How This Kitchen Design Experience Is Transforming Kitchens in New England

Dreaming of a new kitchen and don’t know where to start? Finding design inspiration isn’t always easy–or fun. But that’s why New England’s top architects and designers recommend a trip to Clarke, an innovative kitchen design experience that will get you excited to transform your kitchen, piece by piece.  

“At Clarke, you’ll see dozens of kitchens created by the region’s top designers,” explains Jeremy McCulla, Clarke Showroom Manager in their Boston Seaport Showroom. “Some homeowners visit to learn what’s possible, while others come in with their designer to collaborate and actually pick out the specific appliances they want in their new kitchen.”

You won’t buy anything here, but you’ll learn more than you can imagine.

Clarke isn’t a store; it’s New England’s Official Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove Showroom and a  brand ambassador for world-class appliances. At Clarke, you can explore and compare more Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove appliances than anywhere in New England. If you decide you would like to purchase any of the appliances, Clarke will connect you with a trusted retail dealer in your area. 

“There are so many different iterations of these appliances that you really need to spend time getting to know them and learn about the features to make your best selection,” explained Sean Clarke, president of the family-owned company founded by his father more than three decades ago. “Our award-winning showroom consultants are able to spend time with homeowners to learn about their lifestyle, cooking preferences, plans for entertaining and more, all of which suggest what kind of appliances will create the kitchen they’re imagining.”

To find out why top designers–and Bostonians with a craving for inspiration–are heading to Clarke, we got an inside look at which of the showroom’s latest designs and appliances are defining kitchen styles in New England, and how Clarke is helping visitors bring them into their own homes.

Reconsidering Your Kitchen

New England designers say selecting appliances first is key to a smooth kitchen design experience. “We help you match your lifestyle to your appliances with no pressure to buy,” explains Lee Maida, a veteran Clarke Showroom consultant. “Your kitchen layout is going to be very different if you want an induction cooktop and wall ovens than if you select a 60-inch dual-fuel range.”

One recent visitor who is building a new home was thrilled to include wine storage in their study and a Wolf Coffee System in their primary bath, to make mornings more efficient. According to Maida, “So often, homeowners don’t know their options, and when they come to browse after their plan is drawn, they fall in love with certain appliances and they must go back to the drawing board on the design, which can cost time and money. That’s why we encourage people to visit Clarke during their research or dreaming phase.”

Trend-Setting Appliances

“When we went to Clarke, we thought we were just looking for an oven and refrigerator,” says New Englander Amy Case. “And when we learned about each appliance, we ended up with a totally different plan.” 

When asked about her favorite appliance, designer Claudette Andrew of Westborough Design didn’t even pause to think. “The Wolf Convection Steam Oven, hands-down. This appliance changed my world. I’ve developed a passion for cooking with this oven, and I’ve been baking bread like crazy,” she says. “The Wolf steam oven makes it so easy. I tell everyone about it. We also love the reheat feature because it makes leftovers taste like the original restaurant meal. It’s a game-changer.” In fact, eight out of ten Clarke visitors add the Wolf Convection Steam Oven to their kitchen plan when they see it in action.

Homeowners are also amazed by the Wolf Gourmet Modes. This “set it and forget it” feature, which you’ll find in Wolf ranges and convection ovens, can save you valuable time and effort by taking the guesswork out of cooking. Whether you’re making pizza for your kids or prime rib for your dinner guests, your food will come out perfectly every time. 

Just choose one of the 50 chef-tested presets on the touch screen and you’ll see detailed instructions for each dish, along with setting the temperature and cooking time automatically. It will even tell you what oven rack position to use and where to insert the meat probe, which is used to monitor and regulate the oven temperature. Then just hit “start.” It’s a completely worry-free experience that even the most sophisticated of cooks appreciate!

Temperatures Under Control

Modern home chefs want complete control over their cooking, and Clarke provides them the tools to make it happen. Imagine point-of-use refrigeration–Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer drawers that can tuck into your kitchen island or place in your mudroom from which kids can grab snacks. Perhaps you would enjoy integrating wine storage into your kitchen, wet bar or family room? No problem with Sub-Zero!

Imagine a drawer that keeps dinner at the perfect temperature until everyone gathers at the table, or a coffee system that allows you to be a barista at home, requiring just 24 inches of space and no plumbing. Wolf can make this happen, and Clarke will show you how. You might also want to explore Wolf’s Speed Oven and Microwave if you have a family on the go.

Inducing Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is on everyone’s minds these days, and that all starts with which appliances you choose. A Wolf induction cooktop is 90- to 95-percent energy efficient. Really. There’s simply no heat wasted because energy is supplied directly to the cooking vessel. This is compared to 55-percent efficiency for a gas cooking burner. In addition, an induction cooktop offers 40-percent faster temperature response than gas or electric alternatives. This means faster, more controlled performance. Wolf offers both induction cooktops and ranges. 

“We love demonstrating the power of induction cooking,” says Chef Shelby, Clarke’s senior chef. “Homeowners are just blown away by the speed and control.” In fact, Clarke Showroom consultants and chefs demonstrate Wolf induction cooking several times a day.

“Everyone is stunned when they see a pot of water go from cold to boiling within seconds,” says Clarke Showroom Consultant Karlie Buck. “And what’s even more exciting is how the temperature can be reduced with the same speed and then stay at an even temperature, allowing you to hold delicate sauces or melted chocolate at a perfect simmer or melt for as long as needed.”

Putting the Plan in Action

If you’re still in the dreaming phase and need help finding an architect or designer, Clarke’s showroom consultants can help you there too. The staff is very familiar with a wide array of designers throughout New England and are happy to provide you with a list of trusted design professionals in your area.

More fundamentally, whether you’re simply replacing a range or refrigerator, or designing your dream kitchen, Clarke can help you learn what you need to know to feel confident about your decisions. While most homeowners start by scheduling a Clarke Showroom visit, others begin their kitchen research by attending a complimentary Clarke Product Demonstration at a showroom in Milford, Massachusetts, Boston Seaport, or South Norwalk, Connecticut. You can select from an overview of Wolf appliances, or you can schedule a demonstration that concentrates on all the secrets of the Wolf Convection Steam Oven. Each demonstration is offered by a Clarke Chef and lasts approximately 90 minutes, and you’ll enjoy tasting the results! 

For more information, visit clarkeliving.com.