“Many outdoor kitchens aren’t so well equipped,” says designer Glenda Anderson of Details International. But these busy Kahala homeowners, with lots of friends and a large, extended family, needed more than a grill and a mini fridge. “They wanted the total indoor-outdoor experience,” Anderson says, “loaded with amenities.”

The spacious, newly built home already includes a full-size kitchen, but the homeowners also needed a second, more casual “gazebo kitchen” for entertaining. So Anderson designed one at the center of the home to join the pool, spa and gym areas.

Large, European bifold glass doors separate the kitchen from the pool and easily slide completely open, seamlessly connecting indoors and out. Inside, the full U-shape kitchen has everything a traditional kitchen would have, plus an open-air feel and full access to the outside. “There’s nothing lacking here,” Anderson says. Professional-grade appliances, including a Wolf range and large refrigerator, with bonus refrigerator drawers built into the cabinetry, keep snacks and beverages cool and at the ready.

To keep the look light and inviting, Anderson and the homeowners chose a variety of attractive, low-maintenance finishes. The cabinetry is what Anderson refers to as a light “spa-green” color and is packed with useful storage features, such as pull-outs and Magic Corner cabinets.

The countertops are white granite with spots of dark gray and black and provide plenty of workspace, while also hiding any crumbs.

Finally, Anderson added a long, dual-height peninsula that serves as a bar or additional eating area. It's covered with small glass tiles with yellow and gold insets to reflect light and bring in the colors from outside.

When entertaining, guests can comfortably enjoy the kitchen and pool without having to spread out into the rest of the home. But even when the family isn’t entertaining, the second kitchen is so well-loved and well-used that it’s become the primary kitchen for cooking and spending time together. With everything they need in one spot, says Anderson, “they never have to leave!”