VINTAGE VILLA

PENARTH has a number of leafy residential streets boasting eye-catching, visually stunning and substantial period properties. Situated at the top of a cliff, these quiet, tree-lined arteries are the residential heart of the historic town.

The seaside community has become a hotspot for people wanting a pretty coastal town lifestyle wrapped in a handsome home but conveniently located for a commute to Cardiff.

It has plenty to offer, including the seafront and landmark art deco pier, independent restaurants, cafes and shops, popular schools and lots of outdoor space to enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.

One road out leads to Cardiff, one leads to the glorious countryside of the Vale of Glamorgan, and the coastal path leads to thoroughly engaging views across the Bristol Channel to Somerset, with the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm and the regular ships travelling into the Severn estuary providing extra interest.

This popular place to call home has a variety of properties on the market to tempt a buyer at any one time too, including apartments in converted buildings or newly built charming terraces, family homes from all eras and, of course, the magnificent urban “mini mansions” at the top of the town.

According to property portal Zoopla, the current average value of homes in Penarth – which covers all types and ages of properties – is £382,261. Over the past five years, that’s an increase of 26%, which equates to £79,075.

There are a number of lovely streets boasting beautiful buildings in the seaside town, and Plymouth Road is considered to be one of the most sought-after.

The road is located in a conservation area and offers a selection of distinctive period properties packed with perfectly preserved original features, and this house for sale on the street is a perfect specimen.

From the street, this three-storey Victorian villa greets you with a promise of the glory of gorgeous original features hinted at by so many to spot and admire as part of the home’s exterior facade.

Stained glass windows, period stonework and brick detailing, arches and circles – they all set the scene for the features waiting inside.

The hall is the first vintage masterpiece, the incredible stained glass front door opens to Minton floor tiles, a period staircase and cornicing detail.

But this home is more than just its fancy features from the past.

It has been given a luxury, modern upgrade too that sees high-end additions adding the dream home dimension.

The kitchen is a perfect example of contemporary living combined with a style that reflects the age of the home but is not dictated to by it.

According to the estate agent, the spectacular Chalkhouse kitchen showcases a range of base and wall units with Silestone Yukon work surfaces.

There’s an array of integral appliances from top brands such as Neff, Quooker, Liebherr and Fisher & Paykel.

The impressive, luxury product name-dropping continues into the three bathrooms, with Neptune, Vernon Tutbury and Duravit.

But the choice of style, decor and interior design for this home have obviously been given careful thought and the result is an interior that successfully sees new additions sitting comfortably alongside original features.

This house may look top of the “beautiful homes in the area” list and immaculately presented, but it is a welcoming and hard working home too, offering well designed spaces for a busy family.

Starting at the front of the home, the rooms offer space as well as character; the original flooring and fireplace, cornices, ceiling rose, stained glass packed rooms within a formal dining room and a study, either side of the hall.

Returning to the hall, you’ll notice there’s no door at the end of the hall but an open doorway the width and height of the space.

It demands you look through in order to see glimpses of a lounge and the garden beyond.

Off to discover the rear of the home, the walk down the hall amply rewards you with a super-stylish extension that contains the designer kitchen that flows into a lounge space that then flows to the garden.

But that’s not the only lounge area with a seamless garden connection.

Part of the new extension is a substantial garden room that boasts four picture windows and a set of French doors ensuring the outdoor space is a constant indoor guest, whatever the weather.

The garden is considered an important bonus room to this house, beautifully and yet gently landscaped, so the patio, stone walls and lawn are seamlessly connected and framed by a variety of shrubs, flowers and trees.

Through a delightful wisteria archway gets you to the private seating area that nestles at the bottom of the garden.

Look back at the house from here and that careful design thought is obvious again. The new wing of the house constructed with a limestone facade and period-style windows ensures that the new kid on the block blends well with its original Victorian parent.

There’s no modern box built onto this period home but an extension that looks like it has always been there to most people’s eye.

If you can tear yourself away from the pretty outdoor space, over the next two floors of the house there are seven bedrooms to explore and this includes a stunning master suite.

This special slumber zone of the home runs from the front to the back thanks to the conversion of the rear bedroom into a wonderful master en suite.

Bathed in white, the design visually soaks you with elegant, period style that is surely crowned by the period fireplace next to the free-standing bath.

The vast majority of rooms are lucky enough to have hung onto their period fireplaces, and it’s a joy to see the collection range from fancy detailing to robust, solid marble, with some cast iron examples making an appearance too.

The second floor has four generous bedrooms and a bathroom and the home also has a large utility room, ground floor cloakroom and kitchen pantry.

There’s also a garage that handily has double doors on both sides, giving easy access to the rear for equipment and garden gear rather than traipsing through the immaculate home.

But any visit to the home will be a joy, with the past and present welcoming you to each special space, as long as you take your muddy boots off first.

■ The house is on the market for £1.5m with estate agent Watts & Morgan, call their Penarth branch on 029 2071 2266.