Lanikai Resto-Mod
Restoring the Future: A Thoughtful Resto-Mod of a 1954 Philip Fisk Mid-Century Classic in Lanikai
Tucked in the coastal neighborhood of Lanikai, this 1954 residence by architect Philip Fisk stands as a near-perfect embodiment of mid-century modernism in Hawai‘i. With its low-slung rooflines, exposed rafters, and masterfully scaled public spaces, the home carried an architectural clarity too rare to lose. The challenge was not to reinvent it—but to carefully bring it into the present without erasing its soul.
The design team approached the project as a true resto-mod, retaining original craftsmanship wherever possible and stepping in only where function or wear demanded it. The main living and dining areas were preserved with reverence—the original redwood detailing, clean lines, and expansive wood floors all painstakingly restored. Where scars remained, they were left deliberately—evidence of a home that has been lived in and loved.
The kitchen was updated to accommodate modern living, yet still belongs to its mid-century roots. New custom cabinets, built from mahogany plywood, were outfitted with vintage-style pulls that perfectly replicate the originals. The showpiece is the countertop—a slab of tinted fiberglass over plywood, fabricated by one of the project’s carpenters, who also happens to be a surfboard shaper. The result is a one-of-a-kind surface that merges material experimentation with island craftsmanship.
In the bedroom wing, new “boat carpet” was installed, evoking vintage yacht interiors, while the home’s original wood floors in the main areas were brought back to life. The lanai was stripped of its later-added tile to expose original concrete, which was cleaned, scored with subtle sawcuts, and painted a deep gray-blue—cool, simple, and true to the home’s spirit. In the kitchen, vinyl flooring was removed to reveal matching wood flooring beneath—an unexpected gift, seamlessly reintegrated.
The bathrooms were remodeled with restraint and care. Affordable subway tile walls and blue penny tile floors give them a fresh, clean feel, while blue-tinted countertops echo the custom surfboard-style fiberglass top in the kitchen. Existing pickled redwood paneling—a signature of the home—was only sanded and refinished where absolutely necessary, preserving both character and budget.
Interior finishes celebrate the optimism of mid-century design. Interior doors were painted in bold primary colors, a playful nod to the Eames palette. George Nelson bubble lamps and pendant fixtures were selected to add authenticity and warmth without drawing too much attention to themselves—soft punctuation marks within the architecture.
Above it all, a new aluminum standing seam roof over rigid insulation significantly improved comfort while maintaining the home’s original exposed rafter profile. The material palette—real, tactile, and thoughtfully composed—is carried throughout, inside and out.This is not just a renovation—it’s a conversation across decades. The result is a home that feels honest, personal, and deeply connected to its place. A house that lives not in the past, but in the best version of the present.
