Florida Design Miami 19.2

FLORIDA DESIGN The Brazil Issue

Brazilian Design Takes Over Miami

Photo: Marco Antonio

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LET’S BRING YOUR

their

PEOPLE

66

ART

76 FABRIC FINESSE

Texture and color are all artist Alessandra Meskita needs to make her bold and creative statements.

ARBITER

78 DIRECTOR’S CUT

Renowned architect and Minotti contributor Marcio Kogan brings an auteur’s touch to the global design arena.

SHOWROOMS

80 NEW WORLD ORDER

When it comes to home organization with style, Ornare leads the charge.

DISPATCH

82 PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Jean Nouvel and Philippe Starck deliver their versions of Brazilian culture at the Rosewood São Paulo.

142 TIMELESS QUALITY

Designer Paula Ambrosio on Breton’s Poltrona Beverly chair

FLORIDA DESIGN

editorial director

DAPHNE NIKOLOPOULOS

editor-in-chief

LUIS R. RIGUAL

design director

LAURIE SPECTOR

acquisitions editor

ANNETTE SESSA-GALBO

web editor

ABIGAIL DUFFY

social media manager

ROXY ROONEY

contributing writers

RIKI ALTMAN-YEE | PAIGE BOWERS

CHRISTOPHER DAY | JEANNE DE LATHOUDER

contributing photographers

EMILIO COLLAVINO | CRAIG DENIS

DENILSON MACHADO | PAUL VALE

production director

SELENE M. CEBALLO

production manager

LOURDES LINARES

production coordinator

ILEANA CABAN

digital prepress specialist

GEORGE DAVIS

advertising design coordinators

ANAELY J. PEREZ-VARGAS

JEFFREY REY

publisher

TERRY DUFFY

associate publisher

HARVEY M. DANA

account executives

JENNIFER DARDANO

ELIZABETH GOODMAN

SUSAN GIBSON HOWARD

marketing manager

REBECCA DESIR

digital marketing manager

TYLER SANSONE

advertising services coordinator

ELIZABETH HACKNEY

chief operating officer

TODD SCHMIDT

office manager

TANYA GOMEZ

it manager

KEITH GONZALEZ

circulation manager

MARJORIE LEIVA

distribution manager

JUDY HEFLIN

circulation promotions manager

DAVID SUPPLE

circulation assistant

BRITNEY STINSON

logistics manager

OMAR MORALES

accounts receivable specialist ANA CORONEL founder

JEFF LICHTENSTEIN

ceo

BRAZILIAN FLAVOR

While we do infuse a theme in every issue of Florida Design Miami, no other volume before this one has ever devoted so many of its pages to the topic at hand. In cased you missed our cover line, this one is all about Brazil and the influence its Miami-based interior designers, architects, brands, and companies have had on the city’s design scene. In Miami, the South American country known for its sexy samba and glorious beaches is a very integral part of the design conversation.

I personally saw the influence begin to bloom some decades back when Artefacto opened its doors in Coral Gables. Overnight (or so it seems to me now), the brand firmly established itself thanks to its superior furniture offerings—and the charm of its gregarious owner Paulo Bacchi, who quickly ingratiated himself into Miami’s social scene. He was just one tastemaker of many more to come.

During our editorial discussions for this edtion, we knew we’d have no lack of content. When I make my rounds to the city’s showrooms and industry events, the joyous timbre of Portuguese is impossible to miss. Once word got out about the issue’s focus and we began to craft stories to fill it, we were faced with an embarrassment of riches. So, we did what we do best. We filtered, fine-tuned, and finessed to present the lyrical and photographic repertoire in the pages ahead.

As for the highlights? We spoke to renowned architect Marcio Kogan about his work for Minotti. A story on Ornare’s fifteenth anniversary gave us insight into the brand’s coveted closet and kitchen systems, and the scoop on its plans for expansion. The aforementioned Artefacto also made the cut. I spoke to the newest generation taking the helms at the company, twin brothers Bruno and Pietro Bacchi (Paulo’s sons and grandsons of the original founder), about how they hope to globalize the brand even further. And we’re proud to devote our entire 50-page feature section to the work of Miami-based Brazilian interior designers, including our cover story on the renovation of a historical Coral Gables estate by the fearless Luciana Fragali.

Oi, you’ve got some reading to do.

LUIS R. RIGUAL Editor-in-Chief

GOING GLOBAL

Bem-vindos! Welcome to our inaugural Brazil issue. The Brazilian community in Miami has sharply influenced the design and style of our city, and you will clearly see all that in this volume. When the word was put out about this edition, we were bombarded with ideas and submissions for coverage, and we couldn’t have been happier with the response.

In the following pages, you will find that most of our editorial coverage in this issue is dedicated to Brazilian talent. That means some 50 pages of Brazilian-influenced interior design by the likes of Luciana Fragali, 2id, Mirtha Arriaran, MC Studio, Daniela Saliba, and Maris Raffa—and that’s just the feature section alone.

This issue is particularly special to me because it serves as proof that the Brazilian community has embraced Florida Design as the publication in which to tell their stories, something we don’t take lightly. I myself have become friends with many of these people, and I value those relationships immensely. In particular, I’d like to congratulate Paulo Bacchi from Artefacto on 20 years in Miami and thank him for 20 years in Florida Design. I encourage you to read the story about the next chapter of his company with his twin sons, Pietro and Bruno, at his side. Here’s to 20 more!

I recently returned from a whirlwind trip to the Milan Design Week where the 61st annual Salone del Mobile Fair anchored the week. This year was the biennial Euroluce which did not disappoint, with form, function, new technologies, and, of course, gorgeous design on display. I had the opportunity to meet with many of the 1,962 exhibitors participating at the fair, and found that their booth displays were lavish, well-presented, and full of the latest and greatest coming our way. Among the events I attended were a Fendi Casa party, Poliform’s new collection gathering at The Cloisters of San Simpliciano, and Andreu World’s cocktail reception, where I was thrilled to meet the one and only Philippe Starck and get a preview of his new furniture collection. I was also elated to run into so many Miami designers making the rounds at the Fiera Milano exhibition center, where most of the action takes place, and see how global-minded our design community is. If you’ve been reading Florida Design, that comes as no surprise. Look out for coverage of the fair in a future issue.

For now, peruse this summer edition and everything it has to offer: design news, kitchen and bath releases, color, artistry, and lots of Brazilian pizzazz. Enjoy the issue. Ciao!

HARVEY M. DANA Associate Publisher hdana@floridadesign.com

above: Harvey M. Dana and Philippe Starck at Andreu World’s party for Starck’s new collection

LUCIANA FRAGALI

Design Solutions

“History Project,” page 86

The design and renovation of the historic Coral Gables home that fronts this issue’s cover was all the hard work of Luciana Fragali and her dedicated team at Design Solutions. “These homeowners were a dream to design for, as they were open-minded and let us push the boundaries of design and traditional conventions,” says Fragali. “The biggest challenge we faced was staying true to the home’s original aesthetics while giving the owners the modern, unique, and colorful residence they wanted.”

MIRTHA ARRIARAN

MAS Interior Design Studio

“Creative High,” page 98

When a couple from New York reached out to designer Mirtha Arriaran and informed her they had combined two ocean-facing units in Miami Beach’s The Continuum building and wanted her to unify them as one home, Arriaran’s answer was an enthusiastic “yes.” The commission allowed her to incorporate a stellar art collection into the design. “Every detail on this project is very unique,” says the designer. “The homeowners gave us free agency, but they did have one request: Keep the views unobstructed.”

CRISTINA SOUZA & MONICA SOUZA

MC Studio

“Fashion Energy,” page 108

“Do what Giorgio would do.” That was the directive sisters Cristina and Monica Souza received from the homeowner of a 48th floor condominium in Sunny Isles Beach when they were hired to oversee its design. Said home is part of the Armani Residences tower, so the design team didn’t have to look far. “The client’s main wish was for us to embody the design of the [tower’s public spaces] within his home,” says Monica. “The Giorgio Armani influence is most evident in the furniture chosen and the colors throughout.”

LAILA COLVIN & RAFAELA SIMOES

2id Interiors

“Cool Intentions,” page 114

Laila Colvin and Rafaela Simoes were thrilled when a couple from Rhode Island called on them to design their vacation perch. The main reason? Said perch is a spectacular 2,500-square-foot penthouse in Aventura with glorious views. “They wanted very modern and high-end, but nothing too clean or too cold,” says Simoes. “Once we established that, the goal was for modernism with warm elements.” The design team delivered with a no-clutter interior highlighted by furniture from top brands such as Minotti, B&B Italia, and Ligne Roset.

DANIELA SALIBA

Daniela Saliba Studio

“Character Welcome,” page 126

The Brazilian homeowners of a 2,800-square-foot condominium at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sunny Isles Beach found designer Daniela Saliba through an impromptu search on Instagram—and they remembered her months later when they were ready to have their new South Florida residence turned into a home. “For me, this project was really about respecting the floor plans,” says Saliba. “The look we opted for very much complements who they are. It’s elegant, but it can also be casual and homey.”

MARIS RAFFA

Taupe Décor

“Lake Superior,” page 134

A 2,680-square-foot residence at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach with picturesque views of boats drifting by on a tranquil lake was made all the more special thanks to the design efforts of Maris Raffa and the talented crew at Taupe Decor. “This client is passionate about art, so we worked around each unique piece he bought specifically for each space of the residence,” notes Raffa. “Because the artworks are so colorful, we designed the home with neutral tones and textures so the pieces can pop.”

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BRAZILIAN EMBRACE

Made in Brazil, UULTIS is a brand unconcerned by fads and informed by nature. As such, its Olga chair offers an ideal marriage of wood and upholstery that come together in an intriguing silhouette that’s loose and rigid at once. Equally organic in spirit is the Suma table, a piece inspired by the majestic entanglement of the roots of Sumaúma trees in the Amazon rainforest. uultis.com

RIGHT: The electric cable of the Corda pendant by Guilherme Wentz for SOSSEGO becomes one with its metal sling, providing the perfect cupping for the glass lamp. sossegodesign.com

Made in Brazil

FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES FROM SOUTH AMERICA’S LARGEST COUNTRY MAKE IT CLEAR THAT FINE DESIGN SPEAKS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Brazil’s ESPASSO is dedicated to keeping the legacy of the country’s most prominent design minds alive. This vignette showcases the Amorfa coffee table by Arthur Casa, a beautiful example of amorphous design, as well as the late Oscar Niemeyer’s Alta metal lounge chair, a piece that recalls the curves found in the master’s architecture. espasso.com

ABOVE: The Flora floor lamp by Zanini de Zanine for SLAMP was inspired by the Monstera Deliciosa plant and features 60 petals around a satin sphere that’s illuminated from its core. slamp.com

LEFT: The Canela chair from ROBERTA SCHILLING mixes cane, wood, leather, and fabric to celebrate Brazil’s indigenous cultures. rscollection.com

ABOVE: Designed by Vinicius Siega for SACCARO and made of walnut or jequitiba wood, the Vertice dining table brings a succession of cuts and folds to the piece’s base, giving it its unpredictable character. saccaro-usa.com

Guest Curator Wilfredo Emanuel

CITRUS FLAIR

LEMON SHADES BRING A REFRESHING FLAVOR PROFILE TO SUMMER DESIGN

BELOW: Yellow upholstery on the seat of the Ester chair by ANIMA DOMUS emboldens the sculptural silhouette of an already striking piece of furniture. animadomus.com

LEFT: Designer Noé DuchaufourLawrance had the idea for the Ottoman chair while working on a hotel in Marrakesh. The piece for LIGNE ROSET was inspired by traditional Moroccan footstools. ligne-roset.com

BELOW: Contemporary and modern design elements take shape in the Turin end table by ARTERIORS. A lacquered lemon finish accentuates its sculptural construction. arteriorshome.com

RIGHT: We can’t think of a bolder color statement than Rodolfo Dordoni’s Cuba 25 sofa for CAPPELLINI in yellow, a shade that celebrates palette like no other. cappellini.com

ABOVE: Diane von Furstenberg’s Climbing Tiger area rug for THE RUG COMPANY is a piece of underfoot art marked by its trio of silk tones. therugcompany.com

LEFT: The vibrant lemon imagery on the Gran Sol pattern by KRAVET makes it the ideal wallcovering for rooms seeking endless summer vibes. kravet.com

ABOVE: The Contour vase by Morgan Peck for KELLY WEARSTLER reveals influences from styles as diverse as Memphis Group, Bauhaus, and Art Deco—a winning trifecta. kellywearstler.com

RIGHT: In this bronze, glass, and ceramic chandelier for R & COMPANY, artist Katie Stout offers her satirical take on domesticity and cliché feminine roles. r-and-company.com

material evolution

AVANT-GARDE TAKES ON CERAMICS REVEAL THE MEDIUM IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT

ABOVE: The Camille bust by ceramicist JONATHAN ADLER is loosely inspired by Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti’s attenuated figures—and it’s Mr. Adler at his surreal best. jonathanadler.com

Before their bestial creatures were all the rage, THE HAAS BROTHERS were known for austere pieces like the Accretion vase, a copper and ceramic vessel featuring layers intended to replicate fungus growth. michaligallery.com

ABOVE: The Outside of Inside is a multi-fired ceramic piece by TONI LOSEY that was inspired by complex organisms as seen under a microscope. toniloseypottery.com

Bathroom Glam

DESIGN INGENUITY ELEVATES WASHBASINS AND TUBS FROM UTILITARIAN TO SUBLIME

series washbasin by AGAPE offers a lean composition that’s both practical and sculptural. agapedesign.it

Reminiscent of a seashell, the Nahbi basin by is made of white Calacatta marble combined with either wood, Murano glass, or nellavetrina.com

metal.

ABOVE: Made of Cristalmood (a transparent colored resin with a glossy finish), the Reflex bathtub by ANTONIO LUPI boasts soft shapes with a clean and rigorous air. antoniolupi.it

NELLA VETRINA

ABOVE: Designed by Marco Piva for KREOO, the Tao freestanding washbasin employs marble to make a case for organic minimalism. kreoo.com

BELOW: The Ofelia tub from CERAMICA CIELO is distinguished by its minimalist lines and made practical by a comfortable back rest and surface space for bath products all around the rim. ceramicacielo.it

kitchen kudos

The Copacabana granite from MARBLE OF THE WORLD makes a bold statement on various kitchen countertops, especially the island. marbleoftheworld.com

SLEEK SURFACES, FOWARD-THINKING TECHNOLOGY, AND SMART DESIGN GIVE THE HOME’S CENTRAL HUB ITS DUE

below: Part of NATIVE TRAILS’ 25th anniversary collection, the Rendezvous farmhouse sink features a front panel finished in 24K gold for extra pizzazz. nativetrailshome.com

above: A collaboration by EGGERSMANN and L&S LIGHTING, the Kiton is a light system inside drawers that sanitizes everything in storage using UV rays. eggersmannusa.com

below: Built with premium materials, this SUB-ZERO WOLF kitchen offers an intelligent cooling system, dual-stacked gas burners, plenty of storage, and a sleek design that complements multiple décor styles. fusespecialityappliances.com

left: BRIZO encourages homeowners to think beyond the sink when considering the Litze pot filler, which offers twice the water flow rate of standard kitchen faucets. Install it by the espresso maker to ensure that caffeine godsend is always ready to brew. brizo.com

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RIGHT: Sculpted in glass, the Cascada chandelier by ET2 evokes the feeling of a rain shower in a graceful swirl of clear Egyptian crystal spheres. et2online.com

ABOVE: Acrylic legs anchor the dyed mink seat on the Nikita bench by MASSOUD, a piece handcrafted in Italy with bon vivant tastes in mind. massoudfurniture.com

transparency report

SEE-THROUGH MATERIALS LIKE GLASS AND ACRYLIC MAKE A CHIC CASE FOR CLEAR DESIGN

ABOVE: We love the fluid nature of the Albero bookcase by NELLA VETRINA , a structure that seems to defy gravity with overlapping panes of glass. nellavetrina.com

LEFT: Artist Mark McDowell employed brass and acrylic to good use on the Martini side table for JOHN-RICHARD. Note how the piece resembles a piece of stemware that’s been turned upside down. johnrichard.com

BELOW: A sheet of thick glass spans two multi-planar carved trestles of wood veneer on the Intermezzo coffee table by DAKOTA JACKSON dakotajackson.com; jnelsoninc.com

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Making Waves

THE ONDA COFFEE TABLE BY GUILHERME WENTZ IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHERE BOLD BRAZILIAN DESIGN IS HEADED

text LUIS R. RIGUAL

THE BACKSTORY

Inspired by the sea at nighttime, the Onda coffee table by Guilherme Wentz delights with its simplicity. “The sculpture in the granite stone creates the perfect curve—marked by the amplitude of the balance point from rest to the crest of the wave,” says the designer. “The black base gives a sense of depth, where matter is dense, complex, and mysterious, like the ocean at night. The white stains, in contrast, recall the foam of the break, the becoming of the wave: stirred water, clarity, and friction.”

THE CREATOR

Born and raised in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, Wentz is one of that country’s most exciting young product designers, with accolades from Maison & Objet Americas, Casa Vogue, and The New York Times. Although he officially established his studio just four years ago, the 36-year-old cut his teeth at brands such as Riva, Decameron, and Carbono, where he quickly made his mark. The Wentz Design studio in São Paulo focuses on furniture, lighting, and accessories that extol the tropicality of Brazil with the purpose of transforming environments into contemplative extensions of nature.

THE DETAILS

The Onda’s top is made from a single block of Brazilian machinated granite that Wentz then maneuvers to create a center wave. The piece, also available in white stone, won an Archiproducts Design Award in 2022.

THE FINAL WORD

“I try to bring lightness and simplicity to my designs— casualness most interests me,” says Wentz. “There is a casual—yet complex to explain—lifestyle in Brazil and it is expressed in my work in a very subtle way.” wentz.design

Women Talking

TWO VERY DIFFERENT—AND FEARLESS—FEMALE ARTISTS LEAD THE PROGRAMMING AT PAMM THIS SEASON

You’ve probably heard of Yayoi Kusama. The Japanese artist is as renowned for her creations (polka dot environments usually presented in so-called infinity rooms) as for her eccentricities (the woman lives in a Tokyo psychiatric hospital by choice). PAMM’s Love is Calling (through Feb. 11, 2024) is the most immersive and kaleidoscopic presentation of Kusama’s work to date. The installation takes viewers through a darkened mirrored room as tentaclelike forms extend from the floor and ceiling changing colors—all to a soundtrack of Kusama reciting a love poem continuously. Much less in your face is The South American Dream (ongoing), Brazilian artist Marcela Cantuária’s first solo U.S. exhibition of newly commissioned works. In these paintings and wardrobes, the Rio de Janeiro native explores the narratives of notable activists and environmentalists in South America with colorful symbols that range from tarot to astrology. pamm.org

CLUB ACCESS

For its spring/summer 2023 collection, Soho Home drew inspiration from Soho House private clubs around the world (including Miami, where there are two) to deliver a line of furniture and accessories informed by those locations. Think modern silhouettes, bold patterns, and a range of textures (from leather to marble). Some of the collection’s standouts include a new range of modular sofas that can be configured in multiple types of rooms. Among these is the Vivienne, which is cut from cotton velvet and constructed with stitch detailing, cylindrical legs, and a wraparound back. Also worthy of note is the Murcell dining table, which is made up of an oval slab of marble atop a solid walnut-clad pillar base. “This collection tells a big customization story,” says brand design manager James Patmore. “We’re building on what Soho House is known for: sleep, entertaining, and relaxation.” sohohome.com

ABOVE: Upholstered in rust velvet, the Theodore armchair’s birch wood frame and brass details complement its clean silhouette.

LEFT: O primeiro raio de sol (oil and acrylic on wood) by Marcela Cantuária is part of the artist’s ongoing exhibition at PAMM.

BELOW: A version of the Murcell dining table topped with Dark Emperador marble with intricate gray veining and crystalized accents

Love is Calling is one of artist Yayoi Kusama’s most immersive environments to date.

CREATIVE APPROACH

TOMÁS REDRADO BRINGS A NEW VOICE TO MIAMI’S GALLERY SCENE

Tomás Redrado is fast becoming one of Miami’s most gregarious gallerists. At the new Tomás Redrado Art in Little River, the Argentina native says he’s dedicated to promoting the work of both emerging and established artists while actively engaging with Miami’s local art scene. So far, programming at the space has focused on a monthly rotation of artists that have included Paris Kain, Gabriela Ayza Aschmann, Miranda Makaroff, François Thevenet, Santiago Paredes, and Brigette Hoffman. “I’ve been lucky enough to travel from a very young age and go to the most important museums in the world,” says Redrado. “I think all of that opens your mind. I’ve always liked art and had the fantasy of exporting culture, so I want to be a cultural bridge builder.” tomasredrado.com

Expansion Mode

This year is shaping up to be a big one for Eichholtz. As this issue was going to press, the 31-year-old brand was busy celebrating the recent opening of its Design District location, preparing for a showroom debut in Los Angeles, and introducing its latest collection at the spring 2023 High Point Market in North Carolina. But, first things first. Eichholtz’s new Miami outpost (3711 NE Second Avenue) offers 17,000 square feet of space in a gallery-like space flooded with natural light. The impressive square footage allows for a layout of flexible “room sets” where customers can “connect with the brand” and its latest offerings. Prime among these would be the Celebrating the Art of Making collection, one of the largest groupings Eichholtz has released in one swoop. Highlights include handcrafted treasures (from handwoven rugs and pillows to bespoke bronze sculptures), teak furniture for indoor and outdoor use, new applications of travertine, alabaster, and marble on lighting, furniture and decorative accessories, and an expansion of the brand’s soft and rounded silhouettes. Up next for the showroom? The release of Eichholtz’s buzzy collaboration with The Met during December’s Art Week. eichholtzusa.com

Photographic works by Paris Kain from V, one of the most recent exhibitions at Tomás Redrado Art

above: The gallery in Little River houses about 3,000 square feet of exhibition space.

