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A wall of cabinets makes the most of deep recesses. Hidden inside are a
series of pull-out shelves. Designer Pak even incorporated drawers into
the island for maximum kitchen storage that is easy to use.
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| The kitchen’s four entrances were a challenge. The designer skillfully
integrated separate working areas into each space without interrupting
the flow through the kitchen.
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For many, three is a nice, round number—think Musketeers, a hat trick, the three R’s. In Nuuanu, the pattern holds: American Cabinetry remodeled three kitchens on one street corner there. After visiting her neighbor’s designer kitchen, the first of the three, the second homeowner called upon Steve Pak of American Cabinetry. She raves: “We’ve looked around at so many designers, American Cabinetry is the best. I would recommend them to anyone, without reservation.”
The second kitchen of this Nuuanu trifecta was probably the most in need of a remodel. The homeowner literally heard it disintegrating. “Chopping near the sink, I could hear metal pieces falling down underneath,” the homeowner says. Her particle-board cabinets were melting and peeling. Tile countertops were beyond repair. Plus, the floor was collapsing. Luckily for her, Pak stepped in to design a warm, functional space where the homeowner now cooks three meals a day.
Expansive, warm maple cabinetry is the kitchen’s most eye-catching element. Pak incorporated a huge amount of storage to fit the homeowners’ needs. A wall of cabinetry, plus more above and below the counters, feature pullout drawers to make the most of the deep recesses. Large drawers under the island are great for storage and easy to utilize. A few open shelves show off the homeowners’ collection of pottery and china, while breaking up the swaths of maple.
Cabinetry is the company’s signature touch. To make the new cabinets Nuuanu-ready, American Cabinetry fabricated the warp-resistant plywood interiors here on Oahu. Family-owned, the company has been creating custom cabinets for 28 years, as well as bringing in top cabinet lines from the Mainland. For the cabinets’ doors, Pak and the homeowners chose Design Studio Elite Series cabinets with a Shaker-style door and a classic butternut stain. The simple lines complement the home’s clean, traditional style, Pak notes.
To maximize the large kitchen’s functionality, Pak included three distinct work areas. A central island owns the cooktop, surrounded by plenty of work space on all sides for dinner prep. A baking center in one corner features two ovens and plenty of room for high-traffic holiday meal production. A nearby secondary sink makes for quick cleanup. The countertops are made of Silestone, a quartz composite material known for its elegant, granitelike appearance. Plus, the material contains Microban, which inhibits bacteria growth.
The third work area features a seamless, stainless-steel countertop and sink. “This was the homeowners’ first request,” he says. They wanted a low-maintenance surface. Pak says prep cleanup just takes a spray-off.
Next, Pak turned his attention to lighting—specifically, adding more and giving the homeowners complete control of it. “Around the island, initially, the kitchen had nine can lights. Now, it has more than 20.” He also added undercabinet lighting to highlight countertops. Separate switches mean just the right amount of light can be turned on, he says.
“The kitchen is the crowning point of the house,” the homeowner says. Pak says that it flows with the rest of the home’s simple, traditional style. Her neighbors agree. They’ve signed up for the third American Cabinetry/Nuuanu kitchen.
Where to get it
Designers: Steve Pak and Su Kwon of American Cabinetry Inc.
Bar Sink: 13” undermount 20-gauge stainless-steel sink, from Franke
Blower: 1200 CFM remote blower, from Viking Range Corp.
Cabinetry: Design Studio Elite Series, Shaker-style doors in maple with classic butternut stain, from American Cabinetry Inc.
Cooktop: 36” 4-burner rangetop, from Viking Range Corp.
Dishwasher: 24” built-in undercounter dishwasher, from Bosch
Hood: 42” island hood, from Viking Range Corp.
Installation Specialist: Kyle Stringfield of Pookela Renovation Services
Microwave: 24” built-in sensor cook microwave, from KitchenAid
Oven: 27” electric single oven, from Viking Range Corp.
Refrigerator/freezer: 36” side-by-side refrigerator with ice and water dispenser, from Viking Range Corp.
Refrigerator: undercounter drawers, from Sub-Zero
