16 Great Buys for $5K

KITCHEN AIDE

Photo courtesy of Dacor

One teaspoon oregano, 1/4-cup brown sugar and Ão/oo how much salt? Thanks to Dacor’s innovative Digital Entertainment Center DKEC245, culinary help is as close as the nearest cookbook and it’s easier to navigate. Look up recipes online or get advice from TV cooking shows, all from the flip-down screen.

Dacor’s 12-inch, liquid-crystal display (LCD) monitor responds to touch and comes with two stylus wands for easy click-searching and channel changing. The wireless (and waterproof!) remote control and keyboard add surfing options. Installed under kitchen cabinetry, the smooth, stainless steel system is complete with wireless Internet capabilities and a DVD/CD player, and is FM radio and TV ready.

Dacor has provided modern kitchen-appliance solutions for more than 30 years. This family-owned company, based in California, features personal gourmet coffee makers, ranges and cooktops, microwaves, ovens and outdoor grills.

Digital Entertainment Center DKEC245, $2,500. Dacor, 800-793-0093, www.dacor.com. -MK

CLOSET SPACE

Photo courtesy of ORG.

When home designs become reality, closets are typically the most mistreated spaces. Make the door swing into the closet? “You just lost 30 inches of wall space,” says Kamuela Potter, of Organized Living. She is serious about bestowing upon closets the organizational aesthetics and utility they deserve. When her work is through, closets are no longer overstuffed, hideaway rooms concealed from guests.

With Organized Living’s ORG system, that cave where wardrobes go to die becomes a master showpiece worth trumpeting. The exclusive, wall-mounted ORG system uses a patented track to hold more than 1,200 pounds per eight-foot section of 3/4-inch, industrial-grade, laminate particle board. Choose from a litany of storage-solution configurations: double-hang sections, wrapped corner shelves and continuous top shelves to maximize space; drawers eliminate the need for a bedroom dresser; and open shelving and cube shoe cubbies store everything else. Add optional accessories, such as hampers, baskets, belt racks, tie racks, valet rods, velvet-lined jewelry trays, ironing boards and wall safes.

Available in white (or wood, for 20 percent more), ORG’s laminate is scratch resistant, easy to clean and comes with Potter’s investment-protecting guarantee: “There’s a lifetime replacement warranty to cover defects on closet parts, as long as the home is owned by the original customers.”

Master bedroom, his-and-hers closet, $3,000. Organized Living, 94-547 Ukee St., Unit 307, 678-0096, www.orgliving.com. -DA

RED, WHITE & CHILL

Photo courtesy of Sub-Zero

Whether in the formal living room or dining area, the family space or kitchen, the Sub-Zero/Wolf 424FS Free-Standing wine cooler keeps wine on hand and at exactly the right temperature.

The 424FS wine cooler chills 46 bottles of wine in two separate, individually temperature-controlled compartments. It also has ideal humidity levels for reds and whites. The stainless steel exterior, along with cherry-wood-faced shelving, makes this cooler a unique accent piece that does not require surrounding cabinets. With UV-resistant, glass-panel doors or solid doors, the 424FS protects fragile wines. An optional lock and tie-in to home security systems keeps valued collections secure.

From Sub-Zero/Wolf comes a complete line of high-end appliances to fulfill every kitchen need. Refrigerators, ranges, hoods and microwaves make for a perfect gourmet kitchen.

Sub-Zero/Wolf 424FS Free-Standing Wine Cooler, $2,959. 938 Piikoi St., 597-1669, www.subz.com. -MK

SEA OF GLASS

Photo courtesy of Joe Dwight Stained Glass

Self-taught glass artist Joseph Dwight began his work in the late ’70s as a hobby. Now a highly skilled professional, Dwight custom draws and pieces together intricate, colored-glass windows, which can be seen throughout Hawaii. Recent projects include 32 windows with life-size representations of the Stations of the Cross for a Catholic church on Oahu, and smaller projects, such as sidelight panels and inset windows with orchids and heliconia for private homes’ front doors.

“Colored glass brightens whatever room it is in. It’s a really impressive media because it changes with light conditions throughout the day,” Dwight says. No longer working with glass that is actually stained, he says that mosaic windows are now made from pigmented glass that has different textures and densities. He orders several thousand pounds of glass several times each year to keep his window-making options seemingly endless.

