With a sprawling single-level layout featuring dramatic vaulted ceilings throughout, Stephanie Brown, principal of interior design firm Stephanie Brown Inc., created an organic modern aesthetic fused with the more traditional Hawaiian architecture. Inspired by rich natural woods, stones and textures, Brown let these natural materials be the focal points throughout. The estate’s grounds also offered plenty of space for activity areas including a pool, gym and yoga pavilion, bocci court, pickleball court and even an orchard. “We sought to incorporate more modern elements into the home while ensuring it still felt approachable and contextual for Maui,” says Brown. “We ensured continuity of details and palette throughout the sprawling home, guesthouse and various outdoor lounge and activity areas.”
PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARIKO REED
“Our client desired a luxury estate property that would feel classically Hawaiian but also embrace more contemporary design elements,” says Brown. “We imagined a space that would flow seamlessly indoors and outdoors, with extensive use of walnut wood, limestone flooring and a calming, neutral color palette rich with texture.”
The outdoor elements such as pathways, plantings and separate activity areas were given a modern touch to blend with the inside of the home. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARIKO REED
The style of home is quite commonly found in Maui and offers a great indoor-outdoor connection from nearly all rooms. “The home features traditional Hawaiian architecture, so our challenge was to creatively detail the interior in a way that would help tip it toward a more modern aesthetic,” Brown notes. “The exterior also needed guidance to ensure outdoor elements such as the pool, pathways, plantings and separate activity areas all felt more modern and spoke to what was happening inside the home.”
PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARIKO REED
Having worked on similar projects in the past, Brown had a few suggestions and ideas for their client. “For instance, we wanted the wood tones to feel rich but neutral—not red or orange—so we opted for American walnut throughout,” explains Brown. “And because the woodwork is quite dominant, we selected a very light limestone floor and off-white wall color for the main spaces to enhance light and openness. We also wanted to ensure a Hawaiian aesthetic, without being obvious or kitschy. While we included a few thematic decor elements such as surfboards, palm leaves and grass cloth wallpaper, we kept the palette neutral, which helps everything feel a bit more elevated, luxurious and modern.”
Hawaiian aesthetic was included with a few thematic decor elements such as surfboards—shown here in the primary bathroom—and various photography pieces throughout by surf photo legend Brian Bielmann—shown here in the primary bedroom. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARIKO REED
The color palette is predominantly white, gray and wood, with accents of matte black and brushed gold. “We paid great attention to the detailing of cabinetry and paneling throughout the home as a way to establish a more modern style,” says Brown. “Narrow walnut slats create streamlined but dimensional panelling in several areas, and black steel frames encompass the kitchen island supports, open shelves and even privacy wall details in the powder rooms. Continuity of these details and materials throughout the home helps keep it sleek and unified.”
Inspired by rich natural woods, stones and textures, the color palette is predominantly white, gray and wood, with accents of matte black and brushed gold. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARIKO REED
There are many pieces that give this home a unique feel, such as the dining table featuring one-of-a-kind ceramic vessels by Heather Rosenman. “Their ivory tone stands out nicely on the dining table, which is a 14-foot-long custom creation that I designed and is made from solid oak with a cerused finish, made by Lock & Mortice in Vancouver,” says Brown. The main hall features striking black-and-white art pieces by Hawaiian artist Kamran Samimi, and the end of the hall is marked by a traditional wood surfboard by local maker Hawaiian Paddle Co. The surfboard theme is continued with a custom skinsurf board by Jeff Trotter in the primary en suite and various photography pieces throughout by surf photo legend Brian Bielmann.
The estate’s grounds offers plenty of space for outdoor living and activity areas including a pool and yoga pavilion. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARIKO REED
The final design exudes casual, approachable luxury. “The interior flows seamlessly with the exterior, and the various spaces throughout the home all feel slightly personalized yet consistent in the overall palette and style,” says Brown. “We’re pleased to have pushed the design in a more modern direction, while still balancing and embracing the more traditional Hawaiian architecture and design elements.”
PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARIKO REED
LOCATION
Maui
DESIGNER
Stephanie Brown Inc.
stephaniebrowninc.com
ARCHITECT
Weigang Marvick & Associates
weigangmarvick.com
BUILDER
Makena Builders
makenabuilders.com
Barter Design
Revolve 43-inch planter in entry and living lanai
barterdesign.ca
Inform
Bensen Aura sofas in living room
shop.informinteriors.com/collections/bensen
Lock & Mortice
Custom dining table in dining room and custom coffee tables and sculpture pedestal in living room
lockandmortice.com
Phillips Collection
Chamcha dining table in dining lanai
phillipscollection.com
RH
Mesa aluminum dining armchair in dining lanai; 90-inch Havana Luxe sofa, pillows, braided loop rug and Anselm square coffee table in living lanai
rh.com
SwitzerCultCreative
Artisan Tesa dining chairs in dining room and Latus sideboard in living room
switzercultcreative.com
Photography by:
