When S8A begins a project, the first priority is understanding what the clients truly need from their home—how they live, where the friction points lie, and what must be solved before any aesthetic decisions can take shape. Only once those everyday challenges are addressed does the studio turn its attention to the look, feel, and emotional tone of the space.

In this project, the existing kitchen had lost its original charm entirely. What remained felt cold, generic, and disconnected from the rest of the house. Worn, glossy white Ikea cabinets offered too little storage; a dark wood floor and backsplash absorbed light; and harsh overhead fixtures created an uninviting atmosphere. Despite having young children and a backyard they used constantly, the layout failed to connect indoor and outdoor living in any meaningful way.

S8A recognized the need to restore character while bringing the detailing in line with the period architecture still present elsewhere in the home. Without relocating any plumbing or gas lines, they reimagined the kitchen layout to improve efficiency and significantly increase storage. A custom banquette—previously positioned awkwardly at the center of the room—was relocated to one side, opening the floor plan and creating a clearer, more intuitive flow to the backyard where the children play and the adults gather and grill.

The freed-up space allowed for the addition of shallow cabinetry seamlessly integrated beneath the existing soffit, adding storage without visual weight. The result is a kitchen that feels functional, connected, and harmonious with the rest of the home—a space where daily life unfolds with ease and where a true sense of place emerges. This is how Studio 8 Architect transforms not just rooms, but the way their clients experience their homes.