The formal living room soon may be history in new construction but one entertaining feature that remains a hot ticket is the butler’s pantry, local design and building experts said. Nadia Subaran, senior designer for Aidan Design in Bethesda, said the usual placement of a butler’s pantry is between the kitchen and formal dining room.
“The traditional concept of a butler’s pantry is as a serving and staging area for the dining room as well as a place to store fine crystal and platters,” Subaran said.
| Resources: |
| Aidan Design |
| aidandesign.com |
| 301-320-8735 |
| Case Design/Remodeling |
| casedesign.com |
| 800.513.2250 |
Newer versions have evolved to become bar areas with a wine or beverage refrigerator and storage space.
“It’s a customized space and all about a homeowner’s tastes and needs,” said Linda Gallegos of Rill Architects in Bethesda. “Although many people don’t entertain formally as much as in the past, the butler’s pantry can serve many needs and is a frequently requested part of a new home design.”
The pantries can range from a utilitarian space consisting of open shelves and stainless steel counters to a more formal area with marble tops and glass cabinets. They can have sinks and even a dishwasher.
“If you’re incorporating a typical butler’s pantry that doesn’t get as much everyday use, you can have fun with delicate finishes, such as lighter colored marble or soapstone counters and intricate glass backsplashes,” Gallegos said. Stained or wire-framed glass or colored cabinets also find a home in such a niche.
“There can be elements of surprise in a butler’s pantry, too, with paneled cabinetry hiding beverage refrigerators or freezers as well as ice makers,” Gallegos said.
“A butler’s pantry is like a powder room to me, where you have the opportunity to go over the top a bit,” Subaran said.
Because of the small size, the more expensive finishes still are affordable.
“There’s always an element of glass, too, such as glass knobs or glass cabinet fronts,” Subaran said. “We sometimes push the envelope here with lighting by including a small chandelier or a more formal fixture to make the space feel special.”
Bill Millholland, executive vice president of Case Design/Remodeling, said homeowners often consider glass when selecting cabinetry.
“Use glass front wall cabinets to show off the fancy stuff you never use,” he said. For cabinets, people tend to select “a different color or wood specie” than what they choose for the kitchen and look at options for drawers and doors for storage.
Creating a butler pantry space in an older home may mean stealing some space out of the kitchen or dining room. A kitchen remodel, however, often can include some multi-purpose space that could serve as a butler’s or storage pantry.
“If there is a space for a butler’s pantry, especially with new additions or new construction, homeowners love it,” Subaran said.
