A former council house near Aberystwyth, once drenched in 1980s peach, has been crowned the winner of the first episode of BBC Cymru Wales' series 'Wales' Home of the Year.' The home, owned by Sera and Ian, is a testament to resilience and creativity, overcoming trauma and health challenges to become a vibrant sanctuary.
The couple inherited the house after Ian's mother passed away. It was Ian's childhood home, and they had been living across the street to care for his aging parents. Shortly after inheriting, Ian suffered a heart attack, leaving Sera to manage the renovation. With help from a friend's step-dad, Darren, who installed a downstairs toilet and tiled floors, Sera tackled the project head-on.
Sera explains: 'My husband had a heart attack in the February of the year we inherited the house, so it was left to me to finish everything. But I did get some help in from a really great guy called Darren, one of my friend's step-dads who really helped me over the finish line.'
While Darren worked on essential repairs, Sera constructed the banquette seating in the dining area and transformed the garden, which had six layers of patio slabs. She used a hammer drill and filled six skips with debris. The day before the TV crew arrived, the house was still not ready—Sera was painting, a friend was cleaning, and the open-shelving glass kitchen cabinet was only tidied at the last minute.
The couple's journey into colour began when Sera's best friend criticized her dark, eclectic decor. 'She came into the house and said 'it's no wonder you feel like this, you're living in a flipping cave!'' Sera recalls. This sparked her research into colour therapy, which helped combat her depression. The result is a home filled with uplifting hues, patterns, and artwork.
Judges praised the use of colour and the inviting atmosphere. The hallway features glass internal doors that share light and frame views, while the open-plan lounge diner is bathed in pools of colour and pattern. The galley kitchen, created by removing a pantry and pram parking area, includes fresh white tones, natural textures, and Sera's favourite colour: green.
One standout feature is the bathroom, where a bath is angled across the corner with a banana plant creating a tropical feel. Sera admits this was a practical solution to fit a shower, toilet, and bath while allowing the door to close. 'People say, 'oh it's wonderful, it's amazing' but it's just a small council house,' she says. 'I hope I can inspire others to see what a council house can be.'
The couple's home won the Mid Wales and Valleys regional heat and will compete in the grand final, airing on Thursday, July 16. Episode one is available on BBC iPlayer.
