Enthusiasm and expertise are the stock in trade for Cutting Edge Studio, the Maui-based design, manufacturing, and installation experts who provide cabinetry and design for luxury Island homes as well as some Mainland residences. “We specialize in kitchens, bathrooms, closets, studies, and entertainment centers – virtually any area of the home that requires cabinetry,” says owner Ron Andreassen.
He leads a team of two professional designers, a fulltime CAD drafting expert, and several support and administrative staff who work closely with Hawaii’s leading builders, architects, and interior designers on new homes and remodels as well as large-scale projects and developments.
“We believe clients deserve both beauty and functionality, and that’s what we deliver,” said lead designer Kristen Totah, ASID. “I see kitchens in trade publications that look beautiful, but on closer examination I am wondering where you would conveniently locate the utensils, or find a glass for water. Especially for kitchens, we stay faithful to the timeless philosophy that ‘form follows function’ by providing functional layouts combined with a clean, contemporary aesthetic.”
Hawaii’s tropical lifestyle strongly influences CES designs. “Clients here want that sense of place,” Totah noted. “Hawaii’s climate is unique, so the design must reflect that. People want ease of maintenance; instead of spending their time cleaning finishes, nooks and crannies, they want to enjoy the outdoors.”
Typically, a CES designer consults with clients to discover their needs, lifestyle, and vision for the project. More than one schematic may result in an eventual blend of ideas before creation of the final CAD-blueprint. During the construction process the CES team visits the job site often to verify dimensions and field conditions, laying out all cabinetry on the floor during construction so the various tradespeople have all the information they need. Finally, a licensed CES installation team ensures the project is completed to perfection.
Today’s hot trends in design for luxury Hawaiian homes include a definite movement toward using environmentally-conscious products, report the CES professionals. “For a while it was ‘bigger is better’ but now many homeowners are taking conservation seriously,” said Totah. “In addition, we’re seeing a more contemporary direction in design, likely due to the growing popularity of both the minimalist approach and the conservationist ethic. ‘Green’ design is more than just a buzzword; it is becoming an admirable movement.”
A constant flow of referrals and repeat business by satisfied homeowners indicates that CES stays on the “cutting edge” of client satisfaction as well as professional design and performance.
Cutting Edge Studio
1484 Honoapiilani Hwy.
Waikapu, HI 96793
www.cuttingedgestudio.com(808) 242-4404
