Colorful, Casual Vacation Home

Front and rear lanais decorated with twinkling string lights, open living spaces full of natural light and a soothing blue and green colour palette come together in this cheerful tropical getaway for a busy California couple. With five business locations throughout Maui and Oahu, Hawaii, the couple reached out to designer Natalie Younger to design a relaxing house for them to retreat to.

Younger functioned from Los Angeles, selecting a team in Maui to perform her vision. Employing a tropical palette with modern patterns and toned-down colors, Younger generated a house which emanates island existence while still feeling comfortable for a few of mainland roots.

at a Glance:
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Who lives here: A California couple, on holidays
Size: 1,600 square feet; 3 bedrooms, two baths

Allied ASID, Natalie Younger Interior Design

Open lanais in the front and rear of the house stretch the interior footprint and adopt the island’s indoor-outdoor relationship. While the clients wanted this home to have the familiarity of home, they wanted it to have the playfulness of a holiday house too. Younger used bold, tropical colours that feel right at home in Hawaii.

Wicker furniture: Bali; cushions: custom

Allied ASID, Natalie Younger Interior Design

Nothing beats living right on the shore, but the constant sand can make cleaning a hassle. Younger installed simple hardwood flooring to produce sweeping easy and put a tightly woven carpet in the bedrooms for a cozier feel.

Allied ASID, Natalie Younger Interior Design

All of the home’s furnishings were treated with a nontoxic coating to prevent the stains, spills and wear and tear which come with beachfront living. Younger had the outside cushions and pillows made with Sunbrella fabric for durability against the elements.

Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

Toned-down blue and green colors pay tribute to the home’s stunning surroundings. Linen curtains and bamboo Roman shades donate to the relaxed ambience. A starburst clock adds a little bit of glam to the simply adorned walls. “Time isn’t necessarily accounted to the island, so the clock has been more of a decorative piece,” says Younger.

Paint: Taliesin Blue, Dunn Edwards

Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

The L-shape kitchen sits just around the corner in the dining area. Because this is a holiday home, the clients wanted to keep the kitchen simple and economical. A collage of their customer’s photographs of favourite spots in Maui hangs on the walls, and wallpapered open shelving supplies character.

Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

A shell chandelier has been the perfect match for the dining area. Grass cloth walls meld with rattan chairs for added texture. Younger and the clients had a hard time finding simple but brightly colored art that would do the job for the house, so Younger designed and painted the home’s wall art on her own.

Table and chairs: Bali; chandelier: Capiz, West Elm

Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

The custom-made sofa was filled with premium fill to get an extra-cozy feel. “After a long day at the shore, there’s nothing better than coming home and lounging on the sofa,” says Younger. Unique accent pieces, such as the custom made cushions and trunk out of Bali, are great tropical touches which would nevertheless feel at home in California.

Rug: Facet Citrine, DwellStudio; sofa: custom; sconces: Jonathan Adler; mirror: Pier 1; coffee table: Pampa Furniture; fan: Artemis Natural Maple

Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

The home’s floor plan gets rid of closed-off spaces — the kitchen, the dining area, the living area and the outside rooms all run into one another. Plentiful windows and doors allow in fresh air and light. “it is a space that lives two lives,” says Younger. “At the day, light and the island views become an addition to the total design. But at night, when all the light is put and dimmed, it gives an ambience which allows for extended and unforgettable dinner nights with family and friends.”

Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

Both the clients and Younger comprehend the value of good lighting, so they put new fittings into virtually every area in the home. Modern sconces dress up the living area walls, whilst bulb string lights and lanterns extend the shine outside.

Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

The master bed is a real item from Bali. The woven headboard adds warmth and texture into the straightforward and soothing area.

Bed frame: Bali; wall paint: Hot Springs, Valspar; bedding: West Elm; table lamps: Pier 1

Natalie Younger Interior Design, Allied ASID

Having additional space for guests has been important to the clients. A guest bedroom includes ample area for couples staying overnight, and the custom built in the living area is outfitted with a pullout bed.

Designing the house from overseas presented challenges for Younger. She is onsite only for the first belief and final touches. Fortunately, she found an awesome team in Hawaii which would be her eyes while she was not there and made sure the design was executed exactly as she envisioned it.

Wall paint: Salisbury Green, Benjamin Moore; bedding: DKNY

See related