HOME & GARDEN
Total transformation
A small, rotting house is rebuilt into a charming home that does justice to its spectacular views
By Kathy Merrill Kelley
Special to the Star-Bulletin
The home is on a lot with spectacular views of the Pacific, Koko Head, Molokai, Lanai and Maui. Until the turn of the century, that's about all it had going for it. It had been a rental property for many years and was besieged with dry rot and termite damage. The yard barely had a green thing in it.
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 teh ground up. This month we feature Kathy Merrill Kelley, ASID, of Merrill & Associates Interior Design.
The project: Single-wall 1970s rectangular box becomes a charming, warm, inviting, Craftsman-style cottage with hints of Bali throughout.
The design team: Kathy Merrill Kelley, ASID, of Merrill & Associates. Interior design, Waylin Fung, Master Craftsman.
The challenge: To save an inferior, time-ravaged structure and transform it into a divine living environment.
|
When owner and builder initially met, it was suggested that the best solution was to push the sad structure over the cliff it was perched upon and start from scratch.
The owner, being a pragmatist, quickly rejected the idea, not wanting to be homeless for 18 months. So the little box got pinched and pushed into beautiful shape.
The original carport became a garage surrounded by moss rock walls encompassing a Balinese natural stone fountain.
The narrow stairway from street level down the hill and back up to the floor level of the house was removed and replaced with a wide deck constructed of ipe, a termite-resistant wood in the ironwood family (available at Pacific American Lumber Co.), and by a number of gracious landings filled with pots of foliage.
The original tongue-and-groove walls were covered on the exterior by cedar shingles. Inside, studs and drywall were added so electrical boxes and wiring could be placed within, removed from the surface where they had been.
All original jalousie windows were replaced with new Pella double hung windows, helping to create the "cottage" look. Double French doors were added to each bedroom as well as to the family room, letting in more light and ventilation.
COURTESY KATHY MERRILL KELLEY
The outdated kitchen, above, was completely remodeled, below, with stainless and brass farmhouse sink placed in front of a window overlooking a bamboo forest.
COURTESY DAVID LIVINGSTON
|
|
Original "popcorn" ceilings were covered with clear tongue-and-groove cedar. Carpet was removed, and the floor was transformed with warm "character cherry" wood in random widths and lengths. The name is appropriate as the cherry is full of wild grain, knots and varying hues which enliven the space.
The original structure was a single-story rectangular box. We pushed the mauka side of the house out three feet, to the edge of the eaves yet still within the setback. In doing this, an interior stairway with a translucent ceiling was created, incorporating space beneath the dwelling and creating a grand new master suite with glorious views.
The open kitchen became large enough to add a Balinese island from Baik Designs at Gentry Pacific Design Center, with a 4-inch-thick solid teak top as a centerpiece. The stainless and brass farmhouse sink is situated in front of a window wall with a view to the owner's own bamboo forest.
Cabinetry throughout is cerused teak dotted with various types of whimsical knobs. Cerusing -- covering the wood with a wash, then wiping all off except that remaining in the grain -- gives a soft pattern and heightened appearance to the grain.
COURTESY DAVID LIVINGSTON
Glass block gives the bathroom an outdoor feeling.
|
|
Kitchen countertops are Napolina Limestone (available through Bella Pietra, a natural stone design center), a soft taupe embedded with chunks of quartzite crystals. The backsplash is an earthy green slate laid on the diagonal with deep charcoal dots interspersed. No upper cabinets cramp the space. Cerused teak shelving is cantilevered off the slate-covered walls, displaying the owner's collection of dishes and allowing ease of reach.
Hawaii Glass Block provided the outer walls of glass block used beneath skylights, which give the bathrooms a feeling of being outdoors. Natural materials were used in each. Hand-carved custom mirror frames designed by the owner were made in Bali and brought back with many of the other objects gracing the home and giving it that warm, homey, Balinese ambience.
COURTESY KATHY MERRILL KELLEY
The bathroom before renovation.
|
|
Kathy Merrill Kelley can be reached at 523-3550.