Bungalow on Hawaii: How They Restored an Old Cottage

The bohemian town of Paia on the north shore of Maui is a paradise for surfers and kitesurfers.

George Hensler from California moved to the island with his wife Angela when the couple stepped away from the fashion industry.

George had been spending weeks at the coast, changing rented accommodations. Eventually, he discovered a unique wooden house nestled among lush vegetation, literally at the edge of the water.

George Hensler: "People can say that I always follow the wind."
Restoring the bungalow with its relaxed Hawaiian charm required solutions that considered the natural beauty of the location and the lifestyle of the owners. Simple and organic.

For a major renovation of the single-story house, they invited a team from Los Angeles led by Roberto Sosa, an architect and interior designer.

He was literally on fire with George's ideas, and soon the building plan was completely reworked, and the abandoned plantation turned into an oasis for modern travelers. Traditional island architecture emerged in all its splendor.

The sofa for the living room on the open air was designed specifically and harmonizes with the angular wooden chairs of Pierre Jeanneret.

In a creative collaboration between the owner and the architect, they chose authentic Hawaiian ohi'a wood as the material.

They decided to keep the exterior finish but repaint the siding in dark green instead of light, as was traditionally done by locals.

They came up with sliding doors in red wood color to let more light into the house and allow frequent glimpses of the surroundings – it's worth it.

They even personally designed some interior items in the style of iconic French designers from the middle of the last century. It was at that time, according to the owner, that his inner character found its foundation.

They updated the dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors offering a luxurious view. Maui is always slightly above or below 27 degrees Celsius, so stay outdoors for entire days. Every day.

Step and the open veranda around the entire house is just a hand's reach away from the ocean.

New spaces on it are arranged to move most of daily life outdoors among coconut palms, alibis, and bougainvilleas.

Breakfast can be had outdoors right at the porch: the chairs here are like in a classic Parisian bistrot.

The architect proposed simple yet well-thought-out solutions to infuse the rooms with ocean breath. Part of the veranda that opens into the garden is glazed: it's a great place to read or dream in silence before entering the house.

The interior of the house is flooded with light: the effect is enhanced by open ceiling beams and new wooden wall finishes in warm white tones.

The spacious kitchen is designed with minimalism in mind: more is less. Matte light spheres, open shelves for utensils, light cabinets (which incidentally house a large refrigerator) and appliances in the same white tone balance the accents: copper, black rustic metal hardware, steel, untreated wood, vintage glass with ceramics.

A modern note in the traditional interior – poured concrete countertops. The window above the sink is sliding.

Due to high ceilings in both the living room and bedrooms, there's plenty of fresh air. Horizontal siding, as on the veranda, is a recurring motif, a tribute to local traditions.

Double sliding doors into the owners' bedroom are closed from inside with white curtains that glide along a track: additional privacy if needed.

Vintage elements in the wood furniture, paintings (some of them created by surfer and artist Pete Cabrera), and exquisite black sconces help bring life to the strict horizontal lines in the wall finishes.

The architect added textural details to the strict bedroom: a woven headboard made from seaweed and bamboo blinds won't let you forget that you're on an island in the tropics. In the master bedroom, the accent color is a cool turquoise, while in the guest bedroom, warm red notes and fuchsia tones dominate.

Textiles are thoughtfully chosen: restraint, tactility, graphic elements or local accents that don't disrupt the overall light palette.

In the guest bedroom, built-in shelves double as bedside tables.

Wide window sills in both bedrooms are designed as additional rest areas.

Light and airy bathrooms create a resort-like atmosphere: built-in niches for bath towels, brass faucets, and an original soap-on-a-rope hanging in the shape of a tropical fish.

The sink in the marble countertop was specially ordered for this project.

Steel hinged windows found a second life: they function as doors and partitions in the shower cabins. In one of the bathrooms, the tiles are large with a geometric pattern. The other bathroom is tiled with small hexagonal tiles laid in rows.

The architect managed to synchronize the internal and external spaces so that the view flows effortlessly from ocean vistas to the home's interior.

Green dominates the exterior: hedges created by nature from heliconia and lilies or an open shower under tree shade. The patina on the copper mixer that harmonizes with the greenish-brown grid walls appeared literally within a day in the salty breeze: this is Hawaii, baby.

Even a modest corner can be the most beloved. Tropical greenery from the former plantation allows you to feel completely secluded, contemplating the impressive landscapes of Maui.