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5 Tips For Designing The Perfect Butler’s Pantry

A butler’s pantry refers to the space between a kitchen and dining room. Back in the 18th century, these were common in traditional, palatial households as they served multiple purposes, such as storing valuable heirlooms like silverware and china. 

Over the years, this space has evolved due to architectural trends such as the open floor plan as well as the need to use space judiciously. 

 Unlike your regular pantry, where you stock boxes of pasta, pumpkin puree (which, let’s face it, you almost never use), and your favorite snacks, a butler’s pantry is meant to provide prep space and storage for silverware and barware. Think of it as a closet, prep-station, and home-bar all rolled into one (sans the bow-tie-wearing steward polishing expensive china).

Tips On How To Design A Butler’s Pantry

Designing your butler’s pantry could mean having a simple storage area with shelves, or it could be a more elaborate space with a wine fridge, dishwasher drawers, a sink and spacious countertops. The butler’s pantry can be open, sealed-off, or free-standing. It’s a truly versatile space and fun to design!

If you’re planning on including or adding a butler’s pantry in your home, here are my top five tips:

1. Keep It Classic

If you’re a fan of simple and minimal designs, keep your butler’s pantry light and airy with a classic white paint.  Yes – this is the “safe” way to go.

Photo courtesy of Amy Kartheiser Design

2. Pop Of Color

If you find neutral colors a tad boring, paint your butler’s pantry blue and add contrast with a white quartz countertop.

Or how about this high gloss forest green hue? So dramatic!

Courtesy of Housebeautiful.com

3. Backsplash Materials

Since the backsplash is a much smaller space than in your kitchen, this is the perfect opportunity to go all out.  Opt for bold statement tiles.  The reflective surface of a mosaic glass tile on the backsplashes creates a sparkle, reflects light and will brighten up the space. (See the entire project in our Bergen County Kitchen Project.)

Mosaic tile from Artistic Tile

4. Add Task Lighting

Recessed lighting (on dimmers) is always recommended. Recessed lighting that highlights the workspace will ensure that the proper areas are illuminated. Under cabinetry lighting is important If you’re planning to do prep work in your butler’s pantry. Don’t forget about the insides of the cabinets as well; interior cabinet lighting with glass fronts will draw you into the space and creates a dramatic backdrop.

5. Statement Pieces

​​A ceiling fixture will add another layer to this space. Choose a hanging vintage chandelier for an eclectic feel. (If it’s truly vintage, have it rewired of course!)

Courtesy of Rejuvenation.com

Bonus tip:

Don’t treat the hardware as an afterthought; it can make a statement on any cabinetry!

Leather wrapped pulls from Hardware Designs.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re thinking of updating or completely renovating your butler’s pantry, remember that this pass-through space oftentimes needs to connect visually with several rooms. Its style should complement each space – not visually distract from the surrounding spaces.  Have questions or comments?  Give us a call!  We’d love to chat!

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October High Point Market

I just returned from another High Point Market – one of the top furnishing trade shows in the world. It’s always inspiring to discover new vendors.

Here’s just a peek of what we found to be “note-worthy.”

We discovered a line of beautiful large scale paperweights made with lacquered dried flowers – made by a local High Point artist. We place several orders because unfortunately all of her pieces were sold out by the time we arrived!

Vahallan is another company that has been on our radar! They create a line of handmade, hand painted wallpapers out of Lincoln, Nebraska.  We were finally able to see their process first-hand!

Blaxsand is another company that we frequently visit at High Point. They recently joined forces with a “cohab” that partners with smaller, unique vendors. One line in particular drew us in – beautiful, one of a kind furniture that is designed and built by reformed prisoners. These now rehabilitated men have discovered their value and purpose in life through their craft.

This pewter flower that is embedded in each piece of furniture is a “calling card.” One can be found in each piece of hand-crafted furniture. Each artist is given a pewter flower that they keep in their pocket – a reminder of their newly found craft – and purpose in life.

This recent trip solidified an absolute “trend” that we are seeing these days: one of a kind, hand-crafted pieces. What better way to bring meaningful objects into our home?

What type of things do you find meaningful in your home? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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June Market Inspo

Below are some of the wonderful pieces we saw at High Point Market in June.

We are looking forward to going back again in October!