A living room showcasing Eichholtz’s new Celebrating the Art of Making collection highlights the line’s rounded silhouettes and artisan offerings.

Tomás Redrado

ROOM by ROOM

NEWCOMER STUDIOKAZA’S GLOBAL INVENTORY COVERS EVERY CORNER OF THE HOME

The name StudioKaza may not ring any bells among the city’s design connoisseurs, but the Portuguese brand is hoping to change that with its new showroom and warehouse in Midtown Miami (3740 NE Second Avenue). Built to be an immersive experience for visitors, the venue does a good job of familiarizing new clients with its indoor and outdoor offerings. The brand’s impressive inventory includes highlights such as the Adele High, a regal armchair made of velvet and wood that delights the eye with its curves. For the bedroom, the Cesar Large bed is a winner thanks to its oversized cushioned headboard, which extends far beyond the bed’s dimensions. The outdoor category is well covered with every type of seating or surface imaginable—the Venezia chair with its eye-catching interwoven sides and soft cushioning is but one example. The showroom also offers the Kitchens Concept by StudioKaza, a menu of cabinetry options and technology bells and whistles to turn the home’s hub into a next-generation showcase. studiokaza.com

SUMMER STANDOUTS

Lovers of Design Within Reach should know there are new inventory highlights to discover within the brand’s spring/summer 2023 collection. Available now at DWR’s Design District showroom are Australian designer Sarah Ellison’s two latest contributions: the Arch, a chair with a curved back and rounded edges that can be customized in a variety of fabrics and leathers, and the Yoko, a coffee table crafted from solid oak or walnut marked by its round legs. Also new and noteworthy this season is DWR’s partnership with Berea College in Kentucky, an association that has yielded a selection of pieces (from kitchen accessories to quilted tapestries) by design students at the school. dwr.com

The customization options offered by Kitchens Concept by StudioKaza cover everything from cabinetry to appliances.

ABOVE: A vignette at the StudioKaza showroom highlighting the Dunas Bax sofa and the Duna coffee table set

ABOVE: The Arch chair comes in various fabric options, including bouclé.

RIGHT: The Multi quilted tapestry from the Berea College collection for DWR

LEFT: The Yoko coffee table is constructed from solid oak or walnut.

IN & OUT

A NEW FURNITURE COLLECTION FROM BONACINA EXPANDS THE POSSIBILITIES OF RATTAN

MAGICAL GIFTING

She first delighted us in the Design District. Then she took her act to Coconut Grove. Now, retailer Yeliz Titiz Melchiorre is charming us all over again with a second location of The Bazaar Project at Aventura Mall. Like the original, this Bazaar is all about whimsical, irreverent, and eclectic finds from around the world, which makes it the perfect shop to visit for an out-of-the-box housewarming or hostess gift (think parrot sculptures, dog-shaped lamps, wolf skull paperweights and the like). At this location however, Titiz has partnered with Seletti to showcase a variety of items from the Italian company, including the brand’s Monkey chandelier and Peacock LED lamp. We think a Venus de Milo umbrella stand is just what your foyer needs.

thebazaarproject.com

RIGHT: A shelf filled with The Bazaar Project’s fun treasures

INSET: Owner Yeliz Titiz Melchiorre

BELOW: The shop’s inventory includes a large selection of Seletti products.

Fresh from its Salone debut, the new Francis Sultana collection for Bonacina celebrates the indoor/outdoor essence of summer. The new line covers both the living room and the garden with furniture pieces that put rattan front and center—something Bonacina has been doing since 1889. The vine makes its way onto sofas, chairs, loungers, and coffee tables as wicker weaving in forms that recall branches and roots. “The new collection is the fruition of several years of work and it’s an homage to the skilled craftspeople I have had the pleasure of working with over two decades,” says the renowned Sultana, who is based in London. “Nature and the illustrious collaborations in the history of Bonacina were my inspiration.” bonacina1889.it

BELOW: The Luca lounger, Antonia chair and Patrizia coffee table from the Francis Sultana x Bonacina collection

RIGHT: Made of rattan, the pattern of the back of the Alfredo dining chair is reminiscent of tree branches.

Stay the Night

THREE DESIGNERS REVEAL THEIR SIGNATURE APPROACHES WHEN IT COMES TO THE GUESTHOUSE

above: Part of a Miami Beach guesthouse, this one-bedroom annex features its own entrance. The overall design aesthetic nods to five-star resorts with clean lines and upscale finishes. left: Designers Charlotte Dunagan and Tom Diverio

Based in Coral Gables and led by Charlotte Dunagan and Tom Diverio, the DUNAGAN DIVERIO DESIGN GROUP boasts some of South Florida’s most impressive estates in its portfolio. Its winning approach? Timeless understated elegance that delights all senses.

Do you tackle guesthouses very often? CD: Yes. Most of our clients have guest accommodations, which is one of the perks of owning a palatial home.

Is there a particular way you approach these parts of an overall project? TD: Often, these structures are smaller versions of or a nod to the larger home’s architectural design and style. Both are personalized and indulgent experiences for guests with attention to every detail.

What’s the one thing you always keep in mind with an ADU? CD: The high-end guesthouse provides a sumptuous and indulgent experience with emphasis on comfort and privacy. [The one you see here offers a] five-star hotel suite approach. The furnishings are attractive and comfortable while the walls proudly display the owners’ fine art collection, both reproducing the same ambiance as the main home.

How important is the architectural/design relationship between the guesthouse and the main property? TD: Crucial because it sets the overall aesthetic and functional tone for the property. A harmonious design relationship ensures that the guesthouse blends seamlessly with the main house.

What did you know about how the guesthouse we see here would be used? CD: We knew the wife had extended family from abroad who visit regularly for long periods of time. Those guests prefer private accommodations with ample living space and high-end amenities.

Did that make a big difference? TD: Very much so. Knowing that informed all our decisions. dunagandiverio.com

text CHRISTOPHER DAY

above: The homeowners insisted on a contemporary design aesthetic that would suit their art collection. The design team complied with a neutral palette throughout the guesthouse’s 2,000 square feet of space.

At HOUSE OF ONE in Wynwood, principal Brittany Farinas has quickly cultivated a devoted following thanks to spaces that are reflective of Miami and its tropical elegance.

Is tackling the design of a guesthouse a chance for you to try something different? Yes! We’ll take much more risk with a guesthouse than we would in the main property. Just like we would design a powder room, a guesthouse needs to have interesting elements to serve as a great experience for guests.

Give us some examples. We’re not afraid of including fun and bold moments, whether that comes from the artwork, wallcoverings, paint color, or furniture choices. Playing it safe is out of the question.

What are the main points you consider before starting work?

Understanding how the space will be used is always the starting point. Once we nail the space plan, it’s time to bring the personality into the design. This will come from a combination of inspiration from our ideas, the client, the architecture, and any other related elements within the scope of the project.

How do you address privacy in cases where the guesthouse is very close to the main residence? There are many ways to address privacy in a guesthouse

that may differ from the way we would typically do so in a main house. For example, the use of screen partitions, drapery, and glass can be implemented in a more fluid way.

What can you tell us about the design direction you took for the guesthouse we see here? We went with a midcentury-eclectic aesthetic by layering in bold pops of color and pattern to a neutral palette. The goal for this project was to create an oasis for the client that felt lived in and well-traveled, with colors that evoke feelings of peace and happiness. houseof1.com

Designer Brittany Farinas

The guesthouse features multiple entry points, including this one mere steps from the pool.

above: Per designer Brittany Farinas, the design of the bedroom of this 800-squarefoot guesthouse in Miami Beach is “incredibly soft, relaxed, organic, and coastal, with accents of midcentury design.”

On a Roll

WITH A NEW HOME BASE IN MIAMI AND A SECOND COLLECTION ON THE WAY, OM EDITIONS IS READY TO CLAIM ITS SPOT IN THE CITY’S DESIGN SCENE

text RIKI ALTMAN-YEE

Migrating from Paris to Miami has been fruitful for Patricia Morrison and Orianna Tufano Morrison, the mother-and-daughter team behind OM Editions, an online retailer that’s all about “cultivating harmony at home.” In just three short years, their site has become a go-to favorite for design lovers in search of limited-edition furniture and homeware collections with artisanal vibes.

Most of that has to do with the knowledge and love that the company’s founders bring to the table. Orianna’s career trajectory includes collaborating with major artists at contemporary galleries all around the world, while Patricia’s expertise includes 25 years of work as a luxury real estate agent and interior designer. “We are innately familiar [with our business],” says Orianna.

And it shows. OM Editions’ inaugural Edition 01 collection consists of eight contemporary, conversation-worthy pieces, ranging from the wood-and-glass GlobeWoo coffee table to a nearly 7-foot-tall wooden screen featuring prismatic plexiglass panels. Erotic-themed plates from French artist Karla Sutra and playful hanging sculptures from Spanish brand Solito Mobiles are also offered on the line as part of a homeware compilation that grows to include new artists every few months.

Although OM’s works are produced in Europe, and even though for years the pair has successfully catered to an exclusively European clientele, Patricia says the move to South Florida just made plain sense: “This new chapter feels like a homecoming in many ways. We’ve witnessed Miami evolve into a place where art and culture are fueled by an international community with unique global sensibilities. OM Editions embodies all that.”

As for what’s ahead, the duo is busy working out the details of the release of Edition 02 (which will include sofas, poufs, and a bed frame in specialized materials, fabrics, and colors), considering a brick-and-mortar location for a showroom, and staying true to their mantra of, as Orianne puts it, “pushing beyond the common definitions of design.” omeditions.com

left: The GlobeWoo coffee table offers a pairing of glass and wood that’s both whimsical and elegant.

above: OM Editions was founded by mother Patricia Morrison and daughter Orianna Tufano Morrison, both of whom have combined experience in art, real estate, and interior design.

“We’ve witnessed Miami evolve into a place where art and culture are fueled by an international community with unique global sensibilities,” says Patricia Morrison. “OM Editions embodies all that.”

The WaveWoo dining table recalls undulating ocean waves and wind-carved sand dunes. A base made of various types of wood supports a tabletop of either porcelain or tinted glass.

