This stately home belonged to the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani. After the over throw of the Kingdom of Hawaii she remained in residence here under virtual house arrest until her death on November 11, 1917. Threat of counter insurgency kept her a political prisoner for several years after the overthrow. Once Hawaii became a US territory the queen was powerless to regain her Kingdom despite the fact that the President Cleveland had supported the restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty.
The lower portion of the house is constructed of coral blocks and the rest is of wood construction. Built in the 1840s, the home was constructed by the parents of the Queens consort, General John Dominus, in the Greek Revival style reminiscent of plantation homes in Louisiana. The defining architectural elements are the double tiered lanai's, columns, and hipped roof.
After the Queens death Washington Place became the Executive Mansion for twelve consecutive governors of Hawaiʻi until 2002, when it became a historic house museum and eventually a National Historic Landmark in 2007.
This bronze placard commemorates the Queens farewell song to her Kingdom, Aloha O'e, which became world famous and today is indicative of Hawaii's Aloha spirit.
Aloha O'e Aloha O'e
E ke ona ona noho ika lipo
One found embrace a hoi ae au
Until we meet again
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
Honolulu has some beautiful Art Deco architecture and one of my favorite buildings is the Downtown Fire Department on Beretania St. near China Town. Honolulu has some amazing public buildings and here is just one example.
The giant zinc doors and the Hawaiian styled motifs are what really draw your attention to this building.
The doors stand about 15 feet high not including the monogram and transome and are excellent examples of Art Deco detail.
The triangles are an Ancient Hawaiian motif that were commonly found in Tapa cloth and body decoration.
The light fixture, layered squares and name plate font are all classic Art Deco details, as well as, the stucco wall treatment. Many of Honolulu's public buildings are quite beautiful and this one is no exception.
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
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.
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
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Honolulu Real Estate Merchandising Services including: Home Staging & Interior Decorating. Specializing in Hawaiian & Pacific Rim landscaping, remodeling, turn key services, marketing & MLS photos
JDS CONSULTING:
We are a collective of independent contractors who maintain employment in the Real Estate industry as Realtors, Realtor Associates, Investors, as well as, Home Stagers, Professional Artists and Interior Decorators. Together we offer Real Estate merchandising services to those who lack the time and wherewith all to effectively merchandise their Real Estate.
Kimo Stowell is president of JDS Consulting and has experience in finance and design. Kimo serves on the Board of Directors for the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association and is a part time actor and vocalist. Kimo has appeared on Lost, Beyond the Break, National Geographic, and Dante's Cove and performs with the vocal ensemble Zamar at Unity Church in Diamond Head. Kimo is a Volunteer at the Unity Church Bread of Life Kitchen and the historic Hawaii Theater.
JDS Consulting: Provides Real Estate Merchandising services in the following: Home Staging, Virtual Staging, Interior Decorating, Redesign, Remodeling, Turn Key Services, Virtual Tours, Curb Appeal Makeovers, Open House Hosting, and MLS Photography.
DESIGN LAB:
Design Lab is a service of JDS Consulting offering our clients the opportunity to see before they buy. We use digital technology to produce visual renderings of our proposals so that design choices can be made quickly and with certainty.
Creating visuals for our clients takes away the guess work and time required to explain design ideas."Painting" walls and arranging furniture in digital renderings allows home owners the ability to see the concept before they commit to it; reducing client anxiety.
In the past clients would often toil over design choices, with the endless selection of swatches, paint chips, and material samples. Finding the right furniture meant many hours spent in furniture stores and design show rooms which inevitably slowed the process down. Changes to patterns or style choices often meant hours of additional work for everyone but when you have just moved into a new home, who wants to wait months for a sofa?
We provide all the information required to purchase direct from the supplier: Item number, price, color, name, size, etc. We also provide substitute suggestions should items become unavailable.
Design Lab can save you time, money, and the overwhelming feeling that comes with making the right design choices. Welcome to the 21st Century of design.
JDS Consulting can design interior and exterior spaces to suit your individual style and tastes. We can provide multiple looks to choose from varying colors, accessories, and design styles.
TESTIMONIALS:
"I would have never thought to arrange the furniture in this way, but it works great and John, uses the room everyday now"
Redesign Clients John & Linda S. Saratoga Springs NY
"They completely decorated our beach front three bedroom condo in 10 days, wow what a difference. It has such an elegant feeling, we went from lawn chairs in the living room to Hollywood almost overnight"
Interior Decorating Clients Red & Sylvia VH, Hudson FL
"I went away for the weekend and I came back to something absolutely fabulous, and they took care of my dog too"
Interior Decorating Client Anne M C, Ka'a'awa HI
"Wow, what a transformation"
Staging Client David G, Kailua HI
"My family and I thoroughly enjoyed your choices and layout plans for our apartment. Now I have a guide as I shop which should make furniture shopping more efficient and less daunting. Thank you for keeping yourself available to us. I'll be sure to keep you updated. You have been wonderful to work with and I wish you much continued success! E malama pono,"
Design Lab Client Stephanie A, Nu'uanu HI
He mea pau 'ole ke aloha
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