Ginger Lunt, IIDA, ASID grew up in a family that appreciated art and creativity, so it follows that when a young family needed someone to help visualize their new home, they turned to the interior designer and founder of Tantalus Studio to guide them along.

The clients had an existing Kahala home that they wanted to renovate in anticipation of their growing family. The goal was a home that seamlessly blended sophistication and comfort, embraced the outdoors and reflected Hawai‘i.

Known for its custom high-end residential design, Tantalus Studio set out to help the family realize their dream. Lunt uses her expertise in combining a mix of Hawai‘i influences to work with clients and help them visualize their ideal space, and ultimately, make it a reality.

“Overall, the clients wanted the space to function better for entertaining and relaxing as a family, as well as creating more of a connection to the outdoor spaces and bringing in a lot more natural lighting into the shared areas,” Lunt says.

Key elements to include were long-lasting and durable finishes. “There were certain materials—such as the honed marble tile floors that were a request from the wife from the beginning—that we used as a baseline for the finished palette,” Lunt explains. “We layered the warmth of the walnut custom millwork to contrast the coolness of the stone floors.”

The home is bright, with light walls and expansive windows and sliding doors that allow natural light into the rooms. Walnut features and dusty-toned colors add to the home’s graciousness. The project, which took 18 months to complete, required a renovation by Snavely Precision Builders and FSC Architects. “The original living space felt very enclosed and dark, and the kitchen was on the opposite side [of the house], where the living room is now,” Lunt explains. “The kitchen was put on the back wall, and large corner sliding doors were added where the living room is now to connect the interior and exterior spaces.”

“The clients cook frequently, and wanted their kitchen to be functional for cooking as well as entertaining.” A walnut island, with its Lawson Fenning stools, is a commanding feature in the cooking area, making it ideal for meal prep, informal dining space and bar for gatherings. Pendant lights by Allied Maker provides further illumination.

In the living room, the home benefits from another custom piece that was created from the clients’ wish list.

“The husband’s request was for a pune‘e or daybed, inspired by a friend’s beach house, for casual lounging and TV watching, while the wife wanted to ensure that it was appropriately scaled for the living room and didn’t feel like a bed in the living space while they were entertaining,” Lunt explains. “It was a fine balance, but I think we achieved a happy medium of a comfortable daybed that the adults and kids use alike, as well as a beautiful furniture centerpiece for the room that feels tailored enough for entertaining guests. The public areas flow well together to create a wonderful gathering place for family and friends.” The pune‘e is outfitted with custom cushions by Bob Arkus Custom Upholstery and complemented with tones of blue thanks to an Indich Collection area rug and McGuire lounge chairs. A Speke Klein coffee table completes the room.

Another notable part of that centerpiece is a double-sided millwork piece that was a collaboration between Tantalus Studio and FSC Architects. “[It] created an entry corridor with functional cabinet storage, with the living room daybed on the opposite side,” Lunt says. “The walnut columns and open shelving create interest and complement the proportions of the space.”

The home offers up many ways for the clients to enjoy their family lifestyle, including those doors that open up the living room to the entire enclosed yard. The master suite bathroom is another example of how Lunt worked with the clients to create a refined final product that efficiently served the needs of the family.

“The master suite bathroom includes a generous walk-in shower area with bath tub integrated within for bathing small children,” she says. “There is a makeup vanity, enclosed water closet and double vanity as well.

All of these elements were specified by the client so that this space functioned the way they wanted it to.”

In the dining area, the Phillip Jefferies wallpaper, supplied by Pacific Finishes, catches the eye. “The dining space is visually separated from the more open entry, living and kitchen spaces,” Lunt says. “The wallpaper enhances this feeling, creating a complementary and visually interesting ‘jewel box’ space. The clients wanted a pattern that was Hawai‘i-inspired without being kitschy or trendy. The tone-on-tone monstera pattern had the right amount of whimsy while still being subtle and fitting with the overall finished palette.”

Ultimately, Lunt was able to give the clients what they desired: a home that’s fit for family with an elevated look.

“I think FSC Architects did an amazing job with the space’s layout and functionality,” Lunt says. “For a growing family, the kitchen and living spaces feel comfortable and open to each other and it’s such a dramatic change from the original layout. I’m pleased with the walnut millwork quality and designs and I think the subtle finish palette paired with the blue tones layered into the fabrics came together to create a space that feels welcoming and comfortable.”

“The entire space was always about striking a balance between casual Hawaiian living and a certain formality and sophistication.”

Tantalus Studio, (808) 753-2179, tantalusstudio.com