BAYSIDE BEAUTY

A Boating Family Finds Waterside Bliss In A Sublime Keystone Island Home

POISED ON A PRIZED CORNER lot with wraparound docks and easy ocean access, Obed and Cristina Arias’ 5,200-square-foot home offers top-notch waterfront living, one of the main reasons the avid boaters chose it. Situated on Miami’s exquisite Keystone Island, directly west of Bay Harbour, the coveted location boasts some of the area’s most spectacular views—beauty and function in one package.

“When we first met with Obed and Cristina, they had a specific vision in mind,” says Jenny Zalkin, who worked on the project alongside partner Josh Fein. “They wanted a contemporary organic feel, so we knew immediately what lines of furniture, fabrics, and finishes would be perfect

With wraparound docks and water access, this Keystone Island property offers spectacular views. The formal living room and game area exude a relaxed vibe with a custom 11 Ravens pool table and a white onyx stone bar outfitted with motorized drop-down shelving. to execute their vision.”

A natural walnut staircase gives rustic contrast to its sleek glass railing, lending an organic feel to the home’s contemporary design. Matching console tables from Cattelan Italia provide a mirroring effect, making the space seem larger while balancing the soaring height of the ceiling.

The team kept the color palette light with shades of taupe, cream, blue, and surprising pops of pink. They hand-picked exquisite natural stones for countertops and bathrooms to coordinate with their lavish custom built-ins. From the expansive kitchen and bar to all the bathroom vanities, they used natural walnut to lend an organic vibe throughout. “The architecture of the home came with a lot of windows overlooking the gorgeous water views,” adds Zalkin. “So, we draped them with textured sheers to create warmth and selected a brass finish for the lighting fixtures, hardware, and cabinet doors to generate some bling.”

Built for a young couple and their son, the home needed a warm and inviting environment while including elegant details to dress it up. “Whenever starting a project for a family home, we consider what materials will best suit their lifestyle and not compromise the design,” says Fein. “Because this family entertains so much and loves having a seamless indoor/outdoor environment, we incorporated indoor/outdoor fabrics that gave them kid-friendly durability and versatility.”

For the formal living room and game area, the clients envisioned a fun and relaxed atmosphere, so the designers opted for luxe oversize seating, a stone-topped Botempi Italia coffee table, and a plush area rug to lend more depth to the space with texture and materials. The main attraction is a knock-out custom pool table from 11 Ravens that strikes an elegant pose with its curvaceous metal base. Another exceptional feature is a customized bar outfitted with an electronic drop-down shelving system that holds barware and spirits. “Our purpose for putting the extra effort into this motorized unit was to offer the family functionality when needed,” says Fein. “When it’s not being used, it disappears to create a clean, minimalist space rich in texture with a white onyx stone surface.” above: The son’s bedroom is outfitted in soft gray hues that he can grow into. The sophisticated palette is tempered with whimsical accents, including a tufted ottoman at the foot of the bed and a compelling collage over the tufted headboard. below: A stretch of land wrapping the sea wall provides a green backyard space with an outdoor kitchen. Furnishings from Inside Out supply durable comfort that can withstand Florida’s sun, salt, and humidity. Other inviting features include outdoor gaming, fire pit seating, and a Kettal daybed that faces the water. above: Comfort is essential in the family room, encompassing a roomy custom sectional and ottoman from Nathan Anthony. Adjacent to the open kitchen area, the space includes a built-in wall backed with an antique mirror that reflects the beautiful water views outside. The shelves display a stunning collection of natural coral fans, Murano glass vases, and one-of-a-kind objects.

A smart kitchen serves as the central hub of the house and features an extra-large island that provides everyday dining with counter stools by Interlude. The natural stone waterfall design lends a textural element of luxury, and high-tech appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf cater to the owners’ passion for cooking and entertaining.

The streamlined vibe continues in the kitchen, where gourmet cooking is a daily occurrence. A sleek, natural-stone waterfall island, chic Cattelan Italia dining pieces, and hi-tech Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances provide modern luxury and efficiency, befitting the homeowners’ active lifestyle.

“Building a custom home was something my wife and I always dreamed of,” says Obed, “and we love indoor/outdoor living and being on the water. We wanted a lot of different seating spaces for our guests, and Fein Zalkin executed this very well. The fabrics they chose are amazing—we love how it all came together.”

When conceptualizing this house, the design team also put much thought into the backyard and outdoor kitchen layout. “Schematically, it almost became endless, as we had a beautiful piece of land to work with that wrapped around a sea wall,” says Zalkin. On a blanket of lush green turf, the finished outdoor oasis features a fire pit, gaming space, and, of course, a signature Fein Zalkin wow piece—an elaborate A-frame cottage daybed from Kettal that gazes out at the water.

