Port Talbot Guardian from Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Wales • 75

February 3 2000 Neath Port Talbot Guardian Property fismhooim at wwwtotatwaiescomrish4homes Pago 13 RESTORATION: We are now complete country converts this iroaBIy 5s viae II 1 MY husband knew our search for country bliss was over the first tune he saw the derelict 17th Century farmhouse which we now call home Frankly I had a few reservations Uninhabited for more than 30 years it was going to take a lot of effort and time to restore what was basically a dilapidated shell into anything remotely homely and comfortable But now almost two yean on we are at least part of the way there Our family room is as finished as any of my rooms ever are in that nothing actually needs to be altered or added to although to be honest that has never stopped me in the past Like many ex-suburbia types we are now complete country converts with wellies constantly at the ready for a hike into the green unknown So much space and privacy is a heady combination when you have lived with neighbours and an over-narrow driveway for large chunks of your life This really is the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of a hectic career and even Eighteen months ago Yvonne Jones and her family moved to a 17th Century £umhouse in Monmouthshire because her husband wanted a croquet lawn and son Nathan aged nine wanted a tree house Neither project has progressed beyond the planning stage as yet but much of the rest of the house is very nearly complete Yvonne is one of Wales's leading Interior designers She can be contacted at her Chameleon Interiors showroom In Cardiff on 01222371277 though I thoroughly enjoy what I do arriving home to uninterrupted views of the Monmouthshire countryside a roaring wood-burning fire and the adoration of various family pets more than compensates for the 40 or so minutes drive to and from work each day Even on the greyest of mornings we celebrate living here But before I get too lyrical let me take you into the family room because it is finally finished I think Farrow Ball's cream paint pro RURAL RETREAT: The lounge is set off by bold navy and white check fabric on the settee and curtains oOOO -ooo worn it is almost impossible to relay them in the same formation You can spend more on sorting the levels out than buying new What vou cannot see from the nhoto- vided a neutral palette for all the warm colours and practical heavy textures I graph here are my fabulously weath-wanted in this room A number of com- ered-looking oak doors with panies produce traditional paints appro- wrought-iron latches and studs Again I priate for older properties Farrow bought new to ensure the hang and fit is nan range is my personal lavounic work seat coven for two upright desk chairs A small antique chest hides video and CDs and also provides a useful side table for one of three traditional Vaughan lamps A big Victorian desk hides the inevitable piles of family clutter Central to the cosy atmosphere of thb room is the warmth provided by a superb wood-burning stove from the Raglan Garden Centre Although noi shown in the illustration it has doon which fold right back to reveal a roaring log fire If you value the feel of a tea fire avoid stoves which don't have thu facility A hearthrug pulls the coloui scheme together draws the eye to the fire and of course the dog and cat wouldn't dream of sitting anywhere else edge in blue fringe and have co-ordinating Mulberry cord tie-backs decorated with chunky wooden tassels Hung simply from an Artisan pole they are seldom drawn revealing a porcelain Staffordshire dog Quality replica The window seat is covered in a raspberry-coloured Jane Churchill chenille There are two comfortable wing chairs The antique one in view has been re-upholstered in a red check Colefax fabric For chairs which are destined for heavy use you should opt for a good-quality replica antique Antique chairs are seldom robust The second new wing chair by Greengate is in a navy and cream Toile de Jouy cloth and I have used remnants of this cloth with the raspberry chenille to create patch- correct but spent time on getting them aged appropriately Another thing you cannot see are the strategically placed electric floor plugs Not a trailing lead but there are a number of good alternatives to consider including Zoffany and Crown and Dulux Never assume that any cream paint will do Many are simply too fresh-looking for this sort of house The natural wood floorboards are actually new and have been stained and waxed (Fiddes wax) to look suitably antiqued I don't advocate buying old or reclaimed floorboards because if at all in sight in this house The most dominant fabric in the room is the bold navy and white check used for the curtains and practical loose-covered sofa This fabric was woven for me but you can find similar in the Jane Churchill range The interlined curtains are trimmed at the leading Warwick wing chair by Greengate of Wycombe Westbury At Mariners Point Aberavon Westbury is offering up to 100 home excham I QiHT Vi Vi- £2000 cashback With homes such as Plot 5 a 3 bedroom detached Rosedale from only £71995 and Plot 6 a 4 bedroom detached Langham from only £84995 novs the perfect time to choose your new home for the millennium MARINERS POINT OFF VICTORIA ROAD ABERAVON SALES OFFICE OPEN 7 DAYS 11 AM 5PM TELEPHONE (01639) 899309 THIS IS A HALIFAX VALUED HOME SERVICE DEVELOPMENT.