A designer’s eye for detail embraces island living and the enviable vistas of this coastal Kaua‘i home.
Photographed by Alicia Greenwell Photography
THE PROJECT
Christina Higham, the designer behind Sun Soul Style Interiors, was tasked with furnishing a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home on North Shore Kaua‘i for her clients, owners of Jurassic Health Club in the area. “This was their first home together, and we were literally starting from scratch and it was important that we created a home that felt very much like a reflection of themselves and their lifestyles,” says Higham. The project came together with a quick turnaround time—a challenging feat in Hawai‘i—thanks to custom pieces from local vendors and a workroom in Los Angeles.
THE PRIORITY
“As you walk into this beautiful home the first thing you notice are the views. The floor-to-ceiling windows open up to gorgeous tropical foliage and a vista looking out toward Kauapea “Secrets”Beach. Our priority would be highlighting these views and selecting furniture that wouldn’t compete with the surroundings. The overall aesthetic was quite natural—lots of natural textures,warm woods —to allow the natural surroundings to shine.”
The pastel colors used in the bedroom artwork by High Desert Studio echoed the clients’ love of crystals. Photographed by Alicia Greenwell Photography
THE DESIGN
“Anytime I start working with a client, I want to get to know them a bit so we can pull details from their lives into the aesthetic of their home,” says Higham. This couple wanted a home where they could relax and unwind and also gather and entertain. Higham used the couple’s crystal collection as a jumping-o point for the design direction. “I found this beautiful watercolor painting by the talented artist High Desert Studio— the purples and pinks reminded me of Amethyst and Rose Quartz—and those are also repeated in the ceramic lamp on the bedroom dresser by Meredith Metcalf Ceramics.”
THE OUTCOME
“Natural finishes like rustic wood paired with nubby textures create that coastal feel without feeling overtly ‘beachy,’” says Higham, who was aiming for a refined, coastal vibe for this home without relying on beachy clichés of seashells and palm trees. The clients insisted on cozy, soft materials throughout the home, which Highham incorporated with Belgian linen sofas and chairs, and soft, textural wool rugs in the living room and primary bedroom.
A West Elm mirror above a vintage bench from Summer House Mill Valley welcomes guests upon entry. Photographed by Alicia Greenwell Photography
Clean, contemporary furnishings and a mix of textures gives the home a warm, coastal vibe. Photographed by Alicia Greenwell Photography
LOCATION
Kilauea, Kaua‘i
DESIGNER
Christina Higham
Sun Soul Style Interiors,
sunsoulstyle.com
COMMUNITY MFG
Custom living room sofas,
couches, and sectionals
and guest bedroom bed,
communitymfg.com
CROFT HOUSE
Living room media console
and bedroom dressers,
crofthouse.com
HIGH DESERT STUDIO
Bedroom art,
shophighdesertstudio.com
LEHUA DESIGNS
Custom bedroom curtains and blinds, @lehuadesigns1
MEREDITH METCALF
Bedroom floor lamp,
meredithmetcalfceramics.com
SHOPPE AMBER INTERIORS
Bedroom pillows,
shoppe.amberinteriors.com
SUMMER HOUSE MILL VALLEY
Vintage entry bench and living room coffee table,
summerhousemillvalley.com
WEST ELM
Entry mirror and guest bedroom lighting,
westelm.com
Photography by:
