Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff (County of), CF5

It is easy to imagine the excitement there must have been talking to the architects ten or so years ago whilst planning to build this wonderful home.

The original remit was simply, 'we'd like a lovely three bedroom bungalow please'.

When owners care and architects are thoughtful, the result can be what you find here, much more than the original remit and a home that has provided years of joy, continues to do so and is one that puts a smile upon your lips the moment the front door is opened.

There are details here that always impress, Swedish pine window frames provide a softness and quality to the double-glazed windows, many are tilt and turn. Cedarwood adds further softness as you look at the rakish roof line designed to create cover whilst creating openness. Bi-fold doors open across the living room to connect you with the wonderful view in a way little else can compare with. Stylish internal doors match again adding to that air of quality throughout and some, slid back into the walls, may surprise you when you see them finally.

The delights of this home are increased by the vaulted ceilings, they add a majesty and character to the rooms that is captivating. Skylights in the kitchen then allow glorious light in, electrically operated they become an easy part of daily life.

The layout provides a kitchen which is a dream to work in, great counter top space with the island; that acts as both preparation space and breakfast bar and makes it a fun social space whilst the room stretches away to capture that view over the garden and beyond, it gives room for a large table to suit family gatherings and social get togethers. As with all things about this home, everything seems to be in just the right place. The utility room, obviously beside the kitchen and with its own door to the outside, a cloakroom sits there too. The snug is somewhere to relax into, it is a space that feels so natural and relaxing, a good book, a drink and the door to the balcony ajar, sun streaming in, a perfect place to be if you need a moment to yourself.

Each bedroom is individual, part of the added charm the architects achieved. The main bedroom has a wonderful walk in dressing room and an ensuite that again seems so on point with the finish and feel it has. This bedroom is one that delights in that view toward Cardiff and to open the door to the terrace and step out for breakfast or just to relax of an evening as the lights twinkle across the surrounding area; as we said this is a home that provides joy and, to coin our favourite phrase, it makes life special.

You get a sense of that 'special' as you step onto the veranda from the living room, the view stretching away, beside you is the loggia, a perfect spot to dine alfresco. It must be lovely to sit here with friends, chatting, sipping a drink, nibbling food and watching the evening arrive, the colour of the sky fade and lights twinkle on around the valley. Combined seamlessly with the terrace, this whole outdoor area is one that will lure you day after day and again highlights how well thought out this home is.

We haven't even touched upon the second family room downstairs, the cloakroom there, the large storage room that houses the hot water cylinder, controls for the underfloor heating which is provided by an air source heat pump, the double garage or the gardens that have been thoughtfully planted. There's the garden room/workshop, the front garden and plenty of parking.

All of this is tucked away it seems; from Llandaf centre you turn into Fairwater Road, then turn again into Fairwater Road and, almost opposite the home where renowned author Roald Dahl was born, is a little lane that leads here.

The centre of historic Llandaf is nearby, cafes, restaurants, pubs, gardens to sit within and wander around, ancient walls and as 'a city within a city' it has a superb cathedral, reputedly dating back to the twelfth century. Schools are close by, everything that makes Llandaf so popular is within easy reach.

We're told it's just fifteen minutes to Cardiff Bay from here and there is a wealth of places to explore beyond, Penarth, Brecon and Barry Island to name a few.

We hope you like the photos we have shared, as for that vista that greets you when you first open the door, we will save that one for you to experience when you visit.