According to a survey by Grohe,
20% of us do double duty in the shower—we actually clean the shower while cleaning ourselves. The same poll also discovered that
17% of us brush our teeth in the shower.
15% found shower time to be the perfect time to make major life decisions, while
29% sing rock and roll. Favorite songs? “Singing in the Rain,” “Amazing Grace,” “Splish Splash,” “Hey Jude,” plus original tunes make the top five.
Alternative uses for bathrooms include washing pets, putting that beer on ice and thawing the Thanksgiving turkey.
However we use our bathrooms, a spalike atmosphere makes them all the more enjoyable. Luckily, our local bathroom designers and suppliers are up on this trend. Kick back and relax. On the next 25 pages, explore their designs, as well as fixtures, basins and bathroom supplies to fit any style.
Quiet Elegance
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| Photos by Scott T. Kubo
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by Randall Omoto of Homeowners Design Center
As frequent travelers and guests of posh hotels, the homeowners wanted something as fancy to come home to. Necessary details included a barrier-free shower (no shower doors or curtains to scrub!) and plenty of storage for all their bathroom needs. Natural stone was high on the list.
They turned to designer Randall Omoto of Homeowners Design Center for their serene, graceful new bathroom. He chose simple marble tiles to cover the floor to the ceiling. Accenting the smooth stone is rich maple cabinetry, made locally by Total Building Products. Omoto brought these materials together in a functional layout that is also pleasing to look at.
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Smooth and simple lavatory faucet and handles are the perfect touch to a spalike bathroom retreat. By Hansgrohe, available from Fiddler’s, Ferguson and T. Oki Trading. |
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This Kichler light fixture, from the Structures Collection, is very popular right now, according to Pacific Ceiling Fans. A brushed nickel finish and satin-etched glass give it a timeless, clean feel. |
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An elegant Hubbardton Forge wall sconce adds a touch of the organic with a leaf and reed motif. An Energy Star version is available by special order. Available from Lighting Concepts. |
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Step out of the shower into super-plush, super-absorbent 100-percent cotton towels from Pacific Home. |
Island Modern
by Glenda Anderson of Details International
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| Photos by Macario
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A long, skinny bathroom with a tub that took up one whole side was not what these homeowners needed. They had children and pets to bathe, and wanted what they envisioned as a low-maintenance, roomy bathroom.
Anderson delivered by expanding the bathroom into an adjoining closet and moving some plumbing. She kept a window that lets in plenty of natural light and a view of the surrounding plant life. Bathrooms call for functionality for all ages, Anderson says, including a curbless shower for wheel-in-access, grab bars near the bath/shower and toilet, and a hand-held shower (also useful for spraying down Fido). Brushed travertine tile, Watermark plumbing and brushed nickel accessories add the finishing touches.
Removing a bathtub also opens up the space. “If the client wants just a shower, then there is more room for amenities. Many more people in Hawaii take showers, rather than a tub bath,” Anderson says.
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Spice up simple cabinetry with wavy drawer handles, like these Amerock pulls from City Mill. |
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These fluffy cream towels with embroidered orchids bring the outsides
in with a touch of Hawaii’s natural beauty. Available from Fine Linens
& Furnishings. |
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(1) Make showering comfortable at any height with Kohler’s adjustable and
removable showerheads in brushed nickel, available from Ferguson.
(2) Or, let the shower rain down from Hansgrohe showerheads, available from Fiddler’s, Ferguson and T. Oki Trading.
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Plantation-style light fixtures add Old World sensibility and charm.
Available in antique nickel, burnished brass, copper bronze and pearl
bronze (pictured here), from Pacific Ceiling Fans. |
Plantation Contemporary
by Shelley Tanner, CKD, of JohnCookKitchens
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| Photo by Kyle Rothenborg.
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Size was the challenge for this bathroom makeover. The homeowners wanted a modern bathroom with an open feel. However, moving walls was not an option. Shelley Tanner, CKD, delivered with contemporary glass blocks for the shower. This material creates a waterproof barrier, without cutting off natural light sources. Corian countertops in cool green tones give a tranquil vibe, and offer a nice contrast to the natural cabinets. The easy-to-clean solid surface was also used in the shower, in crisp white.
According to Tanner, homeowners’ visions of luxe bathrooms can be matched up with tight spaces. It just takes a little ingenuity. “People spend a lot of time in the bath. The bathroom should be a retreat that makes homeowners feel like they’re at a hotel on vacation,” she says.
