In reply to Stuart (aka brt):
Fitting a kitchen is pretty easy even for me as a DIY type, get some really good quality carcasses , and in a few years change the doors if you are going to stay in that home a long time and get bored.
The work tops can be tricky to get a professional join, as they are best clamped together from below, and edges prepped using a router and a jig make this easy/ easier but may be too costly to buy the equipment, so maybe get a pro to fit those, but if you pick a neutral work top you can later just change the doors to get a new look in 5 - 10 years or whenever you get bored.
Then you just need a screwdriver to get a whole new( and much cheaper 'new' kitchen.
EditI agree real wood ages better than other finishes, and if you don't get bored easy, will get more 'characterful' with wear and tear, but cost more)
Post edited at 18:01