“We entertain often, and we have wonderful family gatherings in our beautiful backyard,” adds Obed. “We love nothing more than fishing on our boat all day, coming home to cook our fresh catch, and being with those we love to create lasting memories.”

The primary bedroom offers an oasis of luxurious comfort with an oversize Alaskan king-size bed backed by upholstered paneling, bronzecolored mirrors, and built-in walnut end tables. The bed is outfitted with custom sheets from Thread Count, and the remaining walls are covered in Phillip Jeffries wallpaper.

SOURCES

LIVING ROOM AND GAME AREA

Club chairs – Thayer Coggin, Wassers Furniture & Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Chairs – Global Views, globalviews.com

Cocktail table – Bontempi Italia, Wassers Furniture & Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Ottoman – Kravet, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Bench – Nathan Anthony, Wassers Furniture & Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Area rug – Stark Carpet, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Bar cabinetry designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL

Pool table – 11 Ravens, Los Angeles, CA

Lighting over pool table – Hubbardton Forge, hubbardtonforge.com

Wall covering – Omexo, Romo, SFDP, Hollywood, FL ENTRY

Console tables – Cattelan Italia, Wassers Furniture & Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Stairs designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL KITCHEN AND DINING AREA

Cabinetry and island designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL Stools – Interlude, Wassers Furniture & Interiors,

Hallandale Beach, FL

Pendant lighting – Victo, Secto Design, sectodesign.fi

Table and chairs – Cattelan Italia, Wassers Furniture & Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Lighting – Hammerton Studio, studio.hammerton.com

SON’S BEDROOM

Bed and headboard designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL Lamps – RH, rh.com

Puff designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL

FAMILY ROOM

Sofa – Thayer Coggin, Wassers Furniture & Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Cocktail ottoman designed by designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL

Wall unit designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL

Area rug – Stark Carpet, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

TERRACE

Lounge – Roda, Kettal, Inside Out, SFDP, Hollywood, FL Day bed – Kettal, Inside Out, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Tables – Kettal, Inside Out, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed and headboard designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL Pillow fabric – Romo, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Side tables designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL

Bench designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL

PRIMARY BATHROOM

Floating cabinetry designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL

Tub – Kallista, kallista.com

Ottoman designed by Fein Zalkin Interiors, Aventura, FL

THROUGHOUT

Builder – Angler Development, North Miami, FL

Flooring – Prosein, Aventura, FL

Drapery fabric – Romo, SFDP, Hollywood, FL left: The primary bathroom lends an organic vibe with limestone walls from Opustone and Vetrite glass paneling in the shower from Ceramic Matrix. Bathed in natural light, the space emanates a spa-like aura with an elegant Kallista soaking tub accented with a plush ottoman.

AFTER SEEING 2ID INTERIORS’

work on Instagram, a young couple from Israel approached company founders Rafaela Simoes and Laila Colvin for their unique point of view to help them transform the home they’d just purchased at Presidential Estates in Aventura. The husband and wife also needed a bit of arbitration from the design team as they did not initially share the same vision for what was to become of it, beyond their desire to expand it from 3,000 to 4,300 square feet.

“He is very modern,” Simoes explains of the husband, who worked closely with the contractor, Oren Development, on the construction side. “And the pictures that were coming from his wife were more [about] light woods and organic touches.”

There were also three young children with whims to cater to and design needs of their own. Fortunately, blending divergent tastes is nothing new for Simoes and Colvin.

Once work got underway, part of the challenge the designers faced on the new floorplan from Toma Design Group’s architects was that they had to utilize a large entry space broken up by structural columns. “We didn’t want to have two living rooms together and then the dining over on the side,” explains Colvin. “So we made it an entryway and made it like a lobby or a lounge area. And we wanted it to be a circular seating area because you walk around it to go to the living room, dining room, and kitchen.” To satisfy the husband’s yen for something of-the-moment with the wife’s longing for soft edges, the design team brought in cushiony Husk armchairs from B&B Italia and a geometric light fixture by Vibia. “The chandelier is very clean and modern,” adds Simoes. “It makes quite a statement.”

