Imagine two charming 1940s beach cottages for rent on Maui. One is a traditional Hawaiian plantation cottage, the other a stone carriage house. Both are surrounded by a landscape of tropical plants, ancient trees, and winding paths, steps from the beach and the boho town of Paia on Maui’s laid-back, virtually-untouched northern coast.
Welcome to Maui Beach Cottage, owned by two fashion industry veterans, recently restored to its laid-back Hawaiian charm. Join us for a walk through the monkeypod trees and lounge with us on the screened porch (and check out the interiors of the Beach House over on Remodelista):
Photography by Kate Holstein.
![The drive into the property, steps from Kanaha Beach Park, is nearly overgrown with vegetation.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-driveway-733x489.jpg)
![The main house, called the Beach Cottage, is shaded by three monkeypod trees (also called raintrees), iconic in the Hawaiian islands.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1-roberto-sosa-beach-house-exterior-733x489.jpg)
![Owners George and Angela Hensler worked with Rene Holguin of LA-based shop RTH and Roberto Sosa (then with Aero Studios) on the \1940s plantation cottage, restoring the wooden siding and painting the exterior in a custom dark green color.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-straight-on-733x489.jpg)
![On a low wooden deck outside the kitchen is a dining area for outdoor meals. A discreet spigot and a ceramic planter for hose storage are next to the steps.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-porch-733x1098.jpg)
![Around the corner on the wide porch of the Beach Cottage is a sitting area, anchored by two Pierre Jeanneret caned teak chairs.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-sitting-area-porch-733x489.jpg)
![Wooden lattice, painted in the same shade as the house, creates privacy for an outdoor shower but still allows for glimpses of green leaves and vines. The shower fixtures are from Chicago Faucets.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-outdoor-shower-733x1098.jpg)
(For more on showering in the garden, see Hardscaping 101: Outdoor Showers and Outdoor Showers: 20 Ideas for Bathing en Plein Air.)
![A mahogany door leads to a screened porch, a new addition.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-exterior-3-733x1098.jpg)
![Inside the small screened porch: a custom built-in chaise, for lounging.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2-robert-sosa-beach-house-porch-1-733x1098.jpg)
![See more of the interiors on Remodelista.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/4-roberto-sosa-beach-house-kitchen-733x1098.jpg)
![A wide stone path leads from the Beach Cottage through the garden. All of the plants on the property are commonly found in Hawaii; though they look like they\2\17;ve been there forever, all except the towering monkeypod trees and coconut palms were planted by the owners.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-exterior-2-1-733x489.jpg)
![A monkeypod tree, overgrown with vines.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-tree-1-733x1098.jpg)
![The stone Carriage House, formerly a three-car garage with a caretaker\2\17;s apartment above, sits at the end of a gravel patio.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-carriage-house-exterior-733x489.jpg)
![The exterior wood siding of the Carriage House was replaced with coral stone. Forest green aluminum casement windows swing outwards. (For similar styles, see Hardscaping \10\1: Steel Factory-Style Windows and Doors.)](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-beach-house-windows-733x1098.jpg)
![Beneath a pergola is another, more secluded dining area.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/roberto-sosa-carriage-house-outdoor-dining-733x1098.jpg)
For more of our favorite tropical gardens, see our posts:
- Before & After: A $5,000 Garden Makeover in St. Augustine, Florida.
- The Accidental Gardeners: Artists Helen and Brice Marden in the Caribbean.
- Architect Visit: Recreating Old Hawaii on Kakapa Bay.
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