The existing kitchen in this Oakland home was hemmed in by a steep, dangerous stair that had been added by a previous owner. To maintain a path to the family room downstairs, we borrowed two feet from an adjacent bedroom, creating a gracious open stair that becomes a part of the renovated kitchen. Waist-high custom cabinets form the boundary between kitchen and stair and an existing pantry closet was transformed into space for the refrigerator and adjacent coffee station. Open shelving, a butcher- block topped island, and subtle backsplash tile elevate the design language of the room.

Kyoko Jackson served as the interior designer for the project.