There are distinctive homes in Wales, and then there is this house. From the fancy wrought iron gates and stone pillared entrance, to the castellated-style roofline, to the surprise home office and stables in the two acre garden, this is a property that keeps on giving on fantastic features and facilities.
The first glance you see of this unusual, pretty abode is likely to stop you in your tracks - you probably weren't expecting a roofline that pays homage to an ancient Welsh castle. And as all good castle design dictates, the position of the building is key to give the structure prominence but also as a defence against attack, so this house is perched on the crown of a grassy-knoll at the top of a gentle slope.
Any attack from the locals will easily be spotted early from the numerous windows and the battlements. However, this rare opportunity to purchase a property so distinct might mean the home is swamped with potential buyers rather than any storming of the battlements for another reason.
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There's plenty of parking for your car, or your medieval wooden trebuchet if a castle attack is the purpose of your visit, and then you need to choose one of the stone staircases to use to approach the arched front door and step into a home whose character outside is certainly matched inside.
What's behind the green door? Room after room of classic and outstanding Arts & Crafts design that ensures this home is a unique property proposition.
The Arts & Crafts movement was founded around 1887 and was one of the most influential design groups of recent history. They believed in the principle of art for all people, the revival of Gothic design and nostalgia for the medieval age, nature and the natural world, and the importance of distinctive, handmade design and features.
Advocates of the movement included artists, architects and designers, who were united in the ideals of individual design and craftsmanship rather than mass machine production, plus the promotion of nature and the natural world.
Most historians agree that the most famous and pioneering Arts & Crafts champion was designer and writer William Morris, whose internationally-recognised iconic designs and patterns are still loved and featured in people's homes today.
William Morris would probably be very impressed with this Carmarthenshire example of the style he helped to establish. In fact, one of the major interior design trends of 2021 pays homage to the Arts & Crafts style - it's still a relevant style and can be found and loved in modern homes - find out more about that here.
The entrance vestibule of this beauty begins the journey through quality craftmanship and materials that can be found in most spaces inside this impressive home. Minton floor tiles and beautiful woodwork lead you into the main entrance hall.
Even if Arts & Crafts is not your style of choice, surely most people are going to be impressed and also intrigued by the visual feast this space is offering? The substantial, carved staircase is a prominent feature but it doesn't dominate the space, which is available in abundance.
The solid wood flooring and robust, panelled internal doors are constant companion features throughout most of the home, bringing harmony between the spaces as well as visual warmth.
The wood cocoons you in each space with its natural beauty and connection to the natural world outside that surrounds the house and appears at every window. This connection is one of the core values of Arts & Crafts style.
The solid, dark presence of this quality material is lightened by the soft touches in this space; the delicate detailing on the cornices, the picture rails and the white walls all add character as well as finer details to notice, after the dominant features of the space have had their initial attention.
Look back and the impressive inner front door is a grand initial statement of glass and wood that this house deserves.
The whole staircase is flooded with light from a vast window that tempts you to ascend and explore upstairs, but there's oodles of charm to discover on the ground floor first.
To the left there is a useful cloakroom and then study home office, where the shape follows the quirky angles of one of the 'tower'-shape corners of the house, but the main event is definitely happening in the living room on the opposite side of the hall.
The idea of broken-plan is not a concept that can be claimed as a recent design. This house may be decades old in its vintage but its internal doors connecting the living and sitting room, that can be opened to connect the rooms or closed to create two private reception spaces, is a concept that is centuries old.
Upon entering the living room arguably the stand-out feature of the house grabs your attention; a fireplace that thinks it's a chapel.
Built out from the exterior wall to give the fireplace more prominence, the integrated pews either side of the log burner and the arched stained glass windows surely cement this incredible feature as the most magnificent in this home.
The stained glass in the windows and their arched shape are classic Arts & Crafts additions, as is the huge overhanging mantle that provides a canopy to the entrance of the fireplace.
Imagine sitting on a pew next to the log burner on a cold, wintery day, admiring your stained glass windows - not many homeowners in Wales can claim that experience unless they live in an actual chapel now converted into their home.
The living room is spacious and bathed in natural light from the substantial and many windows, and the attractive wood floor, ceiling beam detailing and fancy cornicing and plasterwork continues from the hall and into this space, and then into the adjoining, second reception room.
Through a cute inner hall space and into the space designated as the dining room that flows directly into the kitchen.
These rooms are arguably more modern and more functional spaces, but there's character to find here too; stripped wood floorboards, quarry floor tiles and an eye-catching blue Aga all add charm to this combined area.
The ground floor also has handy extra spaces such as a utility room, cloakroom and two store rooms that all help to keep this family home organised and running smoothly, with plenty of storage to hide things away and not detract from the attractive features that should be allowed to sing loudly.
Up that glorious and robust staircase and who could pass the stunning, almost full-length, stained glass window that accompanies you as you climb. Surely any visitor is going to pause and admire this typical Arts & Crafts addition that is as beautiful as it is practical.
Upstairs there are five bedrooms with the potential for a sixth or the creation of a stunning master suite.
As well as pretty cornices, ceiling roses, quality woodwork and picture rails following you up stairs, the quirkiness of this house does too. What master bedroom in a home for sale in Wales can boast an ensuite sun room?
A bathroom, walk-in wardrobe, even a balcony will be admired and to some extent expected by a potential buyer viewing a house of this stature and within this price bracket.
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But this master has its own private sunroom that has a wall of windows overlooking the rolling rural landscape that encompasses the home.
Next to the master is a room labelled as a sitting room as it has no external windows but it does flow into the sunroom via glass and wood double door.
Maybe this could be another bedroom but how about a dressing room and stunning ensuite to the master, and if the bath was positioned with thought, the views could be admired directly from the hot tub?
Bedroom two is a very generous size and also has one of the protruding 'tower' corners that could make the perfect reading nook or an appropriate place to set up the dressing table, surrounded on three sides by natural light and inspiring country views.
There are currently five bedrooms in total on this level and a family bathroom on this floor and as this is a house full of surprises there's an intriguing staircase in the corner of the bathroom that you weren't expecting.
They lead up to the roof so you can check for any invaders directly from your own castellated battlements.
From this elevated roof position you can also see the lay of the land, literally. There are about 2.22 acres of land that come with the house, with the surrounding garden mainly pristine lawns, as well as a paddock and a field.
Of course, this unusual country mansion is going to surprise you in the garden as well as inside the house, and maybe the best one is the existence of an outbuilding measuring about six metres by six metres.
This bonus building could possibly be converted into an annexe or holiday let studio, subject to achieving the necessary planning permission of course, or a home office totally separated from the main house.
Actually there are a number of outbuildings in the grounds according to the estate agent, giving a new owner even more flexibility on how they might want to use the spaces on offer.
There are stables that complement the paddock that's included in the sale of the home, a garage, kennels, a woodshed and a workshop, all cloaked in views of the gorgeous Carmarthenshire countryside on the outskirts of the village of Pontyberem.
If you're keen to be the next king or queen of this Arts & Crafts castle-style beauty, it's on the market for offers in excess of £650,000 with West Wales Properties, call their Carmarthen branch on 01267 236655 to find out more.
