When Brooklyn-based architect Roberto Sosa sent us photos of his renovated farmhouse in upstate New York, we were enamored. Recently we’ve been admiring another project Sosa sent our way, this one nearly 5,000 miles away in Paia, a bohemian surf town on Maui’s wild north coast. Owned by two veterans of the fashion industry, the two 1940s beach cottages—one a traditional Hawaiian cottage, the other a stone carriage house, both surrounded by ancient trees and lush tropical plants—were recently renovated by a team of architects and designers who restored them to their laid-back Hawaiian charm. Today we’re taking a look at the main house. Join us for a tour.
Photography by Kate Holstein.
![the \2\20;beach cottage\2\2\1; is tucked into a lush tropica 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1-roberto-sosa-beach-house-exterior-733x489.jpg)
In renovating the 1940s-era main house, George and Angela Hensler wanted to preserve the home’s history, taking cues from the area’s natural beauty and laid-back style. Together with Rene Holguin from LA-based shop RTH and Sosa (then with Aero Studios), they restored the original wood siding, painted the exterior a custom dark green color, and added mahogany sliding doors. The effect: an indoor/outdoor home that looks one with the lush Hawaiian vegetation.
![on the wide porch, a lounge area, anchored by two pierre jeanneret ca 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-sitting-area-porch-733x489.jpg)
![a new screened porch, painted in the same custom dark green, overlooks the gard 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2-robert-sosa-beach-house-porch-1-733x1098.jpg)
![inside, the team added new wood cladding throughout, painted in benjamin m 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/3-roberto-sosa-beach-house-living-area-couch-733x1098.jpg)
![the room is bright and open, thanks to high, exposed beam ceilings, painte 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-living-area-733x1098.jpg)
![the kitchen features white painted cabinetry and a sliding window above the sin 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/4-roberto-sosa-beach-house-kitchen-733x1098.jpg)
In the kitchen, the team added a modern edge—poured cement countertops—to the cottage-style cabinetry. The fridge, a paneled-front Subzero, is disguised in a row of oversize cabinets, vintage green bottles included.
![in a bedroom, white curtains pull across double sliding doors for added privacy 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/5-roberto-sosa-beach-house-bedroom-1-full-1-733x489.jpg)
![matchstick shades add to the neutral palette of white, teal, and wood. 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/6-roberto-sosa-beach-house-bedroom-1-corner-733x1098.jpg)
![in a second bedroom, built in shelving doubles as nightstands. 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/7-roberto-sosa-beach-house-bedroom-2-full-733x489.jpg)
![a bright and airy bath. 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/8-roberto-sosa-beach-house-bathroom-vanity-1-733x1098.jpg)
In one bath, a marble-topped vanity, large format cement tiles by Clé Tile. (For a similar subtle look, see our post A New Blue Delft Tile Line from a California Artist.) The built-in shelving for towels adds a luxurious, hotel-like feel.
![steel casement windows find new life as a shower door. (interested in installin 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/9-roberto-sosa-beach-house-shower-steel-framed-door-copy-733x1098.jpg)
![a detail of the vintage style brass shower fixtures. 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-bathroom-shower-fixtures-2-733x1099.jpg)
![in another bath, hexagonal tiles from daltile are laid in a stripe patter 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-bathroom-hexagonal-tile-shower-733x1098.jpg)
![a custom designed sink by sink factory in berkeley, california, with brass bath 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/10-roberto-sosa-beach-house-bathroom-sink-detail-733x1098.jpg)
N.B. For a look at the property’s lush gardens, see Vacation Rental: Maui Beach Cottage with a Tropical Garden on Gardenista. For a look at the property’s carriage house, see Hawaiian Summer: A Charm-Filled Stone Carriage House on the Maui Coast, Restored.
Ready for summer? Take inspiration from these beachside cottages:
- A Chic Fixer-Upper on Fire Island, Budget Edition
- Before & After: A Summer Cottage Reborn on the Connecticut Coast
- The Soulful Side of Old Cape Cod: Justine’s Family Cottage
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