Glass and Mirrors Create Condo Clarity

For the owners of this stylish Kaneohe condo, glass and mirrors were essential in enhancing their three-bedroom, two-bathroom space. The home needed a refresh to upgrade outdated design elements and let in more natural light from sweeping views of Kaneohe Bay. The couple wanted a contemporary condo that would feel brighter, cleaner and more expansive. “We wanted more storage and less visible clutter, especially in the kitchen and bathroom,” the homeowner shares.

To achieve these goals, The Glass Guru of Honolulu installed custom glass and mirrors throughout the home for a timeless, sophisticated and streamlined aesthetic. Here, the homeowner and Glass Guru of Honolulu share thoughtful design insights from the condo remodel, highlighting how glass and mirrors can imbue any room with modern appeal.

Living Room:
New doors and windows were two of the biggest upgrades that transformed the home’s common areas. The original, dated wooden doors were replaced with luxury aluminum sliding doors from PRL, and rusty louvers were updated with Altair Aluminum Louver Windows from Breezway Hawaii. These changes improved ventilation and air circulation throughout the living room, and the picturesque view from glass panels brought the outdoors in.

Dining Room:
A thoughtful addition to the dining room helped optimize the home’s bayfront locale: A custom mirror on the dining room wall enhanced the home’s expansive ocean views and invited natural light into the common areas. “We literally doubled our views of Kaneohe Bay by adding a large wall mirror near the corner window in our dining area,” the homeowner explains. The Glass Guru of Honolulu featured premium-quality ultra-clear, low-iron mirrors in this custom creation for maximum impact in the couple’s dining space.

Kitchen: 
To create a minimalist, monochromatic look, the homeowners opted for bright white walls and custom cabinetry in the kitchen. Additional storage provided ample space for dishware, appliances and more, keeping clutter to a minimum. Clear countertops evoke a sense of calm and organization, with enough storage for every item to have a home.

The Glass Guru of Honolulu punctuated the streamlined aesthetic by installing a two-piece painted glass backsplash in the kitchen. The custom-cut pieces fit the space perfectly with a sleek and seamless look. While the back of the glass can be painted with a pop of color, the homeowners chose the simplicity of crisp, classic white. “And since there are no grout lines on the backsplash, glass is much easier to clean than tiles,” the homeowner notes.

Bathrooms: 
When it came to the bathrooms, the small, confined spaces posed a unique challenge for The Glass Guru of Honolulu. Clear shower glass and large wall mirrors were selected to make each bathroom feel more spacious and allow design elements to shine. While the magic of glass is noted in its ability to “disappear” in a space, owner Guerric de Coligny of The Glass Guru of Honolulu explains that there are subtle differences in glass tints.

When it comes to glass selections, de Coligny notes that the iron content in basic clear glass can produce a natural green tint in its finish. Ultra-clear glass boasts low iron content, resulting in high light transmission and neutral color translucence. The homeowners selected ultra-clear glass shower doors in both bathrooms for an effortless finish and to ensure the true colors of their shower tiles were maintained. In the secondary bathroom, glass etching was incorporated into the shower doors. “Some people love clear glass showers, and some prefer patterns or textures for style and added privacy. Guests and kids often prefer more privacy, so glass etching is a great option,” says de Coligny.

Learn more helpful condo renovation insights from The Glass Guru of Honolulu featured in our August 2024 Conquering Condo Challenges special section. For more information on how The Glass Guru of Honolulu can enhance your home with innovative glass and mirror solutions, visit theglassguru.com/honolulu-hi/.