Design Evolution

A NEW ENDEAVOR FROM DESIGNERS FANNY AND MICHELLE HAIM MARKS A FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT FOR THEIR STUDIO

One can say Fanny Haim Atelier, the new arm of motherand-daughter Fanny and Michelle Haim’s interior design studio, was born out of necessity.

After a trip to Japan in 2015, the two Miami-based designers began to envision pieces reflective of the Asian country’s colors, rhythms, and textures that would complement their home installations. But where to find them? An industry colleague offered a solution: Why not pair up with the top-tier brands they worked with and design those items to their specifications? Why not, indeed?

Eight years later, Fanny Haim Atelier is the sum of those efforts, an assemblage of furniture, accessories, textiles, and rugs envisioned by both Fanny and Michelle, and executed by the likes of Jean de Merry, Stark Carpet, Holland & Sherry Interiors, and J Nelson.

“My favorite piece is our Kaiteki chaise,” says Fanny. “It has a quiet dignity.” For her part, Michelle is enamored with the Natura Collection

RIGHT: Lava mirrors from the Nara Collection by Fanny Haim Atelier x Jean de Merry

RIGHT: Crafted from Belgian linen, the Wave pillows from the Natura Collection by Fanny Haim Atelier x Holland & Sherry feature one of the line’s six textile patterns.

ABOVE: The Sensu chair from the Sensu Collection (which presents furniture as functional art) by Fanny Haim Atelier x Jean de Merry

LEFT: Designers Fanny Haim and Michelle Haim first envisioned Fanny Haim Atelier after a trip to Japan.

linens by Holland & Sherry, noting their embossed details and natural colorways. Lines to come include outdoor and tile collections.

As of press time, the Haims were still working out the details of the 1,800-square-foot space in Little River that will serve as a showcase for this new endeavor (complete with an interactive library of textiles and finishes, as well as displays of the collections). In the meantime, the Atelier pieces will have robust online presence and availability through the aforementioned brands’ showrooms.

Four decades after setting roots in Miami, Fanny is proud and excited about this organic brand evolution, and the fact that she gets to see it come to fruition alongside her daughter (a Parsons graduate who once didn’t know if design was for her) makes it extra special. “This is a smart move for us,” says Michelle without any note of apprehension. “Now that we’re in the product realm, it feels as [if our company has come] full circle.” fannyhaimatelier.com

BELOW: The Akaei nightstand from the Nara Collection by Fanny Haim Atelier x Jean de Merry combines textures and patterns.

RIGHT: The Arupaka area rug by Fanny Haim Atelier x Stark Carpet is made from alpaca yarn.

ABOVE: The Kampaii bar cabinet by Fanny Haim Atelier x Jean de Merry is constructed with all-natural linens and woods.

BELOW: The Tobiishi tables by Fanny Haim Atelier x Jean de Merry are reminiscent of Japanese river rocks.

HEIRS APPARENT

BROTHERS BRUNO AND PIETRO BACCHI TAKE THE REINS AS THE NEXT CHAPTER OF ARTEFACTO UNFOLDS

At a time when most family-run businesses struggle to survive one generational shift, let alone two, Artefacto is happily bucking the trend. Not only is the Brazilian design brand known for its organic furniture collections thriving with three showrooms in Miami-Dade, but it’s also boldly expanding into new avenues of revenue and doing so under the leadership of its third generation, twin brothers Pietro and Bruno Bacchi.

Before we go any further, a little perspective. Founded in São Paulo in 1976 by Albino Bacchi, Artefacto entered the market with a collection of renewable natural fiber pieces at a time when the term “sustainability” was not in the design vernacular. Together with his son Paulo, who joined the company when he was 18, the elder Bacchi set out to introduce consumers to furniture with a story. Made in Brazil by Brazilians with Brazilian products, Artefacto hit its stride in the 1990s when its popularity soared, and the company tripled its profits. By the time Paulo expanded operations to Miami in 2002, the brand was a bona fide success. Its growth in Miami was fast and

TEXT LUIS R. RIGUAL

Groomed to be part of the company since childhood, Bruno and Pietro Bacchi are ready to take Artefacto into the future.

BELOW: Artefacto’s 40,000-square-foot showroom in Coral Gables offers an immersive way of experiencing the brand’s various collections of furniture and accessories.

furious thanks to its supreme inventory and competitive price point. An initial showroom in Coral Gables was followed by another in Aventura, and then a third in Doral. Collaborations with top designers became the norm. So did turnkey residences and associations with the city’s leading developers. All along, Pietro and Bruno were watching and learning. Then, when they were just old enough, doing—sweeping floors, handling home deliveries, helping with staging jobs, and learning the business inside and out like their father did from their grandfather before them.

“It’s an incredible source of pride to work with my family and carry forward a brand my grandfather started almost 50 years ago,” says Pietro. “I have memories of visiting our production facility at 10 years old and watching my dad with his dad. They collaborated on everything—design, manufacturing, and growth strategies. That kind of exposure at a young age inspired how my brother and I have stepped into our roles today.”

That would be effortlessly and without any fanfare or Succession -type intrigue. While Paulo is still very much involved in day-to-day operations, it’s obvious that Bruno and Pietro are Artefacto’s future—and they are crystalclear about the part each will play.

“Our personalities pretty much dictate where we are today,” says Bruno. “Pietro has always been motivated by sales and marketing. He enjoys working

with customers and industry professionals in design and real estate, as well as negotiating deals. I am more skilled at numbers and organization, which is vital to running the logistics side of our business.”

Those clearly defined roles will serve the 26-year-old brothers well as Artefacto enters the competitive real estate arena with Origin Residences by Artefacto. Said project, a partnership with VDA/Origin Miami, consists of a Bay Harbor Islands boutique high-rise with 27 residences custom-finished and furnished by Artefacto and priced from $1.4 million.

“There is no better time in Miami to raise expectations and expand our brand’s influence with this truly personal approach,” says Pietro. “We understand what sophisticated customers want when it comes to South Florida real estate. We’ve been catering to this type of client for years. This new move makes complete sense for us.”

As for how they plan to continue evolving the design facets of Artefacto, Bruno and Pietro are certain that sticking to what’s worked for Paulo will work for them. That means more cachet collaborations with global tastemakers and a renewed commitment to eco-friendly practices. The rest they will figure out along the way.

“We just have to remember our grandfather’s advice,” says Bruno. “Keep your word. Your word is everything.” artefacto.com; originresidences.com

A sample unit at Origin Residences by Artefacto, a joint real estate effort by Artefacto and VDA/Origin Miami that will offer 27 custom-finished condominiums starting at $1.4 million in Bay Harbor Islands.

EOLO DESIGN ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS

Being licensed to practice both architecture and interior design for more than 25 years has allowed Eolo Design to artfully integrate both disciplines in a way that is neither formulaic nor predictable.

Eolo’s multi-award-winning and extensively published portfolio of residential and commercial high-end projects is backed by both professional and liability insurance to give clients the peace of mind of having a solid support for their investment.

Communicating emotions, environment preservation, and constant innovation are part of the company’s design philosophy to maintain a balance between the human, artistic and business sides of the studio practice. Eolo nurtures its team on a culture of lifelong learning about every aspect of design to deliver innovative spaces and ensure

excellent client experience on every project it takes.

Eolo believes that architecture has the power to heal, shelter, and influence people’s subconscious in beneficial aspects that improve their lives, and the company pushes the boundaries of the industry to implement the best technologically advanced design solutions while considering a responsible relationship between nature and the built environment. Eolo’s signature approach to ergonomics allows it to artfully integrate architecture, engineering systems, interior architecture, finishes, art, and furnishings to achieve the perfect balance between form and function.

Eolo sets itself as its biggest competitor in terms of tireless search for improvement and sophistication in design to be of great service for our clients and community.

EOLO DESIGN ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS

1925 Brickell Ave., Suite D203, Miami, FL 33129 305-250.9939

eolodesigns.com

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OLIVER

Oliver is recognized for its expertise in high-end millwork. In the market for 30 years, Oliver has accumulated the best architects, interior designers, developers, and celebrities among its portfolio and brand loyalists.

Today, Oliver’s cabinetry is in Miami’s most luxurious addresses, such as The Ritz Carlton, Armani Residence, Porsche, Chateau Beach, Coral Gables as well as commercial projects such as Lamborghini Miami and Ara Vartanian jewelry in the exquisite Bal Harbour Shops, among other exclusive locations in the U.S. Oliver’s great differential is its tailor-made, customized work, without limiting measurements, colors, and finishes.

CEO of Oliver USA Karin Moz has been working at Oliver since she was 17. The company was founded by her father in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1992. Karin brought the company to the international level in 2017, expanding operations to the United States. In six years, Oliver became recognized among the largest companies in the segment and, in 2021 the city of Miami recognized Moz for the expansion work she has carried out in the city. Oliver has already started manufacturing its furniture in the U.S., and this has made the company more responsive for maintenance and competitiveness in the market. For more information, visit: oliver-usa.com; Instagram: @oliverusa_

CAROL FARAH AND JOANA RIBEIRO INTERIOR DESIGNERS

With a Brazilian minimalist style, Carol Farah and Joana Ribeiro start every project by meeting the clients and working to understand their wishes and dreams for their new home.

From that meeting, the pair creates freehand sketches, often inspired by the modern curves seen in Oscar Niemeyer’s work, which is well known in Pampula and Palacio do Planalto, Brazil. They fill a mood board with textiles reflective of natural elements and artisanal handcrafts.

Carol and Joana have worked together for many years and built a mature approach to their work, which they communicate easily with clients. Their projects are filled with natural light, Brazilian furniture designs, and natural textiles. Their dream is to decorate a boutique hotel.

CAROL FARAH AND JOANA RIBEIRO INTERIOR DESIGNERS

5966 S Dixie Hwy., Ste. 300, South Miami, FL 33143

Carol: 917-655-5574

Joana: 305-915-9893

iG @carol_farah_arquitetura

iG @joanaribeiroid

ARTEFACTO: NEW COLLECTION

Alcheme is the newest collection by Patricia Anastassiadis for Artefacto—eight pieces born from the excellence of Artefacto’s half-century of sophistication.

The collection is a contemporary look at traditional Brazilian aesthetics, boasting the award-winning style of designer Anastassiadis and handmade by Artefacto.

Inspired by legacy and evolution, it is not surprising Alcheme represents the conversion of one element into another.

“Thinking about innovation and longevity through the generations is who we are, not only as a brand, but as a family moving into the third generation,” says Paulo Bacchi, who joined his father in the business 30+ years ago and now his sons Pietro and Bruno hold senior positions.

