HOUSE & HOME
THROUGH THE KEYHOLE
COUNTRY ATTRACTION Deb and Dave Thomas love their semi-rural lifestyle in this Swansea village so much that they moved back after 14 years. Swansea Life’s CHRIS CAMPBELL finds out more... chris.campbell@swwmedia.co.uk
Moving back to this Swansea village and into a family home with beautiful bay views two years ago was a decision Deb and Dave Thomas have no regrets about.
glazed French door with glazed side panels to the back of the room, plus Karndean flooring. The ground floor also includes a hallway, utility room and cloakroom.
The couple lived in Three Crosses 14 years ago but moved away for Dave’s job. They couldn’t wait to move back again and make the most of the village’s walks and scenery.
Deb is also a fan of having a bathroom and two en suites, including one in the guest room, which she says friends and family always appreciate.
The pair also love the flexibility of their four bedroom detached property, called Tor House and which is about eight years old, plus the indoor and outside space it has to entertain guests.
“I love doing up houses and hopefully our next one will be one I can do up,” she says.
Deb, who loves nothing more than to walk her dog nearby, says: “We know Three Crosses having lived here before and it was the location and aspect that really attracted us here. It’s a lovely, quiet area. The roads are quiet and it just feels so peaceful.
“We started work when we moved in and did little bits at a time. It’s personal taste really. I love putting my own stamp on things. The decor wasn’t to my taste, but it was fine. I’ve changed every room to lighten them up. They’re such big rooms and have very high ceilings.
“The house is lovely, but it’s probably a little bit big for us. It’s a good plot size and there is a big garage too. There are many different options for the reception rooms. We use the kitchen/ breakfast room as a day room to relax in and we have a separate dining room too. It’s got great flexibility, which I like. The family lounge is a lovely evening room with a log burning fire.” She adds: ”There’s also a walk at the bottom of our road, with woodland and playing fields. It’s perfect for dog walking. The playing fields are wellmaintained by the local community and are safe for families. Another option is across the common, which a nice long walk.”
“We could have moved into here without doing anything, but we decorated to our taste.
“The kitchen before was dark and we wanted it to be light and cream.”
It’s a lovely, quiet area. The roads are quiet and it just feels so peaceful.
Deb and Dave put in a new kitchen, including two new French doors leading out to the garden, a year after they moved in. Other work, which started soon after their move, included carpeting upstairs, having patio laid at the back of the property by the kitchen, and adding a parking space and new wall at the front of the property. Deb also re-decorated throughout the house to brighten it up and put her own stamp on it. Her favourite room is the kitchen due to its size and layout for entertaining, plus the family lounge where she enjoys sitting by the Inglenook fireplace and having the odd glass of wine with friends. This room also has a solid oak mantel beam, which houses a multi fuel burner. There is a double
The family bathroom and four double bedrooms can be found on the first floor, two with en suite shower rooms. The master bedroom has a range of fitted wardrobes, a dressing table and a dressing area. Access to sizeable attic, via a pull down ladder, can be found in the third bedroom. The property was built by Waterstone Homes and includes oak doors throughout. Outside at the front, there is a gravelled area providing parking for one vehicle, as well as a lawned area.
There is a block paved driveway with parking for several vehicles at the side, which leads to the garage with an electric door. There is also an enclosed garden to the back with paved and gravelled areas and a selection of shrubs. Unspoilt countryside and bay views can be appreciated from the house’s front windows. There are just four houses in total on that spot and Deb says the neighbours are kind and there when needed. Deb adds it is a family orientated area with an impressive primary school close by. “It’s a nice community with great people and a lovely feel,” she says.
The house: Four bedroom, detached, family home Price: £495,000 Who lives here: Deb and Dave Thomas Lessons: “I love doing up houses and hopefully our next one will be one I can do up.” Agent: Astleys Residential, Killay • Call 01792 201100 or email killay@astleys.net www.swansealife.co.uk | 121
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4/22/2016 12:15:17 PM