Three of the best homes on the market with stunning kitchens

As today’s kitchen is a social hub and family space, make it a spectacular one, says Kirsty McLuckie

Estimates vary on how much replacing a kitchen can add to a home’s value.

Getting it right should add one and a half times the value of the project, five per cent of the total price of the property or £5,000 to an averagely valued house – depending on whose advice you take.

Whatever the answer, now that many households spend most of their time in a modern dining kitchen, whether it is a chic city penthouse or a farm cottage, the kitchen is likely to be the most important selling point on the inside of any property.

And while replacing the kitchen is one of the popular projects to tackle when moving into a new house, some properties don’t require it, having a perfectly designed central hub from which to cook, eat and socialise.

Picture: South Kinaldy House, Bell Ingram

South Kinaldy House, by St Andrews in Fife, is a historic home, dating from around 1803.

With a splendid countryside location, the house is packed full of character, and set in grounds of three-quarters of an acre. It was originally built as a stables and carriage house.

Picture: South Kinaldy House, Bell Ingram

It has many aspects to recommend it, but its bespoke, semi-professional kitchen, featuring shaker-style cabinets of spalted Fife elm, is definitely a highlight.

The use of local wood in the kitchen is repeated throughout the house, including an ancient yew and twisted Fife burr elm staircase.

Picture: South Kinaldy House, Bell Ingram

The house has bespoke limewash and beeswax wall finishes and natural sheep wool thermal acoustic insulation, so like the kitchen is a mix of new technology and traditional design.

Picture: South Kinaldy House, Bell Ingram

Carl Warden, of Bell Ingram, says: “It’s chance to purchase a slice of history with a home dating from the 1800s, but with all the modern features you’d expect thanks to its recent renovation.”

Picture: Ardenvohr House, Galbraith

Ardenvohr is an impressive detached house in a quiet street in Auchterarder, close to Gleneagles Hotel.

Picture: Galbraith

The house has a classic Victorian feel to it. The dual aspect sitting and dining room has an original fireplace with a wood burning stove, an exposed timber floor and high ceilings while the drawing room has a bay window with an open fire, beautifully detailed cornicing and wooden skirting boards.

Picture: Galbraith

The kitchen looks every inch traditional with its cream units, but the pretty room wears its high tech modernity lightly.

Desirable features include a central island with granite work surface, integrated appliances such as a generous fridge and freezer, Miele dishwasher, AEG combi-microwave oven, a two-oven gas Aga and underfloor heating.

Picture: Galbraith

There is also a separate utility room, shower room and office so the set up would work well for a family, or for anyone wanting to take their catering seriously.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

In the city, there is a definite move to transform dark and dingy Victorian and Georgian basement kitchens into light open-plan spaces to suit family life and entertaining.

A great example is a ground and garden flat in Coates Crescent in Edinburgh’s West End, which has been extensively refurbished by the current owners.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

The kitchen has been opened up to make room for a large dining table and there is access to the private garden.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

While the rest of the duplex has kept its traditional feel and proportions, the styling in the kitchen is minimalist, sophisticated and very chic.

At a glance

Picture: South Kinaldy House, Bell Ingram

Where is it: South Kinaldy House, near St Andrews, Fife.What is it: A rural steading conversion with a sitting room, dining room, breakfasting kitchen, five bedrooms, all ensuite and a landscaped garden of three-quarters of an acre.Good points: First converted to a home in 1980, South Kinaldy has been recently comprehensively upgraded. The use of local elm and yew throughout the house is imaginative, unique and beautiful and the bespoke kitchen is a delight.Bad points: It is within easy commuting distance of St Andrews so the price reflects the sought-after location.Price: Offers over £725,000.Contact: Bell Ingram on 01738 621121.

Picture: Ardenvohr House, Galbraith

Where is it: Ardenvohr, Auchterarder, Perthshire.What is it: A Victorian house with two reception rooms, four bedrooms and a dining kitchen.Good points: The kitchen is both attractive and highly functional. The house has good entertaining space and a mature garden .Bad points: Even if you don’t like golf you’d still be paying for the location, which is very close to Gleneagles Hotel.Price: Offers over £575,000.Contact: Galbraith on 01738 456061.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

Where is it: 15/1 Coates Gardens, Edinburgh.What is it: A ground and lower ground apartment with west facing garden, a bay windowed drawing room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a garden room.Good points: The spectacular dining kitchen which runs the width of the house with doors to the outside.Bad points: Not much room to add value as the apartment is upgraded and immaculate.Price: Offers over £795,000.Contact: Strutt & Parker on 0131 718 4597.