Forest Hills Co-op Kitchen - Designed for Calm, Function, and Clarity
- Sabrina Antony
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 46 minutes ago
(by Sabrina Antony, Kitchen Design NYC - Independent Kitchen Designer in New York City)
This Forest Hills co-op kitchen renovation by Kitchen Design NYC shows how thoughtful design and precise planning can transform a mid-renovation challenge into a calm, functional, and elegant living space.
When this professional couple in Forest Hills reached out to us, their apartment renovation was already in motion. The old kitchen had been torn out, new walls were in place, and the contractor was waiting for decisions. They had visited multiple showrooms, spoken with contractors, and collected layout ideas, yet nothing felt right. The designs looked busy and generic. She felt unseen and unheard. What they wanted was a kitchen that reflected their personality, not a showroom display.
They were ready for someone who would listen, guide, and help them make sense of it all.
Starting Point
When I first visited, the apartment was a clean slate. There were no cabinets or finishes, only walls and exposed lines. The couple showed me the plans they had been given. I understood immediately why they were frustrated. The proposed layout forced everything onto two walls. It felt cluttered and closed, the opposite of what they described as their dream kitchen.
They wanted something that felt calm and balanced. Modern and efficient. Every appliance hidden, every line intentional.
Seeing What Was Possible
The first thing I noticed was the potential of the window wall. By placing the sink in front of it, we could open the space both visually and functionally. It would create balance, natural light, and a better workflow. I coordinated with the contractor to make sure moving the plumbing and gas lines was realistic and to help the clients understand the cost and implications before making a decision.
That one change completely shifted the layout. It created an intuitive work triangle where two people can move comfortably without crossing paths. It also allowed each functional zone to breathe.
Design Language
The design direction was guided by simplicity. I kept lines clean and proportions balanced. We used grip handles that sit on top of the door panels so they almost disappear. The goal was to create a sense of calm and order that feels timeless rather than trendy.
A key feature became the tall cabinet with double pocket doors. Behind it hides a small “breakfast bar” that holds the coffee machine, toaster, and blender. It also houses a built-in microwave drawer. When closed, the surface looks seamless. When open, it becomes a warm, tactile area where their day begins.
To balance the tall cabinetry, I introduced a floating shelf with integrated lighting. It brings softness and rhythm to the space without breaking its simplicity. The Dekton countertop continues up the wall as a full-height backsplash with a seamless grain flow. Even the hood was concealed by routing the venting laterally through the cabinetry and releasing it through an architectural grille. Every small detail supports a sense of quiet visual balance.
Moodboards for Design Direction
Solving What Couldn’t Be Seen
This co-op came with its challenges. Uneven floors, unlevel walls, and a mesh-concrete wall that required extra preparation before the cabinets could be installed. Behind the finished surfaces, structural reinforcements were added to support upper cabinets, and framing thicknesses were adjusted so that every line aligned perfectly.
We also had to solve the detail around a lower window sill to create a flush and easy-to-maintain countertop return. Hidden outlets were distributed evenly inside the pocket-door cabinet and along the backsplash, all coordinated during construction to keep the design clean.
These behind-the-scenes decisions are what make the final result feel effortless.
Collaboration and Oversight
Throughout the process I worked closely with the contractor and the millworker. We reviewed mechanical drawings together, verified clearances, and made sure wall preparation matched the cabinet specifications. Regular site visits allowed us to catch potential issues early and resolve them quickly.
The clients were deeply involved as well. They trusted the process and were open to revising some of their appliance choices when I explained how that would allow for a more functional and elegant layout. Their openness made it possible to achieve the pocket-door concept that became the heart of this kitchen.
The Transformation
The finished kitchen feels calm and inviting. The soft light from the floating shelf adds warmth, while the muted finishes create a sense of quiet refinement. The cabinetry feels integrated with the architecture of the space, almost like furniture.
When the clients saw it come together, they smiled. Throughout installation they kept saying how amazed they were by how cohesive it looked and how much it reflected their personalities.
What This Project Shows
A kitchen like this is a reminder that design is not just about style. It is about how hundreds of small technical decisions connect to create something that works every day. Renovations, especially in New York City co-ops, are complex systems. Small oversights can easily trigger a chain reaction that is difficult to fix later.
That is why having a professional kitchen designer involved matters. The design drawings, mechanical coordination, and site guidance protect both the investment and the vision. Architects, contractors, and interior designers each bring essential skills, but kitchen design is its own discipline. It bridges aesthetics, ergonomics, and construction knowledge in a way that ensures everything fits and functions beautifully in real life.
The Kitchen’s Story
If this kitchen could speak, it would tell the story of two people who found calm in the middle of renovation chaos. It would remember the uncertainty of bare walls and the moment things finally started to make sense. Now, it moves with their rhythm. Mornings are quiet. Evenings are easy. Every element has purpose and every inch feels intentional.
It is not only a kitchen. It is a reflection of who they are and how they live.
The final reveal is coming soon. We’re looking forward to sharing how every detail came together once the space is fully complete.
Every kitchen begins with a conversation. If you’d like professional guidance for your own renovation, I offer complimentary clarity calls to help you understand your best next steps.
Author & Designer (Written by Sabrina Antony, founder and lead designer of Kitchen Design NYC.)
I am an independent kitchen designer based in New York City, specializing in high-end residential renovations throughout Manhattan, the Hamptons, and Greenwich. With nearly 20 years of international design experience, my work focuses on creating kitchens that combine technical precision with a strong sense of atmosphere and flow.
Each project begins with understanding how people truly live. From concept to construction coordination, I guide homeowners and trade professionals through every stage of the process. My goal is always the same: to give clients clarity, confidence, and a result that feels personal, functional, and lasting.