Family Forever Home-Ohana Mau Loa-According to LiLu Interiors

Family Forever Home: Ohana Mau Loa

In Hawaii, Ohana Mau Loa means family forever. And for clients Chris and Marna, this is something they wanted to see supported in the construction of their vacation home on the Big Island. A Family Forever Home.

Island Life

It wasn’t simply about scale, although the central living space at the heart of the home surrounded by several individual living spaces offer just that. Above all, this place was created to provide a welcoming and familiar island getaway that the entire family could enjoy all together. The tropical surroundings are certainly the main attraction of the home’s construction, while a well-appointed yet low-maintenance interior supports the island life this family loves.

Family Forever Home-Grand Room

Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams make the spaces feel spacious and airy. And the 57 feet of retractable glass along the kitchen and dining room invite the natural outdoor beauty to hang out with the family all day and night. And yet it is the strategic space design and well-appointed interior that perfectly complements life at the beach.

“Slabs had been poured and they were just beginning to frame the main building when we were brought into the project,” Lisa said. “While the architecture and interior millwork had already been designed, no finishes had been selected for the interior except the Sapele mahogany specified for the cabinetry and trim work.”

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Family Forever Home-Concept

We had plenty of work to do. The overall design concept was to create a retreat that felt at home in Hawaii and married the couple’s love of world travel and traditional tastes. The fish-hook island in the kitchen not only nods at Chris’ love for fishing, it serves as a natural gathering place for the family as they cook meals together. And when they’re ready to eat, Chris, Marna, four adult children and their spouses, and their 11 grandchildren have plenty of space to sit down together and enjoy a family meal. Many of them sit around the live-edge dining table that was a rare find during a trip to Indonesia.
Because the family wanted to enjoy their time together and not fuss about the house, worry-free finishes and fabrics were chosen to hold up to wet swim suits, feel good on bare feet, and withstand sandy shoes, and salt air.
Everywhere you turn, you see a playful interaction between our interior design and the outdoor splendor. For the bedroom suites we started with a unique slab material for the countertops. It reminded our clients of Hawaiian topography or volcanic lava, and we combined it with different finishes in each space for individual appeal. The island inspired the color palette of lush greens and deep blues, which complement the rich mahogany.
See more of the process of designing this home.

Family Forever Home-A Dream Realized

“There are playful references to Hawaiian life throughout the home from the sea turtle mosaics in the kids’ pool, surf board shaped tile in the pool bath, and tiki-inspired stone panels in the billiard room,” LuAnne said. “We also chose materials with subtle references that mimic the rhythm of ocean waves and patterns of indigenous trees.”
When the project was completed, we were able to help Chris and Marna realize their dream of living the island life fully committed to family forever.
See Hawaiian Inspired color palettes so you can create your own Hawaiian inspired home.
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