Clients embarking on the build of a home in the community of Kohanaiki on the Big Island of Hawai’i approached Tantalus Studio with a vision: a spacious sanctuary that would reflect their love of the ocean and act as a gathering place for their large extended family. In partnership with local architect and builder Aina Ola, Tantalus set about designing a six-bedroom, eight-bathroom residence from the ground up. The design celebrates the sun-dappled views of the ocean and the natural quietude of an ancient Hawaiian fish pond while optimizing functionality through layout.
THE GATHERING HOUSE
Architecture & Contractor – Aina Ola LLC
Landscape Design – David Y Tamura Associates
Photography – Mariko Reed
Floral Styling – Paiko Hawai’i
The home’s palette is a blend of wire-brushed teak millwork and cedar ceilings, earthy coral walls, and subtle woven grasscloth wallcoverings. The warm, streamlined interior spaces act as the perfect backdrop for layering an eclectic curation of vivid textiles, handcrafted design objects, and evocative artworks. To create rooms that felt visionary yet personal, principal designer Ginger Lunt Walters worked closely with the client to find touchstone pieces for each: a locally-sourced blue quartzite slab in the kitchen, a bold monstera print couch in the living room, and a graphic custom headboard textile in the master bedroom. A true collaboration between designer, architect, and client, this home embodies the easy, inviting spirit of the clients and their family.
Unexpected additions, like the surfer painting in the living room — made on a towel by the cult-favorite artist Raymond Pettibon — and the shaka wallpaper in the pool bath celebrate the clients’ love of the ocean and playful sense of style.
A vintage molded paper light pendant by Stephen White and an earthy, glazed ceramic table base by Natan Moss bring a handcrafted, organic feel to the guest house dining area.
Custom elements — wire brushed teak cabinetry, oil rubbed bronze custom hood and pendants, a carved geometric patterned limestone backsplash — bring natural elegance and bespoke functionality to the kitchen.
Vintage pieces, like the 1950’s French rattan wall rack and iconic 1970’s fan sconces by Ingo Maurer Uchiwa, complete with custom bronze backplates, conjure the spirit of vintage Hawai’i, without being too literal.
Saturated hues and daring prints create surprising juxtapositions throughout the house, reflecting the clients’ love of color and pattern.
