Being a typical flat in San Francisco, the kitchen was utilitarian and separated from other spaces in the home. Fortunately, it was at the rear of the home next to a living room, with views over the Mission District. We set to work removing the wall between the kitchen and the living area, creating a great room space for the family to come together. Instead of a fixed kitchen island, we proposed a unique detail for the smaller great room – a custom-made picnic bench for meals and prep. The table is more flexible than an island, allowing them to push the benches underneath and around the space, depending on their needs for the space.