Having moved her West Coast Studio Palomino (studio-palomino.com) to Hawai‘i over a year ago, interior designer Barbie Palomino settled in renovating her home in Captain Cook overlooking Kealakekua Bay and now she’s sharing her signature panache with the islands. Here, she fills us in on the trends of the season and her favorite must-stop shops.
BARBIE PALOMINO. PHOTO BY JESS ISAAC
1. How would you describe your personal aesthetic? I love mixing modern and vintage (often midcentury) furniture pieces with textured rugs, unique lighting, an ever-rotating pillow collection and a statement gallery wall including my young daughter’s latest masterpieces. Combined, they make for an eclectic aesthetic.
2. What do you love about what you do? It’s so gratifying to always create a new space that doesn’t look like any other past project in my portfolio. We design a lot of custom furniture and built-ins, and I’m so lucky to have clients that wholeheartedly trust me. They say, ‘Whatever you think works best, Barbie!’
3. What’s on everyone’s must-have list in home design this year? A functional and design-forward home office!
4. What are your favorite design elements that are having a moment right now? I’m not known for beige spaces, so I’m thrilled more clients are interested in using [muted] colors as neutrals. Opting for a limited, monochromatic palette in a room is also fun for me as a designer, while being visually soothing.
5. Must-stop home decor shops in Hawai‘i to note? I’m currently obsessed with Lola Pilar Hawai‘i’s prints. Their photographic artwork is inspired by vintage Hawaiian quilts. On O‘ahu, Island Bungalow, Aloha Home Market and Bali Aga carry perfectly island-themed furnishings and decor. Hawai‘i Island is pretty limited in its decor offerings, but it would be a dream come true to open up a shop myself here in the near future!
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