This week, Thermador will be showcased in House Beautiful’s 9^th annual Kitchen of the Year. This year’s incredible show home is located in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia and is designed by Matthew Quinn, principal of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio, and author of “Quintessential Kitchens by Matthew Quinn: Volume One.”

We were given the opportunity to chat with Matthew about the home, the family that will be moving in and the overall design inspiration for the kitchen – the heart of the home. Read on to see what he has to say!

Thermador: We know that the design process always begins with getting to know the client. Tell us a little bit about the homeowner.

Matthew Quinn: The homeowner is a new mom of twin eight-month-old boys. She is a very independent and busy professional.

THD: How did you explore her design style and how did you bring it to life in the home?

MQ: I find that the easiest way to get to know a client’s personal style is to go visit their closet – with their permission of course! The closet is the best indicator of a client’s level of formality, color preference and how much risk they’re willing to take. I also pay special attention to their choice of jewelry as it speaks to their personality. The client for this home loves purses and handbags, she loves color and she likes crisp lines. We decided to use a neutral gray color palette with pops of color and introduced some organic shapes to balance the linearity– it’s a blend of different styles. I translated this to her kitchen design through the light fixtures and decorative hardware, that’s where we brought in the “bling.” I also designed the kitchen to be crisp, like a Chanel suit, but also relaxed and fun like the homeowner.

THD: Did you stick to a specific design style – traditional, modern, etc.?

MQ:  There’s not really a specific style that we followed – the accessories and design details are an eclectic mix. The homeowner really wanted finishes that are easy to clean and maintain, especially in the kitchen. We selected a tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and incorporated pops of color in accessories. There’s also a great combination of mixed metals like stainless steel, brass and polished nickel.

THD: Tell us about the kitchen – does the homeowner enjoy cooking and entertaining?

MQ: Before she had kids the homeowner loved to cook, but now she’s very excited to create kid friendly, healthy dishes for her boys once they can eat, which will be very soon. She creates a fantastic Asian turkey meatloaf with hidden vegetables, mashed potatoes and melt in your mouth Brussel sprouts! She also has a fantastic group of girlfriends that she will often host and bring together in her home.

THD: What appliances were selected for the kitchen?

MQ: This is the first residential kitchen to host the brand new Thermador 60” Pro Grand® Range, which has a double griddle, a steam and convection oven, a convection oven and a warming drawer. The Pro Grand® Range really does it all and it is truly the star of the home. For refrigeration in the home, we included a custom paneled Thermador 30” built-in refrigerator and an 18” freezer. The butler’s pantry also features a new built-in coffee system, a microwave and the new 24” double drawer refrigerator and 24” wine refrigerator, which are both installed under the counter.

The House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year will be open to the public on Saturday, May 14^th between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., as well as on Sunday May 15^th between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., with a special book signing with designer Matthew Quinn at 1 p.m. The house is located at 91 Park Circle, parking is not available on site but shuttles are available. For more information, visit www.housebeautiful.com/KOTY.