For a second time, Denver interior designer Debra Toney received regional accolades for her entry in the SubZero/Wolf Kitchen Design Contest.
The bi-annual event challenges kitchen aficionados nationwide to showcase functional, great-looking new kitchens for a chance at a cash prize and an Arizona resort vacation.
Having recently returned from that trip, Toney, whose upcoming projects include launching her own cabinetry company, sat down with The Denver Post to talk about her winning kitchen and the design trends she sees holding fast in spite of a lackluster economy.
Q: Tell me about the kitchen you submitted for the Sub-Zero/Wolf contest?
A: This kitchen is transitional in nature. My clients were coming (to the city) from a large house in a more suburban setting. We successfully found a transition for them by using a lot of familiar products — like subway tiles. Subway tiles are familiar, only these have been updated with glass and all these great colors. We also gave them a nice farmhouse sink.
This is a very traditional cabinetry with the recessed panels. We hyped it up with hardware and color choices. And we’ve given this kitchen some very bold stainless-steel accents. Stainless steel is really one of the dominant color choices, between the hood and the legs of this island. You can see that we’re really trying to straddle a line here. It’s traditional with a little bit of fun and playfulness.
Q: I keep reading that stainless steel is giving way to retro colors and throwback appliances, but here you use a lot of stainless steel?
A: I’m not the only one. This was something that was brought up during the SubZero/Wolf event. They still sell far more stainless steel than they do the other finishes.
Q: What else in this kitchen is reflective of what’s hot right now in kitchen design?
A: We still see that very traditional Wm Ohs look that we’re familiar with here in Denver. That’s still a very strong look in the South and in other pockets of the U.S.
We also still see some very, very contemporary, Bulthaup-looking kitchens. But that’s not right for every house.
This kitchen (reflects) a very strong emerging trend because it’s an eclectic, transitional, comfortable space. It has an element of tradition yet it’s not heavy-handed or really ornate.
Q: With all the high-end appliances, this kitchen costs roughly $150,000. If someone sees it and wants to duplicate the look on a budget, what would you suggest?
A: My background is as a speculation builder, so I really think there’s a lot good design that can be done on a tight budget. It’s the appliance package (wine cooler, refrigerator, freezer, etc.) and a custom hood that’s the real deal-breaker on the price of this kitchen. Otherwise, this is a painted (cabinet) finish, which is fairly affordable. This wood is Lyptus but could be translated into alder. With steps like that, you could certainly have this look at a pared-down price point.
Elana Ashanti Jefferson: 303-954-1957 or ejefferson@denverpost.com
