There are some Welsh houses that are period properties that can rightly claim to be oozing character and charm from every brick and stone and throughout every room. But there are some period properties that can claim to be the next level up in unique history, surviving features, gorgeous interiors, and location too – and they don't have to be the biggest buildings or the priciest or poshest pads in the area.
Rosetta is one of Wales' special houses that ticks all the requirements for being a true gem – from the exterior that stops you in your tracks while strolling down the street in Laugharne to the most characterful of renovated interiors. The pretty and popular Carmarthenshire town can boast its own ancient castle and pretty waterside position next to the stunning River Taf estuary. Of course the town more recently is world-famous for being associated with poet and author Dylan Thomas, who lived in Laugharne from 1949 until his death in 1953.
Thomas once described this most special of Welsh locations as "a timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town" and surely the majority of people who enjoy coming to Laugharne for the day or as a perfect base to explore west Wales would agree. The town can now offer a range of restaurants, pubs and cafes such as Brown's, one of Thomas' favourite watering holes, as well as a peaceful location next to the estuary and well-placed to explore the beaches and surrounding countryside without spending hours in the car.
Read more: Dylan Thomas' beautiful home in Laugharne to begin a new life owned by Sian Evans from Kosheen
In a town like Laugharne that has an embarrassment of fine Georgian houses lining its streets to impress you it can be hard to compete for attention but Rosetta easily manages it. The Grade II-listed Rosetta stands proudly on the main street, a handsome house that covers five storeys from the cellar to the attic with three floors of loveliness in between.
The house was award its listed status by Cadw in 1966, amended in 1986, for its group value as an important part of this charming and historic street scene of period properties. The building is said to date back to around 1720 and was once owned by Lady Catherine Aylmer, whose daughter Rose was the subject of the famous Walter Landor poem Rose Aylmer.
The estate agent selling this amazing abode, one of the largest in Laugharne, states that beady-eyed potential buyers viewing the house for sale may spot a vase created by the current owner which celebrates the poem. But the house hasn't always looked as grand as it does today. A trip down memory lane via Google Maps shows the façade looking a bit tired back in 2011.
Owners Julie and Kevin bought Rosetta in 2014 and have lovingly restored it, creating a modern and yet traditional property that makes the most of its period credentials while boasting most engaging interiors. Its captivating canvas of wonderfully-decorated rooms made the perfect backdrop in a recent short film called Tin Dancing Sheds.
And if you love spending time away from home you'll be dancing for joy to find out that the couple share this gem with lucky guests as Airbnb accommodation with the offer of comfy king-size beds and a bathroom with roll-top bath and rainfall shower. A new owner could of course keep the guest accommodation or they could, understandably, want to be totally selfish and keep Rosetta all to themselves.
And if the move to Laugharne involves a wider family pack-up then this substantial home can easily welcome all generations. Starting the tour in the cellar offers a window into the characterful space's current use – as a pottery used by the owners who are both artists and also a home for the energy efficient biomass boiler. But this bonus lower floor has also been in its past a place to stable horses and a brewery but, of course, not at the same time (unless the ponies liked to pull a pint or two on a Friday night).
Up to the ground floor and the delicious combination of vintage charm and an elegant, timeless, and tasteful interior design scheme instantly has you absorbed and impressed. To the right of the central hallway is the drawing room and it is a very special spot where you gravitate towards the log burner nestled within the ornate fireplace. But don't forget to look around and appreciate the large sash windows with wood panelling, fancy cornicing, wall panels with dado rail, arched display alcoves, and wide floorboards that must have witnessed so many interesting events through the centuries.
The built-in carpentry is a bonus and the colour scheme of matt golden yellow against the dark smoky grey tone is extremely visually engaging. Across the hallway the formal dining room cloaks you with an ambience of period drama and sociable experiences of rowdy dinner parties stretching into the night and busy family Christmas dinners.
