BEFORE

Brian Andrews-Shigaki’s home in Aina Haina, which he shares with his wife, new baby and in-laws, is like a lot of houses in Hawaii. It’s of modest size with single-wall construction and a cottage feel—and it’s gone virtually untouched for at least 30 years.

“We had your typical closed-off kitchen,” Andrews-Shigaki explains. “Everything original, never updated. We had laminated, 30-year-old countertops, painted-wood cabinets and really deep, inefficient storage.”

To take the kitchen into the 21st century,  the family called on the expertise of Glenda Anderson, of Details International, from whom Andrews-Shigaki and his wife had bought a Miele washer and dryer for their previous home a couple of years back. When the couple went in for another Miele washer and dryer for their new place, they got to talking about the changes they hoped to make in their home. 

Golden-hued cabinetry makes this stunning kitchen remodel really shine. Designer Glenda Anderson strongly suggests investing in cabinetry with quality, movable parts, hinges and drawer glides: “Those are the parts that are opened and closed every day. We refuse to sell anything that doesn’t have a lifetime warranty on the movable parts.”

“The family wanted [the kitchen] to be open so people weren’t under each other’s feet, and so they could have more room for entertaining and more flow,” Anderson says. Aesthetically, Andrews-Shigaki also knew he wanted a modern look, but nothing so modern that it wouldn’t fit in with the style of the rest of the home. What would fit in? A warm, modern look, with clean lines and a simple, uncomplicated feel.

Details International proved to be just the right fit for the budget-minded young couple and their growing family. Says Anderson, “If you’re going to spend the money, you only want to do it once. We try to design forever, because we believe people should do it one time and do it right.”

Throughout the remodel, it was a  family affair. First, Anderson cleverly designed a new-and-improved space by removing the walls that closed off the kitchen to the living and dining areas. In their place stands a corner island with two new flow patterns on each side where there were once doors to the kitchen. Andrews-Shigaki, his father-in-law and stepfather (the latter two with backgrounds in construction) all pitched in to do much of the construction and installation work themselves—saving the family a lot of money in the long run.

Anderson encourages clients who are looking to save to “do what you can yourself. If you can take out the cabinets, or if you can paint, you’re saving money that you can put back where it’s best used.”

Often, appliances and finishes are the investment of choice. “Brian used nothing but the finest quality where it was most important,” Anderson says. A mix of high-end appliances, such as a Viking cooktop, Miele dishwasher and Gaggenau oven, are all professional quality.

Mix it up to save money. Don’t feel restricted to only one brand of appliance in your kitchen, says Anderson. “Most professional kitchens include a mix of brands.” Another tip? Floor models are a money-saving alternative because retailers are not forced to charge a minimum price.

Warm, inviting wood tones fill the space and are set off by gorgeous crystal-flecked green granite countertops and a shimmering glass-tile backsplash. Anderson calls the final effect “stunning” and smart.

“Brian chose our most affordable cabinetry line, but it’s also the one I used in my own home,” Anderson says. “It’s good! I chose it because it’s practical for me and I don’t want to waste money, either.”

Thrilled with the results of their recently completed kitchen, the family has invited Details to work on other projects in the house. “We love the kitchen,” Andrews-Shigaki says.

“Sure, I wish it was a little bigger,” he jokes, “but I can’t help the house. It’s a small, old house. Everybody would love a bigger refrigerator, maybe two, a bigger pantry. But for the size, it’s perfect. It’s the perfect design.”