Elle Decor Article

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Through light, proportion, and texture, we aim to create spaces that inspire calm and connection, a return to nature - places that ground us in the present and invite a slower, more intentional way of living.

We have a love for iconic chairs, thoughtfully selecting each piece to resonate with the story of the home and chosen with our client’s lifestyle in mind. For our Hanalei Bungalow renovation, this laid-back woven chair by @gubiofficial was the perfect addition - its natural fiber frame and soft, high-performance fabric anchored our tropical design vision, thoughtfully nodding to the property’s 1970s island bohemian style heritage.

A study in texture, form, and character, this chair bridges the home’s original era with our contemporary vision - bringing warmth, nostalgia, and effortless island style to the home.

Imagery captured by @michaelarabinov @fioreproductions

#hawaiidesign #interiordesign #craftsman #beachhouse #surfshack

Welcome to House of Tropics. Our multidisciplinary approach blends architecture, interiors, art, and craftsmanship - drawing deeply from the tropical landscapes we inhabit.

We’ve been exploring Shou Sugi Ban wood siding for a current coastal residence.
 Shou Sugi Ban is an ancient Japanese technique that involves charring wood, then brushing it with oil to strengthen its resistance to fire, weather, insects, and rot. And even with its deep, dark finish, the char layer naturally protects the wood from sun damage. You can shape the look by choosing how much of the grain and texture you want to reveal through the char.

It’s a beautiful material that relies on fire instead of chemical preservatives, giving it a long lifespan and making it a more sustainable, natural choice.

We find that the rich, dark surface quietly offers a moment of shade, softening the light along the home’s edge.

We begin each project with an exploration phase - a moment when we become part archaeologist, part historian, uncovering the beginnings of the story we’ll eventually craft. It’s the start of our relationship with the homeowners, where we begin to sense what resonates with them; the forms they’re drawn to, the atmospheres that inspire them, the spaces that bring them joy and a sense of peace.

We trace the stories embedded in the land, the materials shaped by its geology, the rhythms of light and shadow as the seasons turn. In this layering of history, context, and emotion, we begin to gather the elements that we’ll carry forward - threads of context and memory that will guide the concept to come.

A collection of imagery curated during the “exploration phase” of a coastal renovation. Images clockwise per page.

1. Artist Babe Decruyenaere - Putting up walls 2021
2 Sculptural woven vintage chair - source unknown
3. Waves - source unkown
4. Traditional palm leaf fan
5. Tropical vegetation - photographer unknown
6. Men on horseback run through surf in Tahiti 1922, Photography by Edward Burton MacDowell
7. Tropical vegetation - photographer unknown
8. Stone Sculptures By Isamu Noguchi (1951)
9. Vintage surf - photographer unknown
10. Lanikai Beach - photographer unknown
11. A mid-century modern rattan wicker bucket armchair inspired by Roberto Mango
12. Hawaii 1972 - equator journal

A few recent client words reminded us why we do what we do.

Our work is shaped by the insight of our clients and the mastery of the craftsmen and builders who bring each vision to life. We’re thankful to create spaces that resonate deeply - places that shelter, inspire, and become home.

#designstudio #hawaiiinteriordesign #hawaiiarchitect #testimonials #clienttestimonial #designer

A sanctuary where timeless craft meets contemporary comfort - where the spirit of aloha lives in every handmade detail.

Originally a 1970s Hanalei Bay beach bungalow, this home was reimagined to honor its natural surroundings, welcome gatherings for a large family or future guests, and strike a balance between relaxed living and elevated design. The renovation stays true to the home’s history while embracing a fresh, contemporary perspective.

The result is an atmosphere of crafted, refined simplicity. Soft, woven textures, curated ceramics, and organic materials warm the clean, modern lines. Open spaces and abundant natural light blur the boundaries between indoors and out. Every corner carries an intentional ease, an elevated informality that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in place. This is a home that welcomes you in quietly, inviting families to gather barefoot on the lanai, breathe in the salt air drifting through open windows, and slow down long enough to feel the rhythm of Hanalei Bay.

Designer: @house.of.tropics
Builder: @bonsaidesign.build
Production: @fioreproductions
Photography: @michaelarabinov

#interiordesign #hawaiidesign #interiors #craftsmanstyle #islandlife #surfshack

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