BEFORE

With vinyl laminate flooring, a popcorn ceiling and dated cabinetry, this Waikiki kitchen and living area was a flashback to the sixties. Motivated by the outdated condition of the penthouse, the homeowner bought it with the intention of a major renovation. His other motivation? A desire to maximize the condo’s ample square footage and the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, which was blocked off from the original kitchen by a partition wall.

In addition to opening up the condo, the homeowner wanted a modern, minimalist kitchen that flowed into the living room and matched his contemporary furniture. Lots of cabinet storage and durable finishes were also on the top of his wish list.

To create the updated, sleek kitchen he longed for, the homeowner contacted Mark Shigei of Snaidero Hawaii. First, Shigei replaced the original cabinetry with solid-aluminum, dove-gray cabinets in a high-lacquer finish. “It’s the perfect material to be used in areas with salty air,” explains Shigei. “Chrome or bare steel would be corroded in that type of environment.” Snaidero only carries water-based lacquer, which is safer for both the homeowner and the environment.

BEFORE

The Snaidero team then installed durable, white Silestone countertops to match the clean lines used throughout the unit. Silestone is a nonporous compound made of 94 percent natural quartz and a synthetic bonding agent. It’s available in a variety of unique colors and textures and comes with antimicrobial protection for a low-maintenance, hygienic finish, making it resilient and perfect for kitchen surfaces. In addition, “its uniformed colors and patterns are very forgiving,” says Shigei, which is an important feature, because streamlined design calls for minimal countertop seams and pattern disruptions.

Keeping up with the sleek kitchen design, Shigei implemented a laundry system with matching cabinets into the kitchen for easy access. The original appliances, which were as old as the condo, were all replaced with new ones, including a Gaggenau dishwasher, Sub-Zero refrigerator and a Bosch cooktop.
A wall concealing an electric panel closed off the original kitchen from the rest of the condo. George Quaiver, chief designer and architect of geeq’s inc., removed the wall and replaced it with a large island for additional workspace. An induction cooktop was installed on the island’s surface, and both the Kuppersbusch oven and the Sharp microwave are neatly tucked beneath the island, contributing to the streamlined effect. Recessed down-lights made from trimless cans in the drop-ceiling and a light cove above the kitchen brighten up the room and add accent lighting. Along with the kitchen’s overall color scheme, lighting in the frosted upper cabinets and new, beige travertine flooring give the room a more spacious feel.

To increase space and provide an alternate scenic view, a wall separating the kitchen from the master bedroom was replaced with a pony wall, giving the homeowner a view of Kapiolani Park. By eliminating as many interior walls as possible, installing modern, sleek cabinets and an open, more functional island, a New York loft style emerges from this Waikiki penthouse, bringing the owner and his family into the here and now.