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Build an elegant and translucent shower wall with Pittsburg Corning
glass block. Local supplier Hawaii Glass Block suggests the
8-inch-by-8-inch-by-4-inch format. |
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Handsome stainless-steel and wood finishes add sophistication and
warmth, such as with this soap dispenser and toothbrush holder pair,
from City Mill. |
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Add a beachy touch with a starfish from Pacific Home. |
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Tuck a sleek Dorian One-Piece toilet into any bathroom. The compact
design makes the best use of space, while its low-consumption tank
saves on the water bill. TOTO toilet, available from The Bathroom Store
and T. Oki Trading. |
Boston Influence
by Michael Smith, CMKBD, of Kitchen Concepts Plus
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| Photo by Scott T. Kubo
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When the homeowners came to Michael Smith, CMKBD, of Kitchen Concepts Plus, they requested he turn their small bathroom into a special environment with an East Coast-modern feel. Smith complied with a shower system that includes three wall-mounted body sprays, a personal hand spray and a rain-tree showerhead that lets water cascade from the ceiling, all from Kohler.
Solid cherrywood cabinets in a dark Bristol stain bring in the simple, modern influences. Smith chose Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry, one of his company’s signature lines. He accented the cabinets with Green Butterfly marble countertops, Peacock Gold tiles laid in a brick pattern on the walls, and Crystal White polished border inserts to make the space pop.
When designing this, or any other bathroom, Smith notes that he pays special attention to making the most of small spaces. Proper lighting is important, as is care with slippery surfaces, he adds.
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Murray Feiss’ Signature Series Collection is available in polished
nickel (pictured), oil-rubbed bronze and pewter. The collection
includes a variety of bath accessories, including this dispenser made
for soap or lotion. Available at Pacific Ceiling Fans. |
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Murray Feiss’ Modern Country Collection offers brushed-steel looks with
clean, contemporary lines. Soap dish available at Pacific Ceiling Fans. |
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The Laura Kirar Vir Stil line from Kallista represents some of the most
exciting new product designs, says Bill Fiddler of Fiddler’s, an
authorized Kallista Preferred Showroom. Pictured here is its wall
sconce. |
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Wrap up and dry off in these plush white towels in 100-percent Egyptian cotton from Fine Linens and Furnishings. |
Modern Color
by Rick Cowan, CKD, of Archipelago, Refined Island Interiors, and Carolyn Pace
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| Photos by Augie Salbosa
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The homeowners came to Cowan and Pace with specific requests for their bathroom update. The shower, tub and vanity with sinks should be built for two. They wanted a clean, simple design within the existing footprint. The designers said no problem—installing two Kallista sinks, a Kohler Tea for 2 bathtub and a large, glass-enclosed shower with Grohe fixtures.
To enhance the homeowners’ requests, the designers surrounded the tub and shower with Venatino Bianco marble. Iridescent glass tiles behind the bath and shower reflect light, while a red wall above the vanity adds a punch of color. Studio Becker shaker-style cabinets in a brushed-oak finish with a nutmeg stain are a warm contrast to the cool, hard marble.
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Gracefully shaped glass lamps, richly layered in brilliant color, provide ambient and up lighting. Available from Dial Electric. |
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Spring green walls add ambiance and flavor. Relax in the tub and renew your senses. Jacuzzi tub available from T. Oki Trading.
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Natural Stone and Wood
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| King & Zelko Hawaiian Woodworks cabinetry. Bathroom design by Archipelago, Refined Island Interiors.
Photo by Augie Salbosa
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Natural stone contrasts with rich wood tones for a textural feast. King & Zelko Hawaiian Woodworks is best known for its native woods craftsmanship. This luxurious bathroom (bottom) called for koa cabinets, juxtaposed with marble basins. Bella Pietra’s Gentry Pacific Design Center showroom is full of natural stone basins, such as this onyx piece (right). Stone Forest, supplied locally by Ferguson, features marble and granite basins for stone-on-wood designs (below).
Island Glassworks offers another earthly element for bathrooms, this time with a personal touch. Call on master glassmaker Geoff Lee for a handmade, custom glass sink basin. Available in a wide array of colors, he can provide the perfect glass piece for any bathroom design.
Photo by Tomas Del Amo
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Stone Forest basins, available from Ferguson. |
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Graceful stone basins in marble and granite are the perfect bathroom
accents for any style. Check out LF International Trading’s showroom
for these pieces from China, and many other bathroom fixtures. |
Photo by Tomas Del Amo
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Bella Pietra showroom vignette. |
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Return to Elegance
by Porcher, available at Hardware Hawaii
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| Details included in this vignette are the Epoque Cast Iron Bathing Pool
by Porcher, and Reprise fixtures by Porcher, available at Hardware
Hawaii.
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The Porcher (pronounced por-shay) line from American Standard has its origins in France, created by two brothers, Emile and Francois Porcher, over a century ago. In keeping with its pedigree is the Reprise collection, which features classic Victorian styling.
