Tropical Zen Remodel
Originally from Hawaii, my clients wanted to incorporate the warmth and color of the islands into their California ranch home. Their requests:
• Comfortable, serene, uncluttered design
• Natural elements
• Kitchen more open to dining
• Arrangement to accommodate new flat-screen TV viewing
Hosting constant visitors, my clients live in their kitchen and enjoy cooking.
For Hawaiian colors, I used green quartz, glass tile and counters, iroko flooring, hemlock cabinets, and an unusual slate limestone.
To create a lighter, more welcoming space I removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen and increased the entry wall length to create a better kitchen/dining/entry relationship. I added a wall between the family room and kitchen to house tall kitchen elements on one side and TV equipment on the other, as well as create a natural transition for the ceiling height changes.
Features:
• Ventilated drawers
• Composting sink
• Energy-efficient lighting
• Silent hood and dishwasher
When it came to their master bath, my clients requested:
• Spa-feeling
• Shower for two
• Functional makeup area
• Two sinks
• Linen storage
• Walk-in closet
• Separate toilet compartment
• Door to backyard for pool access.
I rearranged the space for convenience and function and created an open shower with double rain and hand-showers, a shallow makeup counter (easy to get close to the mirror), plentiful storage, and seating.
Shades of blue and green create a sense of “spa”. Blended textures of honed limestone countertops, slate, glass tile, large-format and mosaic porcelain tile, glass pebbles, granite tile, and ceramic tiles are earthy yet refined. Horizontal patterns create serenity.
Storage:
• Tall louvered linen cabinet
• Flush medicine cabinets
• His-and-her pullouts at each end of the vanity
• Multiple shower niches
• Function-packed walk-in closet
• Toilet roll cabinet in toilet vestibule
• Bedroom armoire
Function:
• Seating in shower
• Seating in main bath
• Convenient towel bars
• Silent, powerful vent fans
• Good lighting
• Textured glass windows add light and privacy.
Ed Gohlich photographer