Inside a Park Slope Kitchen Transformation – When Family Life Meets Tricky Layout

Sabrina Antony
Oct 11
4 min read

Updated: Nov 4

(Written by Sabrina Antony, Founder and Lead Designer at Atelier bauherr. by Kitchen Design NYC)

High-end kitchen cabinets with brass handles in a Park Slope Kitchen Renovation by Kitchen Design NYC. — ***Sneak Peak:*** *Detailed brass handles add a personal touch to this new kitchen in Brooklyn.*

A prewar Brooklyn co-op reimagined for modern family life through thoughtful planning, flow, and quiet design restraint.

This Rosario Candela designed Park Slope co-op had charm and light, but the kitchen never worked. Two working parents and two young children shared a space that felt tight, dark, and constantly busy. They wanted calm, storage, and a layout that could keep up with daily life while preserving the apartment’s character.

The homeowner knew the space had potential but felt confined by the kitchen’s irregular footprint and complex layout. A lighting designer they trusted recommended Atelier bauherr. by Kitchen Design NYC. After hearing another client’s renovation story, they decided to entrust us with their family kitchen as well.

***Before:*** *View existing kitchen from the dining area.*

Starting Point

During our first walkthrough, it was clear why the homeowner had felt confined. The kitchen sat in a narrow L-shaped corner framed by a low window, beams, two doorways, and open niches that broke the usable wall surfaces. Gas, plumbing, and refrigerator lines were squeezed into one corner. Upper cabinets with frosted glass revealed everything inside and made the room feel busier than it was.

Between kitchen and dining room sat a small island that offered neither real seating nor storage. Behind it, an open niche collected mail, phones, and the day’s overflow. From the dining table, the scene felt hectic rather than inviting.

Despite its size, the kitchen lacked both function and a sense of calm.

Full Overview of the existing kitchen space before a major kitchen renovation in New York City with a tricky kitchen layout.

Existing kitchen before renovation, showing the original layout and cabinetry configuration.

Professional site measurements for a high-end kitchen renovation in NY — *Every plan begins with precise site measurements and coordination notes to avoid guesswork later.*

Seeing What Was Possible

The first goal was clarity. What if the refrigerator moved toward the island instead of crowding the cook zone? That one shift would free the main wall for a continuous run of cabinets and a proper workflow. The island could then become the true center of family life, a space for baking with the kids, unpacking groceries, and staying connected during meal prep.

Before sketching a concept, every site condition was verified: wall explorations, plumbing lines, electrical capacity, and the possibility of switching from gas to induction. Understanding these realities early meant each design decision could be made with confidence.

Kitchen Layout Draft for a New York Kitchen Renovation. — *First Kitchen Layout Draft for the new proposed kitchen set up.*

Design Language

Light and balance became the guiding principles. White cabinetry opened the room, oak accents added warmth, and a finely detailed brass handle chosen by the homeowner brought personality and softness. The palette feels modern yet timeless, bright enough for daylight and warm enough for evenings.

Because one wall had to remain, it was redesigned to feel intentional. Symmetry and clean reveals turned what once was an obstacle into structure. Every line now supports the calm visual rhythm the client hoped for.

Material boards and showroom visits helped finalize tone and proportion, making the space unmistakably theirs. Design development included materials, textures, and mechanical documentation that turned ideas into buildable reality.

Removing existing kitchen floor tiles layered on top of the pre-existing floors.

Solving What Couldn’t Be Seen

Old New York buildings often hide surprises. During demolition, multiple layers of subfloor from past renovations appeared, creating uneven levels across the room. The one-inch difference required rebuilding the subfloor to achieve proper leveling, reinforcement, and waterproofing. The discovery added time to the schedule, but resolving it correctly ensured a stable, lasting foundation for everything above it.

Images: Demolition revealed multiple layers of old flooring hidden beneath the surface, creating uneven levels that had to be rebuilt and waterproofed. Each layer was measured, leveled, and sealed to form a stable foundation for the new kitchen and ensure lasting precision throughout the installation.

Kitchen Renovation progress with the general contractor finishing up the walls. — *Clear coordination between Kitchen Design NYC, contractor, and trades kept the process organized.*

Collaboration and Oversight

Throughout construction, Kitchen Design NYC remained the central point of contact. Mechanical drawings guided each trade, while regular site visits and progress photos ensured alignment between design intent and field execution.

While the clients were away on vacation, consistent updates and quick approvals over WhatsApp allowed the work to continue smoothly. That trust and communication kept momentum and ensured every detail met the standard they expected.

The Transformation

When the cabinetry arrived and the island took shape, the space began to reveal its new identity. Light moved freely through the room. Lines felt intentional, and the kitchen finally belonged to the architecture rather than fighting against it.

What was once cluttered and disconnected now feels calm, warm, and perfectly scaled for family life. From the dining area, the view is inviting and composed, elegant without being formal.

The homeowners say it has changed how they live. Everything has its place, mornings run smoothly, and the kitchen now sets the tone for the entire apartment. The success of the renovation even inspired them to consider updating some other rooms.

The kitchen cabinets arrived, and the installation is moving forward.

The Story Behind the Calm

Every transformation hides hundreds of technical decisions that make the final result feel effortless. This project is proof that when design, precision, and coordination come together, even a small Park Slope kitchen can live beautifully large.

Behind every refined space is careful planning and collaboration. Kitchen Design NYC creates kitchens that balance beauty and precision, spaces designed for how people truly 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.

Schedule Your Clarity Call

Lead Expert Kitchen Designer at Kitchen Design NYC guiding professional kitchen renovations in New York.

Author & Designer (Written by Sabrina Antony, founder and lead designer of Atelier bauherr. by 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.