From the outside this substantial period townhouse looks like a property that is going to please once you push open the front door - if the facade is a good indication of how the inside is going to look.
The deep and moody navy is a smart and sophisticated choice as the colour to cloak this period beauty, allowing the white frames of the multi-paned Georgian windows to pop out of the dark tone to maximum effect.
The same can be said for the sunny yellow front door, with attractive feature transom window above - the navy is the perfect inky backdrop to ensure the front door gets the most attention and also hints at the bold and beautiful interior design choice that the owner has lavished on this renovated dream home inside.
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The house that is located on a character-packed winding road just around the corner from the majestic Chepstow castle and a historic church, achieved a Grade II listing from Cadw in 1972 for being 'a late-Georgian townhouse and for its group value with other listed buildings in Upper Church Street and St Mary Street'.
But if listings were given for interior design updates, this house would be recorded as achieving that too. The property is called Griffin House, but maybe it should have been named Phoenix House, because when the property sold in 2017 it was a clean and comfortable home but maybe the definition of a 'blank canvas'.
Since that time the owners have transformed the interiors into a dream home that will surely have you mesmerised with the combination of exposed original features, added glamour and colour choices that would not look out of place inside a glossy interiors magazine.
According to the property portal Rightmove, the house last sold in 2017 and at that time had a cream facade that blended into the streetscene, but now the deep navy front and yellow doorway to interior design heaven ensures the property packs a visual punch from the pavement.
Open the sunny front door and the house can now instantly impress you with a checkerboard, mono tiled floor that is more appropriate for a period property, an exposed stone wall which adds character as well as a tactile surface, and a deep inky blue and white colour scheme that has surely spilled inside from the front facade.
There's more to see in here than you might think though, as the staircase is not a classic and traditional Georgian style that you might have expected.
It is mentioned in the Cadw listing as being 'a Chinoiserie-inspired staircase', defined as being a decorative style in Western art, furniture, and architecture, especially in the 18th century, characterised by the use of Chinese motifs and techniques.
The staircase adds to the uniqueness of the home, and also illustrates the current owners' attention to detail. They have relieved the stairs of their former beige carpet prison and released the wooden treads to be stained in alternate tones.
It's an interior design choice that is quiet and subtle and yet adds even more visual depth, warmth and character to this already charming first room.
Into the front room and the only things that have stayed the same in this space is the amazing marble fireplace and the dado rail. What has been added makes this room an astonishing space that looks more like a period gem you were expecting and features fancy cornicing, a ceiling rose, wall panelling and bespoke carpentry.
What's been taken away is the carpet to reveal the beautiful, wide floorboards that have been sanded and stained to add visual warmth that tones perfectly with the dark moody blue tone on the wall. The furniture and added accessories are suitably classy and yet comfortable as this house functions as a well-loved, family home.
Texture and shape contrast can be found in here too, from the plush velvet to the hard wood coffee table, from the rigid structure of the wooden furniture to the gentle shapes of the plants and the glistening crystals that adorn the central chandelier.
It's a great start, and the spacious kitchen diner at the rear of this dreamy home does not disappoint, keeping the textures and smart, sophisticated style going, but also welcoming all visitors to this very warm and sociable space.
Where once there was a functional yet uninspiring kitchen, there is now a collection of classic white units with feature gold handles that give the kitchen an 'on trend' style. This is matched by the eye-catching metallic splashback tiles that glimmer in gold and add visual intrigue with their art deco style multi-arch design.
More stripped floors and more exposed stone walls, with a slice of brickwork above the French doors out to the garden add the layers of period character.
This added charm is surely crowned by the exposed brickwork above the fireplace that ensures the unusual arches above the alcoves are given prominence.
Under that special staircase there's a door to a handy cellar below but above, waiting to be admired, are three bedrooms and a super stylish bathroom that continues the wave of wonderful interiors that have flooded the ground floor.
The main bedroom on this level can be found at the front and has been given the period decor treatment structurally by exposing the stone wall around the sash window creating a delightful duo of character that complement each other.
Previously, the chimney breast was boarded up but this bold owner has got the sledgehammer out and hacked away at it to see if there was the chance to create a feature fireplace here.
Exposing the back wall bricks and framing the newly found fireplace with a new surround has created a central feature perfect for a child's bedroom.
The family bathroom on this first floor level is truly unrecognisable. The former two, separate rooms that were a cloakroom with loo and sink and bathroom with bath and sink have been combined into one space.
It's a remarkable transformation but thoughtful too, with a section of the original dividing wall between the two rooms kept in order to keep the loo and bath apart and semi-private.
The newly created, spacious room is cloaked in a sumptuous blue tone on walls, ceiling and even bath side panel, with a mottled effect that adds visual depth and texture to the surface as an attractive partner to the exposed ceiling beams and is actually thanks to the use of Moroccan Tadelakt plaster.
The wooden sink unit is a direct homage to the beams and adds the warm wood tones to the space below them. Glamour is added via gold accessories that include a feature mirror, sink and bath taps, statement traditional radiator and even the toilet brush.
The floral floor tiles adds a subtle pattern to the scheme without dominating it that makes sure all surfaces of the room are included in the decor. And the finishing touch of a perfectly placed fancy storage cupboard ensures all spaces are also integrated into the decor, not ignored and unused.
Up to the top floor and arguably the ultimate property show stopper, a master suite to surely make the vast majority of house hunters weak at the knees - and luckily there's a huge bed to catch them should they buckle.
The double-height, vaulted ceiling that exposes the roof beam and rafter structure is a triumph, with exposed stone sections of wall at the end adding to the character above the wall that separates the ensuite from the bedroom.
This special nook of the bedroom ceiling is afforded the care and attention that the owners have brought to each space, going the extra renovation mile by adding hidden lighting so these gems of the original house are rightly given spotlight attention.
Of course, it's hard not to immediately see and swoon over the gold, statement bath opposite the bed, handily positioned between the windows so all modesty remains intact and also well placed to see the television - Homes Under The Hammer will never look so good enjoyed from a bath of bubbles accompanied by a glass of bubbles.
The gold of the tub is echoed on the far wall by the hefty gold framed mirror which leads the way into the ensuite that features a walk-in shower and a double sink unit that is as unusual as it is attractive, with the two basins appearing to be carved out of slabs of rock - a perfect partner to the exposed stone wall behind.
The house isn't the only area of the property that can boast characterful walls to charm you. The garden is a large and lovely walled garden that mixes sections of stone, vintage brick and weathered concrete as a variety of surfaces.
All of the walls that enclose the garden are attractive and tactile surface additions to this outside space that mixes a charming traditional flagstone patio with wildflower raised borders.
They meander alongside the garden path and through the enchanting planting and overhanging trees to the family friendly large lawn at the end.
There are spaces to relax in sunshine or shade, spaces to play, places to party and places to tend to and continue the pretty planting, as well as opportunities to establish growing your own produce within this good sized plot.
The garden is as magical as the interiors here at Griffin House. It has been sympathetically restored to bring back its past grandeur and period providence and the work list completed is long.
It includes being treated to a lime replaster throughout, restoring or adding period fireplaces, cornicing, ceiling roses and wood panelling where required, windows refurbished and floorboards, brick work, beams and stone walls exposed.
The result is a stunning home that has arisen from the flames of a neutral decor into a period masterpiece for modern living like a - well, like a griffin rather than a phoenix in this case.
Griffin House with all the benefits of a dream home inside and a substantial, pretty townhouse garden outside, is on the market for £550,000 with Archer & Co, call their Chepstow branch on 01291 626262 to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories, and interiors - join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent to your inbox twice a week.
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