When the homeowner set about designing his new home, proper placement of the kitchen was key. “If you look at the house, all of the other rooms feed into the kitchen,” he says. “It’s the entertainment center of the house.” The home’s grand kitchen opens up into the dining and living areas with lush views of the Makakilo hillside beyond. Located just outside the kitchen, through large sliding glass doors, is an intimate courtyard, landscaped with bromeliads and a bubbling fountain. Steps beyond that is the pool. Tied together, this section of the home offers a wonderful setting for entertaining, which happens often here.
“We wanted to make the kitchen big and spacious with lots of room for everybody to hang out, eat and socialize,” his wife says. Having enough space for a large food spread was important, so the kitchen’s capacious island offers plenty of counter space. “We had a party on New Year’s, and I had 150 people over,” the homeowner says. “It was potluck, and we didn’t have to put any of the food anywhere else but on that big, ol’ island.”

The couple collaborated to pick out the right pieces for their new kitchen. They were going for drama, something that would make a big statement. “I like different,” the wife says. “I didn’t want anything that looked like what everybody else has.” The cabinetry is made from exotic muong wood, accented with wavy pulls. The backsplash glimmers with multicolored glass tile, and the countertop’s granite is a sleek, white slab with rippling, dark veins. “I think it’s pretty amazing,” she says. “Every time people come in, they really go ‘Wow!’”

For the husband, who is the family chef, an important part of the kitchen is the Viking appliances. “I play golf with Sam Choy, and I know he uses Viking in his kitchen,” he says. “If it’s good enough for Sam, it’s good enough for me.”

What sets Viking apart, says Al Lum of Viking Range Corporation, is the consistent look it provides throughout the kitchen. “Everything is the same,” Lum says. “The finish is the same. The handles are the same. The logos are the same.” In addition, Viking is known for its state-of-the-art, professional-grade performance. “Everything from the simmer to the high, the cooktop performs very well,” Lum continues. “Simmer is very important in cooking. Viking’s VariSimmer can simmer at various temperatures; its performance is excellent.”
While her husband handles the cooking, the wife does the cleaning. With Viking’s stainless steel surfaces, she’s discovered a product that protects the finish and shows fewer fingerprints. Called Sheila Shine, and available at Ace Hardware, she raves about this polish. “I only applied it once so far,” she says. “It seems to be working really well.” Another plus: Now that her kids are older—she says with a laugh—she doesn’t have to worry about them getting their fingerprints all over the appliances.

Where to get it

Featured Supplier: Viking Range
Backsplash: 1” by 1” Moroccan Desert Oceanside Glasstile, from Bella Pietra
Cabinetry: Muong wood, from Pacific Craftworks
Cooktop: Viking 36” gas, built-in
Countertops: Juperana Delicatus polished granite, from Bella Pietra
Microwave: Viking 30” convection, built-in
Oven: Viking 30” built-in
Refrigerator/freezer: Viking side-by-side, 74” combined
Wine Chiller: Viking 24” undercounter