Faucet handles are designed in the traditional cross format—available in chrome, brass or brushed nickel—with porcelain index buttons that exude Old World charm and memories of Grandma’s house.
The tour de force of this bathroom’s layout is, of course, the cast-iron bathtub—which Porcher calls a bathing pool—resting on elegant, adjustable clawed feet. The 60-gallon bath is contoured for lumbar support. Its exterior can be customized to the owner’s specifications.
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Add beauty and durability with a solid surface, such as this LG HI-MACS
acrylic. It works well in a number of applications, such as vanity
tops, tub surrounds or as a countertop. Available from EnCounters. |
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Step out of the bath onto this super luxurious rug, which feels so soft underfoot. Available at Fine Linens & Furnishings.
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Turn back the clock to classic bathroom décor with this vintage
free-standing tub from Kohler. And don’t worry, although it looks old
fashioned, homeowners won’t have to boil their own hot water. Available
from Ferguson. |
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Get sparkling clean with San Tropez bidet’s vertical stream, which no
double-ply can offer. This Kohler model offers coordinating colors for
any bathroom style. Available from Ferguson. |
Vanities Reach New Heights
by Judy Dawson, CKD, of Designer Kitchens & Baths
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| Photo by Macario
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What if you were 6’4”, but your bathroom was built for your 5’2” or 5’3” spouse? You could check out your reflection while kneeling. Your thigh-high sink would be great for … washing your knees after kneeling. Or, you could call on certified kitchen designer Judy Dawson to find a bathroom solution.
For one such family, Dawson created a bathroom that fit both heights. The wife’s sink is a standard 32-inch height, with plenty of countertop space and mirrors in the right spots. For the tall husband, she designed a free-standing, 3.5-foot-tall vanity with a sink that sits on top. A mirror with lighting, from INspiration, stretches as tall as the husband. Dawson chose a soft green Corian for the countertops to connect with the lush landscape outside. Now, both spouses can use the space comfortably, she says.
Photo by Tomas Del Amo
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A number of these wood and stone vanities—no two are exactly alike—are
available at Bali Boo. This particular sink features seashells inlaid
into the surface, perfect for beachside living, or for capturing that
feeling in your not-so-close-to-the-sea home. |
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This Calla II Cabinet by Porcher is inspired by the design trends of
the late ’30s, and features solid maple and veneer hand finished in a
natural cherry stain. Available at Hardware Hawaii.
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Photo by Tomas Del Amo
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Situate an absolute black granite basin atop this vanity from Baik,
just one option on display at the Bella Pietra Stone Gallery. |
Beautiful Basins
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A golden stone basin combines a classic material with modern, sleek styling. Available at Bali Boo. |
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This Porcher above-counter basin is a dramatic addition to any
bathroom. Cast glass matches any color theme. Available at Hardware
Hawaii.
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Custom hand-blown glass sinks are definitely one of a kind. This basin is a work of art. Available through Island Glassworks. |
Contemporary Lines
by Pedini, available from Susan Palmer Designs Inc.
Ultramodern design is all the rage in Europe, and it’s catching on in Hawaii. For super-sleek bathroom designs, turn to Susan Palmer Designs, Honolulu’s supplier of Pedini cabinetry. This Pedini setup features a free-standing vanity of ebony veneer and smoked glass. Added features, such as sliding soap and toothbrush holders and metal plank sides along the edge of the basin, allow for comfortable use—for both righties and lefties.
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Lunar-rocklike bubble art glass fixtures by Hinkley Lighting are out of
this world. Available from Pacific Ceiling Fans & Lighting. |
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Modern minimalists will love this functional-yet-inviting shower by Kohler, available from Ferguson.
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A big trend in bathroom lighting is eye-level fixtures that complement
overhead lighting and eliminate shadows. This Rezek Lit Mirror,
available from CLIQ Lighting Gallery at the Honolulu Design Center,
offers light that surrounds the face. Because it uses fluorescent light
bulbs, it does not generate much heat and is comfortable to stand in
front of, says Rhett Garon of CLIQ. |
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Added touches, such as these Murray Feiss bath accessories, complete the look. Available from Pacific Ceiling Fans. |
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Keep everything in its place with this compact piece from Organized
Living. Open shelving makes it easy to find what you’re looking for,
and its shiny metal frame is a cinch to wipe off. |
Accessorize While You Sanitize
Photos by David Croxford
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Keep the shower neat and tidy with a handy organization caddy. Available at City Mill. |
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Malie luxury room sprays freshen the room with scents of Kauai. Shown
here are Pikake, exotic and intoxicating, and Coconut Vanilla, soothing
and relaxing. Available at SoHa.
