Bring in the outdoors

An inviting Nuuanu house complements a lovely natural setting

When Debbie and Randy Shin approached us for help with the interior design of their home, what they really wanted was a hands-on experience.

The Shin Residence, Nuuanu The challenge: To bring in the natural beauty that surrounds the house. The lanai is now one of the most used areas of the home. The design team: Charene Davis Aloha Staged Homes and Laurens Laudowicz of Buddhawelt On the first Friday of each month, the Star-Bulletin and the Hawaii chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers feature local designers sharing details of a recent project, whether it involves a room transformation or a project started from the ground up. This month we feature Charene Davis of Aloha Staged Homes and Laurens Laudowicz of Buddhawelt.

The Shins had already begun the design process by selecting a magnificent koa pedestal base dining table from Martin & MacArthur. The table, destined to be an heirloom, was the centerpiece of their plantation-style home.

The stairway leading up to their generous front porch and covered lanai is the first impression of the home, which beckoned and welcomed visitors from the driveway.

We selected tropical plants, ceramic pots and natural slate tile flooring to enhance its beauty. The essence of the design project was to bring in the natural beauty of the outdoors and complement the existing style of the home.

A small punee-style sofa with a motif of carved banana leaves on the backrest set the stage for the rest of the living room. We helped the Shins through the process of selecting from a myriad of fabric swatches for custom-made slipcovers. A neutral, celadon green with an embossed texture that mimicked the greenery of the outside became the final choice.

We presented the Shins with a number of cabinets that could house their television and stereo components. The Shins chose a two-door teak armoire with just enough of a banana-leaf design on the door handles to complement the punee. A rustic Chinese bench from Buddhawelt was also chosen, providing both form and function. The beautiful antique bench could be a platform for potted plants and offered a place where guests could sit and remove their shoes before entering the home.

We also had the challenge of bringing in warm woods and textures to an interior with somewhat dark wood-paneled walls and a wood floor. Wall mirrors and lighting actually changed the character of the walls by brightening the home.

Beneath one of the mirrors we placed two stacked chests of Chinese and Tibetan origin. The Shins desired more storage space, and these were the perfect answer.

Lighting is important, so we added another layer of light, ambient. Three lighting elements, one with a natural woven shade and another of carved cherry wood, along with a stunning light sculpture made of natural materials provided by Lighting Concepts, created dramatic mood lighting.

When it came to art, the Shins opted for floral and tropical designs and chose a 3-D papier tole design by Carole Vargas. This extraordinary and truly one-of-a-kind piece is not only an intriguing focal point, but will be a conversation piece for years to come.

Accent pieces of furniture from Buddhawelt and a sculpted Koa rocker from Big Island woodworker Glenn Severance rounded out this design project.

The Shins appreciated being involved in the design process and said they were impressed with how much was accomplished in just eight weeks.

Added Randy, "Yes, the relationship (with our designers) is very important."

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