Cherry Blossom Style
Cherry Blossom Style Thinkstock© Eriko Koga
Couple transforms vintage homestead into Zen hideaway
By Kristina Anderson
Photography by Giselle Thompson
A
10 at home in west hawaii/ february 2013
Zoe Zivalic and Lauren Barth serve tea in their geisha girl outfits.
The Japanese theme unfolds at the entryway featuring bamboo trim and flooring, plus a French door painted red. Deanna upholstered her grandmother’s 100-year-old rocking chair with fabric she purchased at Dragon Mama in Hilo. “Back when we lived in LA, I ordered all my fabric from Dragon Mama,” she said. “I still buy all my fabrics there.”
In the dining room, Deanna created an oriental wall hanging from wallpaper she bought online. She trimmed it in bamboo from ACE Hardware. The couple’s Ginger Farm home will be open for a home tour during the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival on February 2. Visiting children can participate in a cherry scroll craft project, while students dressed as geishas will serve cherry tea.
Thinkstock© Plush Stuidos
deteriorating old farmhouse in Waimea, circa 1938, received a whole new life and personality when former Kona residents Deanna and Paul Zivalic decided to take on the aging landmark and renovate the home from the ground up. A familiar site along Mamalahoa Highway just outside of Waimea Town, the four-bedroom, two-bath house has been transformed into a Zen hideaway complete with bamboo trim and flooring, Japanese décor and even a Japanese-style bridge that stretches gracefully across its own stream. Dubbed the “Ginger Farm,” the residence will be open for a home tour and tea during this year’s upcoming Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2013. The annual event commemorates the original cherry blossom trees planted in Waimea in 1972, while celebrating the multi-cultural heritage of the upcountry town. For the Zivalics, the renovation project was daunting from the start. A master finish carpenter, Paul had to rebuild 95 percent of the home’s existing structure, retrofitting
at home in west hawaii/ february 2013 11
Photo by Karen Anderson
Photo by Karen Anderson
or replacing every piece of wood in the house, with the exception of a few floor joists and piers. In doing so, he eliminated the single wall construction but retained the basic footprint of the original house, utilizing much of the old planking for railings and trim. With the addition of an expansive lanai, the home measures a modest 1,400 square feet — large enough for the couple, their offices and their one daughter still in high school. Parents of five, Deanna and Paul have been building and renovating homes for decades. The Ginger Farm sits on three acres of Waimea greenery where the Zivalics eventually plan to host a nursery, vegetable stand, petting zoo and farm tours that will be open to the public. “We named it ‘Ginger Farm’ when we first bought it in 2008,” recalls Deanna. “We could smell the glorious scent of wild ginger flowers growing all over, but little did we know that the very invasive plant would be back-breaking work to remove. We are now working on planting edible ginger.” An interior designer, Deanna is also an accomplished real estate stager (stagerdesign.com) whose home-staging techniques once added $200,000 to the asking price of a Japanese-themed vintage home they renovated on top
12 at home in west hawaii/ february 2013
In the kitchen, the couple adhered to their original budget of $6,000, utilizing cabinets, bamboo flooring, granite counters and slate backsplash purchased at Home Depot.
A master finish carpenter, Paul built a main entry at the front of the house (the original entry was on the side), adding cement stairs, wood railings and custom-made pickets for an old-style look. For balustrades, Paul used Douglas fir salvaged from the original home built in 1938.
“I get ideas from books and from the homes we have renovated. I went to several libraries to study all the Japanese interiors I could find.” — Deanna Zivalic
Homeowners Deanna and Paul Zivalic on their lanai. They eventually plan to host a nursery, vegetable stand, petting zoo and farm tours at their Ginger Farm property, which will be open to the public.
Photo by Karen Anderson
The Ginger Farm sits on three acres of greenery.
The amazing sunken tub is completely flush to the floor, putting a new twist on the idea of a Japanese furo. Rainforest marble and porcelain flooring came from Tile Warehouse.
