Editor’s note: With the Decorators’ Show House & Gardens less than two months away, we asked one of the participating designers, Matthew Quinn, to keep a journal of the process, every step of the way. Today is his first installment about how one of his spaces is taking shape. Look for a new installment every week until April 17 when the Show House opens.
Matthew Quinn and the Design Galleria team
Designing three complete kitchens, three bars and seven bathrooms in two weeks is insane, but so much fun, too! And if that weren’t enough, each one had to be unique and different to complete the style of the traditional, transitional and modern residences—and have that show house “it” factor. This blog series will chronicle the journey of the design of the modern kitchen in residence 1130 of the new St. Regis Residences.
The contemporary kitchen’s layout
The space is amazing, with three sets of 10-foot-tall glass doors opening onto a huge terrace with amazing views. The space also presented many challenges, including a huge staircase, an HVAC chase running through the middle of the kitchen and ceilings as low as 8 feet in some places. I met with the architect, Becky Ferrara (love her), and the subs, and we determined exactly how much space I had to work with to carve out an interesting plan and ceiling. The plumbing could not be relocated because it would require ripping out the finished ceiling in the hotel room below. I had to incorporate all of these obstacles into the design and either hide them or celebrate them. I chose to hide them as modern design is about the complexity of keeping something simple. I wrapped the column and hid the staircase in a tall paneled wall of shallow storage facing the breakfast room with a refrigerator and breakfast garage facing the kitchen. I designed a peninsula for the main sink using the existing plumbing locations, creating an exciting and mesmerizing hood and oven wall. Below is a closer look at the unfinished space.
Before shots of the interior
I look forward to sharing the design process over the next few weeks as we approach opening day! Look for the updated pictures on the next blog sharing all of the fabulous surfaces, fixtures and finishes that were selected. Next week’s topic will be appliances. See you then!
Matthew Quinn is principal designer at Design Galleria Kitchen & Bath Studio, and also heads up his eponymous line of hardware and kitchen accessories, The Matthew Quinn Collection.
