August 11, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAWAI‘I SENSE OF PLACE: ISLAND INTERIOR DESIGN
OPENS SEPTEMBER 10 AT BISHOP MUSEUM
HONOLULU – If your idea of Hawaiian interior design is all about floral patterns with a little rattan mixed in, better think again. Bishop Museum’s newest Vestibule Gallery exhibit, “Hawai‘i Sense of Place: Island Interior Design,” will reflect Hawai‘i’s rich interior design legacy. The exhibit will be on display September 10 through October 23.
Coinciding with the release of the book of the same name by local interior designer Mary Philpotts McGrath, freelance writer Kaui Philpotts and photographer David Duncan Livingston, the exhibit will feature Hawai‘i interior design through the recreation of a period room from the 1930’s and 40’s. Using furniture featured in the book, along with archival images from the Bishop Museum collection, this exhibit will showcase the warmth and comfort of Hawai‘i’s best-designed rooms that connect to the environment and reflect the cultures of the Pacific. These early rooms influence island design until this day.
Among the items in this unique exhibit are a rare 1930s dining table and chairs of Philippine mahogany, torcheres inspired by the ti plant, vintage cabinets and rattan sofas, card tables from Gump’s Waikiki store and wood lamps carved to resemble woven lauhala by furniture designer Walter Lamb.
A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage, Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years, special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.