Christopher Peacock creates a back kitchen that steals the show.

Polished metals pop against the dark cabinets in the back kitchen.

Increasingly popular among homeowners today is the creation of a back kitchen, a trend that takes its cues from the theater. Much like a Broadway show that keeps the frenzy, props and costume changes backstage and away from the watchful eyes of the audience, the back kitchen keeps the mess hidden from the dinner guests. It’s the space for the mixing and the chopping, the dirty plates and cutting boards, while the main kitchen remains a pristine stage for showcasing gorgeous dishes.

Christopher Peacock (peacockhome.com) and his team recently completed a project on Lake Winnipesaukee for a family that loves to host their grown children and their families. When planning for a complete renovation of their long standing family home and guest cottage, they wanted to introduce a back kitchen. ”I love the idea of the back kitchen and the importance of that space and its function,” says Peacock.

The design allowed for lots of natural light to shine in the open main kitchen.

When planning the project, which was essentially a teardown and rebuild, Peacock worked closely with the architect and interior designer John Day to develop the layout. “The design veered towards contemporary, but with a healthy dose of updated traditional elements,” he says. Everything was centered around the lake vistas and the idea of an indoor space that seamlessly flows into the outside. “The result is striking, but tasteful and livable—truly stunning,” says Peacock.

The main kitchen might be the star, but the workhorse back kitchen could steal the show. “The main kitchen is more glam, but the back kitchen is also stunning in my opinion. I love that space,” says Peacock.