Let us know if we can help you design that beautiful space you have been dreaming of!

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Trend forecast from the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Show (KBIS)

Last month I had the pleasure of traveling to Las Vegas for the National Kitchen and Bath Show (aka KBIS). I met up with a few designer friends and we spent three days searching for exciting new products and attending informative seminars.

The first trend we noted was iron clad shelving with mixed materials like wood and marble. Black iron shelving has been around for several years but the addition of wood or marble lends interest while LED lighting adds a layer of functionality. Gotta love any “trend” that brings function and style to a home.

The next trend we noted were bold, statement backsplashes, many of which were illuminated. The photograph below is an agate slab that is lit from behind. It’s not for everyone or every home, but it makes a statement nonetheless.

An illuminated stone slab
This line of semiprecious stones by Caesarstone would make a beautiful backsplash in bar.
Marble studded tiles add texture to this unique backsplash.

Two years ago at this same show, I wrote about the new trend of illuminated vanities and vanity lights. Fast forward to 2020: this has now become a staple and is more or less an expected feature. As a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, I love the fact that these enhancements create another layer of safely in any home…for any generation.

At illuminated mirror at the Kohler Showroom.
We’re even seeing the edges of cabinetry integrated with LED lights. How great is this feature?

We also noticed straighter, more sleek edges on countertops as well as the profiles on door styles. As a result, it’s interesting to note that the countertops are completely flush with the cabinetry.

The edges on the countertops do not protrude. We really liked the look of this streamlined, transitional style for any kitchen or bathroom.
Perhaps another noted trend that falls inline with sleeker cabinetry: more streamlined hardware as pictured above.
This was unanimously one of our (my two fellow designers and I) door profiles.

As an interior designer who prides herself on designs are less trendy and more timeless, I take these trends with a “grain of salt”. By attending these shows, we’re able to educate ourselves and stay ahead of the curve in regards to new materials, products and business practices. At the end of the day, design is about what personally resonates with you. If what resonates with you has more or a curve and less of a streamlined look, then there’s always a way to design so that each design reflects our client’s personal taste and style.

Stay tuned for a future post on the Kitchen and Bath Show as we reveal what we learned about all of the smart appliances!

If you’re interested in learning more about any of our services, including kitchen and bath design, call or email us! We’d love to chat!

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The Future of Real Estate

The “Vessel” NYC

“The Future of Home” design seminar took place last week in NYC. It was a great experience. One of the most interesting talks was given by Zillow and Curbed entitled “The Future of Real Estate”. They had plenty to say about millennials. Here are my three takeaways.

  1. More people under the age of 34 continue to live at home with their parents.
  2. Married couples are taking in roommates to help with finances.
  3. Most fascinating to me, co-living (aka communal living where tenants share kitchens and living rooms) is on the rise. To meet this trend, companies located in major east and west coast cities are offering move-in ready, fully furnished, wifi and even cleaning crews.

So what does this mean for the future of home design? To me, this reinforces the fact that multigenerational homes will only continue to rise. These are homes that need to be designed to adapt to all generations.

Next week I’ll follow up with how “the Silver Tsumani” – boomers – are effecting the future of real estate. Stay tuned!

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Our favorite Kitchen and Bath “forever” trend

Last year at the National Kitchen and Bath show there was one feature that stood out to us that we’re using in all of our designs: Lighting…everywhere. This “simple” feature combines beauty, safety and function.

These products are now readily available to consumers and they just make life easier…for anyone, at any ability.

Mirrors, sinks and vanities that keep us safe in the middle of the night.
Interior drawer lights add efficiency.
Interior lighting make any cabinet more efficient.
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And the Winner Is…

Fiori Interior Design is delighted to announce that we recently received two bronze awards by New Jersey Chapter of The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The winning categories were “Single Residential space” and “Show House design”  (woohoo!!) iori Interior Design is delighted to announce that we recently received two bronze awards by New Jersey Chapter of The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The winning categories were “Single Residential space” and “Show House design”  (woohoo!!) iori Interior Design is delighted to announce that we recently received two bronze awards by New Jersey Chapter of The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The winning categories were “Single Residential space” and “Show House design”  (woohoo!!)

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2017 Saddle River Showhouse “Nanny’s Retreat”

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Tenafly Living Room

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