A Seamless Transition

After residing in East Oahu for many years, a local homeowner was looking to downsize to a smaller space in Honolulu. Transitioning from living in a 2,500-square-foot house to a 1,300-square-foot condo wasn’t easy, however, and required innovative solutions with cabinets to maximize comfort and functionality.

The condo’s high ceilings and large windows made the living room and bedrooms feel bright and expansive, but the existing kitchen and bathrooms were dark and dated. Contractor Steven Kam of Pillar Construction and Cris Johnson of Hawaii Kitchen & Bath worked together to provide a much-needed refresh to these spaces.

Transforming the kitchen was a top priority for the homeowner, an avid entertainer who loves to cook and have guests over. “Since the kitchen is always the gathering space when entertaining, I wanted to create an inviting, open kitchen that was also functional,” she shares.

Custom cabinetry made from premier textured melamine delivers a contemporary look. Here, undercabinet lighting creates the illusion of added space and “floating” cabinets.

Sleek storage keeps the condo kitchen clean and clutter-free.

In the original kitchen, natural light flowed in from the windows — a feature that the homeowner and project team sought to maintain. “We wanted to keep everything neutral and organic so that it looked like it was all a part of the landscape,” shares Johnson. “When you walk into the kitchen, the first thing you see is the greenery of the mountain, so we carefully planned our color scheme to complement its surroundings.”

Hawaii Kitchen & Bath created custom cabinets with flat-panel doors that extend to the kitchen soffit. Crafted with premier textured melamine in a sophisticated, earthy hue, the cabinetry mimics the appearance of natural wood and is durable and easy to clean. Along with the valuable upper and lower storage it provides, its timeless color palette and low-profile pulls result in long, seamless lines that make the kitchen appear more spacious.

Hidden LED lighting was incorporated beneath the upper kitchen cabinets to illuminate countertops — a signature style of Hawaii Kitchen & Bath. To enhance the effect, contractor Kam installed motion-sensor undercabinet lighting to the lower cabinets as well.

Hawaii Kitchen & Bath crafted the same cabinetry design in the bathroom for a cohesive aesthetic.

Stellar lighting effects elevate the bathroom’s elegant and relaxing ambience.

Hamper drawers in the master bathroom keep laundry organized and out of sight.

“Now, when the homeowner walks into the kitchen, the base cabinet lights turn on and open up the path. It gives the illusion of floating cabinets that makes the room feel even bigger,” Johnson explains.

Hawaii Kitchen & Bath fabricated the same cabinetry and design for the master and guest bathrooms to create a stylish, cohesive aesthetic. Kam also installed motion-sensor undercabinet lighting in the bathrooms for a modern look, and punctuated each space with lighted mirrors. Additionally, the homeowner loves the functional hamper drawers in the master bathroom, which optimize storage and keep laundry separated and organized.

The result of the renovation far exceeded the homeowner’s expectations, allowing her to downsize effortlessly and settle into condo living with ease. “I now have a sophisticated condo that I look forward to coming home to every day,” she says.

For custom cabinet fabrication, contact Hawaii Kitchen & Bath at (808) 261-0357 or visit hawaiikitchenandbath.com.

Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.