Our Park Cities clients were faced with a challenge that plagues many homeowners with pets. They loved their dogs and they loved hosting parties, but they didn’t necessarily enjoy entertaining with pet crates and toys in the middle of the room. After consulting with Kitchen Design Concepts, the couple was able to create a happy solution that kept tails wagging while still bringing an elegant design to their new space.

To begin with, the design team switched the orientation of the kitchen placing the cooking space toward the rear of the room. In doing such, they were able to create a large countertop of Crema Bordeaux granite where guests could perch on bar stools in the breakfast area during parties. Around the other side of the countertop, former cabinets no longer needed for space were transformed into a three-room “doggy hotel” complete with beds. When not entertaining, the cabinet doors slide into a recess to reveal the “doggy hotel.” And a custom waist-high door leading into the kitchen allows the dogs to be contained in the space should the homeowners need to step out, then vanishes under a nearby bookshelf when not in use.

During entertaining times, the 135-bottle capacity wine refrigerator and icemaker are easily accessible to guests while the cook works at the stovetop. To round out the design, the team incorporated maple wood cabinets from the Crestwood Heritage Collection and accentuated the backsplash above the cooktop with a picture frame insert of Cream Imperial travertine and Medici Coppia Bronze tiles. The end result is a space that’s perfect for the homeowners and their four-legged friends.