For many families, luxury now includes a grand dining room, wine cellar, walk-in pantry and children’s play room. Carol Peett, a buying agent at West Wales Property Finders, says: “Informal dining is out and opulent dining rooms are back, preferably with wonderful chandeliers and rich colours. Below stairs, everyone now wants a temperature-controlled wine cellar.”
Peett says: “The traditional four-oven Aga now needs an extra module with additional fan oven and four-burner gas or electric hob. It means the traditional Aga can be turned off in summer so the kitchen does not become too hot and stuffy.”
In the country, a truly luxurious garden should be romantic and whimsical — with a grand entrance. Peett says: “I had one client who fell in love with a property purely because the garden had a ha-ha. Walled gardens are also very popular. The house should be approached by a long sweeping driveway, with shrubs planted on either side.”
