Project Feature: Collaborative Vision Meets Contemporary Design in this Manhattan Kitchen
Designed for a passionate home cook and entertainer, this contemporary Manhattan kitchen sits within a converted sneaker factory loft and was conceived as the true center of the home. Bakes & Kropp senior designer Ellen Schott collaborated closely with lead interior designer Santiago Tomas of Santiago Tomas Interiors, kitchen designer Sabrina Antony of atelier bauherr., and lighting designer Staci Ruiz to create a space that functions at a professional level while feeling warm, architectural, and timeless.
The original kitchen was compact and restrictive, with limited storage and tight circulation. The redesign expanded the footprint and reimagined the layout to support effortless cooking, improved ventilation, and natural gathering—allowing guests to be part of the experience without interrupting the work flow.
After a stunning transformation, no one would guess this Manhattan loft was once a sneaker factory.
Layout Designed for Flow and Function
The new U-shaped plan establishes clear work zones and generous landing areas, while a large stone-clad peninsula anchors the space. Housing the sink and offering expansive prep and serving surfaces, the peninsula doubles as the social hub of the kitchen, making it ideal for entertaining. Thoughtful appliance placement—including a refrigerator positioned outside the main cooking area—allows multiple users to move through the space with ease.
The design team implemented a U-shaped kitchen layout to keep work zones clear and efficient.
Mixing Emerson and Madison cabinetry in two finishes keeps clean lines while adding visual interest and depth.
Combined Cabinetry Collections for Refined Style
Custom Bakes & Kropp Madison Collection and Emerson Collection cabinetry define the kitchen’s architectural language. Light oak cabinetry connects the kitchen to the rest of the loft, while painted base cabinets in a custom blue-green tone introduce color and depth. Clean profiles, balanced proportions, and precisely executed reveals bring a sense of calm and refinement to every elevation.
“One of my favorite design features is that the cabinetry is two different styles, but they flow beautifully together…The custom color we used couldn’t have been more perfect.”
– Santiago Tomas, Lead Interior Designer
Oak cabinetry balances the stone and steel accents for an overall warm and inviting aesthetic.
A standout feature is the cabinetry beneath the angled staircase. This technically complex feat required careful measuring and exacting craftsmanship to maintain consistent reveals and alignment. Designed to feel furniture-like rather than utilitarian, the cabinetry and open shelving create a seamless transition between kitchen, dining, and living spaces.
“The cabinetry under the angled staircase is one of the most architectural elements in the project…Maintaining consistent reveals and spacing in this condition required precision but was essential to the overall calm of the space.”
– Sabrina Antony, Kitchen Designer
The angled space under the stairs posed a complex design puzzle that our expert team solved beautifully.
Reeded glass doors and open shelving allow the homeowner to display their collection of Japanese pottery.
Custom Storage for Elevated Living
Every cabinet was designed around how the client cooks and entertains. Custom interiors include tray dividers for baking equipment, blind corner pull-outs, a LeMans corner cabinet near the range, and deep drawers with hidden roll-out storage. A paneled dishwasher was selectively integrated to reduce visual clutter, allowing materials and form to remain the focus.
Glass-front cabinets provide display space for the client’s Japanese pottery collection, adding warmth and personality while maintaining a clean, composed look. The handsome black powdercoated metal frames echo the natural steel range hood, creating a cohesive design element.
Lighting, Materiality, and Atmosphere
Lighting design by Staci Ruiz enhances the sculptural quality of the space, highlighting stone surfaces, glass cabinetry, and architectural details. Stone is used with intention—most notably on the fully clad peninsula—creating visual weight and permanence. Together, lighting and materiality establish a kitchen that feels dramatic yet grounded, refined yet welcoming.
Thoughtful lighting emphasizes the sophisticated material choices made by the design team.
Crafted Through Collaboration
This project is a true celebration of teamwork and craft. Collaborating closely with interior design, kitchen planning, and lighting experts allowed Bakes & Kropp to focus on what we do best: deliver custom cabinetry with precision, purpose, and enduring quality. The result is a kitchen that feels effortless to use, cohesive in design, and built to stand the test of time.
