HOT HOUSE II
SOMETIMES when hunting for a period property to buy, it is a challenge to find one that offers modern amenities but still retains its historic character. This four bedroom, bay fronted terraced home in the Roath Park area of Cardiff offers a new owner a balance of both. It oozes period charm, showcasing many original features, but also has the modern additions necessary for comfortable living in 2018.
Approaching the home it is obvious from the very beginning of a property tour that this home is going to offer a wealth of character. The original front door with feature etched glass is flanked by colourful tiling; a mix of blues, greens and warm yellows combining to ensure any visitor is mesmerised. Under the outside front doormat there is a sneaky peek of the Minton floor tiles inside that stretch down the hallway.
And so the front door opens and the Minton tiling is revealed, a classic mix of browns, with blue and white highlights. Anyone who adores period features from this era will be delighted to see a hallway packed full of charm, featuring highly decorative coving, dado rails and the original staircase complete with newel post, spindles and handrail.
If the hallway has impressed a potential buyer, then turning left into the lounge will cause equal delight. The initial eye-catching centrepiece of the room is clearly the original fireplace and hearth, with accent green tiling. But further inspection of the room reveals a wealth of character. The fancy period ceiling design is framed perfectly by decorative coving and picture rails. But the original features don’t stop there, the original internal door and would panelling under the bay window ensure that no area of this room is devoid of period character.
If a potential buyer is impressed with the front sitting room ceiling design, they are likely to be astounded when they look up in the second reception room; this room’s ceiling is even fancier with its detailed central rose and intricate design flowing down onto the walls.
Moving on into the kitchen, the character of the property does not stop, but modern amenities are, of course, on offer to a potential buyer. Firstly, the modern kitchen is glossy and black, but echoes the classic mono design of the 1930s which is replicated within the bathroom. With Metro tile splashbacks and an iconic red quarry tile floor design, again the choice of decor is sympathetic to the period charm of the property. This room has also been updated to reflect how modern families like to live, as it is open plan to a dining area, making it the ideal family and social space.
One quirky original feature that has survived to the present day is the servants’ bell panel, hinting at how the original family of this home used to live. Imagine living at the property now with servants! Needless to say if there were servants now, they’d be spending most of their time in the handy downstairs utility room.
Upstairs the home has four bedrooms, three of which doubles. The master bedroom features the bay window at the front of the property. There is also a traditional style bathroom, with the black and white decor mimicking the mono interior design in the kitchen. The choice of the classic style of suite, metro tiles and tap fittings adds to the character feel.
The property is located a stones throw away from Roath Park, with the Leisure Gardens and Recreation Ground literally around the corner. For shopping, eating and drinking the ever popular Albany Road and Wellfield Road, offering a significant range of independent shops and eateries, are literally around the other corner.
The property is on the market with estate agent Chambers Estate Agents for offers in the region of £429,995. For further details call (029) 2052 2106.