CHAPEL HOME LIKE CATHEDRAL INSIDE
EVEN from the outside, this former Methodist chapel looks unusual, sporting a limewashed, blue-toned façade. Inside surely nothing can prepare you for the gothic, cathedral-like interiors that have been created by one former owner’s incredible imagination – it’s fabulous fakery at its very skilful best.
Once known as Salem Chapel, but now called The Blue Chapel, the building does not have gothic origins, having been built originally in 1812 and then rebuilt in 1869 as the Methodist chapel for the pretty Gwynedd coastal village of Llwyngwril.
The area is popular with holidaymakers and The Blue Chapel has played host to many of them as a holiday let.
It is previous owner Roger Haynes, an antiques dealer, who made the chapel into one of the most unique homes in Wales. The fairytale-like interiors include simulated stone staircases, skilful use of trompe l’oeil 3D optical illusions and paint-effects, wood carvings, ornate ceilings and plaster work, stained glass windows, “marble” fireplaces and an organ gallery with spectacular ceiling and crowned by an organ made of plywood.
The interiors may look original but most are actually made from hardboard, plaster and paint-effects. However, the level of skilled workmanship is to the highest of standards to create this dramatic gothic look.
John Saddington, who was part of the team who worked on the project for Roger, told us previously: “Roger was a lovely man and rather eccentric.
“When he bought the chapel it was just four walls and a roof, but he had this amazing vision to recreate gothic revival splendour inside his home. It took more than three years to build and a huge amount of effort and skill.”
John said: “Roger, who is no longer with us, met up with interior designer Michael Hale, who specialised in recreating period features and also restoring damaged interiors. He was a master at it. He designed the whole interior. It went from a shell to what you see today.
“It might all be fake inside, but the level of intricate detail achieved by Michael and the team is incredible. The wood panelling on the walls, the fireplace and the four-poster bed canopy is basically made from hardwood. Skilful joinery and paint-effects mean it is easy to mistake it for original if you don’t look closely.
“The ‘stone’ staircase, arch windows and carvings are made from fibrous plaster, and that also includes the finely detailed ceilings.”
The team of painters, including Michael’s artist wife, then used their talent to add stone effects to the walls, gold gilt and stippled colours to the ceilings, and marble effects in the bathrooms.
The incredible paint-effects continue with medieval paintings in the living room and heavenly scenes in the entrance hallway.
John said: “Michael was given the freedom to create whatever his imagination could conjure up. His only brief from Roger was to make it over-the-top, like living on a stage or in a film set.
“The only input Roger appeared to give was when he turned up one day with a set of organ pipes and asked Michael to incorporate them within the design. When people see the inside of the chapel, they cannot believe that it’s all fake. It has a huge amount of personality.”
The chapel has been recently updated with a modern makeover, in keeping with its charm and character, with a new high specification kitchen with views through the chapel via a wall of internal windows.
The principal bedroom en-suite and family bathroom now boast roll-top baths and luxury tiling, and the three bedrooms have all been lavished with an interior design style that includes beautiful, high-end wallpaper with metallic accents and sumptuous fabrics, classic patterns and a more modern combination of colours.
The Blue Chapel is for sale for £285,000 with Welsh Property Services, Tywyn. Call 01654 710500.