Stanley Tucci's kitchen isn't where you'd expect – but experts say its placement will transform your dining experience
The unusual placement of the actor's cooking space creates new opportunities for summer entertaining – designers explain how to recreate the style
We can rely on Stanley Tucci to provide a consistent flow of kitchen inspiration, but this time it's outside. This summer, the actor is taking his chef skills al fresco with an outdoor kitchen. Dining outside has never looked so good.
Tucci revealed the outdoor kitchen in a recent Instagram video. We're in love with his copper countertop, Guy Ritchie designed grill, and brick fireplace. Above the grill, hanging pots and pans resemble a set up we'd see above a traditional kitchen island, giving the whole space a warm, rustic feel. Red outdoor chairs and a fully set dining table on the patio top off the look with an inviting, homey feel.
'Why dine out when you can create pub grub in your outdoor space this summer?' says Award Winning Interior Designer, Journalist & Home Stylist, Anouska Lancaster of Tucci's rustic outdoor kitchen idea. She recommends starting with a grill. 'The Ninja outdoor products, such as the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker make al fresco dining so easy, even for the most amateur chef like me.'
A post shared by Stanley Tucci (@stanleytucci)
A photo posted by on
With the proper decor, Tucci's design is easy to recreate. It starts with building an outdoor living room to complement the kitchen. Lancaster states: 'Extend your home by creating a room outside with comfy, informal seating for lounging. Use an outdoor rug to cover up a tired decking or anchor a sunny spot in the garden, and then build your new ‘room’ around it. Keep guests cool on a hot day with an outdoor fan such as the Shark FlexBreeze fan, which can be placed near your seating area.'
She continues on the patio idea: 'Outdoor spaces allow us to be braver and more experimental with colour and pattern. Go for uplifting colours like yellow, green or pink that will uplift your garden. If you’re nervous of going too bold, introduce an accent color with soft furnishings.'
The outdoor surroundings are also an important part of pulling off Tucci's look. 'Creative lighting can transform your garden idea and maximize its potential as an extra space to enjoy in the evening,' says Lancaster. 'I personally love the ambiance created by festoon lights, they give off enough light to eat and drink but are subtle enough to create a warm and relaxing ambiance.'
Tapescaping is also a huge part of bringing coziness into an outdoor kitchen. Lancaster advises: 'Don’t be scared to go large with your furniture and accessories, even in a small space. To go the extra mile, decorate the table with placemats, napkins, lanterns, and if possible, fresh flowers in various jugs. If you’ve chosen an accent color for your summer garden, incorporate this in your tablescaping.'
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Shop The Outdoor Dining Edit
If you love cooking and you love being outside in the summer, there's no reason not to try out a scheme like this. It's a fun way to spend time with friends and family, and more importantly, it's endorsed by Stanley Tucci.
Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.
-
Meet modern cottage style – the sleeker, more contemporary take on rustic farmhouse design that you ought to get to know
Cottagecore is making way for a more modern counterpart: the modern cottage aesthetic. Here's why designers love this trend
By Charlotte Olby Published
-
Drew Barrymore proves florals are for fall with her new Beautiful Wildflower kitchenware collection – everything is under $100
The actress's latest Beautiful drop for Walmart includes stunning matte black air fryers, kettles, slow cookers, and stand mixers printed with flowers
By Hannah Ziegler Published
-
LeAnn Rimes's living room shelving is not just for storage – the singer mixes books, art, and her many awards – and the secret to curation is all in the detail
A carefully edited display of objects and books is a beautiful sight in any home
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
Jennifer Aniston's Japanese garden pond is one of the most beneficial elements a yard can have – it is so easy to replicate
No matter how big or small, adding a pond to your garden will prove invaluable for wildlife
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
Jennifer Aniston's backyard pool landscaping is a masterful example of Japanese tranquility – it is picture-perfect
Step into the world of pool parties and slow Sunday morning dips with your own private pool area – designed with privacy and serenity in mind
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
Tom Brady's minimalist kitchen is anything but bland and boring – and it taps into this 2024 design trend
The footballer's modern kitchen highlights a beautiful use of contrasting materials, but it's his innovative kitchen shelving unit that has caught our eye
By Zara Stacey Published
-
Florence Pugh instantly elevated her rustic living space with this cool, vintage-inspired hue
The Oppenheimer actress revived a 1950s color favorite, and designers agree that we can learn a lot from her 'versatile and tranquil' style
By Megan Slack Published
-
The 'invisible' storage in Hailey Bieber's home is a masterclass in modern minimalism
Hailey and Justin's New York home exhibits one of sleekest storage solutions we've ever seen – and (of course) designers are equally impressed
By Megan Slack Published
-
We can't get enough of Venus Williams' interior projects – here are 5 of our favorites
We take a look at V Starr-designed spaces – and explain what you can learn from Venus's stand-out projects
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
Joanna Gaines drew inspiration from the 1930s to turn this 'blank canvas' into a bold yet tranquil space
In less than one week, the designer transformed this living room into a 'colorful, character-filled' space – here's what the process involved
By Megan Slack Published