 before: in need of a lift |
After:
LIGHT AND AIRY
 
Photos: David Croxford
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Simple design and calming colors evoke a peaceful atmosphere in this Kailua home.
Barker Kappelle Construction took advantage of trade winds by using roof-to-wall vents that allow for passive cooling. They also installed Halo recessed can lights with sloped cans for downward lighting, which use straight-on angles to provide maximum light distribution.
before: high-maintenance finishes
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After:
EASY CARE
Photo: Courtesy of Tile Warehouse Inc. |
Panaria Tiburtino Chiaro porcelain floor tile, from
Tile Warehouse Inc., is hard to pronounce but easy to maintain. Labrador Antique granite helps to hide dust and complements the furniture and wood color.
before: dark and cramped
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After:
BREATHING ROOM
Photo: Courtesy of JohnCookKitchens |
JohnCookKitchens opened up this kitchen, which allowed for maximum air flow and increased natural light. Connecting it to the living room and family room also opened it up for easier socializing and entertaining.
before: dated and drab
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After:
CHARACTER
This 1950s home had never seen a renovation when the homeowner moved in. It emitted a historical aura, reminiscent of old Hawaii, and the homeowner wanted to respect its personality. Ohia flooring, from
Pacific American Lumber, does just that. What better way to preserve the old Hawaii feel in her home than to use native Hawaiian wood? Bonus: The flooring is engineered, meaning ¼" of wood is laid on top of non-wooden boards, using much less lumber than traditional solid-wood flooring.
before: plain and uninviting
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After:
COLOR AND FUN
An otherwise bare lanai has been accessorized with furniture and accents from
Red Bamboo. A beachy atmosphere comes with its Kailua location, and aqua accents further emphasize its playful mood.
before: closed off
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After:
A SENSE OF FLOW
Photo: Courtesy of Waialae Plumbing
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The homeowners of this Kahala kitchen entertain often. In the "before" kitchen, their guests flocked to the space, which was isolated and compartmentalized into different sections. The crew at
Waialae Plumbing totally revamped the space and opened it up by combining its many parts into one and modernizing the design.
before: old and cold
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After:
PEACEFUL AND WARM
Photo: Courtesy of American Cabinetry
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Steve Pak, of
American Cabinetry, describes the before kitchen in this Kauai home as “an afterthought … lacking appearance, functionality and blocked off from everything.” Pak warmed up the space by opening it up and using the company’s maple wood cabinets and complementary mahogany floors.
before: in need of a facelift
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After:
A NEW VIEW
Photo: Courtesy of Homeworks Construction
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This 60-year-old Kaneohe home’s newly installed deck allows the homeowners to take advantage of spectacular vistas of Kaneohe Bay, thanks to
Homeworks Construction. Low-maintenance Trex decking ensures longevity, while stainless-steel wire minimizes view obstruction.
before: stuck in the '70s
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After:
BIG AND BRIGHT
“Basically, it was a box,” says Alwyn Trigg-Smith, of
Alwyn Trigg-Smith Architects, who updated this space with the help of
Mokulua Woodworking Ltd. The previously closed-in kitchen held heat in the middle of the home, so the team expanded the space and increased air circulation, which helped decrease internal temperature.
before: boring brown
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After:
GREENERY
Photo: Courtesy of NyLawn
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Previously unusable, this Manoa yard seemed doomed to dirt because the sheltered area made natural grass impossible. The solution?
NyLawn’s synthetic turf. “The turf now looks and feels like natural grass, without the cost of water, fertilizers and weekly maintenance,” says Rory Otto, company president.
before: no room for change
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After:
A NEW FUTURE
This previously “mauve-pink, crazy '80s” bathroom will change with its homeowners for years to come, says Nicole Puakea, of
Details International. It’s retrofitted and designed with aging-in-place strategies that will allow for an easy transition when the time comes.
before: all boxed in
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After:
A TOUCH OF CLASS
Photo: Courtesy of Selective Stone
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The homeowners of this Hawaii Kai space wanted an upscale, contemporary feel for their kitchen. To help achieve it, Kevin Nip, of
Selective Stone, used Golden Lightning granite countertops to complement new maple cabinets.
before: unconquered clutter
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After:
ORGANIZATION
A family with kids knows the impact a little organization can have on everyday life. Here, the entry-area storage unit, from
Organized Hawaii makes it easy for kids to reach books and toys on lower shelves, while keeping electronics and breakables neatly tucked away, out of children’s reach.
