The kitchen is the heart of every home. Thoughtfully design this important cornerstone room and you’ll never miss a beat, from starting the morning smoothly to entertaining at a dinner party or bringing everyone together after a long day. 

The challenge is creating a space that’s fit for even the most discerning chef, serves as a welcome to guests, and highlights the unique style of both the home and homeowner.

So, we tapped three Boston-area design groups behind three very different projects to learn how they get it done. From a backyard kitchen retreat to cooking and entertaining spaces created seaside and cityside, these three inspiring projects all have one not-so-hidden secret behind them: Clarke, New England’s Official Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Showroom and Test Kitchen. These luxury appliance showrooms helped these talented designers create kitchens that won the hearts of their clients — and a few awards as well. 

An award-winning outdoor retreat 

DANIELLE ROBERSTON

As anyone who has enjoyed spring’s sunshine after a long winter can attest, a beautiful outdoor space is the envy of any New Englander. When asked to design a showstopping backyard kitchen for a Barnstable, Mass., home, designer Glenn Meader of Good Life New England wanted to give the homeowner every opportunity to dine and entertain in style as the weather allowed. 

Perfectly nestled below the deck with sublime pool views as its backdrop, the space was a prized combination of openness and shelter. Trading in walls for fresh air, the client wanted their outdoor kitchen to stand alone while mirroring all of the conveniences of their existing indoor kitchen. High-quality products were key.

“Our primary goal was to make sure all the core conveniences they enjoyed inside could translate similarly for entertaining outside,” says Meader, who collaborated with the Clarke showroom to select just the right Sub-Zero and Wolf models. “Having already worked with the owners on their main kitchen inside, we knew they’d want considerable attention assigned to the appliances.”

DANIELLE ROBERTSON

Readying themselves for summer guests, the homeowners knew adequate refrigeration and cooking capacity were major players in their dream design. Meader placed a Sub-Zero outdoor refrigerator conveniently beside the generous 42-inch built-in Wolf grill. In addition, a set of Sub-Zero 24-inch outdoor refrigerator drawers positioned near the bar accommodated cold beverages, while the outdoor icemaker was “the final complement to support whatever frozen drinks might be blended to keep the heat at bay and a resort-style oasis right at home,” Meader adds.

For the finishing touches, the subtle mix of weathered wood and stainless steel gave this luxurious new kitchen a hint of casual comfort, earning Good Life New England the honor of “Best Outdoor Kitchen in New England” from the panel of nationally acclaimed Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove judges.

A city kitchen where form meets function 

When there is a bounty of five-star restaurants mere steps from your front door, the onus is placed on your urban kitchen to entice you to remain home for dinner. Only the best in design can draw your eyes (and taste buds) away from the appeal of dining out. 

GREG PREMRU

Pierre Matta, owner of Newton Kitchens & Design in Needham, Mass., met the challenge and exceeded expectations when designing this contemporary kitchen for downtown dwellers. Matta, his team, and his client worked closely with a knowledgeable Clarke showroom consultant to choose the best appliances to fit the client’s needs. With clean lines and modern functionality being top priorities for this homeowner, Matta’s vision for the finished room boasted a sleek and integrated look fit for luxury city living. 

“The overall vibe of the kitchen space needed to be cheerful and functional since they both like to cook and hang out there,” explains Matta. He maximized the smaller footprint by creating a streamlined space with a minimalist feel. 

Matta chose sleek appliances that perfectly matched the clean look of the kitchen’s other elements. “The Wolf M Series Contemporary wall oven has no hardware, just like the cabinetry,” says Matta. In addition, the Sub-Zero panel-ready all-refrigerator and all-freezer combo and Cove panel-ready dishwasher allowed the client to choose modern hardware and finishes for a seamless vision. 

GREG PREMRU

Matching their lifestyle was as important as matching their aesthetic taste.  “The client wanted the matching M Series Contemporary Convection Steam Oven for healthy cooking and keeping food moist when reheating,” says Matta. “They both work full time and this allows them to enjoy their gourmet meals the next day without [them] tasting like leftovers.” With the addition of the Wolf Contemporary induction cooktop and microwave drawer, Matta completed the set, which was perfectly suited to two busy professionals who valued eating well at home.

Poised at center stage to create a gathering place, a special anniversary gift table was reworked to fit into the island banquette. Matta removed the legs and built a new apron and stainless steel base. For the room’s most distinctive feature — the artwork on the gleaming white cabinetry — the client commissioned Boston native and expressionist artist Giovanni DeCunto.

A suburban retreat with sea views

For a home overlooking Hingham Bay, Judith Whalen, partner at The Design Studio, knew the coastal kitchen would have to be a special open-concept design. 

“With sweeping water and city views, it was paramount to work in as much of that as possible while maintaining an efficient entertaining kitchen,” says Whalen. 

It was important for the team to not overwhelm the space and allow the view to shine, so Whalen kept the number of appliances to a minimum and balanced the room’s larger footprint with major pieces to keep the design clean and crisp. 

Her clients have been Clarke and Sub-Zero and Wolf devotees for over 20 years, so turning to the tried-and-true was a sure thing for them. “The quality of the brands and follow-through [of] customer service over the years was important to them,” Whalen explains.

The Design Studio chose the Wolf 48-inch Dual Fuel range — a hallmark piece for many of their projects. “It has become the ‘go-to’ we incorporate in our classic coastal kitchens,” says Whalen. “And the introduction of the Sub-Zero 42-inch French door a few years back added another fabulous refrigeration model to select. I love to detail the classic built-in models with stainless steel louvered grill and pro handles to coordinate with the ranges, and the cabinetry panels keep the space from having too much stainless.” 

In many open-concept floor plans, it becomes tricky to work in a walk-in pantry and bar service. Too often, these spaces feel like they were relegated to the fringes of the house, not part of the flow and function of the kitchen. To combat the issue, Whalen and her team reworked the home’s mudroom, where an efficient pantry-meets-bar space took shape. The Sub-Zero integrated wine cooler with refrigerator and freezer drawers below added versatility, eliminating the need for additional under-counter storage and an icemaker.

With a sunbathed space that let the home’s water views shine, Whalen knew the homeowner would enjoy their kitchen for years to come. “Start-from-scratch pasta and pizza nights as the sun sets over the bay and Boston?” asks Whalen. “There’s not much better.”