Hawaii Home + Remodeling • 3rd August 2024

Moiliili: Contemporary Living for our Kupuna - Hawaii Home + Remodeling

Hale Makana o Moiliili is a modern affordable housing complex for local kupuna. The project was inspired by the rich agricultural history of Moiliili, a neighborhood in Honolulu that was once abundant with kalo and rice fields. Architectural firm AHL designed Hale Makana O Moiliili with accessibility and comfort in mind. Honored for excellence in the 2023 BIA-Hawaii Building Industry Design and Construction Awards, Hale Makana O Moiliili exemplifies smart and sustainable living in its 80 studio,...

Hawaii Home + Remodeling • 2nd April 2024

Tools of the Trade - Hawaii Home + Remodeling

Living in older homes in the Islands comes with more things to fix, upkeep or renovate. In addition to the price of materials, constantly purchasing tools for DIY repairs can be expensive. Sometimes, homeowners only need to use a tool once or twice and may never pick that tool up again — for people with minimal storage space, this can become problematic. HNL Tool Library was established as a cost-effective and sustainable solution for these issues. Founded in 2015 by Elia Bruno, who was a studen...

Hawaii Home + Remodeling • 31st January 2024

Hawaii Design with a Global Perspective

As a child born in the Philippines and traveling through Hawaii, Asia and Australia, Krsta Matepi’s early exposure to different cultures catalyzed her curiosity for art and design. Now making her home and career in Hawaii, the Australian interior designer says the Islands’ “indoor-outdoor” way of life has always felt familiar. “It was an easy transition with family and the similar indoor-outdoor lifestyle between Australia and Hawaii. I think that lifestyle connection helped me understand clien

Hawaii Home + Remodeling • 25th January 2024

Therapy Through Your Home

Anita Yokota is a well-rounded creative who draws from her licensed background in therapy to design homes with intention. She is a blogger, an interior designer, an established digital content creator, and recently, a bestselling author. Her work, she says, is inspired by a love and passion for helping others to become the most authentic versions of themselves from the “inside out.” Yokota’s designs always start with her clients’ relationships with each other and their homes. “What about your r

Hawaii Home + Remodeling • 30th November 2023

Kitchen Cabinetry That Maximizes Space for Ohana

As a schoolteacher and working mother of three, Blair Morrison wanted an “island modern” kitchen built around the needs of her busy ohana. With grown children who come to visit home from college, including athletic teenagers who are always on the go, Morrison’s goal was to create a clean and minimal clutter-free kitchen space where the family could gather and enjoy each other’s company. By crafting stunning kitchen cabinetry with durable materials and clever storage solutions, Hawaii Kitchen...

Hawaii Home + Remodeling • 4th October 2023

A Bathroom Remodel with Peace of Mind

Homeowner Elizabeth Yee’s new master bathroom is timeless and inspired by Zen, and the sophisticated, well-traveled woman says she finds calmness and peace here every chance she gets. Drawing from principles of quiet rejuvenation — “Zen” is a Japanese derivative of the Sanskrit word for meditation — Yee’s Waialae Iki home embodies the concepts of stillness and purity. Ion Builders worked alongside interior designer Brandie Kasula and The Glass Guru of Honolulu to bring Yee’s bathroom remodel to

Hawaii Home + Remodeling • 2nd October 2023

A Waikiki Condo Renovation Inspired by Sands, Sea and Sky

In a world full of distractions, having a balanced and harmonious space is key. To create that space in his two-bedroom, two-bath Waikiki condo, architectural designer Alvin Hwang incorporated his affinity for Hawaii’s majestic mountains and clear waters. Hwang says he felt called to Hawaii for years, and just two years ago, he left his busy life in San Francisco to make his way to the Islands. “When I first came to Hawaii, I saw the mountains from the plane and almost cried,” explains Hwang. “

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

This North Shore Farm's Fire Pit Exudes Rustic Charm

Imagine living in a remote area of the Waianae range, looking over unobstructed views of the North Shore. Behind you are green mountain ridges and a forest full of wildlife. During the cooler winter months, you lounge around a glowing fire with loved ones while sipping on hot cocoa and gazing upon the twinkling stars of a clear night sky. The rustic cabins of Hawaii, California and Oregon were the inspiration for this simple farm-style fire pit outside a Waialua home on Oahu’s North Shore. Buil

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

Add Some Green to Your Home with the Fiddle Leaf Fig

Plants are a key component to consider when decorating your home — they purify the air and help bring the beauty of the outdoors in. Lighten up your space with the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). The fiddle leaf fig’s huge light-catching leaves and its ability to easily adapt to the environment make it one of the most desired houseplants today. “This tree will instantly make any room feel more inviting,” says Katie Hachmeister of City Mill, which carries these houseplants. “Having plants around,