Dwight’s process, after a window is commissioned, begins by collecting ideas from the homeowner. He sketches until the homeowner says, “That’s it,” then, cuts and sets the glass. Thus, each colored-glass window Dwight creates is unique.

Glass window, $165 per square foot. Joe Dwight Stained Glass, 261-3514 or 291-0468, www.joedwightstainedglass.com. -MK

CLEANING MACHINE

Photo courtesy of Miele

Although your budget might not include a Mercedes or BMW, it is possible to upgrade to a dishwasher of an equivalently superlative, German-engineered echelon. The new Miele G 2000 Series is the S-class of cleaner-uppers.

It is hard to decide which of the G 2000 dishwashers’ luxuries to extol first: their adaptable good looks or sophisticated performance. A full or partially cabinet-integrated G 2000 blends seamlessly with your dŽcor and operates so quietly, you can’t hear it over a pot of boiling water. It’s almost as if these polite German uberdishwashers were designed to be neither seen nor heard.

If only the models with stainless, white or black finish could be so humble. Like this Diamante model, they ooze a utopian, futuristic aesthetic that would make the Jetson’s jealous.

Not content to be just another pretty face, the G 2000 line is also brainy: “It can be programmed not only for dish types, but what was served on the dish,” points out Lori Dolnick, Miele spokesperson. “You can program for baked-on cheese, for example, or for the sanitization of baby bottles.”

Diamante dishwasher, G 2000 Series, from $949 to $1,999. Miele, 888-346-4354, www.miele.com. -DA

UPLIFTING ASSISTANCE

Photo courtesy of Access Lifts of Hawaii

Access Lifts of Hawaii’s goal is to bring residential and commercial buildings into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To do this, the company makes elevated parts of homes accessible, so that the elderly and disabled can enjoy these spaces as well. Access Lifts’ reliable and affordable stair lifts, pool lifts, ramps and elevators turn stairways and other vertical distances into surmountable hurdles.

For staircases, Access Lifts recommends its Stair Lift, by Stannah. Useful indoors and outdoors, this stairway chair lift can be installed on straight or curving stairways. The Stair Lift glides on a slim rail that is easily installed onto existing stairways. It features remote controls to send the chair to either end, directional controls under both armrests, and a low-pressure joy stick.

For safety, the chair swivels, so that its back can block the stairway when it reaches the top. A key-switch is installed, so the chair can be turned off when not in use. The lift’s chairs come in several fabric colors to match existing dŽcor.

Stannah Stair Lift, starting at $4,500. Access Lifts of Hawaii, 1525 Young St., 955-4387, www.accessliftshawaii.com. -MK

CONVECTION PERFECTION

Photos courtesy of Thermador

At Servco Home and Appliance Showroom, you’ll find a lot of high-tech heat. The cutting-edge Thermador Induction Cooktop turns pots and pans into heat sources. This is accomplished by an electromagnet element, like the burner that, when turned on, creates a magnetic field. When a metal pan comes into contact with this magnetic field, the energy is transferred and heats it.

According to Lisa Yamaguchi, of Servco, “It’s perhaps the most revolutionary advancement in surface cooking technology available today.” Because the heating process is faster, induction cooking slashes cook times. It saves cleanup time, too, because the space-age cooking surface remains cool. The cooktops are also available in a number of Hybrid Electric/Induction configurations.

For the perfect complement, pair it with a Thermador Convection Warming Drawer, to keep your freshly induction-heated meal hot until late guests arrive. The combined power of the 600-watt glass and ceramic heating surface and the drawer’s 400-watt convection heater quickly and evenly distributes heat to a stack of serving plates. Convenient features include a user-friendly digital display, electronic timer, hot-surface indicator and an automatic shut-off feature. Thermador Convection Warming Drawers are available in 36-inch and 30-inch widths.

Thermador Induction Cooktops range from $1,539 to $2,749. Thermador Convection Warming Drawer, $1,368 (30-inch), $1,618 (36-inch). Servco Home and Appliance Showroom, 2841 Pukoloa St., 564-2493, www.servcoappliance.com. -DA

SAFELY BLOCKED

Photo courtesy of Hawaii Glass Block

Glass-block windows and walls let in natural light while maintaining privacy and security. Pittsburgh/Corning Glass Block, from Hawaii Glass Block, has a slight distortion, which prevents passersby from seeing inside. Plus, these six-by-six-inch or eight-by-eight-inch blocks are double-paned, making it virtually impossible for intruders to gain access into a home through them.

