Image credit: Paola + Murray/Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart’s kitchen is nothing like a regular home kitchen: The unusual setup behind her legendary cooking empire Or Martha Stewart’s kitchen was once five separate rooms: Inside the extraordinary cooking space with four ovens, 10 burners and a 12-person island Martha Stewart’s kitchen is more than a place to prepare meals. There is also a stove with 10 burners and a salamander grill. Stewart has used its milk steamer to make fluffy scrambled eggs in about 30 seconds, inspired by techniques she encountered at New York restaurants. Stewart has said it can accommodate around 12 people when her grandchildren, their friends and nannies visit.
Her design follows what she calls a “subway kitchen” or “railroad kitchen. It is a planned workspace where professional-grade appliances, practical storage and family gatherings come together. From combining five rooms into one large kitchen to keeping a separate outdoor cooking space, Stewart has built a setup that reflects how seriously she takes food, design and everyday living. At her Bedford, New York, home, Stewart has a kitchen that was originally five separate rooms. She combined them into one large space, giving her enough room for cooking, cleaning, storing ingredients and entertaining guests. The layout divides the room into different zones, including cooking, washing, food preparation and seating. She prefers large windows, natural light, good ventilation and doors leading outdoors, especially when fresh produce comes from the garden. The idea is simple but thoughtful. A kitchen should make cooking easier, not force every activity into the same crowded corner. Stewart’s cooking setup is far beyond what most homes need. Her Bedford kitchen has four large ovens, including two convection ovens and two regular ovens. The open-air grill can toast, broil and cook steaks. This combination gives her the flexibility to prepare several dishes at once, something particularly useful when cooking for large gatherings or developing recipes. She also has a professional cappuccino machine. It is not limited to coffee. One of the most interesting details is that Stewart’s kitchen has multiple islands, each designed for a different kind of activity. The main island faces the cooking area. It has drawers for pots, pans, knives and utensils, keeping essential tools close to the stove. Its marble surface is protected by large white cutting boards, showing Stewart’s preference for combining attractive materials with practical solutions. The second island serves as a gathering place. Breakfast, cappuccinos and conversations all happen here. Stewart’s kitchens often feature hanging copper pots and shallow open shelves. She likes being able to see and reach cooking equipment without searching through deep cupboards.
Because they are easier to clean, she prefers stools and wooden chairs over large upholstered seating. The copper is not merely decorative. She uses the pots and polishes them before hanging them back up. Her approach to furniture is equally practical. Her design philosophy is clear: a kitchen can look beautiful without sacrificing its purpose. She once built its cupboards herself using wood from a fallen sycamore tree. The wood later warped and cracked, teaching her an important lesson about choosing suitable materials. Her current Bedford kitchen keeps some of the same character, including copper, accessible cookware and a mix of old and new elements. But the appliances and efficiency have improved considerably. She also maintains an outdoor kitchen with a large freezer, refrigerator, three stoves, workspace and a well-stocked pantry. It allows her to prepare food outside and quickly find ingredients that may not be available in the farmhouse kitchen. For Stewart, the perfect kitchen is not about luxury for its own sake. It is about making room for better cooking, easier work and the people who gather around the table. Disclaimer: This article is based on interviews and published material supplied by Homes & Gardens and other cited source material. Details about Stewart’s kitchen may change, and TOI has not independently verified every feature described. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
Stewart’s earlier kitchen at Turkey Hill in Westport, Connecticut, helped shape her approach to cooking and design.