Charleston, South Carolina. Among the updates to the 1824 John Bickley House is its complete chef's kitchen, with Wolf range, warming drawer, Sub-Zero refrigerator, bar with wine refrigerator, black-granite island, and copper farm sink.
The five-bedroom Regency-style home retains its original heart-pine flooring, 12-foot ceilings, and ornate plasterwork, and features an open living area off the kitchen and a formal dining room. Outside are two covered piazzas, a terrace, and a landscaped garden. $3,195,000. Etta Connolly, William Means/Christie's International Real Estate, (843) 568-0449.
Middletown, Rhode Island. The gourmet kitchen of this cottage-style home features a fireplace, exposed-brick wall, cathedral ceiling, and walk-in pantry. The four-bedroom, open-plan house has a vaulted great room with stone fireplace, dining room with wine cabinet, and recreation room.
The 11-acre property, set amid vineyards and farms and close to Newport, includes a pool and pool house, outdoor fireplace, and oversize garage with guest quarters. $2,850,000. Michelle Kirby, Gustave White Sotheby's International Realty, (401) 862-7873.
Fairfield, Connecticut. This Georgian-style home has a kitchen designed for kosher entertaining, with high-end double refrigerators, dishwashers, and oven, a coffee center, a butler's pantry, and a U-shaped prep island–bar that brings together cook and guests.
The six-bedroom house features an ornate dining and music hall, a basement den with bar and billiard table, a game room, and a gym. The 3.35-acre landscaped grounds include a garden, a terrace, a swimming pool, a spa, fruit trees, and two garages. $3,975,000. Denise Biagi, Coldwell Banker Realty, (203) 953-6933.
Durham, North Carolina. The kitchen of this four-bedroom home features a walnut-topped work island, white quartz counters, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, and a Viking gas stove and convection oven. The open-plan house, finished with French doors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and built-in cabinetry, includes a wine room, a screened porch, and a gardener's potting studio.
The 1-acre lot is landscaped with mature trees, slate terrace, spa, and cascading water feature, and overlooks the Donald Ross golf course. $1,975,000. Susan Peak, Peak Swirles & Cavallito Properties, (919) 612-3221. Photos courtesy Lighthouse.
Dallas. The larger of this smart home's two indoor kitchens has two stainless-steel islands, two dishwashers, a convection oven, and a commercial-grade range and vent. The four-bedroom house includes six fireplaces, a vaulted great room, and a dining room seating 20.
The 1.26-acre property is bordered by a tree-lined creek, studded with sculpture, and connected by flagstone paths, and features a Zen garden, a swimming pool, an ornamental pond with waterfalls, and an outdoor kitchen and bar. $5,895,000. Dona Timm, Coldwell Banker Realty, (972) 333-3370.
Eloy, Arizona. The kitchen in this three-bedroom ranch-style home features a six-burner Blue Star cooktop, high-end appliances, a wine cooler, custom cabinets, and granite counters. The house has energy-efficient air-conditioning and a media room, a den with a wet bar, and a home office.
The property includes desert-garden landscaping, a casita, a partly covered patio with barbecue and smoker, dining-bar area, and two firepits, and mountain views; the gated community offers tennis, golf, a pool, a clubhouse, and a gym. $499,000. Brenda Amans, HomeSmart Success, (815) 988-3992.
This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.
