LABOUR OF LOVE

AIMEE Frazer-Mann says: “Our move to Wales was very much like a Gavin & Stacey story!” Both originally from England, Aimee and her husband Lee’s love of Barry and its surrounding area was not just inspired by the hugely popular television programme set in this coastal town in Vale of Glamorgan, but primarily from regularly visiting family who had already made the move across the border.

So about five years ago, after visiting their family once more, the couple made the big decision to pack up their bucket and spade and head for Barry, beginning their own Gavin & Stacey adventure.

“This house was actually the first house we saw out of a few. We instantly loved the location, being close to the station and beaches and Porthkerry Park, and also having the high street down the road from us with lots of independently owned shops. A lot on our doorstep,” Aimee said.

Aimee and Lee had both grown up in period properties so were keen to find a little gem that offered character in this location and were willing to do some renovation work to create the home that suited their needs.

Aimee says: “When we viewed this place we could see the potential. Our feelings at the beginning were of excitement and lots of ideas, but over time we realised we were so naive at the beginning at the scale of the project.

“My husband moved to Wales and into the house before I had and had literally gutted the whole house out, rather than working on one room at a time, so when I came to visit the progress it was quite overwhelming.”

Before anyone could even start dreaming about interior design choices and spending hours on Pinterest for inspiration, there was heavyduty work to be done.

This included digging up the footprint of the basement in order to insulate it, installing underfloor heating and laying a new concrete slab floor.

Every spare centimetre of the house has been allocated to have a purpose and be utilised, with the old kitchen now the utility room and the space under the stairs now a handy cloakroom.

As Lee is a roofer, the new owner can surely rest assured that this home has a fabulous roof so there are no worries about leaks, even in the stormiest of conditions, but the house also needed to satisfy Aimee’s profession.

She says: “As a hairdresser, because we had a lot of space in the house, I decided to try and work from home so I could have more flexibility with my work.”

The couple say a new owner can request the salon in the former bedroom be removed or stay, which might actually be a handy addition to any house during periods of lockdown when most people’s hair has been growing uncut and unkempt.

Once the hard work of reconfiguring the layout of the house to how the couple wanted to live was completed, it was time to decorate and this is an aspect of the project that showcases their distinctive and engaging style.

One of the first jobs was to hunt around the house for hidden period gems. Aimee says they found eight fireplaces, all covered over, and have kept four of them.

The couple also hunted for period features to add to the interiors from other sources, which included finding surrounds for two of the fireplaces, one of which has come from a 200-year-old manor house in England.

Aimee says: “We then had some bespoke shutters and cupboards made up to match by a joiner friend of ours.

“In the bathroom we wanted to keep a traditional style for the house so went with the roll-top bath style.

“We tried to incorporate lots of quirky little details that would add character such as bespoke light fittings, one of which was made for us in Belgium.

“We have also incorporated the original bolts from the Victorian/ Edwardian bath feet that were here into the top of the bar in the kitchen and exposed the original floorboards where possible.”

Trying to keep or source as many period features as possible became increasingly important to the couple as the project progressed, and they have been keen to absorb as much knowledge as possible along the way to take to any future property project.

Aimee says: “We have learnt a lot with this project, but one small thing that I never knew was how to identify

an original ceiling rose, which we have in both reception rooms.

“Apparently if they have the gaps between the details in them, they are original. This was to draw any smoke that escapes into the room from the fire into the floor space above to dissipate it.”

The couple have created a superstylish and eclectic interior scheme with industrial overtones.

Just as the family, as well as Barry, inspired the couple to make the move to Wales, the family have helped this young couple travel along their firstever property journey together.

The result is their dream home – a three-storey, five-bed place they have called their own for the past five years.

Aimee says: “Our friends and family had a lot of input and offered a lot of inspiration with the project, whether it was them offering ideas and advice or us stealing ideas from their houses, which is good as they all seem to feel a connection to the house and seem to enjoy their time here.

“We have created lots of awesome memories here with friends and family – it really is a great place to entertain, which we will miss. But one of the biggest things we will miss is the great neighbours, who are so friendly and really made us feel welcome, which we will always be grateful for.”

Will the couple tackle another transformation project in their next property? If they do, they will go into it a little wiser based on their first-time experience.

Aimee says: “One big bit of advice taking on a project like this on a period property would be whatever budget you originally had in mind to spend, you can probably double it and the same is true with timescale also.

“Every job turns into three.”

■ Aimee and Lee’s terraced home is on the market for offers in excess of £350,000 with estate agent West Quay Estates and Lettings. Call them on 01446 506060 to find out more.