Finding homes that have survived decades without too much ripping out of their original decor is becoming increasingly rare.
But with nostalgiacore one of the most dominant interior design trends of 2022, the fascination of how people used to live and the interiors that used to surround them and how to recreate that vibe has reached new heights.
With retro being interior cool and vintage and upcycling cornerstones of many people's current interior schemes, there's arguably never been a better time to grab a retro home and cherish its interior rather than relocate it to a skip.
READ MORE: The interior design trends in 2022 most likely to transform your home
With the Covid-19 pandemic fuelling the need for many to look back to a better time, retro decor, especially mid-century, has become a breakout interior design trend in its own right.
Many people can fondly remember some classic design pieces from their childhood and maybe their parents or grandparents' homes.
An avocado bath, swirling carpets, tiny free-standing kitchens and hatches? All take you back to the time when decor was more universal and there was less opportunity to express your own individual taste.
But now and if chosen well, a classic piece of mid-century furniture can be sourced from the various online auction sites and marketplaces for minimal cost.
Instagram is groaning under the weight of accounts gleefully sharing their upcycling retro triumphs, creating something unique largely thanks to the development of clever chalk paint options.
Of course some aspects of a home from the past can't be restored and revived and need to be ripped out for safety reasons, such as flammable ceiling tiles and glass internal doors that don't contain safety glass.
But if you are lucky enough to find and fund a renovation project in a house frozen in time, think twice before you start pulling out its vintage core - you might regret relegating the retro decor to the past.
Colwyn Bay: £215,000+
Here comes a 1920s-1930s gem that can wow you with period features, as well as potential for an amazing home on the coast in this Conwy county town.
The fabulous stained glass windows that greet you from the street are a joy to see, easily beating the modern upvc versions that flank the property for beauty.
Inside, there is secondary glazing to help with the heating bills so there is no reason not to cherish these stunning additions to the facade of the house that are a rare find.
The front door is a solid wood stunner and this wood panel theme continues inside with the internal doors, many of which can still boast their original handles.
The staircase has wood panels too as well as a fancy Art Deco-style statue on its newel post that looks like brass.
The front reception room, the posh room where visitors were entertained, still has the home's fanciest fireplace, although removal of the gas fire to reveal its heart is surely the best development here.
Under the carpets on the ground floor are hopefully parquet floors and maybe fancy tiles in the hall, and how exciting it will be for a new owner to lose the swirly carpets and see what original treasures lie beneath.
The kitchen is a classic 1930s galley with less space than required for modern living so maybe the dividing wall can be removed between the dining room and the kitchen to create a sociable kitchen diner, subject to expert advice, of course.
The kitchen itself appears to offer a mix of free-standing and fitted units from a number of eras dating back to probably the 1930s with the sink unit but this item could be from a later decade.
And then to the bathroom and the breath-taking discovery that looks untouched since its original installation.
The yellow metro tiles are original and really need to stay, looking like they have been loved and looked after for decades - why replace them with modern and inferior replicas when you have the real thing already in position?
The three-bed semi within a couple of minutes walking distance of the beach and both primary and secondary schools is for sale with no on-going chain for offers over £215,000 with Beresford Adams, call their Colwyn Bay branch on 01492 250157 to find out more.
Tenby: £500,000
This mid-century home near the sea in a popular spot in Pembrokeshire has space as well as location as selling points to tempt you.
Built across a double corner plot, the house sits in an elevated position with lovely views of rooftops, the sea and Caldey Island from the bedrooms.
The location is called Lady Park, situated on the outskirts of Tenby but still within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants and beaches.
Staying outside, the house can offer an additional self contained annexe and parking for up to four cars - it was possible to get a lot of space for your money decades ago.
Inside there are some awesome features from the late 1960s to love including the impressive wooden staircase that although has slats could be made safer by just adding a back to each stair tread.
The hall can also boast golden glass in the front door that sadly but wisely might have to be replaced - maybe the new, safer glass can pay homage to the mid century era of this home?
The lounge has lots of space and light - found in so many homes built in the 1960s and 1970s. The windows are huge, the fireplace is unique.
The kitchen can boast some original units and the dining room has a dining set from the era that sits comfortably and at ease within its appropriate style house.
The toilet is still separate from the bathroom - a classic design from the era and some might argue is very practical too, and the olive shade of the loo and suite next door are a joy to discover if you love retro coloured bathrooms.
The fantastic four-bed detached home near the coast is for sale with a guide price of £500,000 with Birt & Co, Tenby call them on 01834 842204 to find out more.
Help with your hunt for a home here:
Penrhyn Bay: £224,950
Just a short walk from the promenade and seafront at this coastal location and just three miles from Llandudno, this two-bed bungalow awaits discovery.
Inside you will discover a well-loved home that can showcase some amazing design from yesteryear.
Outside there's a good sized front and rear garden that would happily suit a family and a garage that could be converted into a third bedroom or home office if needed, but it's inside that the property spells out potential.
The kitchen breakfast room can offer you a blast from the past with sleek white units with metal handles dating back probably to the 1960s or 1970s.
Next to the kitchen is a large, light and lovely lounge that is definitely the heart of the home, that then flows out into a sunny conservatory.
Removing the wall between the lounge and kitchen diner would create a sociable open-plan space with the views of the garden then available for the cook to enjoy as well as everyone relaxing in the lounge.
There are some special retro pieces in this room that ensure it is a sunny and welcoming space, including the sideboard, floor lamp, artwork and carpet that together create a cohesive interior scheme that the owner has obviously carefully considered.
There are two double bedrooms off the central hall as well as a bathroom that is a classic pink example of a mid-century bathroom.
At this time a boring white suite was so last season and all the best homes had a colourful bathroom suite and tiles to match, which was pretty awesome and very visually engaging.
The bungalow is for sale for £224,950 with Fletcher & Poole, Rhos-on-Sea, call them on 01492 549178 to find out more.
Never miss the best property, renovation and interiors stories, sign up for the Amazing Welsh Homes Property Newsletter here.
