They kept the curves of the existing house and added new landscaping with
organic curved shapes to echo what was already there. “We tried to create more of a connection so that inside and outdoors blend
seamlessly,” Levine says. The front entrance of the 6,000-square-foot home sets the tone
with a view that takes the eye straight to the ocean. Large inlays of Hawaiian
sea turtles in the pool reflect the homeowners’ love for the aquatic creatures.
Now the Hawaiian-style home’s natural indoor-outdoor living plan not only reflects the people who live
there, but the local lifestyle as well. The master suite provides the ultimate
retreat with a second-story view of the ocean that seems to go on forever. “It’s a really tranquil space, but it wasn’t that way before,” Levine points out. “We were really happy to give them that.”
Levine worked closely with the owners’ lifestyles to achieve maximum results. The kitchen, which was once completely
cut off from the rest of the house, was reconfigured to become a main
attraction.
Built-in bookshelves were designed with cookbooks in mind. A new staircase in
the home features a railing that was designed to mimic the one outside. The
living room and lanai have the same quartzite stone floors for a smooth
transition throughout. Ceilings were raised wherever possible for a more open
feel.
“Our clients knew what they wanted to achieve, and they were wonderful to work
with,” Levine says. “They had a vision and they saw our vision. We worked really well as a team.”
Levine also worked with Holly Boling Ruiz, ASID, senior interior designer with
Philpotts & Associates, in Honolulu, Hawaii. “One of the key things,” Ruiz says, “was the desire to have the house feel very comfortable, casual, and relaxed for
their family and friends to come visit.”
Everything from the floors and fabrics to the finishes is very durable. “Everything is kind of cushy and comfortable. You can curl right up into the
space,” Ruiz says. A variety of textures and materials that reflect Hawaii, such as
wicker and rattan, appear throughout the home. Most of the art was from the
homeowners’ collection gathered over the time they’ve been living on the island. Many are by Hawaiian artists, and botanicals,
landscapes, foliage, and fauna are a predominant theme.
“The interiors reflect the exterior,” Ruiz says. “We wanted to marry those two so that they would be interwoven together. There is
a seamless integrity to it. It’s very peaceful.”
Levine agrees. “Through the renovation,” she says, “we gave them a completely new feel and function for the house.” In other words, they made it a home. 
