If a home with unique character is top of your wish list, then a converted church or chapel, if done with care and thought, can offer some intriguing design ideas and inspiration to create a charming place to live.
But maybe that is just too routine for you now - there are many converted churches and chapels at any one time on the market - so how about a converted Sunday school that was sold with the empty and disused church next door and was converted at the same time as part of an impressive development?
Back in 2008 this Sunday school was an uninspiring and functional building hiding behind huge trees and a drab pebbledash facade. It was built in 1889, and used as a chapel whilst the main church was built next door.
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The magnificent Grade II listed Victorian Methodist Church was finished in 1898 and this more mundane building became the Sunday school. Both properties on this site were built by Thomas Walker, who also constructed the nearby Barry docks.
Fast forward to 2009 and both buildings lie silent, empty and unused, on the corner of two popular residential roads in Barry - Romilly Road and Porthkerry Road. With the harbour, Romilly Park, Cold Knap beach and Whitmore Bay, as well as the town centre, nearby and the plethora of large period homes on offer, the area has become a popular place to call home.
The church site had potential but it needed to be in the hands of a developer who had experience of transforming empty brownfield sites in prime positions into buildings for the future.
Enter Bristol based Brownfield G reen into the story of this site, with a portfolio of doing exactly what their name suggests - turning empty brown sites into thriving sites for the future, including future proofing with more green technology. They had big plans for this site that they renamed Romilly Quarter.
During 2014 and 2015 the church and Sunday school went through a transformative renovation and restoration into seven town houses in the main church and four homes within the adjacent Sunday school building, which was released from the shackles of its drab render to reveal a truly stunning brick facade behind - from the ugly duckling to the elegant swan.
At the time, the company explained the conversion process as 'respecting the striking architecture and enhancing the superb features, which have really stood the test of time. Refurbished stained glass, original floorboards and restored stonework all add to the individuality of the homes'. See inside one of the homes within the main converted church when it was for sale in 2015 here.
The project saw Brownfield Green working with surveyors Structural Solutions and architect Emmett Russell Architects and the reward for the attractive transformation of Romilly Quarter was winning the 2016 Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) prestigious national award for best UK development project for.
The project was praised for its sustainability and for preserving and enhancing a well-loved community landmark. The judges stated: "Romilly Quarter is a conversion of both buildings offering a unique blend of old and new, taking the best bits of each. You can now have an energy efficient modern home with the quality craftsmanship and materials that make historic buildings so special.
"The buildings were unused for four years and were deteriorating badly with squatters and vandalism. The sympathetic conversion of the buildings and restoration of the stained glass windows, floorboards, beams and stonework (including gargoyles) has created some fabulous homes, all of which were snapped up very quickly."
At the time of conversion, Brownfield G reen described the unique school house as being restored to create four bespoke loft-style houses with charming original details, each with their own private entrance, garden and parking space.
Now one of the homes within the former Sunday school building, now called School House Mews, is for sale and offers the potential buyer the chance to join the small community at this exclusive and award-winning development.
The home for sale within this award-winning development is the first pretty green door you come to, surrounded by greenery and the attractive, two tone, brick facade. It is an appealing welcome full of character that continues inside this lovely home.
From the front door there's a hall that leads past a stylish cloakroom next to the stairs, that hints at the tasteful interior design that flows through this home - wood flooring, white walls backdrop and statement furniture and accessories that provide texture and a mix of surfaces - from shiny to matt, tactile to smooth.
Into an open-plan living area that although one large space for cooking, dining and lounging has been expertly zoned by a change in floor covering as well as a change in floor level.
In the kitchen diner the warm wood flooring first introduced in the cloakroom is a rich and practical base for this more functional area, any spills and splashes can be easily dealt with, and it looks beautiful too.
The lounge area is found at the end of the space and widens out to the width of the home and feels more intimate thanks mainly to the drop in floor level and the introduction of a thick carpet to sink your toes into and comfortable sofas.
This lounge space opens directly onto a garden terrace that suggests this home is a bit of a party pad. Low maintenance, alfresco dining terrace, decking with comfy seating, views out towards the sea, and the much hoped for but not often delivered hot tub.
Back inside and there are extra features to notice that includes a door that leads to a handy utility room as this house is a functioning and practical home as well as a pretty one. There's a bonus kitchen island offering more storage and more seating for guests, plus a view of the sea on the horizon from the island stools.
Up the stairs and somehow the house can offer two bedrooms, a family bathroom. One of the bedrooms and an ensuite and one comes with a handy walk-in closet, proving that great design can maximise any space, whatever shape or size, into comfortable and unique accommodation.
Up here the pale accent tones continue and are joined by soft and sumptuous, tactile fabrics and cushions to create peaceful slumber zones that can cocoon you in comfort both physically and visually, and help you drift off into a restful sleep.
But then a surprise extra flight of stairs up to a second floor that is not obvious from the outside appears at the end of the landing.
Up to the top and the master bedroom, and the charming exposed roof rafters that were first revealed on the bedroom level below are now the absolute star of the show in this space.
Painted a soft grey they are joined by white ceiling panelling and the cute and characterful circular window on the end wall that can be seen from the outside and is a unique feature to add an extra layer of delight.
Lying in this space, surrounded by original features and with the stars shining through the roof windows, it surely feels like you are enclosed within your own unique space, away from the world, cloaked in privacy with the beautiful building as your shield from the stress of the outside world, and surely that's worth an award.
The mews house inside the old Sunday school is for sale for £369,950 with Daniel Matthew estate agents, call the Barry office on to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter which is sent to your inbox twice a week.
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