Hawaii Glass Block recommends its classic style for shower walls, interior walls and windows. It breaks up rooms without adding visual barriers, and keeps an open feel throughout smaller spaces.

Hawaii Glass Block, with a dedicated team of eight staffers, offers personal attention and reliable service. The company creates three-dimensional drawings of its glass blocks in place, giving clients even more say in how their glass-block partitions, walls or windows are designed.

Pittsburgh/Corning Glass Block, up to 80-square feet for $5,000. Hawaii Glass Block, 284 Kalihi St., 841-2565, www.hawaiiglassblock.com. -MK

IN THE CHILL

(above) Duct-free split air conditioning system, in blue . Photo courtesy of Nexair . (below) Duct-free split air conditioning systems, impressionist series

Nexair will deliver your interior design from the tyranny of ugly air conditioners. Nexair is Hawaii’s exclusive wholesale distributor for LG air-conditioning systems, including the extremely popular Art Cool Series. The long overdue, but nonetheless welcome, hit feature is the customizable art panel, as seen on the duct-free 9000 BTU Art Cool Mini-Split Single Zone system. The two-foot-by-two-foot frame panel is perfect for displaying your favorite portrait, artwork or swatch of wall covering. No more hideous AC grills on the wall.

Other svelte Art Cool Series models come with designer front panels in metallic, mirror and faux-wood finishes in a variety of contemporary colors. Behind their fancy facades whirl twin, energy-efficient compressors, with environmentally friendly refrigerant and an onboard ionic air purifier.

LG systems are known for reliability and performance, according to Albert Hahn, of Nexair. “They’re some of the quietest units on the market,” he says, and they carry among the best warranties.

Contact Nexair for a list of recommended contractors qualified to install LG Air Conditioning Systems.

LG 9000 BTU Art Cool model, $2,100, including installation. Nexair, 334 Kalihi St., 791-2070, ext. 121, www.nexaircorp.com. -DA

ON TOP OF IT

Protective coating, photo courtesy of Murakami Roofing

If you’ve been saving for a rainy day you might want to check the condition of your roof. It could be time for one of three maintenance steps, provided by Murakami Roofing.

One popular preventative measure is acrylic coating, which halts the breakdown of the roofing membrane and protects it from UV rays and the harsh saltwater climate. “Usually, it’s something you want to do to your low-slope roof every three to five years,” suggests Clinton Murakami. With a five-year material warranty, protective coating will cost around $5,000 for an average three- to four- bedroom house.

Halfway into a roof’s warranty is the time for leak prevention. Replacement shinglesÑor hot asphalt on a flat roofÑget the job done without risking further damage to your home, all for less than $2,000.

If the money for full roof repair is as spent as your roof, consider piecemeal repairs. “We can do a partial reroof for worst-hit areas,” says Murakami. “Those are under $5,000,” and can be done one section at a time. If the same materials are used, the completed job will still be eligible for a warranty, a staple of Murakami Roofing: “If I can’t give a warranty, I won’t do a repair.”

Murakami Roofing, 348-8270. -DA

PACIFIC BASIN

Photo courtesy of Lokahi Stone

Looking for something outstanding for your bathroom? Try a unique work of functional art where most homes have just a boring sink. Decorative concrete specialist Lokahi Stone will hand-craft custom sinks that incorporate the style and dimensions of your bathroom design.

The Custom Ramp Sink features slate, jade and quartzite inlays in the drain channel and front reliefÑ elements chosen by the homeowners and designers. With 14 standard shadesÑplus several custom color optionsÑthere’s a perfect concrete match or contrast to enrich any design scheme.

“These are not Ôoff-the-shelf’ items, and we encourage the clients to get involved in the creation of each piece,” says co-owner Andrew Simon. He adds, “Concrete always reflects the local geography and materials. This sink utilizes local aggregatesÑsands and basaltsÑwhich give our concrete [and all the concrete in Hawaii] a particular look unlike anywhere else.”

