The homeowners of this Plymouth, Massachusetts, property already knew what they wanted from an outdoor kitchen. Having incorporated one into their previous home, they understood how often it became the center of family gatherings and weekend entertaining. As they began planning their new backyard, they envisioned something larger: an outdoor environment where cooking, dining, relaxation and recreation would feel connected rather than divided into separate destinations.
Working with designer Christina J. McCabe of Topnotch Design Studio, that vision became the foundation for an expansive outdoor retreat that balances functionality with comfort. Rather than treating the kitchen as an accessory to the swimming pool, the design places it at the center of a series of outdoor spaces intended to be enjoyed throughout much of the year.
“The goal of this project was to create a space made for entertaining,” McCabe says. From her first visit to the property, she recognized that the generous site offered the opportunity to create far more than a place to prepare meals. Instead, the project became an exercise in designing an outdoor lifestyle tailored to the way the family gathers, cooks and spends time together.
Building an Outdoor Room Around the Kitchen
The completed backyard includes a swimming pool and spa, a fireplace with television, a firepit lounge, dining area, bocce court, bathroom and a substantial covered outdoor kitchen. Each element supports a different activity, yet together they function as a cohesive outdoor living environment where family members and guests can move comfortably from one space to another without ever feeling disconnected from the gathering.
At the center of the design is a kitchen equipped to handle everything from weeknight dinners to large celebrations. Dedicated bar and food-preparation sinks establish separate work areas, allowing multiple people to use the space simultaneously, while beverage and food refrigerators keep ingredients, drinks and serving essentials within easy reach.
The homeowners’ New England lifestyle also influenced the appliance selection. A cooktop designed specifically for boiling lobster includes its own pot filler, while a full-size gas grill provides the flexibility to prepare meals for both small family dinners and larger groups. The result is a kitchen capable of supporting a wide variety of cooking styles without sacrificing efficiency or organization.
Storage received the same level of attention as the appliances themselves. Waste-bin pullouts, cabinetry for cookware and utensils, and thoughtfully planned organization ensure the kitchen functions much like its indoor counterpart. Rather than creating a collection of individual appliances placed outdoors, the design integrates each component into cabinetry that gives the entire space a refined, furniture-inspired appearance.
Designing with Outdoor Cabinetry in Mind
For McCabe, selecting NatureKast Outdoor Cabinetry played an important role in achieving that level of integration. The company’s cabinetry systems allowed her to incorporate customized storage, appliance panels and organizational features while maintaining a cohesive design language throughout the kitchen.
“NatureKast’s Cypress, Teak and OakKast resins are like designing with indoor cabinetry,” McCabe says. The wide selection of finishes, door styles and interior accessories made it possible to approach the outdoor kitchen with many of the same design principles typically reserved for an interior renovation, resulting in a space that feels carefully composed rather than assembled piece by piece.
That flexibility allowed the design to prioritize both aesthetics and function, demonstrating that outdoor kitchens can deliver the same level of organization and convenience homeowners expect inside the home.
Keeping the Cook Part of the Conversation
Among the homeowners’ must-have features was an EVO griddle. After incorporating one into their previous outdoor kitchen, they found themselves using it throughout the day, preparing everything from breakfast to dinner. Including another griddle in the new kitchen was never in question.
This time, however, McCabe refined the layout by positioning the EVO within the large central island and surrounding it with seating. Instead of standing apart from family and guests while cooking, the person preparing meals remains fully engaged in the conversation. Friends can gather around the island, enjoy food directly from the griddle and interact with the cook throughout the meal.
The arrangement reflects one of the project’s defining ideas. Rather than separating meal preparation from entertaining, the kitchen encourages both activities to happen simultaneously, making cooking part of the social experience instead of taking someone away from it.
A Warm, Coastal Material Palette
Although the kitchen incorporates an impressive collection of appliances and storage features, the overall aesthetic remains warm and understated. NatureKast Shaker cabinetry in a Natural Blonde finish introduces the appearance of wood while complementing the property’s surrounding seagrass and coastal landscape.
McCabe intentionally avoided an overt nautical aesthetic, instead relying on natural materials, light architectural elements and restrained finishes that feel appropriate to the Massachusetts coastline. The warm cabinetry softens the kitchen while helping it blend comfortably into its surroundings, allowing the landscape to remain an essential part of the overall experience.
Planning for More Than Summer
In New England, an outdoor kitchen must perform well beyond the hottest weeks of the year. Extending the outdoor season became an important consideration throughout the design process, leading to the inclusion of a covered pavilion, fireplace and integrated heaters that allow the family to continue enjoying the space as temperatures begin to cool.
McCabe identifies the built-in heaters as one of her favorite elements because they significantly expand the amount of time the backyard remains comfortable. Instead of closing the kitchen after Labor Day, the family can gather for early fall dinners, spend weekends watching football beside the fireplace or enjoy evenings around the island long after summer has ended.
“It’s having a second kitchen but outdoors,” she says. That simple observation captures the project’s larger success. The outdoor kitchen functions as another living space rather than a seasonal amenity, supporting everyday meals, celebrations and spontaneous gatherings with the same ease as the home’s interior.
Beginning With the Way You Live
For homeowners considering a similar investment, McCabe recommends beginning with a clear understanding of how the space will actually be used before selecting appliances or finishes. Every family’s entertaining style is different, and those habits should guide the design from the earliest planning stages.
She also encourages homeowners to work with professionals who understand the unique technical requirements of outdoor kitchens, from appliance integration to cabinetry, utilities and long-term durability.
“There are requirements that come into play, so working directly with someone who has that knowledge and experience that you can utilize is a huge benefit and time saver,” she says.
In Plymouth, that planning resulted in a backyard where every element supports the next. Guests gather around the island while meals are prepared, children move easily between the pool and spa, others settle beside the fireplace or firepit, and dinner transitions naturally from the kitchen to the dining table. Rather than revolving around a single feature, the project demonstrates how thoughtful planning can transform an outdoor kitchen into the heart of an outdoor living environment designed to be enjoyed across multiple seasons.
Project Credits
Design: Christina J. McCabe, Topnotch Design Studio
Outdoor Cabinetry: NatureKast Outdoor Cabinetry
Builder: Bill McClellan
Photography: Tara Lee Callow
Location: Plymouth, Massachusetts
