The Wright Way: The Kitchen That Has It All (Even for Dogs)

photos by Robin Bouricius

What’s the difference between a house and a home? A house is a simple noun, a place, a structure. But a home is harder to define, tied more to a feeling. A home is a place of spirit and soul, a vessel for the human expression of those who live within it. A house is empty and indifferent — but a home contains life.

For Drew and Lori Wright, remodeling the kitchen of their Centennial home

presented a chance to do something special. The couple wanted to create something unique, to transform their suburban house into something totally their own. To do that, they enlisted the talents of Terrina Reiber of Deay Studio.

“At Deay Studio we believe that great design tells a story — your story,” says Terrina. “We don’t do cookie-cutter. Every project is a collaboration, tailored to you, ensuring that no two spaces are ever the same.”

Terrina founded Deay Studio in 2020, the culmination of a decades-long passion for design and home improvement, and brought her fresh takes to the Wrights’ remodel with laser focus. “The homeowners had a laundry list of issues with their existing kitchen, so the design was tailored to solve those pain points while creating a space that fits their lifestyle,” she says. “Every design choice was intentional, solving their practical concerns while enhancing the overall feel of the home.”

Bringing the project together creatively and uniquely presented some challenges, however. In particular, a load-bearing wall puts limitations on the space that could not be avoided. The solution: partitioning off the area on the other side of the wall as a scullery that is separated from the main kitchen both physically and stylistically.

“The kitchen is a timeless blend of classic white cabinetry and warm white oak

accents, designed to feel both natural and perfect for entertaining,” explains Terrina. “The adjoining scullery is accented in a vibrant shade of blue, offering a fun

yet functional touch that makes it a standout feature.”

While the white quartz countertops and backsplashes of the kitchen gleam incandescently, the scullery has a funkier feel with its soothing blue motif and

eye-catching wallpaper. To keep these disparate spaces from clashing, the scullery’s entry is camouflaged behind cabinet doors that flank the kitchen’s cooktop. But while it is well hidden, the scullery offers plenty of pantry space, as well as a high-powered dishwasher.

The Wright’s list of key priorities for the remodel included a spacious fridge, and for that, they settled on a 48-inch French door refrigerator by Dacor. Equipped

with panels to match the surrounding cabinetry, the fridge features dual ice makers with whiskey ball ice, an auto-fill pitcher to ensure filtered water is always

on hand, and a freshzone compartment that can swap between freezer or fridge

temps depending on demand.

The 36-inch gas cooktop, also by Dacor, kicks out 19,000 BTUs with its dual-valve simmer-sear burners. Continuous grates allow pots to be slid easily across the cooktop, and a Bluetooth-connected hood can automatically adjust ventilation as needed.

Rounding out the suite of Dacor appliances in this unique kitchen, the 30-inch combination wall oven is ready for just about anything the Wrights could throw at it. The upper oven’s multifunctional speed settings combine the power of a microwave with convection technology that allows for searing, broiling and even air frying. The lower oven’s steam assist ensures baked goods are moist and meats are juicy, and, of course, the whole thing connects to Dacor’s SmartThings app, allowing for remote monitoring and operation from a smartphone.

“Dacor’s appliances are known for their precision and performance, which makes them ideal for a space designed for both everyday use and entertaining,” says Terrina. “The brand’s modern aesthetic also complements the overall design,

ensuring that the appliances seamlessly integrate into the kitchen’s clean, sophisticated look.”

“For the furry family members, we created a dedicated watering station, ensuring that the space works for everyone—human and canine alike.”

But there’s one more truly unique aspect of the kitchen that Terrina loves to

draw attention to. “For the furry family members, we created a dedicated watering

station, ensuring that the space works for everyone—human and canine alike,” she says.

Looking at the kitchen in its totality, it truly is one of the more unique and

personalized remodels around. It’s something that can only come about when a designer is deeply engaged in the project, listening and collaborating with

the homeowners.

“There are so many highlights in this remodeled kitchen, but what stands out most to me is the way all the personalized details came together to make the space

truly their own. From the stunning showcase island to the playful blue accents, every element reflects their unique style and needs,” says Terrina.

“It’s the little touches, like the dedicated watering station for their dogs, that make this kitchen not only beautiful but also functional and truly personal to them.”

The Wrights are certain to get plenty of use out of their new space, and for Terrina, the project will be something she will be showing off to demonstrate her abilities as a designer.

“We collaborated closely from start to finish, which made the design come to

life in such a meaningful way. They had a clear vision for what they wanted, but

they also trusted me to bring in creative solutions. The open communication and

their willingness to share their thoughts and ideas made for a very smooth and

enjoyable project,” she says. “I’m extremely proud of the final outcome of this remodel — it’s definitely one of my favorite projects to date. I still brag to other designers and contractors how everything came together so seamlessly.”

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Deay Studio, founded in 2020, is dedicated to creating bespoke interior design and design-build solutions that tell each client’s unique story. The studio crafts spaces that reflect individual personalities, lifestyles and aspirations by blending innovative design, quality craftsmanship and a deep commitment to personalized service. From cozy, inviting homes to vibrant and functional commercial hubs, Deay Studio ensures a seamless and enjoyable process from concept to completion. Rejecting cookie-cutter approaches, every project is a tailored collaboration, resulting in thoughtful, one-of-a-kind environments that feel authentically yours. www.deaystudio.com