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Thomas has owned a lot of the pieces in the home for many years. He’s particularly fond of the vintage Papa Bear Chairs by Hans J. Wegner, which have accompanied him through several moves. “It’s a classic, timeless design, yet incredibly comfortable,” he says.

"I learned a lot from the locals,

Floor Plan of Guest Cottage by Urbanology Designs

Since micro-cement is waterproof, Curtis also used it to cover the shower walls, dispensing with the need for tile and the busyness of grout lines. A full-height linen shower curtain adds more texture and movement, and the plumbing is handmade of brass.

The first phase of Curtis’ redesign was to refinish the shelves in a rich moody color.

A slim storage space tucked behind the built-in seat acts as a coat rack. The green drawer at the bottom is shoe storage. The cutout on the right was necessary for the drawer to clear the hinge on the bathroom door.

Two pull-down compartments in the kitchen hide an electric cooktop and chopping block, while paper towels are tucked away in a curved yellow container. “I didn’t want anything out in the open,” Ash says.

Floor Plan of Pen Y Lan by Benjamin Hale Architects

This renovation by Benjamin Hale Architects presents “a template for bringing Cardiff houses into the 21st century.”