When Owain Wyn Evans accepted a BBC Radio 2 presenting role in Cardiff, the broadcaster and his husband Arran Rees chose to stay in a rental while they searched for a permanent home.
A seaside Victorian gets a makeover
The couple chose a four-bedroom Victorian end-of-terrace in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, drawn to its garden, garage and sea-side location. The house needed a full transformation, but the pair were confident they could handle it.
Although the property required extensive work, the pair were undaunted; they described the project as their fifth renovation, noting that they “enjoy the process” and are willing to compromise when one partner feels strongly about a detail.
Kitchen transformation and garden lounge
Work on the interior began with the removal of a dividing wall, creating an open-plan kitchen that now opens onto the garden. The chimney stack was taken out, and large garden doors were installed to bring daylight inside.
During this phase the central heating system was replaced and the consumer unit relocated, requiring coordination with the National Grid. The couple emphasized that getting these core elements right was essential before moving on to decorative work.
The new kitchen features warm wood worktops paired with sage-green cabinets that have flat-fronted doors, delivering a Scandinavian vibe. An extended bench of cabinets was added in an unused corner, providing storage for the couple’s wine collection.
To personalize the space, wooden knobs sourced from IKEA were fitted to the cabinets. A small cabinet was converted into a tea and coffee station, adding both function and charm.
Adjacent to the garden doors, the couple created a “drinkette-loungette,” a versatile area used for reading, relaxing, or weekend entertaining. A disco ball, a birthday gift, hangs there, catching daylight by day and sparkling when lowered on Friday evenings.
Because the renovation took place while the couple lived elsewhere, they avoided the disruption of staying on-site during major construction, a lesson learned from a previous winter demolition project.
Bathroom and finishing touches
The bathroom design mirrors the industrial look of the Crittall-style garden doors, using a shower screen and streamlined sanitaryware. Light green on the walls provides a subtle backdrop, while a rich orange accent adds a lively focal point.
Mid-century furniture pieces were incorporated throughout the home, including a large corner cabinet that doubles as a cocktail bar. Vintage finds add character to each room.
After a leak flooded the compact conservatory, the couple painted the white PVC frames black and added wall paneling, quickly updating the space.
