Cohesively Coastal

Keep a general theme flowing through your kitchen and bath designs while adding personality in each space

By: Darlene Dela Cruz

Mar 2, 2026

The custom backsplash in this kitchen serves as “functional art,” says interior designer Lisa Walsh. Photos by Travis Rowan
The custom backsplash in this kitchen serves as “functional art,” says interior designer Lisa Walsh. Photos by Travis Rowan

Among 2026 home trends, kitchens and baths continue to top the list of spaces homeowners prioritize for remodeling. Well-designed kitchens and baths can add property value while anchoring your home’s aesthetic and ambience.

A common request for interior designers is to create elevated baths that tie back to the look and feel of the kitchen and the rest of the home. Interior designer Lisa Walsh took on that task in an ocean-inspired project for a Maui ‘ohana. Smart kitchen and bath design lies in the details, Walsh explains, and consistency can be achieved without compromising uniqueness.

“In this project, we kept most baths in white cabinetry — the primary bath is the exception — and gave each space its own personality through different shades of blue and different tile expressions, some in glass, some in slab,” Walsh says. “Unique rooms, shared DNA.”

The homeowners’ vision of a coastal color palette carries throughout the home, adding freshness with finishes selected for easy maintenance and durability. Walsh says the ‘ohana purchased the residence desiring more space to host their adult children and grandchildren. Treating the kitchen as a communal hub, Walsh kept its look clean and played off its statement elements to infuse personality to each bath.

A clean and minimal color palette in this kitchen allows the backsplash to serve as a visual statement piece.
The master bath utilizes Shell Reef stone for a neutral, spa-inspired feel.

“In the baths, the design brief was split by audience: the kids’ bathrooms should lean playful and spirited, while the adult baths needed to feel calmer and more refined,” Walsh says. “Still within the same seaside theme but expressed in different tones.”

Standout features in this project include the custom-painted aluminum backsplash in the kitchen — a “showstopper,” says Walsh, that serves as “the kitchen’s wow factor, the jewelry that makes the whole outfit.” In the primary bath, Shell Reef stone is a clever choice that alludes to the coastal theme with luxe neutrals.

“The palette is soft and restrained, and the brushed finish gives it a velvety feel that’s both elegant and spa-like,” Walsh says. “It’s also intentionally the one room that steps away from blue, making it feel like a true retreat — calm, warm and quietly luxurious.”

Interior designer Lisa Walsh suggests “repeating the anchors” with a few consistent colors or styles while switching up patterns and finishes in matte and gloss to keep your designs from feeling too similar.

Whether you’re considering a coastal makeover or unsure where to start with updating your kitchen and bath spaces, Walsh offers three general takeaways from this project:

  • Select a few design “constants” that will appear throughout your home. These can be recurring cabinetry styles or colors, metal finishes or plumbing silhouettes.
  • “Vary the pattern, not the storyline” — for example, keep the main field tile consistent but play with different decorative accent tiles.
  • Invest in quality materials where it counts, such as cabinetry, fixtures and surfaces. Consider a professional design consultation to navigate trendy and timeless choices.

“Make sure you genuinely love the result,” Walsh says. “These aren’t quick weekend updates and living with a remodel is a commitment.”

This story appears in the March/April 2026 print issue of Ku‘u Home magazine.