My Houzz: Breezy Urban Style in a Tropical Hawaiian Paradise
This homeowner personalised her bright Hawaiian cottage with details reminiscent of her former home in New York
The first time Sarah Schmidt came to Hawaii on holiday was 15 years ago. At the time, she says, ‘I thought to myself, I could live here, and I almost quit my job.’ It wasn’t just the welcome break from her high-stress job on Wall Street in New York City. Sarah spent her childhood in the Bahamas, so she was no stranger to the laid-back island lifestyle. Her return trips to Hawaii sparked her love of windsurfing and a deeper desire to live more simply. In Maui she felt a connection to nature and the ocean-loving people and knew this was the place she wanted to call home.
She purchased a 1,000-square-foot cottage on 3 acres of lush land in Makawao, on Maui’s North Shore, with plans to use it as a holiday home. But as she worked long distance with architectural designer Linda Lange and general contractor Todd Boyd, she decided to change the focus from holiday to full-time home. The decision was made easier by her budding romance with Todd.
‘The scope of the project changed once I decided to live in the house with Todd,’ she recalls. ‘I really poured my heart and soul into it!’ The result is a cohesive blend of city and island that is a perfect fit for the couple.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Sarah Schmidt, Todd Boyd of Todd Boyd Homes, and Charles the cat
Location Maui, Hawaii
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
She purchased a 1,000-square-foot cottage on 3 acres of lush land in Makawao, on Maui’s North Shore, with plans to use it as a holiday home. But as she worked long distance with architectural designer Linda Lange and general contractor Todd Boyd, she decided to change the focus from holiday to full-time home. The decision was made easier by her budding romance with Todd.
‘The scope of the project changed once I decided to live in the house with Todd,’ she recalls. ‘I really poured my heart and soul into it!’ The result is a cohesive blend of city and island that is a perfect fit for the couple.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Sarah Schmidt, Todd Boyd of Todd Boyd Homes, and Charles the cat
Location Maui, Hawaii
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The new house required considerable efforts to transform it into a comfortable, light-filled home. They opened up the interior space by eliminating one of the three bedrooms. Working alongside Todd, Sarah selected everything — each paint colour, finish, appliance and piece of furniture. ‘It was a typical renovation at first, then next thing you knew, we tore it apart,’ she says. ‘Todd ripped the house down to the studs: Every door was moved; every light fixture was changed; the plumbing was replaced; insulation was installed, as well as solar attic fans.’
A 500-foot-long driveway leads to the cottage, which sits in a gated area. Todd kept the roof but changed the latticework on the ground level. He also planted fruit trees around the property, including tangerines, Valencia oranges, grapefruits, avocados, mangos and a stunning white shower tree.
Lap cladding, HardiePlank painted Green Blue (top) and Stiffkey Blue (bottom), Farrow & Ball.
Lap cladding, HardiePlank painted Green Blue (top) and Stiffkey Blue (bottom), Farrow & Ball.
An out-of-the way corner of the great room is home to an antique desk from a second-hand shop in New York. The foo dogs were found at the same store, and the painting was done by a friend of Sarah’s from university, contemporary artist Marlena Chumo.
The open kitchen exemplifies the attention to detail that was paid to the entire remodel. ‘Sarah was adamant about white marble countertops,’ Todd says. After an extensive search, Todd came across two slabs of Italian white statuary marble — a rare find in the Hawaiian Islands — at Central Maui Baseyard. The finished marble was used throughout the home, from the kitchen island and countertops to the bathroom floors and the coffee table top.
In addition, ‘Sarah wanted the whitest white we could find for the cabinets and drawers,’ says Todd. The result is a light-filled space.
Countertop fabrication, Nvs Stone Fabrication. Cabinets, Bellmont 1600s series, Icon, Pacific Source.
See how to make a white scheme work in your kitchen
In addition, ‘Sarah wanted the whitest white we could find for the cabinets and drawers,’ says Todd. The result is a light-filled space.
Countertop fabrication, Nvs Stone Fabrication. Cabinets, Bellmont 1600s series, Icon, Pacific Source.
See how to make a white scheme work in your kitchen
The original structure featured vaulted ceilings. Todd installed tongue and groove wood panelling to brighten the space. The floors throughout are Brazilian hardwood.
For a clean and modern look, Sarah elected injection-moulded polycarbonate chairs. ‘Because of the damp climate, I didn’t want anything with cushions,’ she says.
Chairs, Charles Ghost Stool, Design Within Reach. Refrigerator, Sub-Zero and Wolf.
For a clean and modern look, Sarah elected injection-moulded polycarbonate chairs. ‘Because of the damp climate, I didn’t want anything with cushions,’ she says.
Chairs, Charles Ghost Stool, Design Within Reach. Refrigerator, Sub-Zero and Wolf.
Sarah found herself researching range cookers on Houzz and fell in love with La Cornue’s, but ‘they were just too expensive,’ she says. ‘I wanted two ovens, but I only had a certain amount of space. Todd and I discovered the Lacanche French ranges showroom in Manhattan. The stoves come in 25 different colours — we chose French Blue Enamel. Each one is made to order in France.’
Beverage center, KitchenAid. Dish drawer, Fisher & Paykel.
Beverage center, KitchenAid. Dish drawer, Fisher & Paykel.
Light-coloured walls also keep the kitchen space light and airy. The island is new. ‘I wanted an island that we could also eat at in case it’s too windy outside,’ Sarah says. Above the island hangs a rectangular pendant in polished nickel. That and the stainless steel kitchen sink give the room an industrial vibe.
Wall paint, Skylight, Farrow & Ball. Pendant, Roark by Ralph Lauren Home. Kitchen sink, Kohler.
Wall paint, Skylight, Farrow & Ball. Pendant, Roark by Ralph Lauren Home. Kitchen sink, Kohler.
In the living room, adjacent to the kitchen, a flat-weave rug in indigo and chambray adds a touch of coastal charm. Sarah found the sofa at a second-hand shop in New York and had it reupholstered. The coffee table is an antique. Almost all of the furnishings were in Sarah’s Manhattan flat and arrived to Hawaii in a 40-foot-long shipping container.
Though the couple lost a bedroom in the renovation, they realised that outdoor living and entertaining were top priorities on their list. Patio doors lead to a 500-square-foot veranda, where the couple gravitates to dine and entertain friends. It features a glass window on the northwest side to protect them from Maui’s trade winds.
Rug, Cameron Stripe by Ralph Lauren Home. Coffee table, One Kings Lane. Sliding patio doors, Fleetwood Windows and Doors.
Though the couple lost a bedroom in the renovation, they realised that outdoor living and entertaining were top priorities on their list. Patio doors lead to a 500-square-foot veranda, where the couple gravitates to dine and entertain friends. It features a glass window on the northwest side to protect them from Maui’s trade winds.
Rug, Cameron Stripe by Ralph Lauren Home. Coffee table, One Kings Lane. Sliding patio doors, Fleetwood Windows and Doors.
The landscape painting that hangs on the living room wall is by artist Jason Monet. Sarah had seen his work when she was in Bali.
She topped the side table base, by Julian Chichester, with a slab of marble.
White chair on the right, Kelly Wearstler by One Kings Lane. Wall sconces, Aerin.
White chair on the right, Kelly Wearstler by One Kings Lane. Wall sconces, Aerin.
Sarah carved out a nook in the wall to house the 50-inch flat-screen television. ‘We made that wall extra thick and framed it underneath,’ he says. The antique coffee table is from the Bahamas.
Sarah furnished the entire space with family pieces, artwork, colourful textiles and artefacts discovered during her travels.
Pendant, Hampton by Aerin.
Pendant, Hampton by Aerin.
‘That cool wooden sign came off my dad’s catamaran from the 1960s,’ Sarah says. ‘He kept the sign his whole life. He had it in New York and in the Bahamas at his resort on Harbour Island.’ The sign was originally made by Roddy Choy. ‘Nai’a’ is the Hawaiian word for ‘porpoise.’
The guest bathroom was inspired by the posh penthouses of Manhattan. The Caesarstone counter in Piatra Grey was originally intended for the kitchen island.
For a touch of drama, Sarah painted a raw-wood mirror from Bali a vivid orange-red. The sleek wall sconce above is Robert Abbey’s Chase Bath Strip, from YLighting.
For a touch of drama, Sarah painted a raw-wood mirror from Bali a vivid orange-red. The sleek wall sconce above is Robert Abbey’s Chase Bath Strip, from YLighting.
‘Ikea’s Maskros pendant lamp makes a cool pattern on the wall at night,’ Sarah says.
Browse a selection of pendant lights
Browse a selection of pendant lights
The dark walls and 1-inch by 2-inch glass metro mosaic tiles contrast with the light colours found throughout the rest of the house, while white fixtures and accessories add a crisp, nautical touch.
Shower and bathtub, Tea-for-Two, Kohler. Showerhead, Grohe. Shower curtain, One Kings Lane. Toilet, Toto. Tile, Slate Grey by Ann Sacks. Wall paint, Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball.
Shower and bathtub, Tea-for-Two, Kohler. Showerhead, Grohe. Shower curtain, One Kings Lane. Toilet, Toto. Tile, Slate Grey by Ann Sacks. Wall paint, Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball.
Built-in units maximise the space in the guest bedroom. Sarah says, ‘It was a bay window before, with no cabinetry. Originally, our architect designed the built-in to float and the drawers were more equal in size, which was too contemporary for me. I wanted it to feel clean and timeless.’
She had the chair reupholstered in raw silk with navy velvet piping.
Hardware, Italian brushed nickel by Gruppo Romi.
She had the chair reupholstered in raw silk with navy velvet piping.
Hardware, Italian brushed nickel by Gruppo Romi.
The red tray is from HomeGoods. ‘I took it to an auto body shop and asked them to spray it in glossy apple red,’ Sarah says. The amethyst vase is from her travels to the Czech Republic. The painting is by Laura Owens.
The guest room includes other personal touches. ‘My mom found the cool monkey fabric in West Palm Beach, Florida, and we made curtains and a tiny pillow to match,’ Sarah says. An antelope shag rug found on eBay has a bit of eccentric flair.
Wall paint, Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball. Bed, Weego Home. Linen, Pratesi.
Wall paint, Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball. Bed, Weego Home. Linen, Pratesi.
The 10-foot ceilings are painted in Skylight by Farrow & Ball. ‘We wanted to set off the moulding a bit and soften the room,’ Todd says.
The black and white photograph, titled ‘Morning Girl’ (North Shore, Hawaii, 1959), by Grant Rohloff, was a gift to Todd for his 40th birthday. He says, ‘The photo is the same one that hangs in the Paia Fish Market, and I fell in love with it long ago.’
Wall sconces, YLighting.
The black and white photograph, titled ‘Morning Girl’ (North Shore, Hawaii, 1959), by Grant Rohloff, was a gift to Todd for his 40th birthday. He says, ‘The photo is the same one that hangs in the Paia Fish Market, and I fell in love with it long ago.’
Wall sconces, YLighting.
The master bedroom has ocean views across the tall cane grass. The walls are the same shade of blue as in the guest room, but other touches vary, including the jewelled chandelier and the window covering. Sarah came across the white duck canvas shade lined in black with the perfect dimensions and style on the online shop Chairish, for $100.
Wall paint, Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball. Chandelier, Audrey by Canopy Designs, ABC Carpet & Home.
Wall paint, Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball. Chandelier, Audrey by Canopy Designs, ABC Carpet & Home.
The antique 19th-century bed frame was Sarah’s parents’ from the Bahamas. ‘They found it in an old abandoned house,’ she says. Two Italian Murano glass wall sconces from New York flank the bed.
The wooden nightstand is also an antique. Above the bed hangs an enlarged X-ray of a chrysanthemum, from Fred Segal in Los Angeles.
The wooden nightstand is also an antique. Above the bed hangs an enlarged X-ray of a chrysanthemum, from Fred Segal in Los Angeles.
‘The goal was to maximise my wardrobe space!’ Sarah jokes about her design for the wardrobe. ‘I wanted to make sure the doors opened out instead of sliding across.’
Wardrobe doors, Pacific Source. Hardware, Emtek.
Wardrobe doors, Pacific Source. Hardware, Emtek.
‘I’ve always liked a white bathroom,’ Sarah says. ‘We wanted the colour to flow with the Italian white statuary marble counters and floors,’ Todd adds. He made the large wall mirror to go with the rest of the room.
The sconces on either side of the mirror are from Gracious Home in New York. Sarah found the industrial-look full-length medicine cabinet at Restoration Hardware.
Wall paint, Dimpse by Farrow & Ball. Hardware, Emtek. Lighting above mirror and Allen Linear Sconce, Ralph Lauren Home.
The sconces on either side of the mirror are from Gracious Home in New York. Sarah found the industrial-look full-length medicine cabinet at Restoration Hardware.
Wall paint, Dimpse by Farrow & Ball. Hardware, Emtek. Lighting above mirror and Allen Linear Sconce, Ralph Lauren Home.
The shower features 3- by 6-inch matte metro tiles by Ann Sacks in Mist, finished with a silver grout. ‘The matte finish reminded me of aged sea glass that you’d find at the beach, and the metro tiles are a reference to New York City,’ Sarah says. Todd created the shower floor with 1-inch hexagon statuary marble and made the border from the leftovers from the worktop. The window overlooks the citrus trees and has an awning above to provide some shelter from the sun.
Showerhead, Rain by Grohe.
Showerhead, Rain by Grohe.
Sarah’s cat, Charles, made the big move from Manhattan and seems to be adjusting to the laid-back Hawaiian lifestyle.
Sarah, shown here with Todd, successfully combined her sophisticated urban leanings with an aesthetic suitable to the island scenery and lifestyle throughout the new residence. In the process she discovered a passion for interior design, which she is now pursuing full-time.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. If you would like your home to be featured, please send information and photos to ukeditor@houzz.com.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. If you would like your home to be featured, please send information and photos to ukeditor@houzz.com.