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

Feel the Love with These Stylish, Modern Loveseats

Lounging around with your significant other gets even more advanced with power-reclining loveseats. These loveseats allow you to adjust your headrest, back and even your feet, making it easier to get comfortable beside your partner. Choose from these options and get even closer this Valentine’s Day — and every day. Isabella Power Loveseat in white, from HomeWorld Furniture (featured above) May Dual Reclining Loveseat with Power Headrests in dark gray top grain leather, from INspiration Interio

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

Give the Gift of Upgraded Kitchen Essentials This Season

The holidays are spent in the kitchen — cooking sides on the stove, baking cookies in the oven and storing delicious food in the refrigerator. With that in mind, it’s important to have functional appliances that won’t let you down when guests are in town. Whether buying for yourself or giving them as a gift for a loved one — perhaps your adult child is making the move to homeownership, buying a fixer-upper of his or her own — new appliances can make all the difference when making home-cooked mea

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

5 Tips for Designing the Kitchen of Your Dreams

If you’re considering a kitchen renovation, we’ve got excellent expert advice for you. Certified kitchen designer Shelley Tanner, recipient of the 2019 National Kitchen & Bath Association – Aloha Chapter’s Distinguished Kitchen & Bath Designer award, shares her advice on how to create your dream kitchen. Tanner, of John Cook Kitchens, has designed hundreds of home spaces and has won numerous awards during her 26 years of experience in the industry. “Kitchens are the heart of the home and people

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

5 Tips to Organize your Pantry

The kitchen pantry is a place where you grab what you need and go. Whether you’re looking for something to snack on or searching for ingredients to cook a meal, having a clean and organized pantry will allow you to navigate through your stock with ease. California Closets offers a wide range of customizable storage options for anywhere in the home — including the kitchen pantry. Open baskets, drawers, pullout shelves and vertical shelves neatly store not only food items, but also pots, pans and

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

Add Some Bling to Your Bathroom

Add a grand piece of jewelry to your bathroom with a chandelier. The elegant lighting fixtures have long been popular in dining rooms and living spaces, and now homeowners are bringing a little “bling” to their bathrooms, too. “It’s not so out of reach anymore, and it has become a normal request for homeowners after viewing bath inspirations in magazines and television shows,” says Cris Johnson, president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association Aloha Chapter and owner of Hawaii Kitchen & Bat

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

The Annual Interior Design Event You Can't Afford to Miss

Have you ever thought about meeting with an interior designer? Maybe you’ve started a home project but need help from a professional. Attend Design Impacts Lives this Saturday this Saturday to get all of your design-related questions answered. The Hawaii chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers is hosting its second annual Design Impact Lives event on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Na Lama Kukui. Attend some or all of the full-day event to learn the upsides of hiring an interior designer, as

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

6 Chandeliers that Make a Statement in Your Bathroom

Choosing the perfect chandelier for a bathroom can be tricky, but once you find the right “bling for your bath,” you won’t regret it. Before choosing a chandelier, there are many things homeowners should consider, such as the size of the bathroom, style preference, longevity of metals, and whether the product has a damp or wet-rated UL or ETL certification. Jacqui Garzo of Lighting Elegance explains that having a damp or wet rated light fixture is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a ch

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

5 Creative Ideas for Hosting Family During the Holidays

Hosting guests for the holidays can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. With clever design, we’re lucky to have furniture that can easily be expanded and contracted. If you prepare in advance, you can provide guests with a comfortable and welcoming holiday experience without compromising the space of your personal home. 1. Leave a thankful message for your guests in the kitchen. What better way to spread the Thanksgiving spirit than by displaying a thankful message to your guests? This ad

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

How to Design your Dream Closet

As families grow, their storage and organization needs change, making it challenging to keep up. The freedomRail closet system, available from Simply Organized, is a smart and flexible solution. This closet system allows homeowners to change key components of the system, keeping items organized and daily life stress-free. Not only is it easy to install and adjustable, it is also strong, affordable and stylish. “The system offers storage solutions for every room in the house — it is for anyone wh

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

How To Choose and Style Your Own Personal Vanity

A personal vanity is like a haven – it should be a comfortable space to sit down, relax and get ready. Especially useful for those living in small spaces or for couples with only one bathroom, a dedicated vanity frees up the bathroom mirror for a partner to use, making it easier to share space and time. When choosing a vanity for your bedroom, think about the different features you want it to include. For instance, if counter space is a priority, a vanity with a hidden mirror and storage compar

Hawaii Home Remodeling • 1st June 2020

Tech-Savvy Holiday Gift Ideas for Everyone in the Family

Surprise each family member with a tech-savvy gift this holiday season! Technology is ubiquitous and constantly evolving, allowing everyone in the family a chance to experience new advances. Gift each family member with one (or more) of these tech-savvy gadgets. 1. Parents on the go can control the temperature of their coffee with this mug. Ember Travel Mug, $180, available from ember.com. Help grandma or grandpa feel more comfortable with a reclining chair. Prodigy Contemporary Power Swivel G