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Publications  Cabinet-Level DecisionsHomes on tour show how kitchen's key feature should speak to the house. Sleek Sophistication The modern design of Diane Quintin's tour kitchen offers another dramatic example of how cabinets make the kitchen. Situated in a downtown condo, this kitchen was originally a cramped and inconvenient galley-style, with limited storage and limited eye appeal. The homeowners wanted a simple room with a contemporary edge. "We don't cook for large gatherings and are comfortable living in small spaces," said the homeowner, a textile industry executive who asked not to be identified. This is a second home, but the owners envision one day living there full-time, "so they wanted something similar in function and style to their existing kitchen in New York City," Quintin explained. Quintin's solution was to install cabinetry by Poggenpohl (a high-end German manufacturer), which the couple has in their Manhattan apartment. "This is the definitive contemporary cabinetry, well known for its durability, functionality and absolute German precision," said Quintin, a member of ASID. "It has a very European look and is ideal for anyone looking for a slick, contemporary feel." European kitchens are also typically smaller than ours and made to utilize every square centimeter. "Storage space was a challenge and the reason we chose this design," Quintin said. The cabinets are Swiss Pearwood, in a rich red hue with mellow golden tones. These are "visually very simple, which works well in a small space," Quintin said. To maintain a pristine look, the cabinets are book matched, which means all the grain and wood movement is completely matched throughout the whole kitchen. Keeping the look simple and uncluttered, as her clients wanted, Quintin was fastidious about hiding the appliances, including the dishwasher and a subzero refrigerator, both of which are covered by cabinet doors. "We especially like the aluminum tambour door," the homeowner said. This folds down, almost like a roll-top desk, hiding everything from the toaster to the microwave. Appliances and other accents, including the cabinet pulls, are also aluminum. "This is the hot, new metal coming out throughout Europe," Quintin said. The elongated pulls are from 14 to 30 inches long, meaning "you can grab them anywhere, making the cabinets much easier to open." The room's ultra-modern ambience is further accented by soft gray, green and taupe-honed granite counter tops; a horizontal, frosted-glass cabinet with an aluminum edge detail for dish and glass storage, and rich mahogany flooring. "The sleek materials and simple styling of the cabinets really provide the clean, minimalist look the homeowners wanted," Quintin said. In addition to their contemporary style, the cabinets reflect state-of-the-art engineering and functionality. "Virtually every area, including the corners is fully useable," Quintin said. One corner contains a carousal with automatic closing doors. High-tech amenities include self-closing doors and "touch and open" technology, with perfectly balanced hardware. "Don't even try to slam a cabinet drawer," Quintin said, laughing. "Just before it closes an automatic braking system kicks in, and the drawer closes with a whisper." < back |