Questions for Kimo:

Come Celebrate Sovereignty Restoration Day

10 AM to 5PM
at Thomas Square, Downtown Honolulu
between Beretania & King + Victoria & Ward

KA LA HO'IHO'I EA (Sovereignty Restoration Day) July 31 is the day commemorated in Hawaii when in 1843 sovereignty was returned to the Kingdom of Hawaii after five months of illegal British occupation by naval commander, Lord George Paulet. The bellicose Paulet forced then King Kamehameha III to abdicate the throne in favor of British rule. In an attempt to avoid military confrontation, Kamehameha III appealed to Queen Victoria for the rightful restoration of the crown. As a result, The British Empire sent commander Admiral. Richard Thomas to enforce British law and restore self rule to the Hawaiian Kingdom and her government.

 It is on this day that Kamehameha III stated "Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono." or "The sovereignty of the land continues because of our righteousness." Ironically it became the Hawaii state motto.

                                                                                                                King Kamehameha III

Gothic architecture surprisingly enough does exist in Hawaii. In this pictorial puzzle try to name both examples of Hawaiian gothic architecture.

The first person to identify both Gothic Hawaiian locations will receive a free custom blog banner designed by Kimo. Each place has three pictorial clues and each place has a picture of a doorway, the first person to name where each doorway leads to, wins. Good luck.

Place number One:

 

 

 

 

Place number Two:

 

 

 

 

Photos by Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008 

 

 

Questions for Kimo: A friend and I are in a debate over what shade of green Celadon is, can you help?

Celadon is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word sila dhara, which means stone green and it's history goes back many centuries.

 

 

 

 

Celadon, as we understand it today is more of a type of porcelain crackle glaze than a color but Celadon does indeed come in green and several other colors, as well, depending on where the porcelain comes from in Asia. 

 

 

 

"Celadons" as they are popularly called can come in blues, yellows, and blue greens but the most commonly collected are the greens.

  As one can see in the photographs there are slight variations in the green tones so there is some room for debate but these examples are what I think of when someone mentions Celadon as a color.

 As a paint choice for interiors, Celadon can create a wonderful sense of serenity in a room paired with khaki or light beiges.

 

Please visit our website: www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com

 

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & all things Hawaiian- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

 

 

 

 Tropical Curb Appeal: Simple and cost effective!

This curb appeal project focused on the area just outside the front door.The original landscaping was tired and unkept so we decided to create some visual interest by adding a little garden with a water feature.

 

                                                                                                                                                              

 

 

 

For plants we added some Oyster plants, Lauae, a variety of Cordyline or Ti plants and a Water Lilly.

  

 

 

 

 

 A punchbowl water feature added visual interest and a focal point for the garden

 

 

 

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We laid brown river rock in with the blue rock that was already in place and repositioned some larger sized lava rocks to help balance the composition.

 

 

 

We also added a gate to create a semi private space for the new owners to enjoy

 

 Please visit our website:

           http://www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com

 

 

 

 

 

Tamarind Square falls on the corner of King st and Bishop in the center of Honolulu's financial district. Facing the southern or Makai side of the square is the First Hawaiian Center, which is the tallest building in Honolulu and home to the auxillary gallery of the Contemporary Museum of Art and First Hawaiian Bank. It is an excellent example of the Hawaiian Modern Architecture with its native motifs and Hawaiian styled architectural imbelishments.

 

The Square itself is a peaceful oasis amoungst the towering skyscrapers that define the downtown area. Most of Tamarind Square is occupied by a beautiful terraced water feature that adds to the tranquility of the space despite the hustle and bustle that surrounds it.

During the Holiday season this area is brightly lit with colored lights and Trolley tours of the light displays are very popular amoungst locals and tourists alike.

Eclectic Design: Making it work

Often times Stagers and Re-designers are faced with a miss matched selection of furniture and accessories. Making it work for your client is what staging and redesign is all about.

Before

After 

With this redesign we basically were combining mid century modern and Pan-Asian pieces. Color becomes a focal point with eclectic design and matching and contrasting color is important. Orange is the primary color used to offset the white walls. We find the color in the accessories, art, and carpet. Blue stripes in the vintage club chairs adds contrast and the rattan adds more accessorized orange. Using stripes and patterns can create separate spaces for the eye to pause giving depth and interest to the room.  

