Shaker-style African mahogany cabinets, custom-designed and -built by Hawaii Woodcrafts, help give the large space a warm, cohesive feel.

BEFORE

To the outside eye, the Santos’ previous kitchen wasn’t too bad. It had a nice layout and opened up to the rest of the home. Its island was a natural gathering place for visitors. But if you looked a little closer, you’d notice the overall space lacked pizzazz. “It didn’t really have any oomph to it,” says designer Greg Molica, of Hawaii Woodcrafts Inc. It was also past its prime. “The cabinets were old, the countertops were cracked. Half of the appliances didn’t work,” says homeowner Drew Santos, president of Admor HVAC Products.

For a family that loves to entertain, the home’s natural gathering spot wasn’t something to show off. “No matter how much we tried to keep visitors in the dining room and living room, they all wanted to come to the kitchen area,” Santos says, “but it was just terrible looking.” 

After three years in the home, the Santos family decided to call on Molica and the crew at Hawaii Woodcrafts to renovate the space. The choice was an easy one: “They did our [previous home],” Santos says. “We liked their woodwork and attention to detail.”

Two beverage drawers, beneath the wine refrigerator, keep drinks cool and easily accessible.

Santos and his wife, Shirley, knew just what they wanted in their new kitchen: a modern, functional, people-friendly space that their family and friends could enjoy. “Shirley and Drew know what they want. I love working with customers like them,” Molica says.

Molica and his crew moved the island slightly to maximize the spacious area. Next, they installed custom-designed African mahogany cabinets, drawer fronts and panels, complete with soft-close mechanisms and pullout shelves. The African mahogany continues into the dining area, complementing the new beverage refrigerator and drawers, as well as three new pantries. 
Along with the new cabinetry came a new, relocated oven, a deeper sink, a hot-water dispenser, a soap dispenser and a warming drawer. “Pretty much everything we could think of, we put in there,” Santos says.

The Santos family now finds itself entertaining and utilizing the kitchen more than ever before. Daughter Keli is enjoying it as well. “She loves it,” Santos says. “She hangs out in the kitchen now and wants to participate in all the cooking.”

The updated space is something to flaunt. “It’s really attractive,” says Molica. Adds Santos: “It’s just beautiful. It’s the best room in the house.”