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was the final home of late firm founder Mary Philpotts McGrath, blends Mediterranean, Colonial and Renaissance influences, reflecting Wood’ s desire to integrate classical architectural forms into a distinct Hawaii aesthetic.
The discovery of the property was accidental: Mary had just remarried and owned a home in the Dowsett Highlands area. Her daughter, Marion Philpotts-Miller, decided to tour the home with a few family friends, Allison Hopper and renowned artist Pegge Hopper. The rest was history:“ The four of us walked into the drive-way, and
it was like my mom fell over, she was so enchanted,” Philpotts-Miller recalls. The house, which Mary purchased in 1992, was recently sold again following her passing and will always reflects an important moment in the Philpotts’ family legacy.
Historic Manoa Residence: This special island home had been in the clients’ family for generations. Of utmost importance was the need to restore and modernize it, while also keeping true to the cultural and historical elements that the clients so loved. Listening to the history of the house helped guide the team, led by Marion Philpotts- Miller. For example, the house had great bones, but the original floors were over one hundred years old, and couldn’ t be refinished due to termite damage. The team introduced modern Ohia wood as well as mahogany wood for the staircase, and oak and douglas fir in the upstairs bedrooms.
In an effort to make the bathrooms and kitchen indicative of the times, the team sourced new appliances, a clawfoot tub, updated flooring, tiling and cabinetry and oversaw updated electrical and plumbing work; while in the living spaces, custom sofas and entertainment and reading nooks make the spaces