Text: Robert C. Martin
Images courtesy of Design Galleria Kitchen & Bath Studio
It happens like clockwork, every time: You invite friends over for dinner or a casual get-together, and invariably everyone ends up in the kitchen. And while they’re mingling, you’re trying to finish up with food prep and setting out the appetizers, all of which will result in a sink full of dirty dishes and cookware. Although these messy aspects of entertaining shouldn’t mix with guests—unfortunately, they often do. So what’s the solution to this common conundrum?
Long before kitchens became the refined gathering spots in today’s homes, they were regarded as no-frills utility rooms, intended only for cooking, washing, and facilitating other household chores. When they weren’t large enough to handle everything, a secondary space or “scullery” became crucial in managing the overflow. Also called working kitchens, or catering kitchens, sculleries were usually located in the back regions of a house, adjacent or near the kitchen and dining room, yet tucked away from view. Fast forward a century or two, and the convenience of these utilitarian areas are once again being discovered. “Actually, the comeback of the scullery as the true workhorse of a household is more important now than ever before,” states luxury kitchen, bath, and closet designer, Matthew Quinn.
Along with being an author, product designer, and principal of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio in Atlanta, Matthew has an impeccable knack for pinpointing the ideal look and functionality of a kitchen, along with its supporting spaces. “Yet with more couples cooking at home and family members or friends often pitching in, things can get rather crowded,” Quinn notes. “When multiple work stations and wider kitchen aisles don’t resolve matters, having an additional workspace just steps away proves to be invaluable.” And because trends like open floor plans and shelves (rather than upper cabinetry) require a kitchen to remain orderly and presentable, an area for unloading groceries and leaving dirty pots and pans for soaking later can keep the disarray of cooking behind closed doors.
Likewise, rather than repeating the kitchen, these handy recesses can be unique and imaginative extensions that complete the homeowners’ cooking and storage needs. Perfect for stowing away holiday china and seldom-used platters and trays, they’re also ideal for housing smaller appliances that otherwise would clutter up the kitchen countertops. “Apart from making room for things like toasters, coffeemakers, and mixers, sculleries are ideal places for a second dishwasher or freezer,” the designer affirms. “And I’ve even had clients request for their ovens to be located here instead of occupying valuable wall space in the kitchen.”
Since they’re geared for tougher housework, sculleries perform best when outfitted with durable materials and finishes. Details like engineered quartzes for countertops, and textured melamine cabinet finishes make for easier cleanup. “And although more crucial in the kitchen, main appliances can eventually date a cooking space,” Matthew points out. “That’s why I like to panel everything to match the surrounding cabinetry.”
Most importantly, there are no hard and fast rules for creating the proper scullery. If space allows, these auxiliary zones can include a central island, a washer and dryer, an extra pantry, or even a drop zone or mudroom. It’s whatever allows the kitchen to function at its optimal level that counts. “And above all, since it’s your space, have fun and take some risks!” Mattew stresses. “By selecting the right hardware, light fixtures, paint colors, and art, you can create an environment that complements the kitchen while having its own character.”