The room has a beautiful western view with stunning sunset and mauka views. In the afternoon the setting sun gives a warm glow to the space accentuating the orange colors and reflecting off the walls.

     

This vignette utilizes Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Burmese artifacts.  

The Koi banner at the entrance to the apartment with it's upturned mouth is a Feng Shui proponent of good luck and abundance.   

 

Photos by Kimo Stowell copyright 2009 all rights reserved.

 

Historic Site:

Last seat of Hawaiian Sovereignty

'IOLANI PALACE

Honolulu, HI

  

 `Iolani Palace is considered the finest example of American Florentine or Italianate architecture in the world. Artisans were brought from Europe and the US to complete it's neoroccoco details and stylings.

 

  

 

`Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's monarchy and is considered the seat of the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement today. Built by King Kalakaua and completed in 1882, The palace featured the very latest in technological advances for it's time including electricity and telephones (even before the White House). The palace was the center of social and political activity in the Kingdom of Hawai`i until the kingdom was illegally overthrown in 1893 by a cabal of American business owners lead by Sanford Dole. Beloved by her subjects, Queen Lili' uokalani was imprisoned at the palace by the gun shod government, run by Dole and other expatriot Americans, for several years. Eventually she was removed to her Washington Place residence where she remained a political prisoner of the Territorial Government until her death.

 

Photos by Kimo

 

The palace was subject to neglect after the overthrow and legislation was proposed by the newly instituted state government to turn it into a parking lot for the state capital building. Thankfully, do to the diligence of HH Princess Lili'uokalani Kawananakoa Morris, HH Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, The Friends of Iolani Palace, and other concerned individuals restoration began in the 1970's through their efforts. Today the palace is a National Historic Landmark and continues to be a platform for Native Hawaiian issues.

 

 

Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani

last reigning monarch of Hawai'i

Sept 2, 1838 - Nov 11, 1917

 

Questions for Kimo?: I have a small budget for the yard and I need big impact, what are your suggestions?  

When it comes to curb appeal with a powerful pop their is nothing better, in my opinion, to use in Hawaii and tropical climes than the Pua Aloalo or Hibiscus.  

Hibiscus can be potted (pots for hibiscus should be a minimum of 10 inches) and or used as hedging. It grows quickly and provides beautiful blossoms all year long. It does require frequent fertilizing and full sun.  

 

 

It is believed that only five species of the tropical hibiscus are native to Hawaii. Over time cultivators began hybridizing the Hawaiian species with imported varieties, resulting in an amazing selection of colors, shapes, and sizes.  

 

Although pricing varies depending on where you live, Hibiscus are relatively inexpensive compared to other flowering trees and bushes. 

 

Please direct your questions to info@RealEstateDesignOnLine.com

      

Photos by Kimo Stowell

 

Most visitors to Oahu rarely make it out of Waikiki and even fewer still make it to the Leeward coast, whose wild and wooley reputation keeps even the city locals at bay. Never the less, the Waianae has some of the most beautiful beaches and siteseeing on Oahu and despite it's noteriety as being "rough" the hiking in the Waianae is well worth the trip.

There are many hiking trails and sites to see on the Leeward coast of Oahu located about 30 to 40 min from Honolulu International Airport. The Waianae Mountain Range is is capped by Kaena Point to the north and Makakilo ridge to the south and is home to the tallest peak on Oahu, Mt. Ka'ala, which rises 4025ft above Makaha Valley to the west with Waialua to the North East. Mt. Ka'ala is easily recognized by the giant geodesic dome that sits high on the mountains ridge line, which is used by the US Navy as a satellite tracking station. Here are some photos from a recent hiking expidition to the Waianae Range directly adjacent to the Makaha ahua pu'a'a.

 

Wailele, Hawaiian for waterfall                     Wild coffee

Wild Kalo, Hawaiian for Taro.

 

 

Part of the Waianae Range about half way up.

  

Giant Agave                                              Hou'oli Koa blossom

 

 Kehau, Hawaiian for mist

 

 

Koa covered in moss & lichen                     Lauae, indigenous fern

   

Cave passageway through ridge                   Wild Allspice 

 

Giant Eucalyptus                                        Wild Guava 'mmm ono'

 

Photos by Kimo