A Perfect Match

Before: The plain concrete lanai paled in comparison to the existing concrete stamp work on the connecting walkway.
After: The lanai matches the rest of its surroundings, allowing for a completely cohesive look.

How they did it: Granicrete Hawaii used a custom-tinting and hand-stamping process to match the color and texture in the surrounding stamp work. 

From Old Carpet to New Bamboo

Before: Dark green carpet dated this living room floor.

After: A contemporary bamboo look brings the room up-to-date.

How they did it: Fire Rock Fabrication installed ceramic tile designed to look like real bamboo. “The homeowners chose the bamboo tile instead of wood because they have a very active dog in the house and they wanted to avoid scratches on the floor,” says company representative Kenda Mohica.

Driveway Redo

Before: “The existing driveway consisted of badly pitted concrete that predated the recently constructed home,” says Futura Stone operations manager Richard Cozzo.

After: “The home now has a beautiful, natural-stone driveway, giving it a custom-finish look that will last for decades to come,” says Cozzo.
How they did it: The team at Futura Stone installed 6,500 square feet of custom-cut quartzite flagstone, complete with colored-cement grout and a penetrating sealer.

Walkway Embellishment

Before: The standard concrete walkway leading from curb to front door was builder basic at best.

After: A textured, multifaceted, stonelike surface welcomes visitors.
How they did it: The team at Granicrete Hawaii used Granicrete manufactured products to fabricate a natural-looking walkway using a concrete base and a texture-blend finish. The surface was handcrafted using groutline tape and tinted with acid-free mineral stains. “We tried to tie in the colors they had in the yard,” says company representative Brad Begonia.

A Fresh Surface

Before: This pool’s old plaster surface needed a refresher course.

After: A brighter surface makes the water stand out, calling attention to this backyard focal point.

How they did it: The homeowners opted to use white plaster again to rejuvenate their 15’ x 30’ pool. “They liked the clean, white surface [plaster can provide],” says Clifton Crawford of C & J Contracting, the company responsible for this redo.

Concrete to Quartzite

Before: The plain, concrete entryway became moldy at times and required pressure washing to remove the mold.

After: An updated look and low-maintenance materials enhance this home’s curb appeal.

How they did it: Fire Rock Fabrication installed golden-ray quartzite in a random pattern with tan grout lines. “The entryway is much more attractive and easy to clean,” says Mohica.

Before: A plain stuccoed wall provided privacy but lacked visual interest.

After: A wall embellished with three sandstone art pieces provides a new focal point for backyard swimmers and loungers.

How they did it: The team at C & J Contracting fastened three art pieces, gathered during the homeowners’ travels, with epoxy for an extra-strong bond. Then, they stuccoed around the art for a seamless finish.

Flooring that Flatters

Before: Drab porcelain tile did nothing to improve the look of dated cabinetry and appliances.

After: Cool, contemporary tile in a subdued gray hue complements a blue and white kitchen with stainless-steel accents.

How they did it: The team at Barker Kappelle Construction installed gray glazed porcelain flooring supplied by Tile Warehouse. “The homeowners were concerned about long-term fading and maintenance,” says Allen Giles of Tile Warehouse. “They also wanted a simple, modern look. The tiles have a finish that is easy to clean and resistant to staining. The tiles are also rectified, meaning they were calibrated at the factory for a consistent size, allowing for smaller grout joints.” 

From Dull to Dramatic

Before: A plain cinderblock wall held a louvered window and sliding glass door, leading to an outdoor lanai. Though the wall served its purpose, it lacked pizzazz.

After: The door and window have been removed. What was once a plain wall surface is now a dark and dramatic focal point.

How they did it: Scott Queener, a custom fabricator with Hawaii Landscape Services, applied a handmade lava-rock veneer, made of colored concrete. He texturized the uniformly sized blocks using molds made from real rock. He then added a fountain and accent light to complete the look. 

Maintenance Redux

Before: Black countertop tile confined this bathroom to the dark side.

After: Red and multicolor surfaces lighten and brighten the space.

How they did it: Fire Rock Fabrication installed red and multicolor granite on the floor and countertop. “There are no more grout lines to deal with,” says Mohica. “The granite is much easier to clean and keep like new.”