Kitchen Cabinetry That Maximizes Space for Ohana

As a schoolteacher and working mother of three, Blair Morrison wanted an “island modern” kitchen built around the needs of her busy ohana. With grown children who come to visit home from college, including athletic teenagers who are always on the go, Morrison’s goal was to create a clean and minimal clutter-free kitchen space where the family could gather and enjoy each other’s company. By crafting stunning kitchen cabinetry with durable materials and clever storage solutions, Hawaii Kitchen & Bath worked with Morrison to make her dream kitchen come true.

Hawaii Kitchen & Bath is a tight-knit family business specializing in European-style cabinet fabrication. Cris Johnson started the company with her husband, Jayme Thompson, over 20 years ago, and the two have maintained solid relationships with local clients ever since. “We have roots in the Kailua community,” explains Johnson.

Bold cabinetry provides contrast among white and wood finishes. The homeowner added her own decorative touches along the island.

As a homeowner in Kailua — a town known for its picturesque beaches and pristine offshore waters — it was only fitting that Morrison chose the color blue for her cabinetry. The kitchen’s royal blue cabinets have an old Hawaiiana feel, despite their clean-lined 21st century European design. And antique gold accessories are a perfect contrast against the cabinets’ bold blue panels.

Complementing the cabinetry are countertops in sleek, white quartz. Opulent-looking mosaic tiles cover the backsplash, and the same pattern is used along the kitchen’s island.

In addition to custom cabinets for aesthetics, Hawaii Kitchen & Bath worked with the homeowner to understand her family’s needs for storage and clutter-free spaces.

Clutter-free countertops are necessary for big family meals and weeknight dinners, so maximizing cabinet space is vital. To make that happen, Hawaii Kitchen & Bath incorporated trendy and efficient German-engineered storage features inside Morrison’s kitchen cabinetry. In other words, as Johnson says, “everything in the kitchen has a home.” Each cabinet is made with exceptional detail, from pullout swivels for pots and pans, a pullout spice rack, and even made-to-fit spaces for her teenagers’ Hydro Flasks. Also, a hidden cubby space was specially designed in the kitchen’s island to fit a microwave.

Long-lasting and easy-to-clean cabinetry is also key, especially for homeowners with big ohana (including pets). Morrison’s cabinets are covered in an ultra matte acrylic material and are also scratch-resistant and UV-rated. “If you use it against constant light, the color will never fade,” explains Johnson. In addition, the layered cabinetry is a durable product that withstands daily kitchen use, so there’s no need to worry about stains from cooking or accidental scratches.

The cabinet under the pineapple stores a high-quality ice maker. As a home design enthusiast, the homeowner thoughtfully considered how to make the most of her kitchen layout.

Hawaii Kitchen & Bath keeps up with the latest cabinetry technology and trends. This pullout swivel was specially designed to house various heights of pots and pans.

The kitchen remodel took about four months and included additional installers and some savvy DIY work. Now, Morrison has a functional gathering place to keep her ohana entertained and comfortable. “I love my kitchen,” explains Morrison, a home design enthusiast. “Although I spent more time [on it] than most kitchen renovations, I’m glad I did because I do not regret any of my decisions.”

The new Morrison kitchen is the heart of the family’s elegant Kailua home, and the ohana says it looks forward to more dinners and homecoming celebrations together.

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