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0:00:22 > 0:00:27- Tonight, the home of an actress, - an engineer and their children.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- We'll also visit a 1930s house, - in Swansea...
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- ..and a chapel - in the Vale of Glamorgan.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46- Welcome to 04Wal.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- The walls of this terraced house - in Llandaff, Cardiff...
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- ..resound with the noise of - children and youngsters.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- This is the home of Sian Rivers, - Sergio d'Alesio, her husband...
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- ..and Holly, Jack, Cara, Ricky - and little Jude.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- I'm not fond of houses...
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- ..which are so minimalist - that there's nothing to see.
0:01:39 > 0:01:45- I'm not fond of houses which follow - a certain style religiously, either.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50- You could do something - mega-Victorian with this house...
0:01:51 > 0:01:53- ..but we chose - not to go down that path.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- I like comfortable houses - which have that lived-in look.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04- I like to see things like trainers, - books and biscuits in houses!
0:02:04 > 0:02:06- I like a comfortable house.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11- I was really keen to remove the - Victorian features from the house...
0:02:12 > 0:02:14- ..to create a blank canvas.
0:02:14 > 0:02:20- Everyone went crazy with me and said - I wasn't to touch the fireplaces!
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- Rather than build my house - around the original features...
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- ..I've rebelled against - the Victorian style.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33- By the time the whole family - had moved their stuff in here...
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- ..including all five children...
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- ..the style had taken on - a life of its own.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- We used the things we already had - in the house.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45- I went to Morocco recently.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- I'm really keen - on the Moroccan style.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- I went to Marrakech - and I bought colourful things...
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- ..like ceramics and rugs.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56- I like colourful, bold objects.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58- I like humour, too.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- Was the house in good condition?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- The former owners - had done some work to the house...
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- ..but it wasn't to my taste.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- They liked the idea - of separate rooms...
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- ..but I wanted - a more open-plan feel.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- They chose some dark colours.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- They had dark green carpets - and a check pattern on the walls.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- I wasn't overly keen on those.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- The first thing we did - was knock the rooms through.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- This house was once a home - for orphaned children.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- It's quite nice that - a lot of children live here now too.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- I think that's nice.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- What inspired you - to knock down the walls?
0:03:49 > 0:03:54- Many people like dark, atmospheric - Victorian houses...
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- ..but I like light houses, - where you can see what you're doing.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- I know what I like.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- I like an eclectic mixture - but I do insist on order, too.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- This house is well-organised.
0:04:27 > 0:04:33- We start our tour of the bedrooms - in the converted loft.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38- Jack is a teenager and he has - typical, teenage interests.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- He enjoys the humour - of Homer Simpson and South Park.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- He's into computer games, - such as Grand Theft Auto.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52- He's also a sports fan and - he follows ice hockey and baseball.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59- The unusual thing about this room - is the colour of the walls...
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- ..the size of the room and the - Andy Warhol posters on the walls.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- The astonishing thing about it - is it's frighteningly tidy!
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- When did you last see such a tidy - teenage boy's bedroom?
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- It's a first, for me.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- Cara is Sergio's daughter, - from his first marriage.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- This is her room when she visits.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43- This is Holly's room.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48- Holly is an actress, but there's - nothing dramatic about this room.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- It's very calm.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- Green is the prominent colour.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- There are artificial plants - and real plants in here.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- It's almost like - stepping into a garden.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- It's calming and it's subtle.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- There's an eastern influence here - and lots of candles.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- It's a space in which you can relax - as well as sleep.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- Jude, the youngest child, - has a circus for a bedroom!
0:07:08 > 0:07:09- I love the circus.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- The bathroom is here, - on the first floor.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- Pictures of films, - like The Wizard of Oz...
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- ..are dotted around the house.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05- Follow the yellow, floorboard road - to the front of the house...
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- ..and you'll find - the master bedroom.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- Here it is.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- The rest of the house - is a blaze of colour...
