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0:00:20 > 0:00:24- Tonight, we head to Ruthin - to see two kitchens...
0:00:24 > 0:00:28- ..in a huge house that's - full of locally-made furniture.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34- We'll also take a look at this - dilapidated farmhouse in Glaspwll.
0:00:35 > 0:00:41- First, we visit the Swansea Valley - to see Betsan Rees's striking home.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- A house influenced by - heaven and ocean.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- This job has taught me - that the exterior of a house...
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- ..doesn't necessarily - reflect its interior.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- Betsan Rees's house looks - fairly ordinary from the outside...
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- ..but that doesn't mean - it's ordinary inside.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- Betsan Rees is a talented designer.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- She has directed photo shoots - of Wales's rugby greats...
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- ..she has exhibited her work - in New York...
0:01:16 > 0:01:21- ..and she worked on the set - for the current series of Dr Who.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26- She saved her most outlandish - designs for her own house.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30- In dreams, they say your house - is a symbol of your soul.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- If that's true, my house symbolises - my personality and my soul.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- The exterior - seems very uncomplicated...
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- ..but looks can be deceptive.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50- When you go beyond the exterior, - you see every room is different.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- The front seems very conservative...
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- ..but there's something different - in each of the rooms.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- The colours are sensitive - and sensual.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- I think you can see - I'm a quirky person...
0:02:04 > 0:02:06- ..from the objects in the house.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- You're a designer...
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- ..so, presumably, you did - most of the design work yourself?
0:02:30 > 0:02:31- Yes.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- I believe that - houses reflect their owners.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41- I can achieve perfect, minimalist - designs for other people...
0:02:42 > 0:02:47- ..but I want my house to represent - the kind of person I really am.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- I want to live in a natural way - in my house.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- I can't pretend to be neat and tidy - when I'm not!
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- The ground floor - is quite comfortable.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- Because of the work I do...
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- ..I wanted calming rooms, - where I could clear my head.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- I didn't want to have - any distractions around me.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- I wanted a nice, cosy atmosphere.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20- I don't have much money - and I don't have a showhouse...
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- ..so I wanted - to make my house special.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- I wanted the house - to make me feel lovely and nice.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- It's completely self-indulgent, - in many ways.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- Some people live in their house - and that's it...
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- ..but this house is my haven.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- The whole house is my haven.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- I love the house.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- The furniture tells me - this is the lounge.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20- Yes, this is the cosy room.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- Yes, this is the cosy room.- - Yes, it certainly is cosy.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- Yes, the furs, the wood - and the leather make it cosy.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31- People would expect someone - of your stature - a designer...
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- ..to have bought - contemporary furniture.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- Yes, but I decided to opt for - furniture which feels lovely.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- The leather is very, very soft.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- It's fine leather.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52- You can lie down, curl up - or dangle your legs over the arms.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54- That's what I wanted.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- I didn't want something - which looked fantastic.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- I wanted something - which made you feel cosy.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- There are examples of your work - on the walls.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Yes. I've done a lot of work - for Rugby World.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- I directed and styled covers - for the magazine.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- I'm very, very proud of the work.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- I enjoy looking at them. - I enjoy having them on display.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- These are the steps to Heaven!
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- There are three bedrooms up here.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- The Mermaid Room, - the Playboy or Playgirl Room...
0:05:34 > 0:05:39- ..and, at the top of the steps - to Heaven, the master bedroom.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- I always wanted clouds and blue - skies on the walls of my bedroom.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- Here's how you go about it.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- There are quirky touches in here, - such as that halo!
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- There are hearts - dotted around the room...
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- ..and, if you can't afford a - real chandelier, buy a plastic one!
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- Here's my favourite thing - in this room.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- # You ain't - nothin' but a hound dog #
0:06:07 > 0:06:08- An Elvis Presley phone!
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- # You ain't nothin' but a hound dog - cryin' all the time
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- # You ain't never caught a rabbit - and you ain't no friend of mine #
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- Elvis has left the building!
0:06:46 > 0:06:47- This is your room?
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- This is your room?- - Yes - the best room in the house.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- Why the marine ephemera - in this room?
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- Well, I always wanted to be - a mermaid, when I was little.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- I think I still want to - be a mermaid!
