At Christopher Peacock’s Boston showroom, the butler’s pantry is trending.

From the Refectory Collection, handpainted in a custom color with proprietary hardware in polished nickel

Out with the old, in with the new—except for the butler’s pantry. First emerging in the 19th century, the mini rooms became known in wealthy homes for food prep and storage of china and silver. And more recently, they’ve risen in popularity once again. Here, Christopher Peacock (Peacockhome.com), founder of his eponymous and world-renowned cabinet brand, discusses the trend and the importance of customizing them to each client’s needs.

The Refectory Collection handpainted in blueberry with polished nickel hardware

The butler’s pantry has become more and more popular. Tell me about why you think this has become a kitchen necessity.
It depends on the house’s layout to know if it’s necessary. Our clients always want extra storage, and this room can be multifunctional. We ask if there will be a formal dining room that gets used regularly, for example, or if it needs to be used for another reason, like a bar or coffee station. The idea of a butler’s pantry goes back generations, but it was typically reserved for larger homes with the means to have staff. These days, the lines have blurred as to its proper use and what our clients use this space for.

What are the benefits of a butler’s pantry?
It is extra space to organize and an additional counter for staging and clearing plates. It often doubles as a bar area for guests. We always need to identify its root purpose first with our clients and ask, is it for storage, a bar area, or does it need to have appliances to work as a second “back” kitchen? Sometimes it is really meant more as a “morning” kitchen, housing coffee, a small fridge and a toaster.

The Lambourne Collection, handpainted in dove grey, with proprietary hardware in antique brass.

What is the process of designing a custom butler’s pantry—how does Christopher Peacock’s approach stand out from the rest?
Our thought process extends to the whole kitchen space and not just the butler’s pantry when we design these areas in a home. We ask very specific questions about the client’s lifestyles and delve into their home habits, and then we look at what exactly they need to store and what function they need in that space.

What are some cool options that you can design for your pantry?
It depends on its use, but it should always be a decorating surprise for me. You can create jewel box designs in these rooms with bold colors or wallcoverings, and lighting, of course, can be really special. It’s all in the décor for me.

Is there a detail or element that is useful but less commonly thought of for this space?
A mirror is often a good application as it makes a smaller space feel big and glamorous. I use that a lot as a backsplash.