In New England, the kitchen has always been more than a place to cook. It’s where people naturally gather and conversations unfold with ease. Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a house full of friends, in this part of the country, the kitchen is very much the heart of the home. Entertaining tends to be informal and spontaneous, and the kitchen is almost always where people end up lingering the longest.
Because of that, when we design kitchens in New England homes, we’re always thinking about how the space will function once people arrive – not just how it looks when it’s finished.
“One of the most important things for us is making sure the host never feels isolated from the gathering,” says Marina Case, principal designer at The Red Shutters. “If you’re cooking and everyone else is having fun somewhere else, the kitchen isn’t working the way it should.”
That way of thinking guided the design of both kitchens featured here – one in Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard, and the other in Dennis on Cape Cod. While the homes have very different styles, both kitchens were designed around the same idea: creating spaces where people feel comfortable gathering and staying awhile.
A Kitchen Designed for Island Living in Chilmark
The Chilmark kitchen, which was featured in Country Living Magazine, was created for family life and relaxed, everyday entertaining – the kind that happens naturally on Martha’s Vineyard where friends stop by unexpectedly after the beach and family dinners stretch into long evenings.
At the center of the room, the island anchors everything in this kitchen. Generously proportioned, it’s positioned so guests can gather comfortably without interrupting the cooking zone. And the end of the island was specially designed to be able to tuck in a stool so people can easily take a seat and chat with the cook.
“We wanted the island to feel like a natural meeting point,” Marina explains. “Not just a work surface, but a place where people want to gather.”
We also incorporated a beverage area in the design. “We love the idea of having wine, sodas, and waters readily available for parties, guests, and the family,” says Marina. “The beverage fridge is right in the main part of the kitchen and above it on the counter you can lay out wine glasses, high balls, low balls, citrus etc.all on a tray to create an instant bar anytime you are entertaining.”
Just beyond the island, the dining table is close enough to feel connected to what’s happening in the kitchen, yet distinct enough to create its own area. It’s ideal for everyday family meals and casual dinners where guests are part of the action even once they sit down. We purposely created a layout with clear sightlines to ensure that whoever is cooking stays part of the conversation.
Layered lighting is also a key design feature in this kitchen. Pendant fixtures over the island define the gathering zone, while recessed lighting can soften the space as the day turns into evening. The result is a kitchen that feels bright and functional when needed, and warm and atmospheric when entertaining. The painted cabinetry, natural wood beams overhead, and wood dining table and chairs add just the right amount of warmth and texture.
“A kitchen should feel welcoming,” Marina says. “If people are afraid to set down a glass, it doesn’t matter how beautiful it is. A casual, pulled together atmosphere was the design goal of this kitchen”
Effortless Entertaining on Cape Cod
This Cape Cod kitchen reflects a slightly different entertaining style – quietly inviting. Here, the island once again serves as the hub of the room. It’s large enough for serving and seating, giving guests a place to gather while food is prepped. Stools tuck neatly underneath, ready the moment company arrives.
“The kitchen in this Dennis, Massachusetts home, which was featured in Southern New England Home and the book Interiors Inside the American Home, was designed to be a serene space for gatherings,” Marina notes. “With a dining table nearby, guests can move naturally from island to table, making entertaining feel fluid rather than segmented.”
And just like the Chilmark kitchen, we also built a beverage area into the design for. The beverage refrigerator is right near the island perfect for setting out wine and cheese when you return from the beach with friends.
The design thoughtfully arranges prep and cleanup zones along the perimeter of the kitchen, which keeps the center of the room open for flow and plenty of space for serving. Lighting is layered here as well. The pendant lights over the island add warmth and visual focus, while recessed lights can provide task or ambient lighting as needed.
Kitchens that Fit New Englander’s Lifestyles
The Chilmark and Cape Cod kitchens may look different, but they were designed with the same goal in mind: creating spaces where people feel comfortable gathering. They’re the kind of kitchens where conversations happen naturally and no one feels left out. Both were designed to keep the host connected with the gathering, guests comfortable, and entertaining effortless.
“At the end of the day,” says Marina, “a good kitchen for entertaining is one where people don’t want to leave. And in New England – where entertaining is so deeply connected to daily life – this is especially true.”
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