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- I go to the tip regularly - and I spotted this chest down there.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- I fell in love with it and I can't - believe someone would throw it away.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- It looks like - it's been on the seabed for years.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- I just collect things, really.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- There are lots of things - from the sea in here...
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- ..but the picture of The Rock, the - wrestler, isn't part of that theme.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- There's a picture of Muhammad Ali - over there.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- It's great to wake up in the morning - and gaze at The Rock.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43- It has nothing to do with the sea?
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- It has nothing to do with the sea?- - No, not at all.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- If you had to move from here, - what sort of house would you buy?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- I'd buy Hugh Hefner's house.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- The Playboys would cook - and do the gardening.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- They'd work for me.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16- What's the appeal there?
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- What's the appeal there?- - I think men and women - should be treated as equals.
0:08:22 > 0:08:30- I tease people and say, - "I want to be like Hugh Hefner."
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- I want the same things - men have in life.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- I want to live like them.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03- Some people dream of inheriting - a farmhouse and renovating it.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- That dream is a reality - for Alun Jones and his family.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- I lived in that house when I was - around two and a half years old.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- We then moved to a bungalow - on the farm land.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- Generations of my family - have links with this house.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27- An opportunity to renovate - the house came about recently...
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- ..and work is underway, at last.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- I've always - recognised the house's potential.
0:09:36 > 0:09:42- I definitely feel duty-bound - to preserve the house's features...
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- ..for generations to come.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- It's certainly worth renovating.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52- How much work is involved - in the renovation of this house?
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- The builder tells us - it will take eight months...
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- ..so it will probably - take at least twice that long!
0:10:01 > 0:10:08- We must tackle the roof, - the flooring and the doors.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- There's a lot of work to be done.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- The house has been extended - over the centuries.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Will you be able to save it all?
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- No. The main section of the house - dates back to 1640.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- It's quite solid.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31- The more recent extension wasn't in - good condition, so it's coming down.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- We're building - a new extension there.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- The roughcast on the exterior walls - is coming off...
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- ..and we hope to use - a traditional limewash.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- We want the walls - to be able to breathe.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- What about the front?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Is this all original?
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Is this all original?- - No, only half of it is original.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- One section was added in 1930.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- It's in good condition - but in need of some renovation.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- What will you do with this room, - once you've hoovered it?!
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- The hoovering may take some time!
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- We'll have an opening here.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- It will be - the main entrance to the house.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- There was a set of stone steps here, - leading to the bedrooms.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- We removed the steps - and found this was once an opening.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- It was widened, at some point, - and we hope to reopen it.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- The oak lintels - seem to be in good condition.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- Behind us?
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Behind this lovely box, - there is some plasterwork.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- It's a picture of a coat of arms - belonging to a local family.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- It's in need of restoration.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- What's behind this wall?
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- The lounge is directly behind this.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- There are back-to-back fireplaces - in the rooms.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- You'll see that, - when the rooms have been opened out.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- Further down, on the left, - is the kitchen.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- It's great to be able to return - to the farm where I grew up.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- It's important - to keep it in the family.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- I think the children - will appreciate it.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- The house is surrounded by land...
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- ..and they'll have lots of space - for playing.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- That's ideal.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- The whole family will benefit.
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0:13:53 > 0:13:57- This enormous house - has been extended several times...
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- ..to include an extra lounge, - a playroom, a garage...
0:14:01 > 0:14:06- ..two kitchens and an office, - which has won a design award.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- Nerys and Eryl Owen have lived in - Bryn Caredig for almost 20 years.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- They were lucky to buy the house, - in the first place.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- It wasn't for sale.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- You heard a rumour, didn't you?
0:14:25 > 0:14:31- You heard a rumour, didn't you?- - Yes, a friend told me the owner was - toying with the idea of selling.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- She wasn't sure - whether or not she would sell.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- You came to see it on your own, - didn't you?
0:14:38 > 0:14:39- Yes, that's right.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- We made her an offer and - she agreed to sell the house to us.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46- We were very lucky.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- We were very taken with the house.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- Yes, even though - it wasn't in good condition.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- The location - makes it really special.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- The view from here is stunning.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- You were taken with the view, - rather than the house?
0:15:07 > 0:15:08- Yes, apart from one room.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- Yes, the old room, at the far end.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- When I walked in there, - I had a special feeling.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- I still have that feeling.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- The original house - dates back to the 16th century.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- Its front is - at the side of the new house.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- There's a new porch here.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- The house is almost U-shaped.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Let's take a look - at the other buildings.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- Was it always your intention - to join them together?
