Most people looking to self-build a substantial dream home that ticks all the boxes and delivers on space for the family would probably be looking for a plot of land or a tumbledown building that can be squashed to make way for a new build.
But when the dream plot in the dream location belongs to a member of the family and already has a period bungalow perched in the middle of it, it's a bit more complicated.
But for Barry-born Rhys Williams and wife Natasha, originally from nearby Moulton, it was a total blessing.
Rhys says: "We bought the property from my father-in-law who was renting it out. The tenant left the property in a poor condition but we decided it was the perfect opportunity to buy it from him and make it a long-term project for us.
"Honestly, I didn't feel a connection to the bungalow at first, it was extremely old-fashioned and dated. The gardens were a massive amount of maintenance and it was the type of house that constantly needed attention. But my wife Natasha loved it from the start and thought it had massive potential."
The couple moved into the old bungalow in Rhoose, in the Vale of Glamorgan in 2011.
They began living in the property as it was, whilst forming plans on how they wanted to proceed in transforming it into their dream home.
Rhys says: "It was definitely an organic process which took many years of our own ideas and researching and replicating similar architecture. Going from a 1930s traditional looking bungalow to an ultra-modern house, everyone told me 'you have to knock it down', but we couldn't afford that!"
So the ground floor of the bungalow remained and plans for a first floor were constructed.
The ultimate aim was to go from a bungalow with originally about 1,700 sq ft inside to over doubling the space within the completed dream house to 3,500 sq ft.
The tight budget and timescale meant planning and teamwork was imperative to the success of this major renovation and construction project.
Rhys says: "Between my construction project management and costing skills, Natasha's imagination and the help of Iestyn at C2J architects - between us we came up with this design and I think we nailed it!"
The couple moved out into rented accommodation in March 2019 but the project immediately took a hit with the news of a five-week delay from the timber frame company building the first floor.
Rhys remembers: "An initially tight five-month programme of work was really being pushed to its limit. I worked during the day like usual then worked for over five hours during the evening on site to get stuck in and move the project on."
The main challenge when turning this ugly duckling into a beautiful swan was taking the roof off the original bungalow.
Rhys says: "My father-in-law helped me with this element of the project too, taking down both chimney stacks and then making sure we had an even wall plate to take the steels and incoming timber frame structure."
As well as the delay in the new upper floor of the bungalow turning up on site, the only other major challenge that faced Rhys and Natasha was something they hadn't bargained for: a hot and beautiful summer in Wales!
The ultra-modern insulation that the couple had installed in the new home to achieve as high an EPC energy efficiency rating as possible suddenly became a problem.
Rhys explains: "During that summer the modern insulation did not help when the extremely hot temperatures were reaching over 32°C on the first floor, so we had to install air-conditioning retrospectively.
"If I were to advise anyone building new or doing a similar conversion to this I would seriously tell them to look at installing the air-con units as part of the building process!"
After five and a half months the couple moved back into the property and it then took a further month to finish off the interiors.
Rhys credits the sleek contemporary interior design of the new home to his wife and her attention to detail.
In the kitchen area he is particularly impressed with Natasha having the design vision to create a seamless open-plan feel including two sets of bi-folding doors to the garden.
Rhys also admires the design of the high-end kitchen that has been sunk into a false wall to create a seamless effect across the whole wall.
The attention to detail inside the home is noticeable if you linger in each space.
For example, another one of Rhys's favourite design details is the false chimney breast installed in the lounge which creates a media wall, but also creates a visual focal point by being dressed with mandarin stone split face tiles, adding modern character to the space.
The build may have been stressful but it was peppered with many victories along the journey.
Rhys says one of the main victories for him was achieving the doubling of space and how the new space is used, especially in the open-plan ground floor.
He also has a soft spot for the visual void created from the hallway up to the landing, and this particular design feature is a touch of genius.
When you enter the house the plank-style flooring visually guides you into the heart of the home, drawing you into the space.
This instant connection and desire to continue further into the property is successfully complemented by a glass staircase and floor-to-ceiling glass landing wall.
If this first floor wall had been solid there would have been a visual, as well as light, block at the top of the stairs.
However, installing this glass wall allows the double-height space to feel open and airy and gives a visitor enticing glimpses into the first floor spaces.
Once you have climbed the stairs, from the first floor landing the addition of the glass wall again helps this usually enclosed upper floor space feel more expansive.
