HOME & GARDEN
COURTESY LINNY MORRIS FOR W INTERIORS
The design of the home allows the clients to enjoy a spectacular view from the courtyard.
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Success in synergy
Understatement highlights this home at Hualalai
By Gina Willman
Special to the Star-Bulletin
A dynamic synergy among client, designer, architect and contractor that had been established from previous projects was the key reason that the construction and furnishing of this project was relatively challenge-free.
Designing Minds
On the first Friday of each month, the Star-Bulletin and the Hawaii chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers feature a local designer sharing details of a recent project, whether it involves a room transformation or a project started from the ground up.
This month, we feature Gina Willman, ASID, of W Interiors in Kamuela on the Big Island.
The project: Knudsen residence in the Hualalai Resort. Design a home with elegant, understated surroundings to 1) highlight the client's Hawaiian art collection and 2) make it attractive for future potential buyers.
The design team: Gina Willman, ASID, of W Interiors; Gregg Todd, contractor and structural designer, GM Construction
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The location of the property at Hualalai Resort on the Big Island was a good fit for the clients, who are luxury home developers and avid entertainers.
One of the primary requests of our clients' was that the home be elegant and understated. This was to allow their historic Hawaiian art collection room to breathe and be highlighted. Their collection boasts a number of phenomenal pieces by Walden, Hitchcock, Foley, Sharp and Vos.
They also wanted the home to be a welcoming canvas for a potential buyer, with relatively neutral surroundings so that a new homeowner could easily move in and add his or her own accouterments.
The designer's role included, among other things, initial consultations with the contractor on space planning and size of the home, location of rooms, colors and material selection. Then there were plumbing and appliance selections, hardware and bath accessories, cabinetry details, gate and garage design. Not to mention furnishing, art and accessory design/selections and procurement, including turnkey items, shipping coordination and installation.
We created a space that would allow the clients' artwork to shine, especially as they entertained.
COURTESY LINNY MORRIS FOR W INTERIORS
"totem" Pole Twin Beds And Raffia-like Window Treatments Add A Hawaiiana Ambience In A Guest Bedroom.
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COURTESY LINNY MORRIS FOR W INTERIORS
A neutral background throughout the home, including the living room, allows the artwork to take centerstage.
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In the great room/grand lanai, they can dine, entertain and hold private classical piano concerts, accommodating up to 70 people. A mirror placed behind the piano allows the pianist's hands to be seen from many vantage points throughout the room.
The area that receives the most accolades is the master suite. We created a serene, Zen-like bathroom with a sculptural tub and Asian vanities, a spacious entry hallway and a bedroom with a dramatic headboard and custom bedding on a Tibetan rug. The client loves this retreat.
In the office, rug and wall colors are kept neutral -- but deep in tone -- which makes the artwork's (Sharp collection) ocean colors pop off the wall and draws the eye to the expansive pool beyond, which has jokingly been called "the lake."
The guest house has a subtle contemporary Asian flair, with stylish lanterns on the night stands. The night stands have a water effect carving on the apron which is also repeated on the adjacent desk.
A wavy hyacinth bench at the end of the bed is useful for placing decorative pillows on when guests are ready for slumber.
Another guest room has "totem" four-poster twin beds for those guests who might not want to share a bed.
A tasteful whimsical fabric is used on the pillow sham fabric, but other finishes are mostly textural, including wall covering, shell-accent pillows and woven-grass roman shades.
COURTESY LINNY MORRIS FOR W INTERIORS
The expansive pool can be seen from the office, and reflects the colors of the artwork on the walls.
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COURTESY LINNY MORRIS FOR W INTERIORS
A dramatic headboard was incorporated into the master suite, creating a Zen-like setting.
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COURTESY LINNY MORRIS FOR W INTERIORS
A sculptural tub was also incorporated into the master suite.
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Gina Willman, ASID, of W Interiors can be reached at (808) 887-1719.