IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS

WALKING past this three-storey, end-of-terrace in the Rhondda village of Treherbert, it’s obvious that this period property is a substantial home.

But what’s not obvious is that inside it’s like walking into a mini manor house.

The home can boast numerous original features you would find in a country manor like parquet flooring, detailed ceiling coving and wood panelling.

The whole house has high ceilings, large windows and abundant space for a family, including up to six bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen / diner.

And then there’s the totally eyecatching decor.

Behind the beautiful stained glass front door is a hallway that might surprise a visitor. There’s a large fireplace with log burner in the entrance with a substantial wooden surround.

This grand entrance also boasts wood wall panelling and an internal arched screen, behind which a solid wood carved staircase sweeps down into the room.

A panel of original servants’ bells can still be found on the wall although it’s unlikely a maid will turn up to take your coat.

The space and light, coupled with the period part of the house, allows the current owners to fully embrace and complement the home with a stately manor house feel, from a stag’s head on the chimney breast to sparkling chandeliers.

Of course the original features have assisted in setting the context for and influencing the interior design and the current owners have fully embraced the home’s past.

In fact, the decor in most of the principal rooms would not look out of place in a country pile somewhere out in the rural Welsh countryside.

So from the hall, wander into the drawing room.

This space is a mesmerising combination of posh and plush soft furnishings, antique furniture and bold colours. Even the coving has been partially painted in gold.

The dado rail, impressive chandelier and swish drapes are all finishing touches that add to the grandeur of the room.

There are framed panels of wallpaper that are very reminiscent of what you might see in a drawing room of a National Trust property.

The fireplace is lit from above and painted the same as the lower wall to blend in and a recessed television hides within the chimney breast.

The strong colour scheme is pulled together by the furniture and soft furnishings.

A room with the “wow” factor indeed, and the grandeur continues in the dining room next door via the gold framed painting and mirror, chandelier and classic furniture.

The soft colours and ambient lighting from the lamps ensure that this is an atmospheric room for an intimate dinner party.

And this wouldn’t be a mini stately home without the expected fourposter bed – and it has just the thing.

But the house hasn’t always looked like this large family home.

When Mark Bevan Taylor bought the property about eight years ago the layout was very different; it was a dentist’s surgery. There’s even a building in the garden where the teeth used to be made.

Mark has renovated the property into a five to six-bedroom family home, moving walls and doors and creating a huge master bedroom suite in the loft that could be split to create two bedrooms or enjoyed as a relaxing retreat on the top floor.

Of the interior design Mark comments: “We were influenced by the size of the rooms and the character that was still in place. We wanted to give the house an air of opulence.

“Some of the rooms are fairly plain because I wanted to illustrate how the busy rooms could be muted down and it would work in this house.

“But it’s also easy to continue the bold decor in the muted rooms, make them brighter. This house can pretty much take whatever design you throw at it.”

The house may not have the outdoor space of a country mansion but it is nestled within a stunning country setting, which views of the valley and the mountains from every window.

The house itself has a rear, side and front garden so plenty of space, just not enough to warrant employing a full-time gardener as part of the servant team.

The substantial house that is commutable to Cardiff and the surrounding area, is on the market for £340,000 with the Tonypandy branch of Darlows, call them on 01443 436445 to find out more.