LOBSTER PAELLA

EVERY SUNDAY AT COAST that is inviting rather than ostentatious. It’s no surprise that the Heffels love to cook and entertain here. The kitchen is defined by Shaker-style cabinetry with stainless steel hardware that she brought in from Spain.

Chef Fernando is bringing a taste of his home in Spain with Lobster Paella every Sunday at Coast. Treat yourself to this classic showstopper with lobster, calamari, prawns, mussels, and clams nestled in a bed of sa ron rice.

“I wanted the look to be simple and fresh and I didn’t want any upper cabinets anywhere,” she says. “I have that great pantry off the kitchen for storage. The island has the same cabinetry, and we put this sort of sea-foam-blue wash on the fir. And those pull-up bar stools are like tractor seats that are molded to your behind and are really comfortable.”

Jennifer loves textured fabrics and draperies (even the high ceilings between the home’s beams are wallpapered in grasscloth). Her choice of the unusual Justine Stripe sheers, woven in Belgium by Opuzen, alternate from semi-transparent to solid. Hung in the dining area and great room, they perfectly frame the view looking out to the exterior pool and lanai.

“Yes, it was expensive, but it doesn’t fade or yellow under the intense heat here and it’s frankly one of the best investments of fabric I’ve ever made,” she says.

When Jennifer was working with the architect on the design of the house, she really wanted a dining area in which a table could accommodate up to 16 people.

The resulting choice “has breadboard ends so it can be extended—we’ve had a lot of really fun dinners there! The eight rattan chairs are from Crate & Barrel and the two wing chairs at either end are upholstered in leafy-patterned slipcov- ers, so if someone spills something, I just take them off to the dry cleaners,” she adds.

The great room that overlooks the spacious lanai is where the Heffel family congregates to watch films, sing along with the karaoke machine, and play board games in the evenings. Built-in light cabinetry and cosy slip-covered sofas exude a calming vibe, making it the perfect sanctuary to flop down and relax after a long day of beach sports. Pass the popcorn!

While the active couple heads down to the ocean daily to swim and windsurf, Jennifer says, “We really debated about putting in a pool because of the maintenance. But we realized that not everyone is a beach person. For instance, my parents who are in their 80s really like to just lounge and relax around the pool.”

The three bedrooms in the main house all have their own en suites and riff off the same beachy palette as the principal rooms, with striped fabric on the custom beds and headboards. Jennifer used a pebbled tile around the mirrors, backsplash and under the tubs and the floors of the walk-in showers. Off the master bedroom is a door leading to a private, heavenly outdoor shower.

“I’ve got tiki masks on the walls and big lava stones inside and what’s really funny is that we have never used the indoor shower once,” she laughs.

“We refer to our Maui vacation home as ‘our happy place,’ a legacy we hope our grandchildren will continue to enjoy.”

Italian Masterpieces