DESIGNERS: Clover Design (Heather Bensko) & Karin Patriquin Architect

PROJECT GOALS: The owners of Zinc approached Clover Design and Karin Patriquin about re-designing their 10-year-old restaurant on Chapel Street in New Haven. Zinc  has a faithful following in and around New Haven, for the quality of their local foods, for the urban ambience and for their menu – both old favorites and new additions. The goal was to create a unified and updated look for the restaurant while highlighting the various zones in the long narrow space.

RESULTS: A strategic use of materials and sources create a meaningful change to the look and feel of the restaurant. Metal chainmail curtains create the divisions between the various zones and both obscure and reflect views. The bar area’s new acoustic clouds provide sound reduction in this potentially noisy area, while creating a special, intimate feel. We also sourced new lighting, carpet, wall finishes, and other accessories to support the various areas.

The result: an elegant palette of soft neutrals with highlights in various metals, creating a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.

From Donna Curran, co-owner and manager of Zinc (and Kitchen Zinc):

‘Restaurants like beach houses are in constant need of being smartened up. How quickly yesterday’s chic becomes today’s tiredness. So we were thrilled that Karin & Heather were able to give Zinc a smart new look yet somehow preserve the spirit and the quality of the original design. Small changes are the key. We have much better lighting at the bar. The insertion of chain mail curtains adds to the ‘Zinc theme’ and gives a new transparency to the space. We have changed the palette of the interior to a mint green and metalic to add lightness to the interior. Our customers clearly like and enjoy the space and we find it easy and efficient to work in. So we are doubly pleased that the new Zinc is like a lively offspring of the old Zinc. Oh and I should mention that we have completely updated our kitchen so that Denise and her talented team can provide yet more new and innovative menus and ideas for lunching and dining in style in the best of taste.’

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COMMERCIAL:

Zinc Restaurant | Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament | Kitchen Zinc | FuZion Medical Aesthetic Boutique | Chestnut Building | Minneapolis Public Library | 731 Lexington Avenue

RESIDENTIAL:
Christ Episcopal Church Rectory | Guest House, Madison, CT | Residence, Guilford, CT