BY BONNIE ODA
The owners of this 1965 mid-century modern ranch residence had visions of a multigenerational home that maintained its original style while incorporating an accessible, light-filled, open floor plan. After meeting with several companies and attending the Graham Builders “Building Your Home for Life Seminar,” the family selected Graham Builders to help them remodel their dwelling to live modern while maintaining its original charm.
Before the remodel, the home was dark and peppered with small nooks and spaces. Built-in bookcases and hutches blocked air, light and pathways. The bottom floor had been used as a rooming house for university students and felt compartmentalized and worn.
On the plus side, the home was designed by Honolulu’s famed modernist architect, Robert Katsuyoshi. It had solid bones, and its beautiful redwood walls and ceilings made this home a prime candidate for a remodel. The homeowners and the Graham Builders’ design team were excited to roll up their sleeves and collaborate on this project.
The results are remarkable — you can see the before (bottom right) and after shots accompanying this article. Natural wood floors and ceilings of the original home are illuminated by the flood of newfound natural light. Quartz countertops in the kitchen, wet bar, toy area and bathrooms blend well with flat-panel cabinets and porcelain tile. A myriad of lighting selections ranging from pendants to track lighting to wall sconces add a retro sense of whimsy. Widened halls and doorways along with zero-step and low-step showers keep all spaces open and accessible.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Graham Builders remains the only local general contractor honored with Better Business Bureau Hawaii’s Torch Award for Small Business Ethics and Oahu’s first general contractor with a certified Aging-in-Place specialist on staff. You are invited to register for Graham Builders’ Saturday, Dec. 5, free “Building Your Home for Life” seminar at grahambuilders.com/seminar or call 593-2808.
GRAHAM BUILDERS
CONTACT 593-2808
ADDRESS 1144 Young St., Honolulu
WEB grahambuilders.com
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