Virtual Room Makeover: Sophisticated New York Kitchen

This Big Apple kitchen was lackluster at best, so designer Stacey Serro transformed it into a space that shines as brightly as Times Square.

By Kristine Solomon for TheNest.com

Out With the Old...


Stacey Serro of interior design firm p-l-a-i-d Inc. specializes in turning dreary rooms into light-filled showstoppers. So when a New York City-based client needed help perking up her dark, cramped kitchen, Serro was the first person she turned to.

Colorful kitchen accents under $100

The Designer Conceives a Whole New Setup


It's well-known that square footage in NYC living spaces can be limited, so Serro had her work cut out for her. The client also didn't have a very big budget (how could she, considering those sky-high New York rents?). So the designer chose a less-is-more approach, suggesting her client ditch the 24-inch-deep side counter and dark-brown cabinets and replace them with 18-inch-deep white cabinets. She also recommended eliminating one of the kitchen's double ovens to make room for more counter space. Lifting the microwave off the counter and mounting it above the cooktop frees up even more surface area. In the new, wide-open kitchen, the client can show off a fun, graphic, mosaic-tiled floor.

Scene-Stealing Floor Tiles and Accessories

Stacy Serro, P-L-A-I-D / The Nest
Stacy Serro, P-L-A-I-D / The Nest


All of the products Serro sourced in her virtual room makeover designs can be found at affordable retailers like IKEA, The Home Depot and even at flea markets! An oval, gold-framed mirror from Neiman Marcus is the designer's one suggested splurge -- and it makes quite an impact. This stunning makeover definitely puts us in a New York state of mind.

Easy renovations anyone can do

Send In Your "Before" To Get a Virtual Room Makeover -- Featured Here!


Don't forget to visit Serro's site, p-l-a-i-d, for more design inspiration just like this! And if you have a room that's in desperate need of a redo, email a "before" photo to HomeTours@TheNest.com. If we choose your room, Serro will give you a complimentary virtual makeover (sketch and product picks) -- and we'll publish it here on The Nest!


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