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Kitchen Design Advice from a Hollywood TV Set Decorator:
5 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Steal the Show

By Gladys Schasntra, CMKBD

Why do some kitchens feel instantly inviting on TV… and in real life?

I asked Hollywood set decorator Peter Gurski exactly that. Gurski’s credits include Mid-Century Modern, Will & Grace, Night Court, Fuller House and many, many more TV shows you might know by heart. His job is to design kitchens and residential spaces that millions of people see, scrutinize, and remember. The best part: his “for-camera” strategies translate beautifully to real homes.

Whether you’re planning a full remodel or refreshing key elements, here are five Hollywood-tested ideas from Peter Gurski to help your kitchen become the star of your home.

This space just off to the side of the TV show’s main kitchen is a useful mixed bag of storage space, desk-task space, side-scullery space and – true to Palm Springs culture – extra bar space. We find that many of our clients prefer their bar spaces to be just a bit out of the way!

Start with Your Story, *not* a Trend

“Everything begins with the words on the page,” Peter told me. For set design, the “script” drives every choice.

In real life, your script is your family’s routine: how you cook, gather, work, and relax.

Try this:

  • Write a “day in the life” for your kitchen. Who uses the space? When? For what?
  • Identify friction points (traffic jams, clutter zones, lighting gaps).
  • Define success: hosting holidays with ease, faster weekday breakfasts, better homework setup, etc.

At Drury Design, this is an early step in our design process. Bring your story… we’re all ears!

Note the curved corners on this island in the show’s kitchen. This is a great look that many of clients have chosen recently – we can make the radius big (as seen here) or tight (see the buffet’s tighter round corners in this kitchen/eating area recently designed for clients in Glen Ellyn)

Edit with purpose – Not every Idea Belongs

Behind the scenes of a TV show, a LOT of people weigh in with a LOT of ideas. There’s no way to use every idea… at a certain point, the mere amount of ideas at play is just too much.

On a remodel, you might have way too many ideas in way too many Pinterest boards. Peter summed it up: “Clients ask for the world, but sometimes they don’t have the budget to back it up. [Designers] can be very gentle but purposeful in editing… what survives and what goes ends up forming the soul of the new space.” 

Try this:

  • Make two lists: Must-Haves and Nice-to-Haves.
  • Align every decision with your story and budget.
  • Save where it won’t be noticed; splurge where it will be appreciated daily.
  • Your designer will love this – ask them for help with this exercise!

Set decorator Peter Gurski harmonizes a modern Sub-Zero fridge/freezer with a vintage “Flair-style” upperdeck oven/pull-out burner combo unit.

Mix Old and New for Character

Mid-Century Modern’s kitchen blends new and vintage: a glass-door Sub-Zero refrigerator alongside a vintage “Flair-style” range; and contemporary cabinets accented with brass and vintage hardware. The look feels warm, layered, and personal… not cookie-cutter.

Try this:

  • Ask your designer about pairing modern appliances with vintage-inspired hardware or lighting.
  • Source a one-of-a-kind element (antique knob set, retro pendant, art piece).
  • Consider a statement color – turquoise, coral, or deep green – with metal accents (polished brass, brushed chrome, or aged bronze/black) to dial in your vibe.

The TV show’s kitchen works because it dares to be artful. Your space can be artful, too! Your designer will follow your cues as per the style, colors and features that should define your new space. One of our favorite examples is this kitchen inspired by the client’s favorite restaurant. 

Choose a Showpiece and Design Around It

Set decorators build rooms around a focal point. In Peter’s Mid-Century Modern kitchen, turquoise cabinetry trimmed in brass frames a scene-stealing vintage range. If you love this look, we can help – Drury Design now carries John Michael Signature Line cabinetry. 

Your star could be the same cabinetry in a different color. Or maybe the same Sub-Zero from the show (Model PRO4850G). Or maybe a sculptural island, a dramatic backsplash, or a range with presence (like a 48″ red knob Wolf induction range).

Try this:

  • Pick one element to star. Build supporting details that let it shine.
  • Balance the budget: elevate your star, economize on background items (Peter sourced various items from unexpected places for the Mid-Century Modern set… it all came together beautifully!).
  • Keep sightlines clean so the eye lands where you want it to.

    Ever wonder why lighting on TV looks so good? The secret is layers! This scene uses at least four: natural light, artistic pendants, hidden ceiling spots (for task and ambience), and subtle underbar glow. The best lighting is felt, not seen — and it’s totally achievable in your own home.

    Lead with your design heart—and trust the process

    Peter’s advice applies to both sets and homes: “Lead with your design heart… your belief in your design is the secret sauce.”

    Technical things matter – they absolutely do – but confidence and clarity are what make a kitchen feel right.

    Try this:

    • Once you’ve researched and edited, trust your instincts.
    • Choose what truly “delights” you daily…  over what you see is trending today.
    • Work with a designer you trust to guide decisions and manage details.

    In this clip, Drury Design Owner/Creative Director Gladys Schanstra asks Hollywood set decorator Peter Gurski about his approach to designing the kitchen on Mid-Century Modern.

    Cameras or no cameras, the best kitchens are built around the people who use them. If you’re ready to craft a space that reflects your routine, your rituals, and your style, let’s start the conversation. We’ll bring the process, the materials, and the know‑how… you bring your story.