Makaha Beach Retreat
This Makaha remodel began with a small and cramped floor plan that didn’t give the homeowners any room to relax and unwind in their beachside second home. The primary challenge was to give the clients an open, spacious, and well-planned transformation within the boundaries of their compact condo, and create a place to enjoy their gorgeous ocean views.
Avid readers and beach walkers, the client’s wished for more space to display their books and growing shell collection. They also wanted better lighting, easy maintenance finishes, and a place to enjoy their morning coffee together while they planned their day. Gourmet foodies, these home chef’s also needed a fully functional, modern kitchen, but one that didn’t spoil the open concept floor plan. The challenges continued with creating enough storage and finding a space to hide a built-in washer/dryer, while trying not to sacrifice the open and light feel of the floor plan
By playing with the geometry of the space, Judy was able to use the angles and shapes of the cabinets and counters, to create an easy, workable floor plan. Open shelving for display on one side of the peninsula gave the client’s what they needed for their books and shells; while the kitchen side of the peninsula gives way to a modern cooktop with plenty of drawer storage underneath. A graceful, large chimney hood gives function as well as an anchoring point for the kitchen transition. Tucked under the solid-surface counters are an integrated dishwasher, integrated refrigerator drawers and built-in washer/dryer unit.
The many layers of lighting design help to define the function of the kitchen but also do an amazing job of highlighting the deep turquoise of the lava-stone accent breakfast counter. Recessed lighting gives the kitchen its overall warmth, the under-cabinet lighting is perfect for task and mood lighting, and the accent lighting in the open shelving/display cabinets highlight the client’s collections.
The colors of the kitchen are a direct reflection of the views outside. The warm and easy maintenance porcelain tiles on the floor mimic the sandy beach, the counters reflect the cool blues of the ocean water, and the honey maple cabinetry mirrors the gorgeous sunsets just outside the windows.
The clients were receptive and overjoyed with all of Judy’s suggestions; her innovative and unique ideas brought their design dreams to life. They are ecstatic with the outcome. Their Makaha Beach Retreat now reflects the gorgeous colors of the Leeward Coast, in an open and relaxed style.
“It's not what you look at that matters,it's what you see.”
– Henry David Thoreau