They Gave Their Bland Brooklyn Kitchen a "Chef’s Table"–Inspired Upgrade

Our Focus series shines the spotlight on the details: the extraordinary materials, spaces, and ideas that take great projects to the next level.

Kyle Meeks and Inky Son are passionate about cooking and entertaining, so they always dreamed of renovating the cramped, cookie-cutter kitchen in their east Williamsburg apartment. Kyle bought the flat in 2012, Inky moved in a few years later, and the apartment has since become home for the busy professional couple and their dog, Banjo.

Although the apartment was built in 2007, Inky notes that the kitchen always felt a little underdone. "It was your typical NYC apartment layout," she says. "There was not enough storage, a microwave above the stove (our pet peeve), a small sink, and cheap finishes."

When Kyle and Inky decided it was time to overhaul their kitchen, they reached out to architect Leah Solk. "My inspiration was Inky’s cooking passion," says Solk. "I wanted guests to feel like they were having a Chef’s Table experience."

The renovation took a total of eleven months, including three months of construction time. Solk points out that the original layout was limited because of the orientation of the peninsula, which didn’t leave enough space for a true dining area.