The first order of business was tackling the exteriors of the 1,400-square-foot house, the detached laundry room, the 600-square-foot guest cottage and the two-car garage. Gavin and Deanna stripped off the existing mango-colored wood paneling and replaced it with cedar-shake shingles that will weather to a soft grey over time. Deanna says she and Gavin were sold on the enduring nature of cedar siding after their construction manager told them about his family’s home on Moloka‘i; its shake shingles had lasted for generations.
The Fergusons painted the exterior trim a cheerful turquoise to add a pop of color (and personality). To create a breezy ambiance and take advantage of the wraparound views, the couple tore out the screens that had enclosed the spacious, covered lānai. Then they outfitted the space with oil-rubbed bronze fixtures that could better withstand the salty trade winds. The original front door was replaced with a matching set of sliders, but it didn’t get tossed out; instead, it was repurposed as a sliding barn door for the master bathroom.
Inside, Deanna made sure every room would be bright, airy and awash in white; the newly painted walls offer a clean canvas. That theme extends to the sunlit kitchen, where black hardware and appliances set off crisp white cabinets and light granite countertops. The Fergusons opted for easy-to-clean surfaces in the kitchen and bathrooms, and water-resistant vinyl flooring to accommodate sandy feet and wet swimsuits. To furnish the main house and one-bedroom cottage, the couple turned to interior designers Jessica McLellan and Wendy Takamoto of HUE, a “beach luxe” furniture and home-accessories store in Kahului. “I told them to keep it simple and relaxed,” Deanna says. Mission accomplished: After paying a visit to the property, Jessica and Wendy chose bohemian-inspired décor in natural textures and neutral colors that evoke sand, sea and sky. Deanna says she and Gavin were delighted with the result. “It feels comfortable and lived-in, not overdone.”
