Site News: Article One Don't skip the buffet. Designers become so focused on appliances and work areas, that serving space is often overlooked. A separate place for serving also allows guests to be out of the way when food is being prepared but to be still part of the action. Article Two Bring in variety. This advice applies to several parts of the kitchen. First make sure there are several types of storage areas—so a home owner has a place to put everything from extra place settings to ornate decorations—and that they are spread out. Second, be sure to include several work stations so several cooks can comfortably be in the kitchen at once. Finally, remember to include a range of gathering places for guests. Some people will prefer to stand and mingle, while others will need to sit down. Article Three Consider a second smaller kitchen/pantry. This can be built off of the dining room and be used by a caterer and his or her staff during parties for last-minute food preparation. Cohen suggests adding a large island with two tiers of open shelves, one for waiters to return empty trays and the other for the chef to place finished dishes. Article Four Go for dramatic flair. In one of her projects, Cohen installed a raised lazy susan in a square island. During parties, desserts could be placed in an artistic display around which guests could gather and indulge their sweet tooth.