Uncork and Unwind

Brass and gold tones are incorporated throughout this Matthew-Quinn designed kitchen in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta.

The gold tone of the hood is replicated throughout the kitchen in the decorative brass fittings. “Brass is timeless,” says Quinn, who explains that in order to finish the project within the deadline, he laid out all the unlacquered brass hardware in the back of his company’s offices. He then asked every employee to touch every piece each time they passed by. “Eventually, it turned into that gorgeous patina that we were going for.”

“We then translated the peening technique on the range hood’s strapping, using a much larger peening hammer,” says Quinn. The combination of brass and hammered strapping gives the hood some historical relevance, relating it to the classic home.

Quinn’s team also took the removable handle from the Wolf range and brought it to a brass plater for finishing. “It was just an extra, special touch,” he says.

Next to the Wolf range, Quinn had a gorgeous radius window installed above a farmhouse sink. “I also added extra depth to that countertop because we knew we wanted lamps there as well,” he says. “It is such a simple element, but it immediately makes it feel a little bit more furniture-like by putting lamps at the window.” The homeowner also had a unique collection of blue-toned dishes that are displayed on the wall to the left of the window.

Top left: Twin table lamps frame the radius window and farmhouse sink. Bottom left: The hood above the Wolf range is crafted from peened brass.

The color blue is repeated throughout the entire house, as both husband and wife agreed it is their dual favorite. The kitchen features light blues, while the adjacent butler's pantry has a deeper, more vivid hue. “I wanted your eye to be pulled further along,” says Quinn, “so when you're in the kitchen, you see that vibrant blue in the background. I typically make the color in pantries, or any space you can see through the kitchen, a little bit darker and more intense to draw the eyes to that space.”

The pantry houses the Sub-Zero freezer and ice maker, an additional dishwasher, and a second sink that dispenses sparkling water. Above this smaller sink is an architectural round window, in front of which hangs a tiny chandelier, another nod to the traditional style of the home.

To maintain the stylistic integrity, Quinn was compelled to come up with a clever solution to the waterfall countertop on the island, a request from the homeowners. “Waterfall countertops which cascade to the floor are typically found in modern homes and kitchens, he says. “This house was not modern in the least, but I knew we could find a way to make it work.” Quinn designed the ends of the island to look like paneled cabinetry, creating a timeless look befitting the residence. “There are very few craftsmen capable of accomplishing this technique,” says Quinn. "The veining of the countertop has to perfectly match the end panels, which cannot be achieved with one piece of marble. We ultimately needed two extra slabs, and the end result is absolutely breathtaking.”

The nearby pantry beckons with a brighter hue of blue. Opposite: A charming mini-chandelier hangs just above the pantry's porthole-style window.

Quinn has won first place in the Kitchen Design Contest before, in 2008, and also served as a judge for several years. He is cognizant of the significance of the event. “It truly is the Oscars of kitchen design,” he says. “It is the most recognizable professional honor.” Being an applicant and subsequent winner has clear benefits, but Quinn also gleaned important insight from his seasons as a judge. “The Sub-Zero group takes the entire process very seriously,” he says, “and the categories have continued to diversify.” He says he was blown away by the quality of the thousands of entries. “It really challenged us as designers to choose winners,” he says. “I think the skill level increases every year, and these kitchens get better and better. I truly loved being a judge!”

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