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- ..but this is a calm, romantic room.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- This isn't an unblemished - romantic scene, mind you.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- There's an altar-like computer - in the corner.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Sergio's collection - of model motorbikes...
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- ..are also on display, - on a Victorian plinth.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46- Just to underline the fact that - two hearts beat as one in here...
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- ..this is Sergio's wardrobe.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- Compact and bijou.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Everything else in this room - belongs to Sian!
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- There's a bit of a heart theme - in this house.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- I don't know why I like hearts.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- I like bold shapes.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- The heart shape is bold...
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- ..and you can buy lots of - decorative touches on that theme.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- Perhaps I followed that path, - subconsciously.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- We spend a lot of time - around this table, as a family.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- This room draws you in, somehow. - It's really lovely.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- Are you a keen cook?
0:10:13 > 0:10:14- Are you a keen cook?- - Me, personally?
0:10:15 > 0:10:16- I do enjoy cooking...
0:10:16 > 0:10:22- ..but we do tend to eat a mixture of - convenience food and home cooking.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- I enjoy having Sunday lunches - around this table.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27- It's lovely.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- Did you always enjoy family meals...
0:10:31 > 0:10:36- ..or is it something you've adopted, - as you're part of an Italian family?
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- I think our family - is like something off The Sopranos.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45- Sergio is the head of the family - wearing a vest and dark sunglasses!
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- No, we're not quite like that!
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- Is that a cliche or is it accurate?
0:10:50 > 0:10:50- Is that a cliche or is it accurate?- - It's completely accurate.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- It's completely accurate.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- My in-laws can spend - half a day, eating a meal...
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- ..which consists of many courses.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- We can finish our Sunday lunch - in 20 minutes!
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- I like to display - the children's work on the walls.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- I'm fond of colour.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- The kitchen is the perfect place - to put things on display.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- I don't care if it's a bit - higgledy-piggledy.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- Is there any room for Sergio's taste - in this design of yours?
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- Yes. There's a hint of Tuscany - about the paint on the walls.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- He's keen on cars and there are - miniature motorbikes everywhere.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Have you seen them?
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- There are also lots of pictures of - his other love - the car he built!
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- There are things like that - in the house.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- Who is the dominant force, when it - comes to design - you or Sergio?
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- Gosh - me!
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0:12:12 > 0:12:15- This 1930s house stands proudly - above Swansea.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- It was renovated - with tender, loving care...
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- ..by its owner, Sarah Cole.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Which of the house's features - appealed to you, Sarah?
0:12:32 > 0:12:33- The original features.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- Things like the door handles, - the doors themselves...
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- ..the windows, the coving, - the skirting and the architraves.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- Everything has a step in its design, - which is a feature of the house.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- How many of those features - are original to the house?
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- I had to replace the fireplaces.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- They had been - taken out of the property.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- Things like the skirting boards - were still intact...
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- ..which was a stroke of luck.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- Did you spend - a lot of time cleaning?
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- Yes. The hall was - the most daunting task of them all.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- A treacle-like substance - covered the oak in the hall.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- It took months to clean it off, - with wire wool and scrapers.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34- A labour of love.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- A labour of love.- - Yes, like the rest of the house.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- Would the wood have been - as bare as that, originally?
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- No, they tended to coat wood - with shellac.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- I've used light colours - in this house...
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- ..so I tried to - bring out the wood's grain.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- I noticed the house was very dark - when I first came here.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- It's not that natural light - couldn't get in.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- It was all about the dark colours - the previous owners chose.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- I put the light back in the house - and I made more of the windows.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- I tried to keep a single theme - running through the house.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02- I do enjoy parties.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22- The house is good for parties - and get-togethers with my friends.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- I enjoy being here on my own, too.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- It's tricky - to blend the old and the new.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- I tried to do it - because I want it to be practical.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- I want to use the kitchen - but I wanted to keep the Rayburn.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- The stainless steel is all new.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51- I hope the Shaker-style units - make the kitchen seem fairly old.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- I used Art Deco fittings - in the bathroom.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- It doesn't look out of place.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- If you think that, I succeeded!