Add in two roof windows above the stairs and this well of light and glass at the centre of the home is a fantastic design feature and talking point; no boring hall, stairs and landing for this dream home!
Of course having a white, soft grey and neutral colour palette throughout the interior of the house aids in the spacious feeling and contemporary look.
However, it's the significant proportion of the budget spent on huge floor-to-ceiling windows, picture windows, bifold doors and French doors found throughout the completed home that really ensures this home is not just bathed in light, it's totally submerged.
Although there are many areas of the house that Rhys feels totally connected with, his favourite room is the master bedroom.
He says: "I just love the space, the balcony with views over the Bristol Channel, the added dressing room and ensuite, it was exactly what we had always dreamed of."
The entrance of the hall of the new home is actually the old bungalow and at the front of this section of the property is the spacious living room with the feature fireplace that Rhys adores to the right, and a bathroom to the left.
Then the old bungalow opens up into the open-plan kitchen and dining room, the heart of the space and more appropriate for modern living than the former warren of rooms.
Here there are bifold doors opening out onto the garden on two walls in two directions, meaning the room is bathed in light, with virtually all its surrounding external walls made of glass.
This impressive space then flows into a lounge via a large, open doorway - a 'broken plan' alternative to a full open-plan option, so the space flows from the kitchen but also has an element of privacy.
Using the same flooring laid in the same direction and continuing the crisp, white decor ensures that the two areas feel fully visually connected.
This lounge also has doors that open out to the garden, as does the separate children's playroom next to it.
Back to the centre of the house and up the feature glass staircase and into the brand new, additional floor of the former bungalow.
And the master bedroom is surely the star of this level. Located above the kitchen diner, it features a balcony that overhangs the lower floor. The balcony has a full wall of glass doors allowing access onto this private outdoor space and its views out to the Bristol Channel on the horizon.
From the pillow the treetops of the suburban surrounding gardens can be admired as they gently rustle in the wind.
It's a full-on master suite, with separate walk-in wardrobe and dressing area that then leads to an ensuite bathroom featuring double sinks and a sizable shower.
The space on this new first floor has been utilised well, with bedroom number two also having a dedicated walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.
The remaining two bedrooms are both spacious doubles, with one of the children's rooms boasting two sets of floor-to-ceiling picture windows, so it's not only the master that has treetop and garden views.
In total the property has four bathrooms, all fitted out to the same luxury standard as the contemporary kitchen, and all continuing the crisp and contemporary look of the interior of this dream home.
Back downstairs and the home also has a separate utility room off the kitchen and a separate boot and storage room off the front entrance, perfect for storing and hiding coats, shoes and bags out of sight.
In fact this house has been so well designed both structurally and decoratively that there is no unsightly clutter to be seen.
The minimal contemporary look is not interrupted at all by stuff, just enhanced by tactile furniture, a few choice accessories and personal artwork.
Once the couple had moved into the new house and conquered the interiors, there was the matter of taming the rear garden.
Rhys says: "The outdoor space has been a three-year project, we just wanted a large open space for our two children to have fun.
"In amongst that we have created a gym at the bottom of the garden, plus there's a hot tub on the decking, a Big Green Egg branded kitchen on the patio and my particular favourite – my artificial putting green!
"We have planning permission submitted for an indoor pool to be built off the existing gym and this would, of course, be a fantastic addition to the home."
It's with heavy hearts that Rhys and Natasha have decided that the stunning home that they created from a standard bungalow needs to be put on the market, as school commitments mean a move into a Penarth postcode has to happen.
Rhys says: "We have created our dream home, it ticks every box, it's going to be heartbreaking to let it go."
But the memory of what the couple have achieved on this plot in Rhoose will be moving with them.
Rhys says: "The most satisfying part of the project was seeing it finished; that the plan was brought to life, and the overall achievement of managing and completing a project so big, so quickly actually became a reality."
For anyone thinking of turning a basic bungalow to a brilliant new build, Rhys has some advice.
He says: "Use your imagination, don't be negative, look at all possibilities to meet your budget and remain positive, as it is very testing! Also do your research and get a good architect. Finally, make Pinterest your new best friend!"
The grey, ugly duckling is now a beautiful, white swan and waiting to fly into someone else's life. Called Brookside, it is on the market for £775,000 with Priory Estates, call 01446 744750 to find out more.
