If you are like many of us, finding the time and inspiration to cook after a day of work can sometimes be difficult.  Yet there's nothing quite as pleasurable as a home-cooked meal, especially on these cold winter nights.

Here are a few of  our favorite kitchens designed to take your next culinary creation to new heights.

The spectacular kitchen at Grande Folly in South Salem is both highly functional and beautiful. Ideal for family meals, the kitchen has also been used  for classes taught by a celebrity chef. The unique LaCanche stove is just one of many special attractions.

Scaled for a feast, the kitchen at Purchase Manor in Purchase was designed by renowned designer Christopher Peacock who created the quintessential showcase kitchen equipped with every high-end amenity.

There's something for every chef at Ashokan House in Woodstock , which features this commercial-caliber kitchen servicing a grand dining room as well as a more intimate family kitchen for informal occasions.

The perfect backdrop for a home-cooked meal, this sparkling  kitchen at West Wind Farm in North Salem blends antique architectural elements with  a host of state-of-the-art appliances.

What's your recipe for a great kitchen?  We'd love to hear from you on what special features you like best.