Deanna purchased the beautiful panel online directly from Japan. An accomplished seamstress and interior designer, Deanna bordered the panel with Japanese fabric and sewed it onto a shower curtain from Target. at home in west hawaii/ february 2013 13
of Mt. Washington in Los Angeles. The home made the Los Angeles Times’ “Home of the Week.” From fabrics to furnishings, Deanna’s resourceful ideas bring artful character to the Ginger Farm’s interior. She chose many of the fabrics and quilts from two time-honored Big Island sources: Dragon Mama in Hilo (purveyor of pillows, futons and organic cotton fabrics), and Kimura’s Fabrics in Kainaliu, which carries an array of Hawaiian and oriental print fabrics. To fit her budget, Deanna created her own version of superpricey shoji screen doors by taking standard French doors from Lowe’s and then wallpapering the inside with rice paper. The effect allows the natural light from behind the hallway to emanate through. The Japanese theme plays well throughout, whether the shoji screens, rice lanterns, oriental wallpaper, the thrift store chandelier or an antique tansu chest for storage. In the kitchen, Deanna stuck to a budget of $6,000 while recreating her previous kitchen costing $60,000. She says the copper sink and knobs were a splurge. In the master bath,
the tub is sunk below floor level and surrounded by rainforest marble, providing a masterful twist to the idea of a Japanese furo. The guest bathroom features a dramatic, Oriental-themed curtain panel purchased directly from a source in Japan. Deanna sewed the panel directly onto a shower curtain from Target. Easy on the feet, cool green pebbles add texture and contrast. For chilly nights, a fully functioning wood stove heats the entire home to a toasty temp. The Zivalics say they light it every single afternoon and evening. They had never imagined having a fireplace in Hawai‘i. After completing the structural remodel on the Ginger Farm, Paul spends his time working on projects outdoors, recently completing an authentic Japanese bridge. He says he loves to stay busy because it keeps him young. His next project will be a greenhouse. Although the weather gets cold and rainy at their 3,000-foot elevation, the Zivalics feel right at home. “We just love it here; I love the community,” says Deanna. “There are horses, cows and goats on one side and Mauna Kea on the other. We get the best of all worlds.” AH The artful backsplash behind the fireplace evokes images of Kilauea Volcano, with grout painted red to suggest lava. Leo, the Golden Retriever, keeps warm by the fire.
Name: KALOKO SHUTTER & BLIND Width: 4.7383 in Depth: 5.25 in Color: Black plus three Ad Number: 000070182r1
14 at home in west hawaii/ february 2013
Name: LAMBRECHT WOODWORKING INC Width: 4.7383 in Depth: 5.25 in Color: Black plus three Ad Number: 000070156r1
Deanna commissioned Dragon Mama in Hilo to make a custom bedspread complementing the silk lotus-flower light that hangs overhead. The harp was Paul’s wedding present to Deanna.
Name: Kukui’ula Development Com Width: 9.653 in Depth: 5.25 in Color: Black plus three Ad Number: 000069945r1
at home in west hawaii/ february 2013 15
Couple transforms vintage homestead into Zen hideaway
By Kristina Anderson
Photography by Giselle Thompson
A
10 at home in west hawaii/ february 2013
Zoe Zivalic and Lauren Barth serve tea in their geisha girl outfits.
The Japanese theme unfolds at the entryway featuring bamboo trim and flooring, plus a French door painted red. Deanna upholstered her grandmother’s 100-year-old rocking chair with fabric she purchased at Dragon Mama in Hilo. “Back when we lived in LA, I ordered all my fabric from Dragon Mama,” she said. “I still buy all my fabrics there.”
In the dining room, Deanna created an oriental wall hanging from wallpaper she bought online. She trimmed it in bamboo from ACE Hardware. The couple’s Ginger Farm home will be open for a home tour during the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival on February 2. Visiting children can participate in a cherry scroll craft project, while students dressed as geishas will serve cherry tea.
Thinkstock© Plush Stuidos
deteriorating old farmhouse in Waimea, circa 1938, received a whole new life and personality when former Kona residents Deanna and Paul Zivalic decided to take on the aging landmark and renovate the home from the ground up. A familiar site along Mamalahoa Highway just outside of Waimea Town, the four-bedroom, two-bath house has been transformed into a Zen hideaway complete with bamboo trim and flooring, Japanese décor and even a Japanese-style bridge that stretches gracefully across its own stream. Dubbed the “Ginger Farm,” the residence will be open for a home tour and tea during this year’s upcoming Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2013. The annual event commemorates the original cherry blossom trees planted in Waimea in 1972, while celebrating the multi-cultural heritage of the upcountry town. For the Zivalics, the renovation project was daunting from the start. A master finish carpenter, Paul had to rebuild 95 percent of the home’s existing structure, retrofitting
at home in west hawaii/ february 2013 11
Photo by Karen Anderson
Photo by Karen Anderson
or replacing every piece of wood in the house, with the exception of a few floor joists and piers. In doing so, he eliminated the single wall construction but retained the basic footprint of the original house, utilizing much of the old planking for railings and trim. With the addition of an expansive lanai, the home measures a modest 1,400 square feet — large enough for the couple, their offices and their one daughter still in high school. Parents of five, Deanna and Paul have been building and renovating homes for decades. The Ginger Farm sits on three acres of Waimea greenery where the Zivalics eventually plan to host a nursery, vegetable stand, petting zoo and farm tours that will be open to the public. “We named it ‘Ginger Farm’ when we first bought it in 2008,” recalls Deanna. “We could smell the glorious scent of wild ginger flowers growing all over, but little did we know that the very invasive plant would be back-breaking work to remove. We are now working on planting edible ginger.” An interior designer, Deanna is also an accomplished real estate stager (stagerdesign.com) whose home-staging techniques once added $200,000 to the asking price of a Japanese-themed vintage home they renovated on top
12 at home in west hawaii/ february 2013
In the kitchen, the couple adhered to their original budget of $6,000, utilizing cabinets, bamboo flooring, granite counters and slate backsplash purchased at Home Depot.
