“Before and after” may be too subtle a phrase for the transformation that took place in this Kailua home. What was once a woefully dated and completely closed off cave of a kitchen is now an open, integrated space perfectly suited for cooking and entertaining.

“Prior to renovation, the biggest problem with the kitchen was its proximity to the entertaining part of the house,” homeowner Robert Rossen says. “It had no visual access to the living area or to the backyard and view of the canal.” Tucked into a corner, the tight space had dated cabinets and appliances, and old tiled countertops.

Before

After

After carefully considering a remodel versus a new build, Rossen decided to rethink the floor plan of the entire house and start from scratch. Together with architect Sylvia Jordan and Evans Construction, he first addressed the layout of the new home. Ultimately, the kitchen was relocated to the opposite side of the home and given much more breathing room—about half of the living area—with access to the outdoor living space as well.

“I’m a sailor, and I like the breeze,” Rossen says. “I wanted it to flow and feel open. I asked, ‘How open can we get in here?’” Looking also for a sleek and inviting space with some “wow factor,” he was thrilled when Jordan delivered an open plan designed to capture the breeze and allow one to take in the view from any point in the kitchen. Evans Construction got to work carrying out the demolition and building.

After

The new space features an impressive scale for its square footage. Vaulted ceilings and skylights provide plenty of spacial volume and an open, light and airy feel the homeowner was after. A large prep island at the center of the U-shaped main cooking area is ideal for storage and is conveniently close to the main appliances.

The showpiece of the kitchen is the spacious bar island that divides the kitchen and living room without blocking visual access. With more than nine feet of counter space, the island houses a bar sink, ice machine, lighted liquor cabinet, wine cooler and other party-ready bar essentials. “It’s great for mixing cocktails as well as placing pupu out for guests,” Rossen says. “Its central location serves the kitchen, dining, living room and lanai. Plus, the aesthetics of the cabinetry and columns really add to the living space and play off the dark wood used throughout the kitchen.” Dark cabinetry, granite and sleek stainless appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf give this kitchen the touch of “pizazz” he wanted.

After

“Part of what makes this kitchen special is the subtle custom cabinetry elements,” CJ Mansfield of Evans Construction says. “We built all the cabinetry in-house and we were able to finish most of the elements on site. This really helped tie everything together. We even put the same cabinet finish on other areas of the home, including the custom front door.”

“I am thrilled with the final product and can’t believe the difference from my original kitchen to what I have now—there isn’t even a remote similarity,” Rossen says. “It is everything I hoped it would be: open, airy and I never feel closed off from where the action is. It’s a beautiful and functional kitchen where my family and good friends enjoy spending time, and I love entertaining them.”   

WHERE TO GET IT

FEATURED CONTRACTOR: Evans Construction

COUNTERTOP/BACKSPLASH: Desert Storm from Marmol

LIGHTING: Lighting Concepts and Design

CUSTOM CABINETS: Chad Evans of Evans Construction

COOKTOP: WOLF 36” 6-burner gas rangetop

MICROWAVE: WOLF 24” convection

CONVECTION OVEN: WOLF 30”

REFRIGERATOR: Sub-Zero 42”

DISHWASHER: Miele

BEVERAGE FRIDGE: U-line 24” single zone wine cooler

ICEMAKER: U-Line 15”