ONE of the very in-vogue trends of the moment is for houses to have a large open plan kitchen/dining/living room.

These are most often seen in the new build homes that have been springing up in and around York.

But every now and then you find a brilliantly done extension to a traditional home which really adds a wow factor to the property.

And here is a superb example, to be found in a smart – and smartly improved – semi-detached house in Albion Avenue, Acomb.

The 30ft-kitchen dining room is a gem, beautifully styled and presented.

It has a fine range of handsome contemporary wall and base units with contrasting granite work surfaces and an integrated oven and hob to the kitchen area, plus a bright, light family space beyond with French doors under a high ceiling and Velux windows positively sending out a party invitation to the sun to come on in and play… Or “wow factor for Come Dine With Me fans,” as selling agents Reeds Rains put it, with a nod towards the popular television programme.

But, while this is an impressive space, the rest of the house has a lot to offer, too. The owners here have carefully and skilfully improved their home throughout, creating an interesting and individual home in the process.

As well as that kitchen diner there is also a smart lounge with a deep bay window the front and a modern feature fire in wood surround. The ground floor also has the advantages of a utility room and cloakroom/WC.

Plenty of sleeping room upstairs where the house has four bedrooms and a smart house bathroom.

As with the house itself the owners have made a good job of improving the garden by way of making the best use of its sizeable length by adding a modern look with timber decked and gravelled areas, patio and terrace spaces and raised flowerbeds. It’s all enclosed and fenced and has a useful storage shed.

The garden to the front, meanwhile, has largely been given over to hard-standing for off street parking.

A nicely improved home, then, with a great family entertaining area with that light and spacious kitchen/dining/family area creating that something different and a pretty good garden, too.

Albion Avenue is offered at a guide price of £235,000 by Reeds Rains. Phone: 01904 782621.