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- No, that wasn't our intention, - at first.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- We linked them together, when - we'd lived here for a few years.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- We wanted a bit more room...
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- ..so we came up with the idea - of linking the buildings.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- We built the garage - and added the office at the end.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- It created much more space - for the family.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- This table tells me - we're in a dining room.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- Is this the old part of the house?
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- Yes. We started eating in here - after we'd built the extension.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- We used to eat in the kitchen.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- We had an old parlour, through there - and a new parlour...
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- ..so we decided to capitalise - on the view and eat in here.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06- We wanted a round table and we - asked a local craftsman to build it.
0:17:06 > 0:17:07- The chairs are old.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10- They're a bit of a mishmash.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- I was raised on a farm and - some of the chairs come from there.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20- The settle looks old - but, in fact, it's new.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- The kitchen is through here?
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- The kitchen is through here?- - Yes. We haven't altered the opening.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- We decided to keep it like this.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35- It's nice to have a wide passage, - leading to the kitchen.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- Was there a kitchen here originally?
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- Yes, there was a kitchen here.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- It was shorter than this. - There was a door over there.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- We had the kitchen refitted.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- We bought new kitchen cupboards - and drawers.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- A local craftsman, from Corwen, - made the kitchen units.
0:17:59 > 0:18:00- Are you a keen cook?
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- Are you a keen cook?- - No, I'm not interested in cooking.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- I'm good at making desserts, though.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- If we have friends for a meal, - Eryl does the cooking.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- He does a fairly decent job, too.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- Here we are, - in the oldest section of the house.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- People once cooked on the fire - and relaxed in here.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- It is now a cosy, warm lounge.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- The central hallway was once here.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- The front door was here and - the back door was there, as it were.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48- We can see the actual mechanics - of the wall - the wattle and daub.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- Clay and mud is laid on the wattle - to create these lovely walls.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- It's wonderful - to have such details in a house.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03- It gives the place real character - and you feel part of history.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07- From here, we can see the old - leading to the new.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- The new extension is down there.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- We can see the far end of the house.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- We're upstairs, - above the central hallway.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24- In order to reach the new section, - we must walk through the gap.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- I went up the stairs, over there, - and I came down these stairs.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- The great thing - about this corridor...
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- ..is that it links the kitchen - to the garage.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21- This old partition wall once stood - in a farm further up the valley.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26- It's been given a new lease of life - and it blends in perfectly.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- This is the new dining room.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- The new lounge is through here.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- It's cosy and sunlight floods in - through those French windows.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38- It's lovely.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- The children's playroom - is to my right...
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- ..and there's another kitchen, - through there.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- We're next door to the playroom - and here, we find a second kitchen.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- Why do you need a second kitchen?
0:21:16 > 0:21:17- Why do you need a second kitchen?- - This is my kitchen.
0:21:18 > 0:21:24- I enjoy cooking and this is where - I keep the things I use when I cook.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- What, so that nobody else - can get their hands on them?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- Some things aren't out of bounds.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- What sort of food do you cook?
0:21:37 > 0:21:38- What sort of food do you cook?- - I'll cook anything.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- I lived in Italy for years, - so I enjoy cooking Italian food.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- I cook all sorts of dishes.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- We step this way - and we're leaving the old cowshed.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53- Yes, through the wall.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55- Yes, through the wall.- - This is the rest of the extension.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- Wow! This is completely unexpected.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- The exterior gives you no clue - to the interior.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- We decided to do something - a bit out of the ordinary.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Rather than having - two conventional floors...
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- ..we went for a mezzanine.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- It makes the room much lighter...
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- ..and it gave us an opportunity - to have a special light fitting.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40- You use this as your office?
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- You use this as your office?- - Yes, I use this corner as my office.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45- I work here, when I'm home.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03- Can you see a time when you move - from here to a smaller property?
0:23:04 > 0:23:05- No, not at the moment.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10- No, it's lovely here. We're lucky - to live in such a lovely place.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- It's a beautiful spot - and the house is very pleasant.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- We're quite happy here.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- S4C subtitles by- Eirlys A Jones
0:23:48 > 0:23:49