en.Wedoany.com Reported - A colourful former council house in Wales has won the first episode of the Mid Wales and Valleys regional heat on BBC Cymru Wales' programme 'Wales' Home of the Year'. The home, named Ty Hwyl, belongs to Sera and Ian, with judges including host Owain Wyn Evans, architect Glen Thomas, and designer Mandy Watkins.
Located near Aberystwyth, the house was originally Ian's childhood home. Before moving in, Sera and Ian lived across the street to care for Ian's elderly parents. After Ian's mother passed away, the couple inherited the property. However, in February of the year they inherited it, Ian suffered a heart attack, leaving Sera to carry out most of the renovation work with the help of their friend Darren. Sera said the renovation coincided with personal health challenges; while Darren assisted with plumbing and flooring, she built the banquette seating in the social dining area herself and cleared six terraced stone tiers in the garden, filling six large skips.
When they first moved in, the house was decorated in dark tones. Sera said she was experiencing severe depression at the time, and both her clothing and mood were dark. On a friend's advice, she began researching colour therapy while also undergoing psychological treatment. During the renovation, the couple first painted the entire house white to feel the space and light, then gradually implemented their design. The original kitchen had a pantry and a 'pram parking area', which were combined into a spacious, corridor-style kitchen with glass sliding doors to increase natural light. The judges particularly noted the glass-fronted kitchen cabinets displaying china tableware.
The banquette seating Sera designed is her favourite area in the home, used for family gatherings. The bathroom design also caught the judges' attention: the bathtub is placed diagonally in the corner, with a giant banana tree above it forming a canopy reminiscent of a tropical pond. Sera explained that this design was a practical solution to accommodate a shower, toilet, and bathtub in a small space while ensuring the door could close. The front garden features a pergola seating area, and Sera said passing friends often join them for meals.
The use of colour is a core feature of the home. Sera said the colour palette revolves around several main hues, carried through different spaces in various tones and shades, with 'pop' colours as accents. When she opens the glass inner door from the hallway, the open-plan living and dining area is bathed in colour, pattern, and light. Sera mentioned that artwork was the starting point for the design of each space.
Although the renovation process was intense, with Sera still painting the day before the TV crew arrived and friends helping with cleaning and tidying, the judges were ultimately captivated by her design. Sera said: 'It's just a little council house, like thousands of others across the country. I hope it can inspire others, showing that you don't need a huge budget, just colours that lift your spirits.' The first episode of the programme is now available on BBC iPlayer. There are five regional heats, and the final will air on BBC Cymru Wales on 16 July.
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