Martha Stewart’s Fifth Avenue ‘Galley Alley’ Kitchen Reveals How Minimalist Metal Surfaces and Smart Storage Can Revolutionize Tiny Spaces

If you were to imagine a classic Martha Stewart kitchen, a large, rustic, country-style space probably springs to mind. The lifestyle expert is known for creating a warm, cozy feel in her kitchens – from the Turkey Hill farmstead to her seaside home in Seal Harbor, Maine. In New York City, however, her approach was quite different.

Martha Stewart's galley alley metal kitchen is the hidden workhorse of her Fifth Avenue apartment. According to Martha Moments (an Instagram page dedicated to sharing archival Stewart footage), the metal cabinets and countertops were custom-made by Duralab, a laboratory furniture production company in Brooklyn. The result was a sterile, yet highly functional and uniquely modern space.

'It was basically a service kitchen,' Stewart says. 'I wanted dishes, linens, and silver for entertaining 40 people for a standup buffet. But it had to fit this long, peculiar space. I called it a galley alley. And I didn’t want anything sitting out. It wasn’t a country kitchen.'

Shop the metal kitchen edit

Start small with Martha’s favorite look by choosing a cutting board (like this one from Wayfair) that highlights metal surfaces and adds a modern edge to your space. Alternatively, antique metal hardware, like these handles from Amazon, are a suble way to get the metal aesthetic.

As seen in the photo carousel below, the galley kitchen makes clever use of the limited area. The sleek metal finish was easy to clean – a boon during the busy fall and holiday entertaining season – while the cabinets were built to support 200 pounds per square foot, keeping her heaviest equipment safe.

Despite being decades old, Stewart’s galley kitchen offers timeless lessons in style and functionality. Most crucially, designers point to the abundant use of metal, claiming its qualities are unrivaled.

'One of the biggest advantages of using metal in a kitchen is the sophistication and depth it brings – qualities that many other materials simply can’t match,' comments Charlie Smallbone, the founder of Ledbury Studio.

'At the studio, we focus on real metal fascia, such as copper, pewter, zinc, and bronze, which offer an authenticity that sprayed metallic finishes on wood just can’t replicate. The result is a more refined, high-end aesthetic that elevates the entire space,' he explains, noting that the cool tones of metal feel particularly refreshing as the weather turns crisp.

Despite its inherent strength and practicality, the best metallic kitchens require meticulous planning, as Smallbone explains.

'Choosing the right finish for each area is essential. ‘Living metals’ – which develop a natural patina over time – are ideal for cabinet doors or island exteriors, where they can mature beautifully without excessive wear. However, in high-use areas such as worktops or sinks, sealed finishes are a better choice, preventing unwanted discoloration and ensuring long-term durability.'

Whether you opt for specific elements, like a metal backsplash, or follow Stewart’s example and go all-out metallic, you can better prolong your kitchen's lifespan with some simple tips.

'To enhance longevity, we typically apply specially formulated coatings to metals like copper, preserving their beauty while protecting them from everyday kitchen conditions. This allows homeowners to enjoy the aesthetic appeal of metal without worrying about practicality,' Smallbone advises.

Alternatively, we love these metallic accents – perfect for bringing a small amount of this powerful material into any kitchen, perhaps echoing the warm shimmer of holiday lights.