Designed for the most varied environments in harmony with people and the planet, Alcheme extends pleasure and possibility—from soft-to-touch upholstery and seamless material migration, to fused surfaces. A modular sectional sofa of “a la carte’” dimensions, to an armchair with a stool. A shelf with no defined configuration, to a set of tables with hinged tops.

“I always try to provide a sense of continuity to my work,” says Anastassiadis. “One collection never overlaps the other. On the contrary, it expands our range of possibilities.”

To experience Alcheme, visit an Artefacto showroom.

ARTEFACTO

101 South Dixie Hwy., Coral Gables, FL 33146

17651 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, FL 33160 3290 NW 79th Ave, Doral, FL 33166 305.774.0004 artefacto.com

MENTHA ARMCHAIR + POUF Compact and comfortable design, its size makes it convenient to use from wide open to small spaces.

BOYANG TABLE Represents the alchemy in its material composition, with a stone base, glass, and metal for balance.

Composed of modules, allowing for varied arrangements, from straight to curvy.

REGIA

Designed to have multiple uses and functions, such as an entry table, desk, or sideboard. The revolving extension increases its versatility.

BUFFET

Compact, functional, and detailed, with shelves and a stone top that can resist heat.

TABLE

ETHER

OPUS MODULE

FABRIC FINESSE

ARTIST ALESSANDRA MESKITA COMBINES TEXTURES AND COLORS WITH WINNING RESULTS

From a distance, Alessandra Meskita’s artworks appear to vibrate, but closer inspection reveals she achieves the mesmerizing effect by wrapping canvases in yarn and painting over them in a way that yields different optics depending on one’s viewpoint. “I’ve become the Queen of Cord,” jokes the Brazilian artist who began her career as a fashion designer—not surprisingly, her specialty in that realm is crocheted separates.

In the last two years or so, along with her fashion collections, Meskita has been busy creating her one-of-kind mixed media paintings, most of which have emerged from her North Bay Village studio. The canvases tend to be large, many averaging 80 by 160 inches, so fabricating them is a workout. “I have a step-ladder in my studio that I go up and down on multiple times when I’m working,” she explains. “I approach the pieces from many different angles [to create their] kinetic effect, so I need to walk from side to side constantly.”

Meskita’s art career began somewhat out of self-interest. Tired of looking at the blank walls of her home, she dove into her design supplies and decided yarn would do the trick. Some days later, her foyer came alive with a piece that appeared red or blue, depending

on how you viewed it. When a friend asked to buy it from her, a business idea was born. The timing couldn’t have been better: “I had just finalized my divorce and had a six-week-old baby to support.”

The next batch of artworks she created attracted the attention of a buyer with an interior design client working on a project in The Bahamas. “She ended up buying nine pieces,” says Meskita. “She needed artworks that would ‘talk between rooms.’” Sometime later, she reached out to fellow Brazilian Paulo Bacchi, owner of Artefacto, who initially purchased eight pieces from her, and soon thereafter began to ask for custom works for his company’s staging projects on a regular basis. Word about her talent began to spread among Miami interior designers, and these days her textured, hypnotic canvases (which can take mere weeks or up to a few months to complete) are in high demand.

“When working with clients, I like to ask about their lifestyles and then I try to create a story based on that,” says Meskita. “I never imagined I’d have a career as an artist, but then again, I don’t think there’s any other artist in the world doing what I do.” meskita.com

text RIKI ALTMAN-YEE

above: Zebra, acrylic on canvas and cords, 2021

Artist Alessandra Meskita in front of My Love for Dessert, one of her most recent diptychs featuring acrylic on canvas and cords

above: Melting Into Hermés, acrylic on canvas, 2022 left: Ocean, acrylic on canvas and cords, 2022

A living room setting at Artefacto showcasing Meskita’s Branco, acrylic on canvas and cords, 2021

Director’s Cut

NO STRANGER TO MIAMI, BRAZILIAN ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER MARCIO KOGAN BRINGS A CINEMATIC SENSIBILITY TO HIS WORK FOR MINOTTI—AND EVERYTHING ELSE HE DOES

At his mk27 studio in São Paulo, architect Marcio Kogan has been putting his stamp on Brazilian modernism for decades with an aesthetic that’s informed by his passion for filmmaking. Whether it’s through his lauded residential structures (some of which are right here in Miami) or via his innovative furniture design for Minotti, the fearless creative is forever on the hunt for perfection. Here, the design maestro lets us in on his process.

You first started collaborating with Minotti in 2017. How did that association begin? We flirted with Minotti for seven or eight years. They came to Brazil to get to know our work and, over the years, we ended up exchanging several ideas. One fine day they officially invited us to design an outdoor furniture line, something we had never done. And so, with a bit of insecurity, the Quadrado line was born and turned out to be a bestseller, and we finally became part of the Minotti family.

What are some of the inspirations behind your Minotti furniture? For Brasilia [which is a family of different seats], the inspiration was 1950s Brazil. Those were magical years, and this was a place of dreams. The most elegant music was being played by João Gilberto, while Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa were building the future in Brasilia. The collection is an homage to this beautiful moment. The Horizonte [modular seating system] is [defined] by a clear architectural vision: a rigorous shape raised from the floor. Horizonte is a floating island that marks the horizon of the living space. From the very first moment, the image of little lambs jumping over a fence in slow motion permeated our dreams about this line.

Your architectural work emphasizes a connection between the inside and outside. Why do you think that is? In my city, São Paulo, we enjoy nice weather all year round So in my projects, the separation between interior and exterior is extremely subtle, often through the use of “disappearing” windows. The terraces can be used throughout the entire year—during summer nights, or with a fireplace in the winter. [It’s been very] important for us to include that multiambience flexibility in our designs.

Another signature of your work is the way you use light to bring attention to texture. Where does that sensibility come from?

The first years of my professional life were dedicated to cinema. I directed 13 shorts and a feature film called Fire and Passion. During this time, I learned a lot about a number of aspects I would later apply to architecture, [like] widescreen proportions and teamwork, the importance of the screenplay and telling a good story, and the incredible discovery of light, always referencing the Lumière brothers [two of the earliest pioneers of cinema]. All this was zealously adopted by my studio and can be seen in all my work. I’ve brought the baggage of moviemaking to my career as an architect.

You’re no stranger to Miami. What is some of the work you’ve tackled here? We built two houses there, plus a building for Terra Group, and we have two more houses underway. I like Miami. I like the light and sensuality there. I also love Joe’s Stone Crab, the fried chicken at Yardbird, and the seafood at Milos. Sometimes I get more enthusiastic talking about food than architecture.

What do you make of the city’s design scene? I see a strong connection with Rio de Janeiro. [Both cities are] very sensual, with beautiful light, and, in both, many Brazilians.

What can we expect from you in the future? I’m always striving to be better, and I don’t like to celebrate accomplishments. In the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi , we see how this chef, Jiro, has been making the same sushi for 40 years and he’s still obsessed with making it better each time. I can relate to that madness. studiomk27.com.br; minotti.com

text LUIS R. RIGUAL

above: Marcio Kogan’s Horizonte modular seating system for Minotti takes shape from a suspended base, a solid thin line covered in leather, fabric or both, on which generous volumetric padded elements rest.

below: Inspired by the classic teak duckboard used in yachts to facilitate the outflow of water, Kogan developed the Quadrado modular system for Minotti with a focus on suspended square platforms that furnish outdoor spaces with lightness and flexibility.

“I’ve brought the baggage of moviemaking to my career as an architect.”

right:

is one of the distinctive characteristics of the Wire kitchen from the Square Round Collection (designed by Patricia Martinez and Studio Ornare). A very thin carbon steel structure forms the tridimensional grid of this storage system, which is enhanced by elegant shelves, as well as drawers in different materials.

Designed by Ricardo Bello Dias and Studio Ornare, the Ikigai closet from the West East collection was inspired by the technical innovation of Asian cultures. The finishes can blend materials such as glass, wood, painting, and metal depending on the mood desired.

left: The Round kitchen from the Square Round Collection (designed by Ricardo Bello Dias and Studio Ornare) is enriched by curved details, sinuous lines, and cabinets with textured doors featuring delicate waves inside and out.

Lightness

NEW WORLD ORDER

ORNARE CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF BRINGING CUSTOM STYLE AND OPTIMAL ORGANIZATION TO THE HOME’S MOST PERSONAL SPACES

Faria opened the first North American showroom for Ornare in the Miami Design District 15 years ago, aesthetics-driven consumers immediately responded to the level of luxury, technology, and customization the Brazilian brand brought to the table in terms of space design and organization. First established in São Paulo in 1986, Ornare is the brainstorm of engineers Murillo and Esther Schattan, but credit for its expansion to the U.S. all belongs to Faria, who (while studying international relations in college) was convinced the brand and its niche offerings would appeal to well-heeled American homeowners.

WhenClaudio

“I was interested in building a Brazilian brand abroad,” he says, “and I strongly identified with Ornare’s environmental initiatives and community-driven [ethos].” Together with his brother, Olavo, Faria approached the Schattans about a franchising deal and by 2008, Ornare Miami had opened its doors. Today, the brand has U.S. showroom presence in Houston and Dallas in Texas; Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Hamptons in New York; Beverly Hills, California, and Greenwich, Connecticut. Internationally, there’s a showroom at the iconic Opus Tower in Dubai, and 15 locations spread out all over Brazil. (Faria and his brother own and oversee the Miami and Dallas outposts.)

It’s not difficult to see the Ornare appeal. The company manages to reinvent no-fuss spaces as genuine showcases, with features that incorporate reflective glass, embedded LED lights, suede drawer dividers, and hand-stitched leather pulls. An Ornare closet is not just a wardrobe for clothes, but a space to revere sartorial whims and admire style treasures. An Ornare kitchen is not just a galley for cooking, but a sublime—and painstakingly ergonomic—backdrop for culinary adventures and family life. To boot, when describing its latest collection, Square Round, the brand uses terms such as “convex corners,” “golden ratio,” and “rigid shapes”—design speak that essentially translates as “something special.”

“People want home spaces that are beautiful, inspiring, and organized, and which reflect their personality,” says Faria. “And it’s important to have that connection with nature knowing that the wood we’re using is FSC-certified and sustainable.”

This superior approach to inventory has made Ornare stand out in a city that continually spoils its design connoisseurs. Not surprisingly, the brand’s client roster includes a number of supermodels, star athletes, and other A-list types. Luxury high-rise developers have also taken note and partnered with Ornare to be a preferred vendor for their residents or to feature the brand’s systems in their model units in the hopes of luring buyers. Along the way, the company has become a favorite resource of interior designers both here in Miami and abroad.

