Solving the Problems of a Poorly Built Kitchen — and Creating a Forever Space
When the homeowner purchased her condo in San Francisco’s Richmond District, she knew the kitchen would need work. What looked fine at first glance quickly revealed deeper issues once she started living in the space. The kitchen wasn’t just outdated — it was poorly planned, cheaply executed, and actively working against her day-to-day life.
This remodel wasn’t about chasing trends. It was about correcting mistakes, improving functionality, and creating a kitchen worthy of being passed down to her children — her forever kitchen.
The Problems We Had to Solve
The existing kitchen had several fundamental flaws:
Inaccessible corner cabinets
The stove placement made the corner cabinet doors impossible to open. Valuable storage existed, but it was completely unusable.
Low-quality finishes throughout
The tile flooring felt cheap and fragile. The quartz countertops were extremely brittle — the homeowner shared that even lightly dropping a ceramic bowl could cause cracking.
Poor appliance planning
The dishwasher was broken, and the refrigerator was oversized for the space, disrupting circulation and flow.
Cabinetry that wouldn’t last
The cabinets themselves were low quality, with finishes the homeowner didn’t like and construction that wouldn’t stand the test of time.
Ultimately, the kitchen didn’t match the significance of the home or the way the homeowner wanted to live in it.
Our Design-First Approach
We began with a collaborative design process, working closely with the homeowner to understand how she wanted the kitchen to feel, function, and age over time. Every decision was intentional — durability, usability, and timelessness guided the entire project.
Together, we selected elevated materials and thoughtfully planned upgrades that would dramatically improve both form and function. After some iterations, here is what the owner wanted.
Key Design & Construction Solutions
Smarter Storage & Layout
To solve the corner cabinet issue, we reconfigured the cabinetry and installed Rev-A-Shelf blind corner organizers, transforming previously wasted space into highly functional storage. What once couldn’t be accessed at all is now one of the most useful parts of the kitchen.
Elevated, Long-Lasting Materials
Backsplash: Handcrafted ceramic tiles from Heath Ceramics, adding warmth, texture, and a distinctly California character
Flooring: Durable, beautifully made tiles from Fireclay Tile
Countertops: A custom white oak wood countertop from Revival Millworks, used to create a bar top after closing off one kitchen entrance — improving flow while adding a welcoming gathering space
Cabinetry & Visual Balance
The homeowner selected a modern, restrained color palette using cabinetry from KZ Kitchen, pairing white upper cabinets with gray base cabinets for contrast and longevity.
We added a custom-built soffit above the wall cabinets, giving the kitchen a fully integrated, built-in look rather than a standard “boxed” finish.
Open Display & Craft Details
Custom maple floating shelves by Urbandi bring warmth and provide space to display everyday items without sacrificing functionality.
Thoughtfully Selected Appliances
We helped right-size and upgrade the appliances with performance and longevity in mind:
Miele refrigerator
Bosch dishwasher and stove
These choices significantly improved reliability, efficiency, and daily usability.
Lighting, Plumbing & Everyday Comfort
New recessed lighting for even, modern illumination
A deep stainless steel sink basin for easier cleanup
Brushed nickel fixtures and a new reverse osmosis filtration system for cleaner, better-tasting water
The Result: A Kitchen Built to Last
The finished kitchen is calm, refined, and deeply functional — a space that finally works with the homeowner instead of against her. Storage is intuitive. Materials feel substantial and timeless. Every detail supports how she lives now and how she plans to live in the future.
As part of our close-out process, we also completed a full condo cleaning, ensuring the space was delivered cleaner than when we started.
This project is a great example of how solving the right problems — not just updating finishes — leads to a remodel that truly stands the test of time.
If you’re living with a kitchen that looks fine but doesn’t function the way it should, that’s usually a sign it’s time for a more thoughtful, design-driven solution.
