Tantalus Studio

Here, the wear and tear of constant rainfall is clear in all the exterior materials.

None of the elements of this space catch the eye: the faded brick, the washed-out piece of art, the dark screen hiding the fireplace and the lined screen hiding the garden are all distracting rather than engaging.

The original wood floors were hidden under unstylish rugs and dulled by years of use.

The original kitchen's open shelving and awkward cabinetry contributed to a tight, cluttered look.

Before: The previous owners had bulky drapes on the windows to protect the home against the intense sun of a summer afternoon.

Before: In archival photos of the home, the lava rock fireplace was a monumental presence, but by the time Ginger moved in, it had nearly disappeared into the outdated interiors, hidden behind both the TV and fire screen.

Richly colored koa wood is native to Hawaii and, increasingly rare, can only be harvested from dead trees on public lands.

Ginger’s small selection of art books adds a bit of personality without throwing off the balanced calm of the bedroom.

Painted white, screen removed, and decorated with just a few pieces of art, the brick fireplace looks fresh, and acts as the perfect textural foil to the glossy floors and the leafy view beyond. A photograph by Wayne Levin and a small painting by Peter Shepard Cole create a thoughtful vignette on the mantel.

The highly textured lava rock contrasts with the smooth decking.

Art by Mayumi Oda

The tongue-and-groove walls are another element original to the home, and, now, newly painted white, they provide the perfect canvas for setting off Ginger's art collection.

The nightstand is vintage, and the lamp is part of the 96 Molecules collection by Aqua Creations.

The art is by Nick Black, the vase from Heath Ceramics, and Bart Potter made the built-in desk with koa wood from the site.