The designers also managed to strike the perfect balance in the adjoining dining room, where a large concrete-topped table holds court amid upholstered barrel back chairs, sheer curtains, and a bulbous chandelier. To ensure the existing structural columns defining the space seemed intentional, the design crew installed black metal pillars on either end, then softened the scene with oak panels across the ceiling. A long with keeping the floors uniform, opting to use only large-format tiles that resemble stone and oak panels, Simoes and Colvin incorporated vast below: The design team incorporated niche storage wherever was possible, and the home office was no exception. Here, the crew backed the space with dark mirror and inserted black metal bookshelves, then kept the industrial theme going with the addition of a vintage-inspired floor lamp with ebonized oak legs from The Lighting Studio of 30A. millwork throughout, including myriad vertical niches and even bespoke panels behind the family room TV set. However, per the husband’s request, the home lacks traditional elements, including baseboards and trim for the lighting. Every door is flush. The wife had concerns that the finished result would be too minimalist, but Simoes reassured her with a promise to soften all that with the furnishings that would be incorporated later.

One area where the wife did not compromise in the least was the children’s bedrooms. For the youngest, a five-year-old boy, Simoes suggested they take his love for animals in an unexpected direction: “‘Instead of a zoo’, I said, ‘why don’t we do more of a camping-in-the-mountains theme?’ That’s when the headboard idea came up.” Because the oldest son loves sports, the designers found a local manufacturer to customize glossy acrylic panels depicting a football player to cover an entire wall. And for the couple’s only daughter? A calm and serene suite with sophisticated shades of rose, gold, and plush textures.

The negotiations returned when it came time to tackle the primary suite. “The wife really wanted it to be very clean, very above: Although this animalthemed bedroom is a dreamcome-true for the homeowners’ youngest son, the designers created it with the future in mind. “He can grow into it,” says Simoes. “The wallpaper has no animals—it’s just white and gray—and they can easily remove the headboard.” right: For the oldest son’s bedroom, the designers scored the perfect bed, night table, and area rug at RH. The winning LED light fixture is left: In the daughter’s bedroom, a desk doubles as a vanity. A shaggy chair from RH solidifies the room’s intended feminine feel. white, very soft,” says Simoes. “But, again, by incorporating the husband’s masculine, dark elements, we came up with the final palette and they loved it. We mixed smoked mirrors and soft cushions with the soft paneling headboard and some wood in between.” In the bedroom’s adjoining bath, large porcelain slabs and a dark wood base under the freestanding bathtub satisfied both parties.

A s for the finished product? “When they all saw it, the kids jumped up and down, Mom was smiling, and Dad approved,” says Simoes. “It was a hit all around.”

SOURCES

GREAT ROOM

Decorative chairs – B&B Italia, Miami, FL

Cocktail table – 2id Home, Hallandale Beach, FL

Lighting – Vibia, vibia.com

Area rug – Studio Harmony Rugs, North Miami Beach, FL

Armchairs – B&B Italia, Miami, FL

Area rug –2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Sofa – RH, rh.com

DINING AREA

Dining table – RH, rh.com

Chairs – RH, rh.com

Lighting – Vistosi, vistosi.it

Ceiling designed by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

KITCHEN

Cabinetry and island designed by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL, and fabricated by MiaCucina, Aventura, FL Chairs – Addison House, Aventura, FL

Lighting – The Lighting Studio, Miami, FL

FAMILY ROOM

Sofa – RH, rh.com

Cocktail table – Rove Concept, Miami, FL

Floating cabinetry design by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Area rug – Studio Harmony Rugs, North Miami Beach, FL

OFFICE

Desk – 2Modern, 2modern.com

Desk chair – Rove Concept, Miami, FL

Club chairs – Owner’s collection

Cabinetry designed by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Lighting – The Lighting Studio, Miami, FL

DEN

Blue sofa – RH, rh.com

Cocktail table – Owner’s collection

Artwork above sofa – 2id Home, Hallandale Beach, FL

Area rug – Studio Harmony Rugs, North Miami Beach, FL

YOUNG SON’S BEDROOM (ANIMALS)

Bed and side tables design by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Cabinetry and wall designed by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Area rug – Studio Harmony Rugs, North Miami Beach, FL

DAUGHTER’S BEDROOM (PINK)

Bed and headboard designed by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Night table – Pottery Barn, Miami Beach, FL

Fuzzy chair – RH, rh.com

OLDEST SON’S BEDROOM (FOOTBALL)

Bed – RH, rh.com

Night table – RH, rh.com

Lighting – The Lighting Studio of 30A, Miami, FL

Area rug – RH, rh.com

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed and side tables design by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Wall designed by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Bench – Studio Harmony Rugs, North Miami Beach, FL

Lighting – The Lighting Studio, Miami, FL

Seating designed by 2id Interiors, Hallandale Beach, FL

Area rug – RH, rh.com

PRIMARY BATHROOM

Floating cabinetry – MiaCucina, Aventura, FL

Tub – Maison & Co., Miami, FL

Flooring and wall surface – BKF Décor Solutions, Miami, FL

THROUGHOUT

Fabrication – Custom Display Carpentry, Miami, FL