PALATIAL TERRACE

MENTION an “end of terrace” and it no doubt conjures up images of two-up, twodown Coronation Street-style properties rather than a dream home that is on the market for more than £1m.

But this three-storey period house in a highly sought after area of Penarth is no ordinary end of terrace.

The seven-bedroom home is described as being on one of the popular seaside town’s most desirable streets, surrounded by leafy avenues of large period properties and in the catchment area of two of the best schools in the area.

Called The Gables, the Victorian family home has been extensively renovated by the current owners to a standard that resulted in it winning the Penarth Society’s Civic Enhancement Award in 2009.

This achievement is marked by the displaying of a commemorative plaque on the outside of the home and once a potential buyer steps inside, it will become clear why this renovated property is an award winner.

The original canvas the current owners had to work with definitely helped to secure the award; high ceilings, stained glass windows, fabulous fireplaces and Minton hall floor tiles all sing the home’s period credentials.

These features have been restored to their former glory and are the centrepiece of most rooms; there are even feature fireplaces in the stylish bathrooms.

But it’s one thing to restore or replace period features to embellish a period home to its potential, it’s even more challenging to successfully incorporate new additions into a renovation that are age appropriate yet work for modern living.

In this spacious home the interior design is elegant and tasteful but with modern shapes and tones to ensure the visual feast is in the present as well as the past.

The neutral colour palette of warm creams is complemented by soft blues, surely influenced by the blue panels of stained glass in the quirky secondfloor turret room.

A perfect study, chill-out space or bedroom number seven, you don’t have to be called Rapunzel to find this unique feature fascinating.

Back down to the ground floor, there are two generous-sized living rooms both bursting with original features and with views overlooking the garden.

The main sitting room has a huge bay window that stretches from floor to ceiling and showcases intricate stained glass panels.

Both ground-floor living rooms have period fireplaces.

The more formal living room has period windows featuring period stained glass panels.

But arguably the jewel in this property’s crown on this floor is the kitchen/diner.

The kitchen is a pretty powder blue shade in an appropriate Shaker-style so popular and timeless as a choice for a period home requiring a modern kitchen.

The oven installed into the chimney breast and the breakfast bar island are two popular design extras that give this modern kitchen space even more character.

The space then opens into a lightfilled dining and lounge area that not only has a feature vaulted ceiling but also two sets of double doors out onto the garden.

Imagine enjoying a late Sunday brunch at the table or watching the snow fall and blanket the garden from the sofa in this appealing and sociable room.

The ground floor accommodation also includes a handy wet room and a utility room, both accessed from the kitchen.

Up to the first floor and the master suite awaits.

This impressive space not only has a large ensuite with roll-top period bath and a walk-in wardrobe, it also has a private balcony. Yet another pretty perfect place to enjoy that lazy weekend brunch.

There are a further two double bedrooms on this floor to discover, one with an ensuite shower room, before the second-floor beckons.

Up on the top floor there are three further double bedrooms all beautifully decorated and, due to their elevation, all with the best views across the rooftops of this popular Vale of Glamorgan town.

And, of course, on this top floor is the terrific turret room, a distinct feature that sets this home apart from its neighbours.

The corner plot means the property has a “wrap-around” garden that can be enjoyed through the huge period windows of any of this home’s rooms; the benefit of being at the end of the three-house terrace.

The turret end of terrace in a terrific location within a popular seaside town is on the market for £1,050,000 with estate agent Watts & Morgan. You can give their Penarth branch a call on 029 2071 2266 to find out more.