As for how the brand plans to celebrate its fifteenth anniversary milestone, the Miami showroom will soon undergo an entire remodel so it can reopen in time for December’s Art Basel Miami Beach and showcase its latest innovations. Art Week cocktail parties and presentations at Ornare are now an annual tradition in the Design District, and this year appears to be no different. Samples from Ornare’s five newest lines for closets, kitchens, wall systems, and bathroom vanities from the Square Round collection—West East, Move, Square Wall and 270 ° —will all be on display, along with its new hinge system and examples of custom doors and panels. Plans are also moving forward for a Palm Beach showroom opening this winter, which will mean a third Ornare under Faria’s purview.

“I think we’ve differentiated ourselves by the great service we provide,” says Faria. “After 15 years, people know what to expect from us, and that’s a source of great pride.” ornare.com

above: Claudio Faria is the owner of Ornare’s locations in Miami, Dallas, and (soon) Palm Beach.

text CHRISTOPHER DAY

PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

INSPIRED BY BRAZIL’S HISTORY AND DESIGNED FOR ITS HEREAFTER, THE ROSEWOOD SÃO PAULO HITS ALL THE RIGHT MARKS WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGN, TRADITION, AND HOSPITALITY

text LUIS R. RIGUAL

text LUIS R. RIGUAL

The Rosewood São Paulo’s Emerald pool was constructed with custom tiles to mirror the waters of the Bonito region of Brazil.

left: The look of the Emerald pool’s cabanas nod to Brazil’s earliest indigenous cultures.

There’s more than a little kismet involved in the fact that an abandoned maternity clinic was the force that set the wheels in motion for the birth of the Rosewood São Paulo, a property that’s become one of the leading examples of superior design and architecture in South America merely two years after its debut.

In 2008, entrepreneur Alexandre Allard stood in front of the abandoned Matarazzo hospital (where more than 500,000 Brazilians were born) and saw five-star potential in its traditional Tuscan architecture and yellow façade. To him, the building resembled an Italian villa long forgotten by time. The Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ top brass saw his vision as well, and plans were soon put into motion to construct the first Rosewood location in Latin America, a hotel that would be deeply rooted in Brazilian history, yet honest to Rosewood’s “Sense of Place” ethos. Land was allocated, talent was hired, and blueprints were drafted. Then began a 10-year gestation period that would eventually yield a brick-and-mortar symbol of São Paulo’s future—and a new (and much celebrated) model of design-driven hospitality.

Now entrenched in the city’s Citade Matarazzo neighborhood as if it has always been there, the Rosewood São Paulo owes much of its identity to the talents of Pritzker Prize winning architect Jean Nouvel and renowned designer Philippe Starck, two creative thinkers well versed in creating mood. At the Rosewood, the two men delivered their signature styles infused with the right amount of Brazilian essence. Nouvel’s main contribution is the garden tower that rises 328 feet into the air and overlooks the original hospital footprint. A study in both construction and horticulture, this building is marked by the 10,000 trees that grow on its terraces, part of a biodiversity program

left: The Emerald pool deck bar is made of native woods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as part of the property’s commitment to sustainable development.

The Rosewood São Paulo’s 160 guestrooms and 100 private residences are spread out throughout the hotel’s new Jean Nouveldesigned tower and the renovated building at ground level, which once served as a maternity hospital.

that repopulates vegetation from the Mata Atlântica rainforest. “The architecture and the materials belong to the Brazilian countryside, to Brazil, to the land of the redwood tree,” says Nouvel about the project on his website. “This architecture speaks of the past, the present and the future.”

Inside Nouvel’s structure and the renovated dwelling that fronts it at ground level are Starck’s interiors, which fuse old and new with boldness and modernity while nodding to Brazil’s natural environment. In the hotel’s casual brasserie, Blaise, that means wooden walls embedded with green stones made from Brazilian volcanic rocks that have been polished with the same machines used to cut diamonds. In the jazz bar Rabo di Galo, it’s a psychedelic ceiling mural of constellations hand-drawn by Rodrigo de Azevedo Saad. Amid these and

left: Artist Rodrigo de Azevedo Saad spent 68 hours hand-drawing the ceiling mural in the 1930’sinspired Rabo di Galo jazz bar.

far right: Speto, one of Brazil’s street art pioneers, is among the 450 native artists who contributed commissioned works to the hotel.

above: Warm accents and midcentury-modern furnishings are part of the hotel’s guestrooms, many of which feature working fireplaces.

other irreverent Starck touches, midcentury-modern furniture and curves in the spirit of Oscar Niemeyer taper down the French master’s idiosyncrasies.

Enhancing Starck’s contributions are 450 artworks by Brazilian artists specially commissioned for the various areas of the property. The grouping—everything from graffiti by street artist Caligrapixo to glass rosettes by master Vik Muniz—offers a dynamic mix that accurately represents Brazil’s prolific art scene.

The Rosewood’s outdoor spaces are equally captivating and multilayered. In the Emerald pool and garden deck, an oasis of olive trees and coconut palms showcases São Paulo’s love of alfresco leisure. The attention to detail here is as meticulous as it is inside. To boot, the pool is lined with custom tiles in 40 different shades of green and blue to emulate the waters of the Bonito region of Brazil.

As far as births go, the Rosewood São Paulo’s 10-year wait wasn’t exactly problemfree, but like with any other succesful delivery, the pains of labor have long been forgotten. rosewoodhotels.com

Designer Philippe Starck conceived all of the hotel’s public spaces and restaurants, including the all-day bistro Le Jardin, a type of glasshouse structure that extends from the lobby to the gardens.

HISTORY PROJECT

A STORIED NEIGHBORHOOD FAVORITE IN CORAL GABLES UNDERGOES A RENOVATION GUIDED BY CONTEMPORARY DESIGN, MODERN ART, AND LOTS OF COLOR

WANDERLEY, DESIGN SOLUTIONS, MIAMI, FL

COMING HOME AFTER

MANY YEARS AWAY, a free-spirited New York couple aspired to infuse their colorfully funky aesthetic into an iconic Coral Gables home. Steeped in history, the pristine 4,500-square-foot Mediterranean-style dwelling was built in 1925 by esteemed architect Phineas Paist, and its legacy became a well-guarded gem of the neighborhood. Even the home’s original arched front door is part of a collective of historical doors in the Gables, preventing it from ever being updated or demolished. Nevertheless, the homeowners’ love of color and enthusiasm for modern art fueled the playful energy of a stunning interior overhaul.

A historic Mediterranean-style home (built in 1925 by architect Phineas Paist) gleams amid the resplendent native foliage of Coral Gables. As the new owners sought a complete modern overhaul for the interiors, the architectural integrity of this iconic dwelling was carefully guarded.

right: An illuminated ceiling treatment and built-in display shelves give the living room a soft ambient glow. Shapely lounging pieces pair with a cluster of round Plexiwood coffee tables, lending an organic vibe to the space. A composition of artworks by Marcio Ponte (left) and Mono Giraud (right) creates a visually compelling

below: The home’s original arched door integrates flawlessly with the foyer’s crisp modern updates, including an illuminated staircase with glass railings. A trio of small windows allows natural light to pierce through, and a console table by Brazilian designer Jader Almeida accentuates the brilliant gold sculptural piece above.

“The clients’ sophistication and practicality were the foundation of this project,” says interior designer Luciana Fragali, who was introduced to the couple by her husband, David Siddons, a renowned Miami real estate agent with Douglas Elliman. “Their free spirit and great taste in fashion inspired us to go outside the box of what a historical home should look like.” Working alongside her studio’s creative director, Andre Wanderley, Fragali composed a scheme that honored the original architecture yet spoke to the owners’ passion for contemporary art and bold color combinations.

“Pink was the first word written in our brainstorming meeting,” Wanderley recalls. “The clients are not afraid of color—in fact, they love it. The wife showed us a picture of a pink closet she had saved on her phone. Right there, we knew we were about to embark on something special. Their excitement and fearless attitude

focal point.

got us through all the other obstacles.”

The main challenge was integrating a highly personalized modern design into a classic Coral Gables landmark. “The question was, how do we combine history and tradition with irreverence and funkiness?” Wanderley adds. “So, our keyword for this project became organicity.” The curvaceous Holly Hunt living room sofa impeccably illustrates this theme, setting the tone for the home’s organic shapes and rich hues. In addition, a composition of Roche Bobois coffee tables emulates the trees dotting the neighborhood, further emphasizing the home’s symbiotic relationship with nature.

The vibrant color scheme of Coral Gables ranges from pastels to more intense shades that are all true to the city’s original Mediterranean style. “It was important for us to make a smooth transition from the

A sculptural table with pink upholstered Jader Almeida chairs brings a touch of modern elegance to the dining room. Gabriel Scott’s Luna 2 Tier chandelier befits the irregular shape of the table, and a dramatic photographic artwork by Sergio Kovacevick depicting an emerald-green forest adds vibrant color to the space.

street’s beautiful landscaping to the home’s interiors,” notes Fragali. The mature trees, rounded arches, and coral rocks finished with stucco throughout the area inspired the design duo to specify natural oak wood panels and coral stone in the walls and columns to pay homage to the historic architecture. Natural rattan was applied to partitions and pivot doors to divide the spaces without blocking natural light. Herringbonepatterned wood floors create warmth and movement. The patina combines beautifully with the geometrical tile floors in the the sunroom and outdoor dining area to create memorable little moments when experiencing these spaces.

“Coral Gables is a homecoming for us,” says the homeowner. “My wife’s father grew up here, and 50 years later, we’ve moved back home. The starting line was that we wanted a fun, mature, colorful house, and when Luciana and Andre showed us our first renderings, we were hooked—the furniture, design, and vision were startlingly unique.”

The organic forms and shapes the design team was aiming for all began with the owners’ existing dining table. Its fluid, irregular shape informed their selection of the dining chairs created by Brazilian designer Jader Almeida. In addition, they chose a light pink upholstery fabric to amplify the continuity of the home’s eclectic color scheme, and photographic artwork

above: Drenched in sunlight, the sunroom is backed with arched glass and steel windows revealing the home’s original grandeur. Delightfully plump seating by Sacha Lakic and bovist poufs by Hella Jongerius create a plush atmosphere. A graphically patterned tile floor and a slender sculptural piece offer playful elements of whimsy.

below: A corner vignette in the living room features a curious AntiBodi chair by Patricia Urquiola with sculpture-like upholstery that never fails to inspire conversation. Display shelves lit from within showcase the homeowners’ meaningful collectibles, composing an eye-catching still-life. A black lacquered accent table highlights a bronze sculptural wall hanging above.

above: The kitchen’s Pigeon blue cabinetry complements the White Blush terrazzo statement stone cladding the island, countertops, and backsplash. Suspended from an inset slatted-wood ceiling treatment, a Perch Light Branch pendant by Umut Yamac illuminates the island, lending an ethereal vibe. A series of wicker pivot dividers buffers the kitchen from the other living spaces.

below: Accentuated with a spectacular orb-shaped Random II pendant from Moooi, the kitchen’s casual dining area enjoys splendid views of the surrounding landscape. A vintage-style Justina Blakeney rug lends a satisfying counterbalance to the contemporary Mirela Ampezzan table and Warren Platner chairs. A massive mirror highlighting the phrase “The Best Is Yet to Come” creates an unexpected reflective element.

displaying a lush green forest scene creates yet another connection to nature.

