Boroughs & Burbs, the National Real Estate Conversation

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Christopher Peacock is a very big deal. I thought he was just a kitchen designer. He is a lot more than that. He is an international brand with 11 showrooms across the USA, Cannes, France and Jakarta, Indonesia. According to a New York Times feature on the business his company installs over 210 kitchens and 100 or so mud rooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms, libraries, wine tasting rooms and butler’s pantries. They credit Peacock for the now 20-year-old trend in white kitchens.

We sat down with Christopher for a frank zoom conversation about his brand, the industry, and the impact of kitchen design on real estate in the New York tri-state area.

HISTORY: Christopher began his career in London before stops at the Boston Design Center and the Architects and Design Building in New York before opening a showroom in Greenwich in 1992. We'lI want to hear about the evolution of the brand over these 40 years, from man designing to multinational presence. 

BRAND DIFFERENTIATION: What is “hand-crafted British cabinetry” and what makes a Peacock design special? What's special about a $185,000 kitchen? 

SUSTAINABILITY: Let’s talk materials and sustainability. The world has changed since he began in the business and a great deal more attention is being paid to where we source our woods and the sustainability of old-growth forests. How has this affected the industry, both in terms of what customers are demanding and how you’re responding? 

THE SHOWROOMS: Why is it important to have 9 showrooms in the USA and two overseas? What is the best way to experience the brand to appreciate the difference? 

HIGH POINTS: You mention working for the Clintons private residence in Chappaqua, NY. What was that like? I imagine they need a lot of bookcases. Maybe a special cabinet for Bill’s saxophone? 

BUILDERS AND ARCHITECTS: How do you work with architects and builders. I would imagine that most architects say I don’t need a separate designer for my kitchen and baths. How does a specialist like yourself work with builders and architects? 

TRENDS: How is the business changing since the pandemic began? How are tastes changing generally? 

ECONOMICS: Let’s talk about what makes a kitchen or bath a “good value” or an “investment” in the home.

10 items Christopher Peacock said clients have asked for but don't often use:

- Pot-filling faucet 
- Pantry dishwasher 
- Pantry refrigerator
- Kitchen desk 
- Trash compactor 
- Large microwave 
- Rangetop grill 
- Two-tier island countertops 
- Large island 
- Appliance garage

10 items Christopher Peacock said we don't think to ask for, but should consider:

- Refrigerator and Freezer Drawers
- Two dishwashers 
- Warming drawers 
- Small microwave 
- Bookshelves 
- Tray storage 
- Roll-out drawers 
- Message center 
- Marble countertops 
- Wood countertops