My Sunday reading delight came in the form of a lengthy, yet informative article about “pantries”, sculleries, butler’s room or to quote the author of the writing, a second kitchen:  1.5!  (Look up DESIGN in Sunday, February 16, WSJ.)
For families or couples who like to entertain, it is our 21^st century’s way of dealing with the open concept living spaces while maintaining eye-pleasing and functioning areas for people to gather in relaxing and conversational ways.  In other words, a neat kitchen whether a houseful of people or not.
With the addition of a “working station” pantry, a newly designed kitchen can remain clutter free, open and light, with the ability to add extra windows and art collections that have room to be displayed.  A wonderful idea if the family room is in plain sight.  An efficiently designed butler’s pantry can be a pleasing extension of the kitchen while housing all large major appliances, to include a coffee machine, beverage refrigerator, ice maker, microwave, wall oven, a second dishwasher, counters for mixing drinks or preparing foods, with storage for glassware, plates and linens.
To quote a local GR designer, Jean Stoffer, “Everyone wants to have this pristine life, but that’s not really how we live.”  After all, isn’t the kitchen the heart of every home?   Being a baker and a “minor” cook, I embrace this concept.  Since friends and family gravitate to the kitchen, unless well planned and prepared, special occasions can become a trial with some anxiety involved.  I have witnessed many changes in homebuilding over my years as a real estate specialist.  In our constantly changing world, this idea of a panty is what I consider a major enhancement.