Hawaiian Summer: A Charm-Filled Stone Carriage House on the Maui Coast, Restored
A few weeks back, we took a look at a restored vintage Hawaiian plantation cottage—and the surrounding tropical gardens—in Paia, a laid-back, bohemian surf town on Maui’s north coast. Today we’re kicking off the Fourth of July on the only non-continental state with a tour of the small stone Carriage House on the property, recently transformed by the fashion-industry owners (and a team of designers) from a 1940s-era garage into a charm-filled getaway. Join us as we vacation vicariously.
Above: The Carriage House, formerly a three-car garage with a caretaker’s apartment above, is tucked into a corner of the garden. Owners George and Angela Hensler had the existing wood siding removed and replaced with coral stone for a Hawaiian look. Above: The exterior has a traditional roof; new, low-profile aluminum casement windows swing outwards.
Above: The wooden entryway. At right, a chair with custom cushions in Hawaiian barkcloth hints at the tropics. Above: The Henslers collaborated with New York–based Aero Studios (at the time headed by NY-based designer Roberto Sosa) to transform the interiors from garage into fully appointed cottage. Shown here: the open living space, with the garage’s concrete floors painted white. Above: The U-shaped kitchen, with an economical Seagrass Mat. Aero Studios custom-built the cerused (limed wax finished) oak cabinetry. Above: Though they look like concrete, the counters are, surprisingly, a sheet of durable gray rubber, which Aero Studios sourced from Musson Rubber Co. (Rubber was also used for the stair treads and bathroom counters.) The subway tile is green Boneyard Brick by Trikeenan Tileworks. Above: A straw hat serves as decor above the dining table. Above: The walls throughout are painted in Benjamin Moore White Dove Paint; the ceiling is made of woven bamboo matting and plaster for a tropical and textured touch. Above: Much of the cottage’s furniture was custom-designed and built on site, including the living area’s low wooden lounge, envisioned by George Hensler. Above: The downstairs bedroom overlooks the garden. The painting is by artist and surfer Pete Cabrinha. Above: A local cabinet maker built the custom bath vanity out of teakwood. Cutouts, rather than drawer pulls, maintain a streamlined look. (For more, see Remodeling 101: Cutout Cabinet Pulls.) Above: Upstairs, an airy bedroom under the woven bamboo ceiling. The floor is painted in Benjamin Moore Pale Moon, a subtle buttery yellow. Above: A closet and built-in reading nook make use of a narrow space under the eaves. Above: Triangular windows flank the mirror; the brass light is from Big Ship Salvage, a nautical salvage shop in Ohio. Above: A bathing suit hangs to dry in the shower. The white subway tiles are Boneyard Brick from Trikeenan Tileworks. Above: A necklace hangs from a brass window latch sourced from House of Antique Hardware. The countertop is also clad in gray rubber. Above: Outside, a pergola creates privacy and an outdoor dining space, caned chairs included.
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