Chapels in the south Wales valleys used to be the cornerstone of the community, usually boasting distinctive and attractive designs.
However, in recent times it has become more common to see an empty community chapel slowly and sadly deteriorating into dereliction.
But if you have the time, patience, imagination and decent renovation budget, you could create a dream home worthy of interior design accolades, as the owners of this incredible chapel in Ynysybwl near Pontypridd have done.
From the outside the property looks like an attractive and typical Gothic-style influenced stone and brick built Welsh chapel.
According to the website coflein.gov.uk the property began life in 1887 as the English Congregational Chapel and is thought to have closed in 1960 and used for storage by company Roath Furnishing.
In 1998 it was converted into a residential home - and what a home it is.
Now called Yr Hen Capel, the inside of this home oozes style and luxury.
The three floors of accommodation have been converted from pews and pulpit to pretty and perfect interiors.
Each floor has a defined purpose to create an ideal family home, with each spaced dressed in .
Enter through the old wooden doors and you are greeted by a double height ceiling space that allows the original stained glass arched windows to be the centre of attention.
There are stairs on both sides of the hallway leading to the first floor bedrooms.
Starting the property tour on the ground floor though and there's a spacious lounge that entices you to linger.
This room sets the tone for the decor of the whole house - even the ground floor loo is super stylish!
The opulent lounge boasts a log burner in the carved fireplace and two Juliet balconies overlooking the engaging wooded valley views outside.
A tasteful choice of furniture and accessories, combined with tactile fabrics and soft, muted tones creates a calm ambience.
The original wooden flooring has been restored and brings warmth and extra character to the room.
The attention to detail is as impressive as the interior design, with ceiling detailing, coving and integrated lighting all adding to the charm, as well as function, of the space.
If a potential buyer can drag themselves away from this elegant room, there is a separate and cosy sitting room and a formal dining room to explore.
Both spaces feature deep skirtings, coving detailing and wooden flooring, which combine successfully with the continuation of the plush interiors.
As anyone taking a tour of this property will be now come to expect, the kitchen is another exquisite space.
The soft grey coloured Shaker-style kitchen is joined by coordinating tiling, wood flooring and oak work surface to create a beautiful base for key features such as a Belfast sink, double oven and stylish seating area.
But it's not all about aesthetics in the kitchen, as there are all the integrated appliances a new owner would hope for in a modern kitchen, including a six burner hob.
Being a chapel in the valleys, the property is built on an incline and this allows the building to benefit from a bonus lower ground floor space.
The current owners have turned this extra room into a versatile entertainment area, with space for at least 12 people at the dining table, a cosy seating area around a log burner, plus a substantial free-standing bar.
The choice of deep blue / navy for the walls is currently very 'on trend' within the interiors world.
The space is easily large and light enough to cope with the dark tone and creates the most intimate of spaces for entertaining once the sun goes down.
It is also a fabulous tone to use as a backdrop for the current owners' gold-framed artwork, with the high shine metallic frames hung against the matt navy creating an eye-catching contrast.
This entertainment space is littered with characterful arched windows, reminding any visitor of the past function of the property.
This lower ground floor also has a large garage and workshop.
As there is parking for at least three cars at the front and side of the property, maybe a new owner could turn the garage into an office, gym or even a guest suite / annexe.
Up to the first floor and there are five bedrooms, one family bathroom and two ensuites to discover.
As expected, the bedrooms are all beautifully decorated and furnished, and feature the original solid wood ceiling beams, roof trusses and ironwork, which quite rightly demand the most attention in each room.
The main outdoor space is the garden at the rear of the property and this too has some surprises waiting for a visitor.
A hot tub is the instantly noticeable feature and continues the party atmosphere that the entertainment room on the lower ground floor started.
As with the rest of the property, there has been a lot of thought and attention to detail given to the design of each space, even outside.
A section of the cellar has been converted into a toilet, small kitchen and changing room facility for the garden and hot tub, so there's no need to reward any nosy passers-by with a glimpse of you rushing to the front door of the property in your swimsuit.
This private garden also has a deck area perfect for al fresco dining plus maybe the best features of the home - a climbing wall plus a children's slide going from a first floor 'castle' into the garden below; lucky kids.
This stunning and stylish home is for sale for £425,000 with estate agent Hoskins Johnson, give them a call on 01443 404093 to find out more.
