Something intangible happens the moment one enters a space that has been crafted with purpose; specifically, the purpose of making one feel at ease, relaxed and surrounded by nature’s most basic elements. Our five senses have truly evolved in lockstep with evolution and each one has been finely tuned to more positively appreciate that which is natural to us. And it is the natural beauty of Hawai‘i that noted interior designer Nicole Hollis turns to for inspiration for her projects. With multiple concurrent projects across the islands, from Kailua-Kona for Kona Village to Kaka‘ako for Howard Hughes, to Kaua‘i’s Hanalei Bay for 1 Hotel, she has definitely been in and around the elements that come together and deliver that intangible feeling.

 Splitting her time between her namesake design firm’s headquarters in San Francisco, the various residential and commercial projects located far and wide, and a home on the Big Island, Hollis is on the move, constantly seeking inspiration and noting what each area’s natural cues are. In Hawai‘i, our islands’ wet and dry sides reveal a variety of palettes from the lush green windward sides to the sparser hill and mountain ranges, and more arid leeward coasts; each with hues and textures found nowhere else. Having gotten the chance to spend an extended period of time on the Big Island in recent years, Hollis not only had the opportunity to take things in at a slower pace, but also develop the deeper connections that come with working in the islands. On being involved in projects here, she says “I love it; I love the people I’ve gotten to know, and there’s just such a great sense of community, and it is such a privilege to work in Hawai‘i” which is truly an unquantifiable plus.

Before even the first of one’s senses takes in a space that Hollis has envisioned, one has been primed by nature to respond to the use of its elements. We are always looking, and Hollis’ designs probably light up one’s eyes first. In close collaboration with noted architects like Greg Warner with whom Hollis worked on the reimagined Kona Village Resort, Hollis pulls visual cues from the land surrounding the spaces being created. Visually echoing colors and materials that one sees, she adds just enough to the spaces to bring the eye on a journey of discovery, as tones found outside are revealed within. Echoes of sharp lava fields, whether rendered as smooth monolithic surfaces or as a stacked-rock wall, contrast with the creamy hues of white limestone accents.

At Howard Hughes’ upcoming Kalae residential tower at Ward Village, the hardwood floors in tandem with other softer elements mute footfalls and soak up distracting sound reflections as they deliver a modern yet timeless feel, allowing one to step into the calmness that permeates grand living spaces that are open to the outside. A playful take on contrasts is what Hollis brings to this upcoming masterpiece with “a design that is formal and elegant, yet relaxed and restrained. Thoughtful details are incorporated throughout — from the lobby’s intricately patterned stone flooring to the courtyards’ handcrafted tiles and shutters — these diverse materials are combined to strike the perfect harmony of global and regional influences to create residences unlike any other. “In selecting the elements that are chosen to create the moods of the tower’s spaces,” Hollis adds, “I focus on the materiality, and let this site speak for themselves; I’m not competing with the views or vistas.”And those are second to none with its front row spot overlooking the sunset- bathed waves lapping along O‘ahu’s Ala Moana Beach.

In a different locale, the lava field flanked vistas of the Kona coast, from the expansive ocean to the lofty peaks rising all around share more than just visual inspiration. They also serve as the backdrop for the art that is sourced as a complement to the space within, and the surrounding area, too. From being on the beach one moment, to being in the grassy foothills of Waimea or in a studio, consulting with artists, Hollis shares that working in Hawai‘i is truly unique; “It’s about the great people, the artists, the fabricators; it’s such a privilege to work in Hawai‘i, and I don’t take that for granted at all.” In many of the homes, resorts and spaces that Hollis is involved in, one finds site-specific artwork, commissioned pieces from local artists and culturally relevant motifs, each one a carefully chosen companion to blend in and not overpower.

What truly makes the Hawai‘i homes different for Hollis is the idea of delivering a home that functions with relaxed luxury and isn’t formal at all, with luxury hotel and spa cues informing the barefoot luxuries of tropical homes that don’t just look good but also work well for the families living in them. And on the resort side, continually finding ways to surprise and delight the guests so that they do experience and bring a few memorable design elements of the islands with them, too, and hopefully continue to delight all of their senses wherever home may be.