Take it outside with these high design alfresco kitchens that certainly up the ante when it comes to grilling and entertaining.
HIGH LIFE

PHOTO: CHARLES MAYER PHOTOGRAPHY
For a spectacular patio kitchen in the Hamptons, Edmund Hollander, president of Hollander Design Landscape Architects, started with functionality. “Think about where you want your dining table to be in relation to other living areas and then look at aesthetics and what you want to see when you’re in the space,” he explains. Tucking the dining setting on the side of the house protects it from seaside winds and also takes advantage of beautiful views across a salt pond. hollanderdesign.com
GRILL GAME
Warmer weather means entertaining en plein air so up the ante when it comes to cooking. From traditional kamado techniques to precision temperature control, these three grills offer innovative options.
CHILL OUT

PHOTO: ROGER DAVIES PHOTO/SOTTO
The kitchen and bar on this Del Mar property serves as ground zero for the casual indoor/outdoor lifestyle that epitomizes Southern California. Duan Tran, partner at KAA Design, understood that entertaining here was a priority for his clients so he decided to embrace the grill rather than hide it. “We designed the area to support the social aspects of grilling and hanging with friends, so it became a focal feature within the space,” Tran reveals. Interior designer Mark Williams, who collaborated on the project, customized the hanging lanterns and barstools. kaadesigngroup.com