Custom Ramp Sink, $3,500 to $4,000. Lokahi Stone, 518 Kamani St., 596-8833, www.lokahistone.com. -DA

GRILL TIME

Photo courtesy of Island Grills & Outdoor Products

In the Islands, every season can be outdoor-grilling season. With grills, grilling accessories and islands to put them on, Island Grills & Outdoor Products has the ideal set up for every lanai and outdoor space. Island Grills features the Bull Outdoor Products line of burly barbecues, and adds its own custom-designed islands for ample preparation space.

Island Grills’ Lanai Island, one of five models, is a compact, outdoor kitchen. Within a five-foot counter sits a 30-inch Bull grill, four burners, with an infrared back-burner rotisserie, and an electrical outlet for appliances. The Lanai model also features a cabinet to hide liquid propane or, in the natural gas models, the cabinet can be utilized as extra storage. These features are set into a slate countertop with a stucco base, which can be color-matched to the home or surrounding area. A weather-resistant grill cover is included.

Lanai Island, $4,899. Island Grills & Outdoor Products, 2722 S. King St., 949-7059, www.islandgrills.biz. -MK

HIGH-DEFINITION HOUDINI

Photo courtesy of Seura

In the center of the living area, the television is a big, black box with a dead screen. However, no matter how unsightly, TV is an American home staple. But, it doesn’t always need to be the center of attention.

Seura’s aesthetic answer is the TV Mirror: a flat-screen, high-definition television placed behind a specially designed, two-way mirror. When the TV is off, only the mirror surface is visible. Hook up the DVD or cable to have a fully functioning entertainment system that is skillfully hidden when not in use.

Perfect for a bathroom, kitchen or family room, the TV mirror can be recessed or surface-mounted. It houses a Sharp television, with LCD monitor for superb resolution. It is available in a range of sizes, and can be finished with a custom frame.

Available in Honolulu from Fiddler’s, the TV Mirror is just one of the luxuries the company offers. An extensive collection of decorative plumbing and hardware includes designer faucets and doorknobs, state-of-the-art shower heads and natural-stone sink basins.

Seura TV Mirror, from $2,999 to $4,799. Fiddler’s, 330 Kamani St., 592-0233. -MK

OUTSIDE IN

Photo courtesy of Climatrol Hawaii

Sitting back and enjoying the gentle summer breezes in your own backyard can be the ultimate luxury or only a momentary pleasure, depending on insects, inclement weather and scorching sun. Climatrol Hawaii offers a solution: screen enclosures that let in just the right amount of sun and fresh air, while offering shade and keeping pests at bay.

The company’s screen enclosures can be fitted to almost any outdoor area. The retrofit process places powder-coated aluminum frames around lanai or patios. Locking the screens into place is Climatrol’s flat-locking spline, a black piping that fits in between the screen and the frame to keep the frame secure. Because this spline is flat instead of tubular, the screen is firmly squeezed between the frames, which prevents it from becoming loose in high winds.

Installed in one day, Climatrol’s enclosures carry a one-year warranty on all non-screen parts.

Screen enclosure, from $2,000. Climatrol Hawaii, 99-048 Koaha Way Bay, No. 4, 488-9738, www.hawaiiscreenenclosures.com. -MK

PROFESSIONAL VIEWING

Photo courtesy of JVC

What can you see in a TV that has a 61-inch, high-definition monitor, an optical engine with auto iris that adjusts for brightness and digital-image scaling technology that upscales any video device that you connect? The answer: every little detail.

The JVC Pro HD-ILA series incorporates all the latest high-definition television technology with superior sound. Three liquid-crystal-on-silicon microchips in each set give outstanding image quality. The auto iris enhances clarity in low-light images, while the Genessa 32-bit CPU video processor makes old DVDs and videos high-definition as well.

At Home Theater specializes in top-of-the-line, home-entertainment technology, such as the JVC Pro. To complement its state-of-the-art TVs, At Home Theater offers heady sound systems from Niro, Yamaha and Aura, as well as crystal-clear Canon projectors and elaborate Illuminaire entertainment lighting systems. At Home Theater’s display rooms offer suggestions, while friendly service and quality installation are guaranteed.

JVC Pro HD-ILA, 61”, $3,799. At Home Theater, 614 Cooke St., Suite 100A, 593-2070, www.aht-hawaii.com. -MK