While navigating the world of rentals, most of us end up settling for one out of three essentials: ideal location, architectural charm, or efficient storage and layout. Then there are those who have crossed into the promised land of owning a home and making it entirely their own. We salute you. 

Case in point: This Manhattan apartment. As proud first-time homeowners, the couple who bought it were able to task Gabriela Gargano, founder and CEO of NYC-based Grisoro Designs, with taking the space from a one-out-of-three (it was a classic prewar West Village brownstone with poor storage and an outdated layout) to a trifecta. 

Given the clients’ fondness for hosting, Gargano knew the key to unlocking their dream space was transforming the kitchen. At the outset, though, there were challenges: the overall lack of cupboards, a closed-off and inefficient floor plan, and outdated appliances and cabinetry. 

small kitchen with white fridge, oven, and cabinets
COURTESY OF GRISORO DESIGNS

renovated kitchen with blue cabinets on the bottom and white cabinets on top
COURTESY OF REGAN WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRISORO DESIGNS

Of course, this being Manhattan, there was no room to increase the kitchen’s footprint. Instead, Gargano transplanted a small entry closet that had been hogging space to the living room, and relocated the refrigerator in order to open a kitchen wall to the dining room (thereby introducing dinner-party–ready counter seating with shallow cabinets underneath for glassware).

renovated kitchen with bar stools and kitchen counter
COURTESY OF REGAN WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRISORO DESIGNS

In order to maximize every inch of the 120 square feet, Gargano went custom with flat-face white and Prussian blue cabinets that span floor to ceiling and house an integrated counter-depth refrigerator and microwave, in addition to clever built-ins like a spice rack and waste bin. The finishing touches came by way of soft gray two-by-six-inch Fireclay tiles, arranged vertically to accentuate the room’s height, and brass hardware from Lewis Dolin in a wide range of sizes tailored to the shape and function of each cabinet or drawer. 

If this kitchen makeover is any indication, the couple’s apartment has attained that covetable triple-threat status. Location? Check. Style? Check. Storage? Check, check, check.

Check out more fresh kitchen ideas:   The Coolest Countertops We’ve Seen Lately Are Blue Marble I’ve Renovated Over 30 Kitchens—This Is My Top Tip for Remodeling on a Budget 32 Barstools That’ll Take Your Kitchen Island to New Heights