Before Nicole Arruda, the creative behind Nicole Alexandra Design Studio, could get her hands on this New Providence, New Jersey, kitchen renovation, she called a pro organizer for backup. “I saw mugs and K-Cups and coffee beans on the counter. I was like, ‘We need a home for that,’” recalls Arruda. (Her clients were expecting their first baby at the time, so they got a hall pass for having a lot of stuff.)
Right away, the designer could see the real problems: The fridge was in an awkward location, the cabinets weren’t maximizing storage, and the peninsula cut off the area from the adjacent living room. Not to mention, the powder room around the corner was dated and narrow with a way-too-long shower in the middle of it. Consolidating things allowed Arruda to step back in with a clear mind.