Some properties ooze such a unique atmosphere and have so much of a homeowner's love and care wrapped up within its walls that any visitor can't fail to feel it, and that's exactly what happened in the south west Wales regional episode of Wales' Home of the Year.
The judges were breathless with excitement and admiration for a traditional Welsh cottage located in the shadow of Kidwelly castle - imagine what might have happened if they'd seen all of the photos of how the property looked when homeowner Luke took it on to renovate; they probably would have fainted.
It needed a lot of work. In fact it was taken back to brick, became roofless and had a total conservatory update to become part of a proper 'heart of the home' kitchen. The judges loved it and they didn't even completely see how it looked before the homeowner got his creative hands on it.
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The televised nose around the cottage, plus a converted mill and seaside home, were featured in the next intriguing instalment of the BBC Cymru Wales programme which aims to find the top of the property pile in our nation and for not just interior design and architecture, but also ambience and the creation of a wonderful home.
Called Little Castle Cottage, this property had judges architect Glen Thomas, designer Mandy Watkins, and presenter and TV weatherman Owain Wyn Evans enthralled from the very beginning even from the outside.
Glen spots that the gable end wall and a section of the front facade of the former single-storey 1700s home had cleverly been incorporated into a larger two-storey 1930s construction that had immersed it into the newer version of the house.
Owner Luke explains he fell for the cottage when visiting his mum and dad in the town and stumbled across it for sale.
He says: "I fell in love instantly. However it was pretty much derelict, it was uninhabitable, but I saw the potential and thought 'this could be a beautiful home'. I'm very fortunate to have my mum and dad and they worked so hard with myself. It's beautiful, I love living here."
Push open the bright turquoise door and the house reveals its new internal layout that includes a feature that's a classic design and yet not frequently found in very old buildings - a view directly through the house from the front door out to the garden.
Glen starts the gushing: "It gives it an incredible sense of depth but is also incredibly inviting." The stairs try to entice them up to the first floor via a double-height ceiling opening up above them, but there's too much to discover on the ground floor first.
The main bedroom of this two-bed cottage is the next space to captivate, with Mandy saying: "I'm loving the way they've done the subtle pink by the fireplace, it's such a nice juxtaposition of the old and the new."
Glen is impressed Luke hasn't been tempted to over-decorate a small room and spots the exposed stone lintels above the windows, while Owain loves the way the teal shade on the walls offers different shades in different lights; it's a great start for Luke's little home.
The kitchen is the next room to try and impress the testing trio, and there are many features in its arsenal to fire and easily flaw them.
The first is the steel beam that Luke had to install between the kitchen and the new conservatory extension to literally keep the back of the house from falling down. Many people would have boxed it in to hide it, some might have left the beam in its raw, metallic state, but Luke has painted it bright pink and it pops like candy against the sunny yellow walls and colourful framed artwork below it.
It's a galaxy far, far away from the drab, dated and probably damp kitchen that once stood where the new version is now successfully working its magic to mesmerise the judges, who also love the inside outside connection from the multiple windows and doors.
But arguably where the love will be totally confirmed is at the top of the stairs where Luke has opened up the vast majority of the top floor into an open-plan space that runs the length and width of the whole cottage.
The only interruption to this double-height space topped and tailed by exposed beams and sanded floorboards is a discrete cloakroom in the corner that, when the door is opened, connects to the kitchen below visually with the hot pink appearing again - everywhere - and is even joined by a flamingo.
Again the original cottage outline can be seen, like a ghost in stone or a construction watermark from the past, incorporated into the far end wall via the chimney breast, and it is again celebrated as a reminder and contributor of the past, rather than hidden by plaster or paint of the present.
The judges are mesmerised by the space. Glen says: "This has the feel of a really cool, chic New York loft apartment. The decor is really sophisticated, but it's not pretentious, I think it's very honest and that follows through in the architectural elements that the homeowner has really cleverly respected.
"It's absolutely incredible, it's got everything. And when you find out from the photographs (in the room) that we think that the homeowner had a big part in the renovation, that just adds another layer onto how much I love this space.
"It's a truly delightful home. The homeowner has put a lot of effort, heart and passion into this place and you can see it everywhere you look."
Mandy is equally smitten, saying: "There's personality in this home, everywhere you look there was some quirk, and I love that - it was just one thing after another in a small space, and it totally worked. I just get a very happy vibe here."
And it sounds like Owain wants to move in. He says: "You can tell the owner has great taste, there are bold colours, there are statement pieces throughout, it's a great level of style throughout this home and I just love spending time here!"
Sorry Owain, but you can't linger in Little Castle Cottage because the final is on the horizon, when the five regional heat finalists will find out which home the three judges have decided to crown as BBC Cymru Wales, Wales' Home of the Year, due to air on BBC Cymru Wales on Friday, September 16 at 7.30pm, subject to change.
In addition, to watch this south west Wales regional heat, and the previous four heats that featured gorgeous homes in the north west, north east, south east and mid Wales, go to BBC iPlayer.
And if you love property and interiors, from dream homes for sale to incredible renovations and inspiring interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter here, sent to your inbox twice a week and become a valued member of the Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here - we look forward to welcoming you.
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