The addition of a bay window in this room creates the perfect spot for a chaise lounge for afternoon napping, early-morning reading, or just nosing out of the window to see what's going on along Laugharne's main street. But it's the panelling adorning every centimetre of every wall that is the period visual triumph in here, stretching up to the carved coving and encompassing the fireplace. The choice of a muted tone in a matt finish is a perfect décor choice for this space and this thought process of heritage colours but in a variety of shades and strengths of colour is a theme throughout the house and ensures its interiors are noteworthy and a source of inspiration for others.
At the rear of the house the study is another perfect example of period features, quality furniture pieces, and artwork that 'pop' against the strong and sumptuous tone of blue that surrounds them. It's even on the ceiling and doors.
Into the kitchen and the tasteful décor continues with Shaker-style solid wood units topped with a robust solid wood work surface that visually links to the original floorboards below. There's a beast of a Rangemaster stove embedded into the chimney breast and an equally impressive dresser unit occupying the whole of the end wall. At the opposite end is the most delightful of window seats framing a garden view and also offering a chance for the cook to have a little rest while they prepare the family meals.
You might wonder why there's no direct access to the garden on this floor but a quick jaunt up the stunning period staircase gives you the answer – behind the stairs on the first floor is the delightfully named 'outside bridge'. The name is an accurate one as a rear door opens up onto an elevated walkway to the pretty garden like a modern-day drawbridge.
Before crossing the bridge to explore the sunken patio and flower beds of this lovely outside space, however tempting it is, inside there are five bedrooms and two bathrooms to explore plus an attic to have a rummage around in. At the front of the house is arguably the master as it is the biggest and has a dual aspect but as all three of the bedrooms are uniquely gorgeous on this floor it's a tough decision.
This room can boast more wall panels plus huge Georgian windows and exposed wood floorboards. The heritage colours in distinctive tones continue and the addition of classic period furniture enhances the grandness of the room but not to the level where you don't feel warm and welcomed.
Next door there's a strong rich red-toned colour to grab your attention. The use of green as an accent to highlight the stunning arches embedded into the wall panels is so successful – two strong shades that are opposite on the colour wheel but are united in bringing visual drama to the space. The third bedroom on this floor is a white-washed children's bedroom with the standout feature being the original fireplace that rightly dominates the space with its hidden stories of times past and memories created in this space.
Into the bathroom on this floor and, of course, there's a roll-top bath in there with a collection of fancy mirrors on the wall above to ensure you know that this area of the room is king. But there are other features with engaging credentials too like the huge walk-in shower with feature tiling, lime-washed floorboards, and period-style basin.
Up to the top floor and if you're expecting a dusty old attic you're going to be surprised as this floor offers an extra two bedrooms and a bathroom. It also offers an answer to which space could be the master bedroom because one of this duo of rooms occupies one half of the footprint of the house – it's huge.
Currently used as a guest bedroom with a lounge area the space was previously two separate rooms. It's a vast room with a feature fireplace and a charming archway between the two areas and it could be further elevated into the most impressive of master suites.
Another characterful bedroom and bathroom occupy the rest of the space on this second floor before you ascend for the final time. This time it is the attic you discover.
It's not a dusty old space but rather a thriving artist studio with canvases and artist paraphernalia sitting among the most stunning of exposed roof beams. Maybe with some appropriate work that conforms to listed building regulations and health and safety this could make a marvellous master suite too? Or maybe it will lead to a heated family argument as to who gets the space to become their own private den? Enjoy skipping back down that impressive staircase and back to the drawbridge on the first floor and the garden awaits.
The first outside space to get you excited is the sunny sunken terrace which is perfect for socialising but also, conversely, is a hidden spot to find some peace. Up some stone steps from the side driveaway that has room for a number of parked cars and the elevated lawn area then leads to a bit of a secret garden hidden behind some trellis fencing. Behind this is a surprise vegetable garden that includes a greenhouse plus the most inviting of alfresco dining and chilling out spots – an elevated little patio flanked by a characterful stone wall plus absorbing views of Laugharne and the countryside that envelopes it.
Rosetta is a winner then in so many aspects of a dream home and is on the market for offers in excess of £900,000 with estate agent Fine & Country Pembrokeshire. You can call them on 01834 818076 to find out more. And if you want to read more about the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories, and interiors then join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter which is sent out to your inbox twice a week.
