A home with countryside views at Stamford Bridge (From York Press)

A home with countryside views at Stamford Bridge

2:04pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Homes By Brian Page

A RECENT survey by house-builders Bellway claimed “the dining room is dead”, with families hardly ever using a separate dining room to, well, dine in.

The only time families came together in such formal surroundings, according to Bellway, was at Christmas – which as we know comes but once a year. Instead, those of us who are not tray-on-laps couch potato types tend to eat in the kitchen.

And, consequently, openplan kitchen/dining/family rooms are now flavour of the month. Enter Adrienne Richards and her stunninglypretty home in Burton Fields Road, Stamford Bridge.

Adrienne has created the ultimate wow factor space here – a lavish kitchen with family/sitting room area and a wide archway through to a further dining area.

And, with a spot of creative genius, she has placed a series of deep windows and patio doors to make the most of some fantastic open countryside views.

It is what, we believe, is known as a show-stopper.

“Well,” Adrienne replies after I say how much I like this combined area, “it wasn’t always like this. In fact it was nothing like this.”

And she goes on to explain – with the help of an old brochure drawn up when she bought the house four-and-a-half years ago – just how different the property was when she moved in.

“It was a pretty basic house,” she says. “The kitchen was very narrow and dark, you couldn’t eat in it, not great, really. And there was one of those 1970sstyle serving hatches which opened up to let you pass food through! It was all very dark, as well.”

Still, Adrienne – who, judging by the impressively-stylish décor throughout this house, has an imaginative eye for potential – soon set to work. She designed an extended area to the back of the house, always with an eye on opening up those views across open fields and into the distance towards the Wolds and Garrowby Hill.

With the intention of bringing light and space into what she saw would be the heart of the home, the result is brilliant, in all senses of the word. The kitchen area is now a large, roomy area, with a fine range of modern base and wall units around a central island with sink unit, drawers and breakfast bar.

The hardware includes Neff gas hob and double electric oven with built-in appliances including fridge, freezer, dishwasher and, of course, a wine cooler (a girl after my own heart!).

The kitchen extends into a sitting area where two deep windows are perfectly positioned to allow you to slide into your seat, take a drink (from the wine cooler we suggest) and gaze away at those great views.

“We kept the ranch-style fencing so that the views would be uninterrupted,”

Adrienne says, as we look out onto a decent garden, mainly laid to lawn (“ideal for badminton,”

Adrienne laughs) and a corner sitting area to grab the last of the afternoon sun.

From the kitchen, an archway leads you through to the dining area – again with good views – which in turn opens up to a sitting room at the front of the house which, at 18ft long, is also a morethan- comfortable size.

There is, I say, a nice flow to these rooms. “Yes,” Adrienne says, “and it’s useful in that my dad can be watching television in the sitting room, shouting his head off at Manchester United, and we can be watching something else in the kitchen…”

A cloakroom off the hallway completes the ground-floor accommodation – though it is worth mentioning that Adrienne, another canny touch, has shifted the washing machine and tumble dryer safely and soundlessly out of the way in a utility area in the garage.

By now you will have realised that I’m a big fan of this house. The ground-floor arrangement Adrienne has created is superb. But would the upper floor disappoint? In a word, no...

The bedrooms here are all light and airy and Adrienne’s style touch is again much in evidence. No, she hasn’t studied interior design, she says, laughing at the very idea.

“But I have renovated a number of other houses in the past. And occasionally I have a look at showhomes to get ideas. I thoroughly enjoy it – but I sell cars for a living and I thoroughly enjoy that, too.”

So, what have we on the first floor? There is a master bedroom (part of the extension) which has a smart range of fitted units, wardrobes and drawers – and a very stylish en-suite shower room.

There is also a second bedroom with en-suite (this was the original master bedroom in the old house layout) and three further goodsized bedrooms and a house bathroom.

The bedrooms to the back of the house enjoy those super views out over the fields and they all have a nice bright, sunny feel.

Great house, then, stylishly presented and in a good spot, wrapped up with a driveway and garden area to the front, pleasant lawned garden to the back, and with a brilliant open aspect.

And, of course, with a groundfloor open-plan design which is very much a la mode!

at a glance

Burton Fields Road, Stamford Bridge

Reception rooms: Interconnected sitting room, dining room and open plan kitchen and family room.

Bedrooms: 5.

Bathrooms: 3.

Wow factor: Brilliant, light and spacious kitchen/dining/family room to the back.

Price: £324,950.

Contact: Redmove.

Phone: 01904 488444