“The sunroom is one of my favorite spaces in this project,” notes Wanderley. “We wanted to create a cozy yet fresh space where the couple could enjoy a glass of wine or curl up with a good book.” The team designed a custom stone console with rounded shapes to fortify the organic aesthetic of the interiors. Two irresistible bubble armchairs by Sacha Lakic combine innovation and technology with natural forms—all while emitting a feeling of being whisked away on a cloud.

“The home gives nods throughout with fun art and objects collected from our life together,” says the homeowner. “Since moving in three months ago, we have entertained family and friends weekly. We plan to fill the house with a continual flow of guests and bring to life for them the beauty and style of Miami.”

The family area emits a cocoon-like feel. The deepseated sofa and Moroso armchairs by Patricia Urquiola offer comfy spots for lounging. An ottoman covered in Missoni’s butterfly fabric introduces a sprinkling of color amid the neutral palette.

SOURCES

ENTRY

Sideboard – Jader Almeida, Sollos, Fisker International, Miami, FL

Floor lamp – Noctambule, Fadecci, Miami, FL

Hanging lighting – Meshmatic, Moooi, Fadecci, Miami, FL

LIVING AREA

Redondo armchairs – Patricia Urquiola, Moroso, Luminaire, Coral Gables, FL

Green sofa – Hindsight, Vladimir Kagan, Holly Hunt, Miami, FL

Flower-pedal chair – Antibody, Patricia Urquiola, Moroso, Luminaire, Coral Gables, FL

Cocktail and drink tables – Roche Bobois, Miami, FL

Black side table – Pure Project Home, Coral Gables, FL

Bar cart – Fabricio Roncca, Roberta Schilling Collection, Miami, FL

Area rug – Harmony Studio, Miami FL

DINING ROOM

Table – Homeowners’ collection

Dining chair – Jader Almeida, Sollos, Fisker International, Miami, FL

Buffet – Labirinto, Roberta Schilling Collection, Miami, FL

Photographic artwork – Sergio Kovacevick, Roberta Schilling Collection, Miami, FL

Lighting – Luna, Gabriel Scot, Fadecci, Miami, FL

SEATING AREA

Bubble chair – Sasha Lakic, Roche Bobois, Coral Gables, FL

Poufs – Bovist, Hella Jongerius, Vitra, Luminaire, Miami, FL

Console table designed by Design Solutions, Miami, FL

Flooring – Innovative Surfaces, Coral Gables, FL

KITCHEN

Cabinetry designed by Design Solutions, Miami, FL, and fabricated by MiaCucina, Coral Gables, FL

Counter and island top designed by Design Solutions, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Fine Surfaces, Doral, FL

Lighting – Perch, Moooi, Fadecci, Miami, FL

A vibrantly ornate Scalamandré wallpaper makes a spectacular feature wall in the primary bedroom. Bathed in natural light and outfitted with luxurious overscale Le Corbusier club chairs, the room provides a cozy sanctuary for the homeowners. Gabriel Scott’s glam Luna Kaleido pendants dangle over the nightstands.

above: The primary bathroom emits a playful look with its speckled Tivoli terrazzo walls and shower area. Vibrant blue Miacucina vanity cabinets introduce a pop of color, and a graceful, rounded mirror highlights the lush landscape outside. Built-in shelving and storage reiterate the clean, contemporary feel that pervades the home.

right: An intimate seating area amidst the native foliage centers around a fire pit where friends gather for evening cocktails. A series of stepping stones pave the lush lawn, adding an elegant walkway to this charming setting. The dense greenery and towering palms add privacy and natural beauty.

left: A multi-tiered patio and pool area befit the Mediterranean architecture of the home. The covered loggia is paved with patterned tile, offering a festive spot for alfresco meals. The open-air bar area lined with Maia barstools delivers effortless poolside entertaining.

below: A stone bridge Immersed in the pool waters leads to yet another intimate seating area on the opposite end of the patio. The owners love hosting friends, and their hospitable home speaks to their passion for entertaining.

BREAKFAST AREA

Table – Mirela Ampezzan, Roberta Schilling Collection, Miami, FL

Platner armchair – Warren Platner, Knoll, DWR, Miami, FL

Lighting – Random Light, Bertjan Pot, Moooi, Fadecci, Miami, FL

FAMILY ROOM

Sofas – Faro Sofa, Harmony Studio, Miami, FL

Side chair – Patricia Urquiola, Moroso, Luminaire, Coral Gables, FL

Cocktail ottoman table – Design Solutions Miami, FL

Drink tables – Bruno Faucz, Roberta Schilling Collection, Miami, FL

Wall arm sconce – Serge Mouille, Fadecci, Miami, FL

Area rug – Justina Blakeney, Roberta Schilling Collection, Miami FL

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed, headboard, and side tables designed by Design Solutions, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Oliver Luxury Millwork, Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Pendant lighting – Gabriel Scott, Fadecci, Miami, FL

Club chairs – Cassina, DWR, Miami, FL

Side table – Soul Lounge table, Vermeil Furniture, São Paulo, Brazil

Arm chair – Patricia Urquiola, Luminaire, Coral Gables, FL

Wall covering – Scalamandré, Hollywood, FL

Area rug – Harmony Studio, Miami FL

PRIMARY BATHROOM

Floating cabinetry designed by Design Solutions, Miami, FL, and fabricated by MiaCucina, Miami, FL

Wall and shower designed by Design Solutions, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Fine Surfaces, Doral, FL

Sconce – Tom Dixon, Fadecci, Miami, FL

REAR EXTERIOR

Outside seating – Roberta Schilling Collection, Coral Gables, FL

Stools – Kettal, Coral Gables, FL

Fire pit – RH, West Palm Beach, FL

THROUGHOUT

Cabinetry – MiaCucina, Miami, FL

Fabricator – Oliver Luxury Millwork, Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Appliances – MiaAppliances, Miami, FL

Window treatments – Mayo Design, Miami, FL

Home automation – Tech Squad AV & Automation, Boca Raton, FL

Creative High

Paola Lenti’s hand-woven cord furniture and succulent arrangements from Plant the Future enhance one of the many terraces of the residence at The Continuum in Miami Beach.

interior design MIRTHA ARRIARAN, MAS INTERIOR DESIGN, MIAMI, FL text RIKI ALTMAN-YEE photography CRAIG DENIS, MIAMI, FL

TALK ABOUT A DREAM PROJECT. When a couple from New York approached Mirtha Arriaran and told her they had combined multiple, ocean-facing units in Miami Beach’s Continuum building into one residence and would spend whatever it took to make it truly spectacular, she knew she was in designer heaven.

Every item, including an array of phenomenal art, was purchased specifically for the now 6,000-square-foot condominium with three bedrooms and five bathrooms. “Every detail is very unique,” says Arriaran. The owners only imparted one simple request: “‘Keep the view clean so we can see the whole ocean.’”

St arting from the moment the elevator doors open, the lofty space, which is primarily clad in large-format Italian Mosa White marble tile, reveals itself seductively. The design team outfitted the welcoming landing primarily with metal, glass and wood, all in various shades of brown. A bronze mirrored wall bathes the space in warm light, and a stately iron console (which required the efforts of 10 men to install) serves as a primary focal point. Next, curved walls lead guests down a hallway, where sculptures by conceptual artist Tom Friedman and Spanish surrealist master Joan Miró bookend a majestic oceanic panorama. Though some designers might have found the building’s angled windows challenging, Arriaran embraced the architectural feature: “I like it. It gives shape.”

To further enhance the silhouette, she anchored the room with a curvy white Vladimir Kagan sofa

A trio of untitled watercolors on rice paper by American abstractionist Sam Gilliam lead the eye toward the condo’s living room.

A custom green velvet sofa by Todd Merrill with rounded tufts reinforces the room’s circular motifs. Among the eye-catching accessories here are bronze table lamps by Hervé Van der Straeten, an ottoman by Kelly Wearstler, and cocktail tables by Boca do Lobo. A vivid painting of trees by Swiss-born artist Nicholas Party brings energy to the space.

A Rimadesio table and Rugiano chairs pair with a buffet by Gianfranco Ferré in the dining room. A midcentury-style flush-mount chandelier from Michel Contessa Antiques hangs above, while a large-scale work by American painter Mark Grotjahn completes the space.

left: Italkraft fabricated the bar, which features LED lighting accents. The round white table is from Zaha Hadid and the green side chairs are from Giorgetti. The pattern on the Minotti rug in this space suggests ripples on the water.

below: Designer Mirtha Arriaran says the iron console she placed at the entrance is one of only two pieces Studio Jean-Luc Le Mounier created for Todd Merrill. The oval mirror came from B&B Italia.

and a Minotti area rug featuring a swirling pattern. An emerald-green velvet sofa adds a punch of color.

A dining room for eight shares the same breathtaking view in the open-concept space. Footsteps away, and wrapped in the same red gum wood veneer found on the living room’s cylindrical support column, is a bar backed in Ocean Green onyx and more upholstered seating. Italkraft fabricated and installed the bar, along with the millwork throughout, and constructed a kitchen primarily clad in sycamore with a glamorous vibe all its own. Both

The family room boasts Italkraft shelving, a Bentley sofa, and a Luxury Living cocktail table. The abstract linear artwork above the sofa is from Korean artist Park Seo-bo’s Écriture series.

casual and formal meals can be enjoyed here, around the circular table by Anima Domus paired with chairs from Artefacto, or at the bar atop Kelly bar stools by Boca do Lobo. Similar to nearly all the light fixtures throughout, the bisected Synapse in the kitchen came from Apparatus, while Arriaran incorporated LED lighting accents as a supplement throughout the home, hiding strips in the family room shelving, along the glass-front kitchen cabinets, and behind the edges of the mirror in the powder room.

In t he primary bedroom, where Arriaran enlisted Ornare to create a fabulous closet for her clients, the mood is more subdued, and a switch to white oak flooring signals the change. The designer kept the room largely minimalistic, with the exception of one dazzling feature: “We did a cove with LED lighting and Armani gold leaf wallpaper on the ceiling,” she explains. In the primary bathroom, LED lights illuminate the inset ceiling and the steps leading to the bathtub. Projects of this magnitude are quintessential for Arriaran, who established her studio in Miami some 25 years ago.

As for the Long Island couple lucky enough to call this condo home? It appears they were so awed by what Arriaran accomplished that they were left wanting more. “He also moved his office from New York to Miami,” reveals the designer. “And I did that project, too.”

right: Entirely clad in Bianco Argento marble from Opustone, the powder room is a study in opulence.

