VIEWS WITH A WOW FACTOR

There are properties that have a decent sea view and then there properties that have 180-degree, uninterrupted sea views that are mesmerising.

This contemporary home on the coast near Aberdovey definitely has the latter. And when it was built in 2012, it was of course the incredible location and view that informed the home’s design.

The location also influenced the name of this luxury home, with Crow’s Nest perfectly encapsulating the property’s position high above the water that allows the incredible view to flood in through the huge windows.

From the front of this family home the mix of wood, glass and exposed stone ensures the house is not only visually pleasing but is based on natural, classic materials that are timeless and tasteful.

The angular glass windows invite intrigue as to the internal contemporary design – will it match the level enjoyed by the outside of the house?

The property certainly has contemporary kerb appeal but there’s little to hint at the “wow factor” that’s hidden away and waiting for you inside.

And what a “wow factor” it is. Through the hallway, past the cloakroom and double garage and into the main living area and the space is totally dominated by floor-to ceiling windows that cleverly extend into the apex of the double-height, vaulted ceiling.

The lower portion of the windows are actually sliding doors that open out onto a sun-drenched south-facing balcony overlooking the Dovey estuary and Cardigan Bay beyond.

The living area has been designed to create distinct zones of cooking, dining and relaxing, with the kitchen and dining table enjoying the prime spots to be enveloped by the views.

The lounge area is appropriately a bit more cosy, and is found to one side of this open-plan space.

This also enjoys sea views but has a lower ceiling and funky modern log burner to create a more intimate space.

And the clever design continues by climbing up the statement glass and wood floating staircase to a very inviting mezzanine platform within the roof space.

Here the current owners are using this bonus space as a viewing area to enjoy the views from a squishy sofa.

The choice of glass balustrade ensures that the view from the couch is not obscured.

This versatile bonus area is also being used as a work space but with such distracting views from this area it’s a wonder that any work manages to get done from this desk.

Again there are surprising added bonuses to this area too, with a glass door from this mezzanine leading out onto a discrete outdoor balcony at the front of the property.

And that’s the backbone of this home design; a successful connection to the outside and the location wherever possible through an abundance of windows and outdoor spaces.

The interior design of the property also supports the inside-outside aspect of the home.

As expected, the interiors are contemporary and seamless to the modern design of the house, but they also subtly hint at the seaside location of the home in an elegant and understated way.

Of course there is a strong presence of blue, after all this house is by the sparkling clear waters of Cardigan Bay, so connecting the interior to the views outside is almost compulsory.

But the blue is a soft addition to the predominantly white decor, not demanding attention but rather embedding the colour into the home’s waterside location within a number of areas.

Furniture, artwork, accessories and the contemporary kitchen, which is a handleless, seamless wave of blue units.

Of course the modern kitchen has high end Miele integrated appliances to assist any cook and help cut down the time spent in the kitchen which is time spent away from the incredible view.

Found just off the kitchen is also a handy utility room and cloakroom.

Warmth is introduced into the space via the choice of honey-toned solid wood surfaces, doors, door frames and the statement staircase.

It’s not a stretch to see this choice of light wood as also a subtle reference to the sandy shore below.

If a new owner can tear themselves away from the view, once the sun has set over the crystal waters, there are three bedrooms on the lower floor to choose from in this classic upside-down house.

It makes complete sense to have the bedrooms on the lower floor and the best views from the upper living floor, when you are fully awake to actually enjoy them.

But that doesn’t mean the bedrooms in this house are the poor relations to the rooms upstairs.

All three bedrooms have glass doors out onto a lower balcony that runs the width of the house.

The master bedroom has an ensuite and there is also a family bathroom on this level with free-standing bath and rainforest shower head.

And for anyone feeling a bit more energetic, and in the winter rather brave, there is always the sea close-by for a quick swim for a bit more water excitement.