Home is where the kitchen is

The kitchen is truly the heart of the home, according to new research by Halifax Estate Agents. Over one quarter of respondents stated that a new, fitted, contemporary kitchen is most likely to appeal to potential new buyers.

And this is certainly the case at Tillingbourne Homes’ development Echo Heights in Guildford, with an incredibly spacious 727 sq ft kitchen featuring an underground wine cellar, accessed via a spiral stone staircase in the middle of the room.

Annabel Bishop, Director of Tillingbourne Homes, comments: “For many families the kitchen is the hub of the home. However, increasingly in new build properties kitchens are small and sometimes a little cramped. But at Echo Heights, the kitchen offers so much space that it is perfect not only for the traditional use, but also for entertaining, helping the children with homework and even just to have a minute to relax.”

With all the mod cons already included, a lot of hassle is removed when you move in. Essentially everything is integrated; the Poggenpohl units are finished in vanilla gloss, two large fridge freezers by Miele, two conventional ovens, a steamer oven, microwave and dishwasher and a zip tap dispensing boiling water means you don’t even have to provide your own kettle! But the pièce de résistance has to be the stunning spiral underfloor wine cellar capable of housing 1,400 bottles featuring a motorised glass entrance door in the middle of the room.

The family comforts do not end in the kitchen. As you enter Echo Heights you are greeted by a galleried reception hall with a dining room, drawing room and study off of the entrance. The triple height entrance hall continues to the first floor which is home to the principal bedroom, with attached dressing room and a large en suite bathroom featuring a freestanding Stark bath. Bedrooms two, three and four complete the first floor. On the top floor are a further two bedrooms as well as a 790 sq ft games/media room.

Inspired by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, Tillingbourne Homes take an Arts and Crafts approach to their projects. The striking triple gabled facade is just the first feature you notice. Brick mullions, chimney owl box and copper guttering are all typical Lutyens features. The internal specification has been sourced from all over the world including Italian porcelain kitchen tiling, limestone Portuguese Mafra fireplace and tumbled Indian sandstone terracing.

To compliment the traditional appearance, modern technology is present throughout the property to make life that little bit easier. The games/media room is fully wired for multimedia, there is mood lighting in all principle rooms, in the garden there is a computer controlled garden irrigation system which uses rainwater collected from surface run off, while all rooms are wired for high spec audiovisual entertainment.

Located in the county with the most woodland in the UK, Echo Heights is situated on the edge of the countryside with grand sweeping views of the North Downs. The natural scenery continues with Chantry Woods, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Pewley Down within walking distance. Every entertaining room on the ground floor features French doors which open to the south facing terrace spanning the length of the home.

Another Tillingbourne Homes development, Furzefield, in Peaslake, also features truly breathtaking views of the Surrey countryside. The former suffragette house is set within seven acres of private ground with a paddock and orchard. Furzefield offers 7,760 sq ft of living accommodation radiating quality, elegance and impressive attention to detail.

The double galleried entrance hall leads to a large drawing room and separate dining room as well as the 950 sq ft kitchen with L shaped island in white glacier corian and breakfast bar in wenge wood which seats eight people. All three rooms feature bay windows with rear gardens views.

Echo Heights is priced at £3.45million and is available through Hamptons International - email guildfordcountryhouse@hamptons-int.com. The guide price for Furzefield is around £4.25million and viewing at is strictly by appointment only.