Chapel and church conversions come in all different shapes and sizes, from a cute, rural brick-built building by the side of quiet lane to a vast construction nestled within an urban hub. And the success of converting these historic buildings can come at different levels too.
Examples range from squeezing in as much as possible until the chapel has lost all of its character and sense of space, to renovations that try to retain the sense of awe most of these buildings evoke when you enter. But very few chapel conversions have been lavished with quite as much opulence, glamour and statement interior design as the one that is now for sale for £1m within a popular Vale of Glamorgan village.
READ MORE: The vicar who's bought up 13 Welsh chapels in a bid to save them
Drive or stroll along this suburban road in Wenvoe and your first impression of the chapel could easily be 'What chapel?'. From most angles it looks like a large house. To get the best first impression of this unique home, ignore the roadside entrance door and head to the gate further along the street to explore the home via the garden entry. Climb the steps and wander along the garden path through the trees and shrubbery towards the property and the former function of the building begins to reveal itself.
The grave headstones nestled within a tree-filled corner section of the garden are the most obvious clues to the building's past, once you spot them amongst the foliage you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to work out this property was once the village chapel, but the large, arched windows that dominate the facade of the building confirm it.
There's a sunny, elevated terrace that hugs the house, surrounded by the pretty garden and feeling like a secluded spot but with an eye-catching view across the countryside flanking the terrace too, there's plenty to persuade you to stay out here and relax.
But it's inside where this chapel can truly stop you in your tracks with its unexpected and lavish interior design - no upcycled chapel pews here, this home is all about glamour, luxury, tactile fabrics and glints of metallic surfaces. You can enter the home via either set of French doors that have been incorporated into the distinctive, long arched windows, and stepping inside it's a joy to see that this main section of the former chapel has retained its double-height space, which includes a curved and carved mezzanine level. The choice to keep this area a double-height space means the owners are rewarded with a room that is absolutely breath-taking.
Look up into the vast space above you and the period roof beams are on show and can be admired as well as the mezzanine structure. Light gushes in from the four huge arched windows and it's a joy to see them not split in the middle by the construction of an upper storey. The dining area enjoys the sunshine, as well as views out to the garden and up into the vaulted ceiling.
And once these features have initially astounded you, the dining area can also offer a bespoke bar that is another feature to admire, and the easy way to pour your dinner guests a drink without leaving the chat.
Under the mezzanine section of this stunning space is a lounge area that oozes opulence and glamour. Four massive and very fancy pewter-style mirrors fill the back wall, from floor-to-ceiling, from right to left. As well as adding even more light to the space, the mirrors add a statement backdrop to the interiors. The sumptuous, fabric laden sofas and armchairs nestled around the log burner are forever enticing, with the thick rug underfoot bringing an extra layer of visual and actual warmth above the traditional and timeless slate floor tiles. This amazing space is crowned by a sophisticated choice of glass statement light, made more dominant by painting the vast ceiling rose above it gold.
There's more bespoke joinery in this lounge zone too - a television above a wine fridge built-in unit that occupies the corner area so does not in any way dominate the space, that is left to the incredible fab four mirrors and the eye-catching decor unrolling in front of them. This space is hard to leave. It's a sociable area that successfully connects to the garden and to the past of the building while offering a special space made personal by additions of personal touches such as artwork, accessories and ornaments.
The combination makes a bold statement about the current owners' interior choices that ensure this house is truly theirs, as well as making an unexpected impact on anyone who visits, but is vast and versatile enough to welcome any style of interior design you bring to it.
Into the central hallway that leads to the roadside entrance and a right turn gets you into the lounge. This space may not have the eye-popping, double-height feature or a mezzanine to boast about, but it is a lovely room in its own right. It's a more intimate room, although it is also flooded with light via its own double set of French doors out to the garden terrace. At one end is the perfect reading area, cwtched up next to the fireplace, and at the other end there's a large sofa to hug you while you watch the movie or the match. The lounge has been lavished with the same interior design that began in the adjacent room, continuing the luxury fabrics and personal touches, but on a less grand and more relaxed level.
Opposite the hall is the kitchen and this space is thoroughly contemporary with a shiny floor, glossy units and white walls mixed with chrome and glass to create a visually engaging combination. But the choice of a two-tone style for the kitchen units ensures the space does not feel sterile and cold - colour and texture are present too. The central island unit can be a breakfast bar too, so the cook doesn't have to feel lonely and at the far end of the space there's a bonus cloakroom, so no-one has to trek upstairs to find facilities. But the trek upstairs is totally worth it, and it's via the staircase that is tucked away in the corner and under the mezzanine level back in the main showpiece living space of the home.
Once you get to the top of the stairs, the mezzanine opens up into a large space that the selling agent suggests could be an additional bedroom, and has been in the past, with an en-suite in the corner and fitted wardrobes that line the walls. But the scope is wide, from another lounge area to a den and games area or spacious home office.
Whatever the function of this space for the new owner, it is under the spectacular roof structure that is accompanied by a half wall of stone that leads you down an open corridor to discover the three bedrooms and family bathroom, located above the lounge and kitchen.
Of course these bedrooms ooze the style of the owner - the mixing of textures, the showpiece bespoke joinery, the tactile fabrics and the dedication to creating their modern dream home that stands out from the boring crowd are all in evidence on the first floor too. The inside of the house has mesmerised you, but this home is not done with the surprises just yet - there's more to see in the garden once you stray away from the sunny, limestone terrace.
The garden climbs up another level and here there is an unexpected extra - a self-contained garden building with light and power that is ideal for home working, running a business, or progressing a hobby away from the noise of the main chapel home. Add in three sheds, and an upper lawn level at the very top of the garden where the rural vista becomes panoramic, and the outside space is a perfect partner to the unique inside space of this very special chapel.
The house is for sale for £1m with estate agents MGY. Call their Radyr branch on 029 2084 2124 to find out more. All photographs credited to and by Simon Carter. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, auction properties, renovation stories, and interiors - join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter , sent to your inbox twice a week.
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