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When this young family reached out to TEW Design Studio, they weren’t dreaming of over-the-top luxury. They were envisioning something harder to find: a home that felt light, easy, and intuitive. Their existing first-floor layout was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle–rooms divided, light blocked, and storage limited. The kitchen, in particular, felt disconnected and chaotic, never quite flowing with the rhythm of daily family life. Their wish list was clear: create a minimalist, warm space with smart storage and better flow–something that felt calm in the chaos.
That’s where we came in.
We started by rethinking the layout. Walls came down (at least, the ones that could), and sightlines opened up to make the home feel more spacious and connected. The kitchen layout was completely redesigned to better serve the flow of the entire first floor. We added a large glass patio door and a new kitchen window to pull natural light into the heart of the home and create a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
Then came the smart move:
Of course, no renovation worth its salt comes without a few surprises. One of the biggest challenges was balancing the client’s desire for openness and light with their need for storage. It was a design riddle we solved through a combination of custom cabinetry, clean lines, and creative space planning.
Another plot twist? A load-bearing wall that couldn’t be removed without blowing the budget. Instead of letting it block the vision, we turned it into a custom feature wall with sleek cutouts that preserved light and flow. When we hit a similar roadblock with the soffit–thanks to a roofline that sliced right through it–we presented the cost-benefit clearly. The client made the brave choice to rework the roofline, allowing us to raise the ceiling and make room for taller cabinets and a brighter, more modern kitchen.
Even the HVAC return found a new home–and that relocation made way for a bonus serving counter near the dining area. Every obstacle became an opportunity.
What we created at North Hills Drive isn’t just a kitchen; it’s a daily experience. With layered lighting for different moods, an updated fireplace mantle for a fresh focal point, and a layout that invites connection, the entire first floor now works harder–and looks better–than ever before. The design feels minimal, but not sterile. Clean, but never cold. It’s a space that mirrors the clients’ lifestyle and evolves with them.
As they told us:
We worked with TEW to help us remodel our kitchen, living room, and dining area in our 1960s split level home in Raleigh. Rima and Frances met with us many times throughout the course of our project. They really listened to what we were looking for and incorporated all of our priorities into their design. Throughout the process Rima and her team were organized, communicative, and transparent. All of the contractors and sub-contractors that were chosen by TEW did fantastic work. We encountered a few unexpected structural issues once demo was complete but TEW walked us through our options and were very clear about how timeline and budget would be impacted in each scenario. We felt informed and supported throughout our decision making and are absolutely thrilled with the end result. We would highly recommend TEW to anyone looking for help with designing or renovating their home and look forward to working with them again ourselves in the future!
Ashley A.
For us, that’s the heart of what we do. We’re not just renovating rooms; we’re designing homes that reflect the people who live in them. Homes that make daily life a little easier, a little brighter, and a lot more inspiring.
Let’s talk about how we can transform your space to better meet your needs. It all starts with a 15-minute Discovery Call so we can understand your design needs.
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