Kitchen Design Tips from Matthew Quinn's Quintessential Kitchens
Boston Design Week was jam-packed with many informational seminars and presentations for the Boston Design Community and the public to enjoy. One that was sure not to miss was the presentation by award-winning luxury kitchen designer Matthew Quinn.
Meet Award-Winning Designer Matthew Quinn
Matthew Quinn has won the House Beautiful 2016 Kitchen of the Year award and has designed kitchens for the Kips Bay Show House. The Kips Bay Show House is an event where interior designers decorate a Manhattan mansion. This annual event raises funds for Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club programs to benefit New York City children. The audience at the Tuesday Design Week presentation was fortunate enough to listen to Matthew Quinn sharing his kitchen and bath design tips and releasing his new book Quintessential Kitchens.
Here are some of his most noted kitchen design tips.
The Secrets of Dramatic Design
Matthew started his presentation by sharing some interesting statistics, like 43% of men cook 3 times a week, whereas most women spend less time in the kitchen on an average of 2 times per week.
When designing a kitchen with high ceilings (for example, a 22’ x 62’ space...imagine that), Matthew brings backsplash tile up to the ceiling line instead of having wall cabinets reach the ceiling, making them not easily accessible. Another tip Matthew shared was instead of using recessed lighting, he prefers to use wall sconce lighting installed high above the upper cabinets.
A feature a lot of clients ask for is double wall ovens. Instead of following standard practices, Matthew likes to install two single wall ovens adding an open cabinet with glass doors to the center of the oven wall providing symmetrical balance. For that European kitchen feel, handmade wall tiles installed to the ceiling with floating shelves for storing everyday dishes are another tip that keeps the kitchen open.
One of his signature design techniques is mixing metals. Mixing brass and stainless is noticed in almost every kitchen design he creates, especially on his range hood designs and the hardware on cabinet doors and drawers. Again, Matthew incorporates lighting sconces over windows instead of recessed ceiling lighting.
For a classic look on countertops, he suggests using honed countertops and polished backsplash tile. One of my favorite design tips was his tip for when clients request expensive metal windows. Instead of going this route, he shared his resource. Kolbe wood window company is a company that makes windows with the smallest mullions that look like metal when painted.
If a floor-to-ceiling wine cabinet is desired, Matthew uses glass shower door enclosures, one on the left side of the wall for white wine and one on the right for reds. The center of the wall can be used for cabinets, shelving, and barware.
Quintessential Kitchens – Design Tips
Some additional classic design tips that Matthew shared in his talk and has written about in his book, Quintessential Kitchens, include:
Open shelving and wall sconce lighting
Mixing of metals stainless and brass on the range hood
Polished backsplash tile, honed countertop, iron-look window, wall sconce lighting, and mixing of metals on shelf brackets
Use wall sconces instead of recessed can lighting for high kitchen walls
Install large backsplash tiles to the ceiling line for a kitchen with high ceilings
Install two single ovens instead of one double oven
Store everyday dishes on upper floating shelves instead of upper cabinets
Honed countertops and a polished backsplash provide a classic look
Use shower door enclosures to create a floor-to-ceiling wine cabinet
Matthew Quinn's new book Quintessential Kitchens is well worth the purchase price. The book is filled with design resources for someone interested in designing their kitchen or bath. In his book, you will learn some of the secrets of his incredible designs so you can incorporate them into your own home!
About Debbe Daley
Debbe Daley is one of New England’s leading interior design experts in the design, decorating, and styling of interior spaces. She is a professional speaker, educator, influencer, and business coach in interior design. Debbe is currently an installed Design Services member for the Boston Design Center.
Contact Debbe at ddaley@daleydesigns.com or (978) 697-0288.
