HOT HOUSE II

CAN you escape to the country in the middle of a busy and popular city suburb? Mari Roberts certainly thinks you can, if you’re lucky enough to find the right property.

The doctor, formerly from Llantrisant, spotted Pant–y-Felin on the market seven years ago and endeavoured to make it her home from country home.

She says: “I grew up in an old farm house and that feeling of homeliness, comfort and familiarity with this house just made me feel instantly at home. Almost a piece of the countryside within the city. All the beautiful features, just felt so familiar to me.”

Situated on the edge of Whitchurch Common in Cardiff, the detached home certainly has the country elements to remind Mari of her past, including a country style gate, stone flagged drive and wood panelled front door.

And of course, the expanse of the common outside the window certainly helped the country girl settle in.

Mari says: “The common is a beautiful spot to be overlooking, we get to really see the change in the seasons here. The ground is covered in daffodils right now which is beautiful.”

But the city property needed all of Mari’s design imagination to transform it into a dream suburban home.

Since moving in she has transformed every room, including getting the sledgehammer out and knocking down a few walls, with the help of her father.

Mari says: “We knocked two rooms into one big kitchen-living space and moved the position of the front entrance, installed a new staircase and renovated and refurbished very single room. All rooms have been done.”

And the result is a home that Mari enjoys every day.

She explains: “There has been nothing better than kicking my shoes off, putting my feet up and relaxing by the fireplace – especially in the cold weather we have had this year.

“The open-plan family kitchen diner space is where I spend most of my time in the day, as I have a small child who can play whilst I cook, and it is a perfect space for entertaining.”

But the full transformation took time. Mari says: “I think this was the biggest challenge as I wanted to get it right.

“I completely oversaw the look of the property, but the inspiration was that I wanted to keep the style of the property but modernise it and add in a sort of shabby chic feel, which I love.”

Top of her list of favourite features include the alcove over the Aga, and the wood burner with feature stone wall in the lounge.

The large stylish kitchen diner that Mari finds ideally suits family life features a red Aga complete with country beam above, cream Shaker style cabinets, and wooden work surfaces.

The slate flooring throughout creates a flow into the dining area, which in turn flows out into the garden via country style glass panelled double doors.

The lounge is cosy and appealing and includes ceiling beams, but the standout character feature in this room is arguably the stone chimney breast and log burner.

Wooden flooring, and the choice of warm berry accent colours and tactile textures for the accessories, completes the cosy country cottage atmosphere.

Off the lounge there is an area called the garden room by the estate agent which could have a variety of uses, including an office.

Finally, the downstairs offers the convenience of a utility room and a toilet.

Upstairs, Pant-y-Felin has three double bedrooms, all decorated with country inspired colours and flooring, décor and accessories.

The new bathroom has a traditional feel, offering a new owner the choice of a relaxing soak in a roll-top bath or a refreshing shower in the double sized walk-in area. The addition of traditional style taps and radiator complements the modern wall tiles and flooring.

Outside, the garden has been wellloved and well-used. Mari says: “It’s a beautiful garden and like most cottages is mature, with a couple of lovely areas to sit out and relax in. It also feels private, which is nice.”

Mari is going to miss her country city home, its uniqueness and its location.

She says: “I’m going to miss it so much. Waking up to that view every morning, it really is a little piece of countryside in the city.

“It has been a very happy home to me.

“It’s different and I realise I am very lucky to have lived here. There isn’t really anything similar in Whitchurch.”

Pant-y-Felin on the edge of Whitchurch Common is for sale for £500,000 with Hern & Crabtree. Please call 02920 623115 for further details.