Design Dispatch: What This Hawaii Resort Gets Right

Every other year for the last 20 years, my extended family has gathered at the same resort in Hawaii.

At this point, we know the property by heart. We know which pool gets the best afternoon sun, which buildings offer the quickest beach access, and what time you need to get down to the pavilion if you want first pick of the barbecues for dinner.

After all these years, I have come to appreciate something important: the success of this place has very little to do with luxury.

That is not to say it isn't beautiful. It is. The setting is spectacular, and many of the units have been thoughtfully updated over the years. But twenty years later, we are not returning because of the finishes.

We keep coming back because it works.

The property offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom accommodations. Some families stay together. Others spread out. Everyone gets the level of privacy they need without feeling disconnected from the group.

Every evening people migrate toward the ocean with a drink in hand to watch the sunset. Some head down to the beach. Others settle into a chair near the pool and pavilion. Those fortunate enough to have a lanai with a view may stay put, but even then, they are participating in the same daily ritual and it is accessible to all who want a part of it.

The pools are distributed throughout the property rather than concentrated in one location, which prevents any single area from becoming overcrowded. Just before the beach sits a large pavilion complete with multiple refrigerators, ranges, grills, ice machines, and enough tables and chairs to accommodate large groups.

I discuss the best outdoor finishes and ideas for your own space more on the blog.

Our family has a tradition that each family takes responsibility for one dinner during the trip. That means one evening of cooking and cleanup, while the rest of the week feels a bit like dining out with twenty to thirty of your favorite people.

I share this NOT so I can share my family trip album but to emphasize: This is good design.

Whether you're planning a resort or a family home, the principles are the same. The best environments anticipate how people actually behave and remove friction before it appears.

It is easy to focus on finishes, fixtures, and furnishings, and those things matter. But the spaces that stand the test of time succeed because they support the way people live.

Twenty years later, that is why we keep coming back.

For our take on providing best hospitality in your own home, check out our post on setting up a room for guests who want to stay (that is, if you want them too....)

In the Mix: A Few Predictions (Feel Free To Hold Me Accountable 😉)

Every year, lists of design trends get published that are supposedly going to change everything.

Sometimes they are right.

Sometimes they age about as well as avocado-green appliances.

As designers, we walk a fine line. We need to pay attention to what is changing without abandoning the principles that have always worked. There is value in innovation, but there is also value in understanding why certain materials, layouts, and details have endured for decades.

With that in mind, here are a few things I believe we will be seeing more of.

Maple Cabinetry:

For years, white oak has dominated the conversation. I believe maple and other warmer wood species are next.

Not the orange-toned maple many of us remember from the 1990s. Think cleaner, lighter interpretations that highlight the grain while feeling fresh, refined, and current.

The images above are a maple cabinet vanity and linen tower that are currently being installed and awaiting countertops and pulls in one of our wonderful client’s homes. The movement in the grain gives the cabinets a unique character and depth.

European-Inspired Cabinetry:

Expect to continue seeing streamlined cabinetry with integrated hardware, thoughtful storage solutions, and fewer decorative flourishes.

The emphasis remains on simplicity, functionality, and clean lines.

We sat down for an interview with local cabinet makers AM Cabinet Designs to learn their take on what else is next.

Less Window Treatments, Better Window Treatment:

A properly proportioned and trimmed window often needs less than people think.

I am seeing a continued move away from heavy treatments and toward solutions that provide privacy and light control while allowing the architecture itself to take center stage (which I am always a big fan of).

Mixing Metals:

Champagne bronze paired with darker bronze finishes is a combination I continue to reach for and one I expect to see more often.

The contrast creates depth and interest while remaining warm and timeless. Unlike some of the heavily themed metal combinations of years past, these pairings feel layered and sophisticated.

Aging In Place:

This is not a trend- it is simply where the industry is headed.

I am seeing increased interest from both homeowners and developers who are thinking beyond immediate needs and considering how to accommodate living in the same place over a span of ten, twenty, and thirty years.

Universal design principles are becoming less of a specialty conversation and more of a standard, which is shaping how I approach design and I believe is a positive shift for everyone.

Read more about this trend & others that we are seeing in my post on where luxury design is moving next.

Off the Clock: Celebrating 80 Years

This year, four(!) generations of our family gathered in Hawaii to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday.

All but one of my five siblings and their families were able to make the trip, which is no small feat when you're coordinating a group this size.

One evening, we surprised my mom with a luau-themed celebration complete with her favorite maui drink- mai tais; both the traditional version and a kid-friendly version for the younger crowd.

I was in charge of the cake. I considered making it myself then came to my senses.

Instead, I ordered one from a local bakery filled with guava and lilikoi. It was so good and considerably less stressful than taking time away from the beach & family and banking on having all the tools I needed to make one.

These gatherings find me watching and reflecting as the older kids introduce the younger to all the stuff: exploring the same grounds, the same tidepools & the same shave ice & ice cream shops we have frequented for years.

Some traditions have stayed the same; others have evolved- but either way, new memories are being made.
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I come from a large family. Like any family, we aren't perfect, but we do place a high value on spending time together.

That is something my mom & dad instilled in all of us, and I believe it may be their greatest legacy.

My hope is that the commitment to gathering, celebrating, and staying connected continues through future generations.

Because in the end, those are the things people remember.

In the market for outdoor items? Check out our favorite picks for summer (eating & otherwise) 🌞

Until next time,

🤍

Lisa

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