A master finish carpenter, Paul built a main entry at the front of the house (the original entry was on the side), adding cement stairs, wood railings and custom-made pickets for an old-style look. For balustrades, Paul used Douglas fir salvaged from the original home built in 1938.
“I get ideas from books and from the homes we have renovated. I went to several libraries to study all the Japanese interiors I could find.” — Deanna Zivalic
Homeowners Deanna and Paul Zivalic on their lanai. They eventually plan to host a nursery, vegetable stand, petting zoo and farm tours at their Ginger Farm property, which will be open to the public.
Photo by Karen Anderson
The Ginger Farm sits on three acres of greenery.
The amazing sunken tub is completely flush to the floor, putting a new twist on the idea of a Japanese furo. Rainforest marble and porcelain flooring came from Tile Warehouse.
Deanna purchased the beautiful panel online directly from Japan. An accomplished seamstress and interior designer, Deanna bordered the panel with Japanese fabric and sewed it onto a shower curtain from Target. at home in west hawaii/ february 2013 13
of Mt. Washington in Los Angeles. The home made the Los Angeles Times’ “Home of the Week.” From fabrics to furnishings, Deanna’s resourceful ideas bring artful character to the Ginger Farm’s interior. She chose many of the fabrics and quilts from two time-honored Big Island sources: Dragon Mama in Hilo (purveyor of pillows, futons and organic cotton fabrics), and Kimura’s Fabrics in Kainaliu, which carries an array of Hawaiian and oriental print fabrics. To fit her budget, Deanna created her own version of superpricey shoji screen doors by taking standard French doors from Lowe’s and then wallpapering the inside with rice paper. The effect allows the natural light from behind the hallway to emanate through. The Japanese theme plays well throughout, whether the shoji screens, rice lanterns, oriental wallpaper, the thrift store chandelier or an antique tansu chest for storage. In the kitchen, Deanna stuck to a budget of $6,000 while recreating her previous kitchen costing $60,000. She says the copper sink and knobs were a splurge. In the master bath,
the tub is sunk below floor level and surrounded by rainforest marble, providing a masterful twist to the idea of a Japanese furo. The guest bathroom features a dramatic, Oriental-themed curtain panel purchased directly from a source in Japan. Deanna sewed the panel directly onto a shower curtain from Target. Easy on the feet, cool green pebbles add texture and contrast. For chilly nights, a fully functioning wood stove heats the entire home to a toasty temp. The Zivalics say they light it every single afternoon and evening. They had never imagined having a fireplace in Hawai‘i. After completing the structural remodel on the Ginger Farm, Paul spends his time working on projects outdoors, recently completing an authentic Japanese bridge. He says he loves to stay busy because it keeps him young. His next project will be a greenhouse. Although the weather gets cold and rainy at their 3,000-foot elevation, the Zivalics feel right at home. “We just love it here; I love the community,” says Deanna. “There are horses, cows and goats on one side and Mauna Kea on the other. We get the best of all worlds.” AH The artful backsplash behind the fireplace evokes images of Kilauea Volcano, with grout painted red to suggest lava. Leo, the Golden Retriever, keeps warm by the fire.
Name: KALOKO SHUTTER & BLIND Width: 4.7383 in Depth: 5.25 in Color: Black plus three Ad Number: 000070182r1
14 at home in west hawaii/ february 2013
Name: LAMBRECHT WOODWORKING INC Width: 4.7383 in Depth: 5.25 in Color: Black plus three Ad Number: 000070156r1
Deanna commissioned Dragon Mama in Hilo to make a custom bedspread complementing the silk lotus-flower light that hangs overhead. The harp was Paul’s wedding present to Deanna.
Name: Kukui’ula Development Com Width: 9.653 in Depth: 5.25 in Color: Black plus three Ad Number: 000069945r1
at home in west hawaii/ february 2013 15
