Clean Edit
In this 2022 Kitchen of the Year winner, a contemporary high-rise kitchen by ROBIN BURNETT DESIGN offers a fresh start—with streamlined elegance
When a couple made the move from a single-family home to a penthouse in the heart of Atlanta, they also traded in a traditional design aesthetic for clean and contemporary. And they brought their go-to designer Robin Burnett along for the ride. “My clients wanted to transition to an easier lifestyle, and part of that included shifting to a streamlined style,” says Burnett.
Sleek contrasting cabinetry—wood veneer and white lacquer—by famed Italian brand Pedini lays the foundation for the penthouse’s kitchen. Quartz stone for both the backsplash and counters was an easy decision, as marble in the clients’ former home proved hard to maintain. And in lieu of conventional hardware, a combination of finger grooves and push touch latches further the couple’s goal to “create a space without visible extras,” notes Burnett.
While the kitchen takes on a minimalistic approach, it does not lack in functionality. Luxe appointments from a Gaggenau steam oven to an induction cooktop as well as multiple refrigeration systems and dishwashers make both cooking and hosting easy and enjoyable experiences. A custom wine wall inspired by one at The Breakers Palm Beach showcases more than 600 bottles and allows the couple to share with guests their passion for wine collected during their travels both abroad and stateside.
When the couple is not entertaining, however, an adjacent morning kitchen serves as the daily workhorse. Housed behind smoky glass doors, the morning kitchen features a sink, coffee maker, toaster, fridge, microwave and dishwasher, plus a stainless steel pullout for additional prep space. “They didn’t want all the smaller day-to-day appliances to be in the main kitchen,” says Burnett. “It’s a more personal space where they can make a cup of coffee before going to work or pour a glass of wine at night.”
No matter the time of day though, panoramic city views are the penthouse’s crowning jewel. “That’s essentially what guided us,” says Burnett. “Aesthetically, it all needed to be a quiet support for what was happening outside.”
Design Details Kitchen and Interior designer Robin Burnett Design Architect Lord Aeck Sargent Builder Brasfield & Gorrie Developer The Loudermilk Companies CABINETRY and HOOD Pedini COUNTERtopS and BACKSPLASH Cambria COUNTER STOOLS and DINING TABLE LIGHT FIXTURE R Hughes ISLAND LIGHT FIXTURE Visual Comfort PENDANT LIGHTS Lightology MORNING KITCHEN LIGHT FIXTURE Lighting Merchant WINE WALL Wine Trend
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