Nestled on Hawaii’s Big Island, a remarkable architectural project marries the raw beauty of its volcanic setting with a design ethos that encapsulates lightness, romance, and respect for its dramatic environs. This dwelling, perched 500 feet above the Pacific Ocean within a national park, epitomizes a harmonious blend of natural seclusion and modern luxury. The site, with sweeping views of Maui and the imposing presence of Mauna Loa, offers an intimate connection with Hawaii’s unique landscape, while also serving as a family vacation retreat.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Designer: Marshall Watson
Location: Big Island, Hawaii
Architect: Walker Warner
Design Firm: Marshall Watson & Reid Deane Ganes Interiors
The clients, a Swedish-born woman and her husband from St. Louis, imagined a retreat that bridged diverse cultural inspirations with a nod to the soul of old Hawaii. Unlike Hawaii’s traditionally dark interiors, often built from heavy woods like mahogany, they sought a bright, airy, and romantic abode that embraced the island’s sylvan light and breezy ambiance. The resulting courtyard house, created in collaboration with San Francisco-based architects, reflects these desires, integrating seamlessly with its scenic surroundings and inviting the elements to play a significant role in the home’s experience.
Central to the design is an emphasis on light and openness. Doors within the house can be completely opened to erode the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Features like an outdoor soaking tub in the primary bathroom push the experience of island living to new luxurious extremes, underscoring the residence’s core function as a paradise-like haven away from worldly cares. The construction employs materials that, while not indigenous to Hawaii, were chosen for their aesthetic harmony with the local environment, such as coral stone walls, sand-colored limestone floors, and bleached western cedar ceilings.
The interior design further enriches the narrative with a globally inspired palette. Scandinavian influences manifest in a collection of custom carpets that highlight the wife’s heritage—with vibrant 1940s-era Swedish patterns—an ingenious juxtaposition against the tropical setting. Meanwhile, furnishings crafted from the family’s native St. Louis oak unite the couple’s Midwestern roots with the home’s Hawaiian and Californian architectural language. This multicultural blend continues with the kitchen’s colonial nods and the dining room’s international touches, including a light fixture resembling traditional Hawaiian hale and antique elements from India and China.
As much as the residence is an architectural marvel, it is also a study in the art of romance. Marshall Watson’s design infuses the space with a quiet allure, particularly evident in the primary suite, where custom furniture and textiles evoke a sense of mystical elegance. The suite’s four-poster bed and midcentury textile-inspired duvet add a layer of sophisticated comfort, while materials such as cerused oak enhance the nuanced blend of Scandinavian and Pacific design.
Ultimately, this home embodies Marshall Watson’s design philosophy by crafting a space rich in texture, authenticity, and understated luxury. With an architectural approach that respects the land yet boldly embraces a global perspective, the home stands as a testament to the art of creating spaces that are not only lived in, but also felt—turning dreams of paradise into an everyday reality.