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- That was my aim.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- You have furniture which complements - the period of the house.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16- Yes. I was fortunate enough to have - been given most of it by my family.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- I inherited some furniture - from my great aunt.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- I've been very lucky.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- I picked up several pieces - at auctions.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36- The brass bed, upstairs, is one - of the items I picked up at auction.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- It was a Christmas present - from my parents, one year.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- Most of the furniture - came from family members.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- It's in great condition, too.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- It's in great condition, too.- - Yes, I tried to keep it that way.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- I don't think - it was used very much...
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- ..because - it's all in such good condition.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04- I enjoy being in the house.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- I don't work in this area.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- It's a real haven when I come home.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24- We live in an age...
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- ..where buildings are converted - and adapted for various uses.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Chapels are used - as carpet shops, garages...
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- ..or some sort of warehouses.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41- Thankfully, Ebenezer Chapel, - in the Vale of Glamorgan...
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- ..has been converted - into a cosy home.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- The conversion - had already been done...
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- ..when Ffion Elinor and Leigh Jones - bought the property.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- Where there were once pews, - there is now a punchbag!
0:18:14 > 0:18:19- This was an open space, when - this building was used as a chapel.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- It's now a house, - but it still has an open feel to it.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- The ground floor is one, large room.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31- The kitchen cupboards and worktops - are made of the old chapel pews.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- We can walk through the kitchen, - into the lounge.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- This is a lovely fireplace.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- Where there was once a pulpit, - there is now a television.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- It's very neat and tidy.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- It's airy and very light.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- There's even a door, - leading to the garden, over there.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- We tried not to overfill the house.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- We kept furniture to a minimum - and we painted the walls white.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- We don't want things to stand out.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- We want everything to be neutral.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- It's a calm environment.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- It's very easy to relax - in this house.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- I liked the space - and the fact it's unusual.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- I used to live in a terraced house.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- Every terraced house in Cardiff - is pretty much identical.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- It's very difficult to do something - different to houses like those.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- That's what attracted us - to this house.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- It's so different.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- Once you're in here, - it doesn't feel like a chapel.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- I've been collecting religious - artefacts since I lived in Cardiff.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- There's a picture - of a group of ministers in the hall.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10- I've collected several items and - it's nice to put them on display.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- It's nice to have those things - in a chapel.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- There's some humour here, too.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- We have some Buddhas here.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- It isn't meant to be serious.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- How do you use this house?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- Do you spend a lot of time in here?
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- Do you spend a lot of time in here?- - Yes, I love sitting - in front of the television.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Our television fills that space.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- We're film buffs.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- Leigh, my partner, enjoys sitting - in the gallery area, on the landing.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- He's happy to sit in his chair, - reading his books.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- He's obsessed with books!
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- He worked for a publishing company - and he designed lots of books.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- There are two bedrooms - in this lovely house.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- This room serves a dual purpose.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- It's a storage area - for a lot of Ffion's clothes.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- She's a costume designer - for film and television.
0:21:13 > 0:21:19- This room is also where Leigh stores - many of the books he's designed.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- The en-suite bathroom - is through here.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- This is the third person - in their relationship!
0:21:53 > 0:21:55- A mannequin.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- That's the long and the short of it.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- The ceiling is open to the roof.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- You can see - the mechanics of the building.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- The room next door - is almost identical to this one.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- This is the twin room, as it were.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- A bed a wardrobe - and an en-suite bathroom.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- We tend to change the things - we have on display regularly.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- What we have - is an eclectic collection.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- I'm a terrible one - for collecting stuff.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- S4C subtitles by- Eirlys A Jones
0:23:36 > 0:23:37