Rein and Yvonne Hollars’ flair for interior design came in handy as they worked on their Kaneohe kitchen remodel last year. As the owners of a home-staging company, Stage-It Hawaii, they had no problem thinking of ways to achieve the open look they desired and, with help from Randall Omoto of Homeowners Design Center, they built a bright, new space that’s just as organized and functional as it is beautiful.

The Hollars’ original kitchen was cramped, outdated and isolated from their living room and entertainment space. Their goal was to build an open, airy space with a clean and simple look. Rein says, “We wanted to open it up and make it more of a gathering place.”


Omoto walked the Hollars through different options, drawing an assortment of layouts and creating various designs on his computer.  “We’re there to give input,” Omoto says. “We’re there to help you best realize how you’re going to be using your kitchen. We try to get people to forward-think.”

At first, the Hollars were leaning toward short peninsulas, but finally opted for a wrapped, granite island. One thing was certain–they wanted red-ebony, foil-laminate cabinets from Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. The couple stopped in the Washington cabinet factory while visiting their twin daughters on the Mainland, and immediately fell in love with the look.  They had Omoto put in an order the second they returned home.

Once all the decisions were made and the supplies arrived, Omoto got to work building the cabinets and shelves, carefully custom-fitting each piece around the Hollars’ new Thermador appliances. He then installed Alumidoors, which open upward, to the shelves above the counter; this allows for easy access and eliminates the risk of cabinet doors banging together. Their new kitchen also features an appliance garage with pull-out trays to keep frequently used items easily accessible. “It was a matter of maximizing the space we had,” Rein says. “In working with Randall, we were down to the littlest inch.”

Everything in the kitchen was built around this idea; the island was designed to be directly behind the cook while he or she is at the stove, and the refrigerator is just a step away. There’s also a heating shelf above the cooktop, perfect for keeping dishes warm while other parts of the meal are still cooking.

In an effort to stay organized and maintain its sleek, modern look, the Hollars’ pantry was built outside the kitchen, directly on the other side of the refrigerator. Rein says that there’s no reason to have the pantry in the kitchen, since they don’t have to access it while cooking.

The Hollars now thoroughly enjoy their home’s new gathering place. They always keep extra barstools handy so their guests can hang out and chat with the cook. Rein says, “The kitchen is now the center of the household.”

Omoto’s advice was straightforward: “We want things to be aesthetically pleasing, but we want it to be functional too.”  


WHERE TO GET IT

Designer: Randall Omoto of Homeowners Design Center

Cabinetry: Homeowners Design Center

Countertops: Stone Concepts

Appliances: Thermador, from Homeowners Design Center