For 15 years, Caleb Tobin—husband of Duet Design founder and principal Devon Tobin—has watched his wife build a beautiful and powerful brand, under which she has run both Duet Design and, most recently, Duet Build. Now, the firms are pleased to announce Caleb’s new role as owner and president of Duet Build!
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE DUET BRAND?
DEVON AND CALEB TELL (ALMOST) ALL:
Why are you taking this role?
Caleb: It’s the natural next step in my career. To run Duet Build, to create a great atmosphere and culture in a high-end residential firm, that feels like the alignment of all of my experience and expertise. I’ve loved construction my entire life, so maybe it was inevitable that I’d run a construction company one day.
You’re each running your own firm, but there’s some overlap in systems, ideas, and culture. Are either of you nervous about working under one brand (and so closely together)?
Devon: Every business owner knows: It’s hard to partner with just anybody. When Caleb decided to join forces with me, I felt the weight of the world fall off my shoulders. I’m obsessed with him—not just because he’s my husband, but because whatever he does, he does it just about perfectly.
Caleb: Devon is really good at running a business. She’s also more of a hard ass than I am.
Devon (laughing): Agreed.
Caleb: She’s very respectful of clients, and she doesn’t get pushed around by anyone in the industry. I respect her so much—she runs a company that has a great culture, a great vibe, and her business focuses on creating an exceptional product. So no, no nerves on my end.
Explain this concept: Duet is a brand with an interior-design firm and a construction company, but Duet is not a design-build firm (an approach to building that provides design and construction services under one roof).
Caleb: We want to give our clients options: If they’re just looking for an excellent interior designer, they can hire just Duet Design. If they’re just looking for a great general contractor, they can hire just Duet Build. Sometimes, with a design-build firm, you’re getting a very good contractor who will contract with an architect who’s not fully integrated into the business or the culture. That project can suffer because there’s nobody truly overseeing the whole project. They’re just each doing their own thing.
But with the Duet companies, if a client hires both of us, they get a fully integrated team that’s used to collaborating. Bottom line: The choice belongs to the client.
You talk about shared core values in your respective leadership roles and your companies. What are they?
Devon: Authenticity and integrity. And the commitment to do what you say you’re gonna do when you say you’re gonna do it.
Caleb: We both love great buildings and beautiful design, and we think it matters how a space is created. A client should enjoy this process of making a beautiful home.
Despite these shared values, how are you different?
Devon: He tends to be far more laid back, more introspective. He processes big ideas internally before he expresses them. And I am the complete opposite. Everything that I process is an outward expression. In some ways, we are completely polar opposite personalities, but we somehow meet perfectly in the middle. We do it with raising our children, and now we’ll do it as we each lead our respective Duet companies.
What can clients expect from Duet Build, now that Caleb has taken the helm?
Caleb: Devon has created a sought-after, luxury brand. Duet Build is going to continue to earn that Duet reputation for being a company that serves clients better than anyone else and creates a beautiful end product. Plus, we’re going to boost the company’s capacity to serve clients in Colorado’s High Country: We want to be the builder of choice for homeowners across the Rocky Mountain West.
AND NOW FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND. READY, SET…
FAVORITE SKI SPOT
Devon: Vail for the legendary back bowls and après, Winter Park for the locals’ vibe. I like options.
Caleb: Winter Park, although I like pretty much all of them.
BEST LIVE-MUSIC EXPERIENCE IN COLORADO:
Devon: Red Rocks—part magic, part cardio. The only place where hiking boots and heels both work.
Caleb: Red Rocks, but with reserved seats near the stage (I’m too old to elbow my way into a seat anymore).
WHAT’S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND:
Devon: A stack of books I will finish, chapstick (hydration is key), and hand lotion because Colorado is ruthless.
Caleb: A clock and a book I started 2 years ago
FIRST PLACE YOU TAKE VISITORS TO IN DENVER:
Devon: Union Station is historic, beautiful, and full of great food, making Denver look extra cool.
Caleb: Usually somewhere for food and a beer
DATE NIGHT WITH THE TOBINS:
Devon: Dinner, cocktails, and a valiant effort not to talk about work… which lasts about 15 minutes.
Caleb: We do date night every single week; it almost always includes dinner at one of three places: Cherry Creek Grill, Hillstone, or Satchels on 6th.
WHAT YOU ADMIRE MOST ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE:
Devon: His unshakable calm, his ability to build anything, and his willingness to put up with me.
Caleb: Her drive to be the best, a true passion for designing, and other things I can’t mention here…
THE SECRET TO A GORGEOUS HOUSE IS…
Devon: Good lighting, intentional design, and accepting that perfection is overrated. Homes are meant to be lived in—red wine spills and all.
Caleb: Quality over quantity