original features - wherever possible.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- But I also tried to keep it simple.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- I think it's important - to employ local people...
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- ..to work on a project such as this.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- They've worked - on similar cottages in the area...
0:15:50 > 0:15:55- ..and they have a depth of knowledge - about how these things work.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03- The majority of the tradesmen - who worked on this house were local.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08- They lived no more than 20 or 30 - minutes drive away from here.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- You could have taken this house - in a completely different direction.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- You could have taken it - in a modern direction.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- Why did you stick - to the old way of life?
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- As I give you a guided tour - of the cottage later...
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- ..you'll see my desire to keep - things as original as possible.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- I've bought period furniture.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- I wanted to return the cottage - to its roots.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41- You're here, sitting around a table, - just as they did in olden times.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- Was this the old kitchen?
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- Was this the old kitchen?- - Yes, with a central chimney.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10- Was this the old kitchen?
0:17:10 > 0:17:10- All activity - was centred around the fireplace.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- All activity - was centred around the fireplace.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- What about the chimney itself?
0:17:16 > 0:17:21- It took a lot of time - to weave the wickerwork?
0:17:21 > 0:17:22- Yes, that's right.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- The original wickerwork - was in poor condition.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- This has been re-woven - so it's a copy of the original.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38- You replaced irreparable partitions - with new ones, too.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Yes. I went around Wales - to seek inspiration.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- I also visited the museum - in St Fagans.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- I took ideas from those places - and I did some work myself.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- These walls aren't original - but I think they work well.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- It enhances the pleasure - of sitting at the table.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- It's in keeping with the style.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Here we are on the first floor.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- This is a two-storey cottage.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- It's a simple house, in essence.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- There were four rooms here, - originally.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- Two up, two down.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52- This may have been one room, - before the partition was added.
0:18:52 > 0:18:59- The feature that catches your eye - as you enter the room is this.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- The chimney protrudes into the room.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- The wickerwork - beneath the plaster...
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- ...turns it into a work of art, - a bit like a sculpture.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- This room is different.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14- It's more colourful...
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- ..with a rug on the floor - and old blankets.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21- This is a box bed.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23- It's very tranquil.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28- That stems from the plain colours - and the fact it's dark up here.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- The timber adds to the ambience, - although some of it is new.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38- The new timber blends in with what - could be salvaged of the old wood.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43- It's an interesting composition - and it captures the imagination.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- This property has been renovated in - the style of the original cottage.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25- This is reclaimed timber, which - we found in another local cottage.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- We salvaged the wood - and incorporated it here.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- Most of the walls were rebuilt.
0:20:36 > 0:20:37- The opening was here.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- You're sitting - in what was originally the cowshed.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- How much time do you spend in here?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- The kitchen is the heart - of the home, for most people.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- I spend my time in here, - during the day.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- The light which comes in here - energises me and helps me work.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- It's a pleasure - to work in this kitchen.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- This room is far more modern - than the rest of the house.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- There was nothing in here. - It was a blank canvas.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- The main house - was far more structured.
0:21:14 > 0:21:20- I was restricted with the main house - but this was completely different.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- This room reflects the demands - of day-to-day life.
0:21:24 > 0:21:30- That's why this room - has more modern facilities.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- Have you finished work on the house?
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- I'm not sure if you ever - finish working on a house.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- Most of the work has been done - and the builder has left.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- Meanwhile, I live in the house...
0:21:58 > 0:22:03- ..and come across alterations - which I'd like to make.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- However, - most of the work has been done.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- I enjoyed the journey.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- I met a lot of interesting people, - along the way.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- As word spreads that the cottage - has been renovated...
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- ..people start to show an interest.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- It's time to sit back and enjoy it.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- There were difficult times, - during the process...
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- ..but now there's a chance - to relax and enjoy it.
0:22:43 > 0:22:50- # This love is like the oceans
0:22:51 > 0:22:58- # A compassion like the sea
0:22:58 > 0:23:05- # The prince of life died
0:23:06 > 0:23:13- # He died to give us life #
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones