Design a Kitchen for Entertaining

Written by Andria Hayday. Produced by Carol Schalla. Photographs by Greg Scheidemann

Multiple workstations and carefully planned conveniences make this cheerful Wisconsin kitchen perfect for entertaining. Check out 12 reasons we'd love to host a dinner party here.

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The gathering place

While building their retirement dream home on Wisconsin's Door Peninsula, Dan and Katie Doerr knew they wanted to focus their attention on the kitchen.

"You know how it is," Dan says. "Everyone congregates in the kitchen. We wanted ours to be just as comfortable as any sitting room or den."

To provide space for a big family (with six grandkids) and friends, their open kitchen includes a butler's pantry, a breakfast banquette with a raised fireplace and a large dining table that overlooks the water.

This and the following slides show 12 ways the Doerrs' kitchen is perfect for entertaining.