The commission was to create a complete interior design scheme for an 8,000 square foot family vacation compound in Kona, Hawaii. The project was completed in December 2009. MLK Studio was hired to design the kitchen and all 8 bathrooms as well as fully furnish all rooms. Our studio collaborated with Boffi to plan the kitchen, which was made of sustainably harvested walnut cabinetry with counters of crystallized glass.
The concept for the plan of the house (by architectural firm, Belzberg Architects) was for a series of pods and a strong visual element pointing to the sea on one side and the volcano on the other. The main pavilion houses the living and dining areas, kitchen, and master suite. 2 separate structures have 3 bedrooms and bathrooms apiece. A 4th structure houses a screening room.
Other materials used throughout the house were selected to harmonize with the architect’s selection of materials for the building. Because of the true indoor/outdoor living environment that was created, many of the interior materials carried through to the exterior, such as the dark gray, sun-block proof, large-scale porcelain floor tile in the main structure.
Because of the very nature of Hawaii itself, the décor has a sense of casualness to it, yet still maintains an elegant spirit. Many pieces were custom designed by MLK Studio for the project, fabricated in Los Angeles, and shipped to the island along with most of the other furniture. Straight-edge furniture pieces, such as the master bed, were combined with organic-edge pieces to give the modern environment a more relaxed, rustic overall look. Everything was carried out in the highest quality of materials and production.