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Shower curtain options are now unlimited. Kreative Kamaaina
Enterprises, a family-owned Honolulu company, specializes in
custom-made curtains. With personalized assistance and design, almost
any fabric can be turned into a shower curtain to fit any style. |
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Crabtree & Evelyn soaps are an elegant addition to a beautiful
display, or functional for everyday living. They smell great, too.
India Hicks Island Living natural triple-milled soap. Available at SoHa. |
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Contemporary and classic, functional and fun, these bath mats are soft on big and small feet. Available at Pacific Home. |
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Getting your ducks in a row is easy in the shower, at work it’s a
different matter. Shower curtain rings available from Excecutive Chef. |
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This adorable fish toothbrush caddy is sure to brighten up any dull
space with its cheery expression and colorful look, for both adults and
children. Available at Executive Chef. |
WHERE TO GET IT
Bathroom Designers
Archipelago, Refined Island InteriorsGentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 121A
536-7739
www.archipelagohawaii.comCleve & Levin720 Iwilei Road, Suite 422
536-6671
www.cleveandlevinhawaii.comDetails InternationalGentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 104
521-7424
www.details-international.comHardware Hawaii3 Locations on Oahu & 1 Location on Kauai
Kailua Home Showroom, 105 Oneawa St.
266-1009
www.hardwarehawaii.comJohn Cook KitchensGentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 215B
599-3533
www.johncookkitchens.comKing & Zelko Hawaiian Woodworks201 Kapaa Quarry Road, Kailua
261-7239
www.kingandzelko.comKitchen Concepts PlusGentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 202
521-6656
www.kitchenconcepts.comSusan Palmer Designs Inc.Dole Cannery at Iwilei
650 Iwilei Road, Suite 195
599-7606
www.susanpalmerdesigns.comBathroom Lighting & Fixtures
Bali Boo, a division of King & Zelko201 Kapaa Quarry Road, Kailua
261-7239
www.kingandzelko.comBella Pietra, Bringing the Beauty of Stone to Life2 locations on Oahu
Gentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 109
536-9600
www.bellapietra.comCity Mill8 Locations on Oahu
660 N. Nimitz Hwy., Honolulu
533-3811
www.citymill.comDial Electric2240 C Kaluaopalena St.
845-7811
En Counters Solid Surface2829 Awaawaloa St., Unit G
833-8800
Ferguson925 Kokea St.
832-7474
www.ferguson.comFiddler’s330 Kamani St.
592-0233
Hardware Hawaii3 Locations on Oahu & 1 Location on Kauai
Kailua Home Showroom, 105 Oneawa St.
266-1009
www.hardwarehawaii.comHawaii Glass Block284 Kalihi St.
841-2565
www.hawaiiglassblock.comHPM Building Supply3 Locations on the Big Island
380 Kanoelehua Ave., Hilo
(808) 935-0875
www.hpmhawaii.comINspiration/Honolulu Design Center1250 Kapiolani Blvd.
956-1250
www.inspirationinteriors.comIsland Glassworks171-A Hamakua Drive
263-4527
www.islandglassworks.comIsland Home Building Materials1622 Kanakanui St.
845-1122
www.islandhomehi.comLF International Trading2855 Kaihikapu St.
833-3825
Lighting Concepts1931 S. Beretania St.
955-9955
www.lightinghawaii.comLokahi Stone505 A Kamani St.
596-8833
www.lokahistone.comOrganized Living94-547 Ukee St., Unit 307
678-0096
www.orgliving.comPacific Ceiling Fans Inc.2 Locations on Oahu
250 Ward Ave., Honolulu
597-8169
www.pacificceilingfans.comPhase II Interiors3654 Waialae Ave.
732-7992
Screens & Things Inc.2960 Mokumoa St.
836-1333
www.screensandthings.netThe Bathroom Store985 Dillingham Blvd.
843-2005
www.tbshi.comT. Oki Trading2722 Waiwai Loop
834-2722
www.t-oki.comBathroom Accessories
City Mill8 Locations on Oahu
660 N. Nimitz Hwy., Honolulu
533-3811
www.citymill.comExecutive Chef Ward Warehouse
1050 Ala Moana Blvd.
596-CHEF (2433)
www.executivechefonline.comFine Linens & FurnishingsGentry Pacific Design Center
560 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 106
589-2737
Kreative Kamaaina Enterprises LLC1804 Hart St.
841-8731
Pacific Home420 Ward Ave.
596-9338
www.pacific-home.comSoHaWard Centre
1200 Ala Moana Blvd.
591-9777
www.sohaliving.com �
