6.28.2019 | DIGS.NET 69
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Despite its garden grounds, the restaurant reflects an island
life rooted in some of the most beautiful sea on Earth.
TO RESTORE THE
PLANTATION-ERA
CHARACTER OF
THE HISTORIC
BUILDING THAT
HOSTS A LONGTIME
GARDEN ISLE
EATERY, DESIGNER
AVERY SOLMSSEN
OPENED UP THE
SPACE WITH
CALCULATED
MOVES TO MAKE
IT WARM AND
AIRY, ALONG WITH
APPOINTING
THE SPACE WITH
LARGE WINDOWS,
WOVEN TEXTURES
AND VINTAGE
SURF ACCENTS.
PHOTOGRAPHS
COURTESY OF
PHILPOTTS
INTERIORS &
JONATHAN CANLAS.
to the views resulted from a sensitive calculation of the
space and what was required to modernize it. While the
restaurant's verdant environ is particularly painterly (when
lit, the tiki torches cast the whole place in a romantic glow),
the interior is neutral, airy and tame in tone to complement
the natural beauty just beyond the open windows. Key to
the project was moving the existing bar to the front of the
restaurant to create "a more energetic arrival experience"
while availing valuable space in the rear for special events.
is fresh take on Kauai's Old Hawaii feel infuses the
design with an easy, au courant blend of aesthetics and eras
conceptualized to appear quite timeless. is is thanks
to Solmssen's light but intrinsically applied touch. Her
interpretation of contemporary island culture called for
embellishments that bring attention to the most stunning
aspects of the architecture, such as woven pendant lights
inspired by traditional fish baskets that draw the eye to the
ceiling's plantation-era details. Woven chairs, bar stools,
wood tabletops and bar counter continue this theme.
Despite its garden grounds, the restaurant reflects an island
life rooted in some of the most beautiful sea on Earth,
which Solmssen expressed with vintage black and white surf
photographs, alaia boards, hand planes for bodysurfing, and
an installation of surf board fins. Because as we all know,
presentation is everything. philpotts.net