MAS Interior Design designed the kitchen’s cabinetry and island, which are topped with Taj Mahal quartzite. The same stone was used for the backsplash.

SOURCES

TERRACE

Table and chairs – Paola Lenti, paolalenti.it

Seating – Paola Lenti, paolalenti.it

LIVING ROOM

White curved sofa – Vladimir Kagan, Holly Hunt, Miami, FL

Green tuft sofa – Todd Merrill Studio, New York, NY

Cocktail tables – Boca do Lobo, bocadolobo.com

Ottoman – Kelly Wearstler, kellywearstler.com

Club chair – Fendi Casa, Miami, FL

Side tables – Monica James & Co., Miami. FL

Drink tables – Holly Hunt, Miami, FL

Table lamps – Hervé Van der Straeten, Paris, France

Area rug – Minotti, Miami, FL

DINING AREA

Table – Rimadesio, Miami, FL

Chairs – Rugiano, rugiano.com

Chandelier – Michel Contessa Antiques, Miami, FL CONVERSATION AREA/BAR

Cabinetry designed by MAS Interior Design, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Italkraft, Fort Lauderdale, FL White round table – Zaha Hadid, zaha-hadid.com

Side chairs – Oggetti Designs, South Florida Design Park, Hollywood, FL

Area rug – Minotti, Design District, Miami, FL

ELEVATOR ENTRANCE

Console – Todd Merrill – Studio Jean Luc Le Mounier

Oval mirror – B&B Italia, Miami, FL

Sconces – Apparatus Studio, New York, NY

Round table – Homeowners’ collection

Ottomans – Monica James & Co., Miami. FL

FAMILY ROOM

Cabinetry designed by MAS Interior Design, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Italkraft, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Sofa – Bentley Home, Luxury Living, Design District, Miami, FL

Ottoman table – Luxury Living, Design District, Miami, FL

Area rug – Minotti, Miami, FL

Two works by American artist Emil Lukas, both made with colored thread stretched over canvas, hang above matching chests found on 1stDibs in the primary bedroom.

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST AREA

Cabinetry and island designed by MAS Interior Design, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Italkraft, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Stools – Boca do Lobo, bocadolobo.com

Round table – Anima Domus, Miami, FL

Chairs – Artefacto, Coral Gables, FL

Lighting – Apparatus Studio, New York, NY

POWDER ROOM

Marble wall designed by MAS Interior Design, Miami, FL

Lighting – Homeowners’ collection

Stool – Minotti, Miami, FL

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed – Fendi Casa, Miami, FL

Night table – Artefacto, Coral Gables, FL

Lamp – Holly Hunt, Miami, FL

Floor lamp – Holly Hunt, Miami, FL

Lighting – Apparatus Studio, New York, NY

Drapery – RT Décor Miami, Miami, FL

Area rug – Minotti, Miami, FL

PRIMARY BATHROOM

Cabinetry designed by MAS Interior Design, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Italkraft, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Tub – Waterworks, waterworks.com

Chandelier – Apparatus Studio, New York, NY

Flooring – Opustone Stone and Tile Concepts, Doral, FL

above:

The primary bathroom’s floor is clad in Avia White marble in two colors. An elevated platform with a Waterworks tub offers optimal water views.

Fashion Energy

HIGH ABOVE THE POSTCARD-BLUE WATERS of Sunny Isles Beach, an exclusive luxury condominium perched on the forty-eighth floor of Armani Casa Residences reflects the quintessence of the celebrated fashion designer after whom the high-rise was named. Owner Thomas Wood, an area resident since 2007, recently purchased the 3,050-square-foot abode as a virtual blank slate, and it was his one desire to integrate the building’s overall design spirit into his own home.

“[Thomas’ main wish was] for us to embody the design of the [tower’s public spaces] within his home,” says Monica Souza, owner of MC Studio, an interior design partnership she shares with her sister Cristina. “Our inspiration very much came from

A DESIGN TEAM HONORS THE MASCULINE ELEGANCE OF THE LEGENDARY GIORGIO ARMANI IN A SUNNY ISLES BEACH APARTMENT

above: The living area captures stunning ocean views, contributing to the sleek, serene aesthetic of this Sunny Isles Beach dwelling. Artefacto armchairs combine with an elegant, clean-lined Minotti ottoman, leather cube, and cocktail table to articulate an intimate seating group. MC Studio designed the dynamic black porcelain wall feature.

interior design MONICA SOUZA & CRISTINA SOUZA, MC STUDIO, MIAMI, FL builder JORGE LIZA, BLUE CREW CONTRACTORS, MIAMI, FL text JEANNE DE LATHOUDER photography CRAIG DENIS, MIAMI, FL

The entrance to the Armani Casa Residences condominium embodies a refined, masculine aesthetic requested by the homeowner. Taupe leather wallpaper melds with a bronze mirror against floating black drawers. A dramatic Azalai Negro porcelain slab highlights the back wall of the conversation area, where Armani/Casa furnishings center around a plush Stark rug.

the building’s interior design by Giorgio Armani, which influenced the pieces and color palette you see throughout the home.” In addition, Wood requested a masculine apartment with upscale flair, which was achieved through the selected materials—leather, silk, and metal—and a palette incorporating Armani’s handsome taupe base mixed with moody darker tones.

“Cr istina has an amazing eye for color, and Monica zoned in on the furniture style I loved,” says Wood. “I wanted a warm feel, so we went with neutrals and designed much of the unit around Armani/ Casa, Fendi Casa, and Artefacto furnishings.”

Backdropped by sweeping views of the Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway, the living area emanates Zen-like tranquility. A chic Fendi Casa ivory linen sofa and side tables pair impeccably with an undulating artwork from Artefacto. The piece is staged against a luxurious Twill & Texture wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries.

“[The homeowner’s main wish was] for us to embody the design of the [tower’s public spaces] within his home,” says interior designer Monica Souza. “Our inspiration very much came from the building’s interior design by Giorgio Armani, which influenced the pieces and color palette you see throughout the home.”

As the elevator doors open, a foyer clad in book-matched Vena Grigio marble floors and taupe leather wallpaper lends a striking fi rst impression. Beyond the front doors, a showstopping den area spotlights a floating Azalai Negro porcelain slab feature wall. “We wanted this space to be a private lounge where Thomas could entertain guests without having to bring them into the private inner sanctums of his home,” says Cristina.

Further in, a luxurious living room emanates high-style masculinity with a custom wall panel mirroring the porcelain slab applied in the den. A sleek ivory linen Fendi Casa sofa blends fluidly with

“MC Studio was remarkable at presenting the various options and then molding them to suit the look I was trying to get,” says Wood. “This is the perfect space—I love to entertain and my family loves to visit.”

Paving the hallway to the primary bedroom, book-matched Vena Grigio marble flooring mirrors Armani’s original design for the building’s lobby. Custom wall paneling covered in Phillip Jeffries silk wallpaper elevates the minimalist aesthetic.

a plush Minotti ottoman, cognac leather cube, and Linha coffee table topped with Sahara Noir marble. From the living room, an unadorned hallway leads to the primary bedroom with panoramic ocean views and a private balcony. Millwork panels behind the bed covered in mink sateen wallpaper with bronze metal detailing visually connect the space to the outer rooms.

Underscoring the exceptional water vistas with a breezy outdoor balcony, the primary bedroom maintains the home’s subdued design with a platform bed and headboard from Fendi Casa. A tufted Artefacto bench amplifies the room’s elegant simplicity, and gossamer draperies frame the view.

SOURCES ENTRY

Chair – Artefacto, Coral Gables FL

Side table – Artefacto, Coral Gables, FL

Club chairs – Armani/Casa, Miami, FL

Cocktail table – Armani/Casa, Miami, FL

Area rug – Stark Carpet, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

LIVING ROOM

Sofa – Fendi Casa, Miami, FL

Chairs – Artefacto, Coral Gables, FL Cocktail table – Minotti, Miami, FL

Nesting tables – Fendi Casa, Miami, FL Table lamps – Homeowners’ collection

Drink tables between chairs – Artefacto, Coral Gables, FL

Ottoman – Minotti, Miami, FL

Cube – Minotti, Miami, FL

Artwork above sofa – Artefacto, Coral Gables, FL

Floating cabinetry and wall designed by MC Studio, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Blue Crew Contractors, Miami, FL

Wall covering – Phillip Jeffries, Twill & Texture, Miami, FL

Drapery – Ardi & D Installation Corp., Miami, FL

Area rug – The Carpet Boutique, Miami, FL

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed and headboard – Fendi Casa, Miami, FL

Bedside table – Artefacto, Coral Gables, FL

Lamp – Homeowners’ collection

Bench – Artefacto, Coral Gables, FL

Drapery – Ardi & D Installation Corp., Miami, FL

Area rug – The Carpet Boutique, Miami, FL

THROUGHOUT

Millwork – Blue Crew Contractors, Miami, FL

Automation – Modern Media HD, Miami, FL

Wallcovering – Phillip Jeffries, Twill & Texture, Miami, FL

Cool Intentions

The Aventura residence boasts 2,500 square feet of terrace space with optimal views of the ocean and the city. To take it all in, the design team outfitted the area with different types of seating by Gloster and Artefacto.

ONCE NORTHEASTERNERS REBECCA and Garfield Spencer decided they wanted a vacation home in Florida to escape their harsh Rhode Island winters, the search for such a dwelling proved to be more difficult than they had envisioned. Eventually, the couple found their place in the sun in the form of a 7,500-squarefoot penthouse (with an additional 2,500 square feet of terrace space) in Aventura. Once the keys were in their hands, the Spencers called Rafaela Simoes and Laila Colvin of 2id Interiors to create the high-style paradise residence of their dreams.

The husband and wife were adamant about a noclutter, no-fuss interior filled with furniture from the brands they loved most, namely Minotti, B&B Italia, and Ligne Roset. Simoes and Colvin knew exactly what design route to take.

“They wanted very modern and high-end, but nothing too clean or too cold,” says Simoes. “Once we established that, the goal was for modernism with warm elements. This is Miami, after all.”

below: An accent wall covered in triangular oak veneer wood slats in the residence’s entry area conceals linear door frames along its expanse. Embedded high in the slats is recessed accent lighting that becomes a part of the interior’s architecture.

“This room is all about the views,” says designer Rafaela Simoes about the living space, where a grand sofa by Minotti faces the water view full on. The circles on the ceiling are a design element of the track lighting system that was installed throughout the residence. “We kept things clean and monochromatic, so as not to detract from the vistas.”

As this was to be a retreat, the Spencers were adamant about making the most of the apartment’s views of sea and sky, which was what attracted them most to the unit in the first place. To accentuate that panorama, they enlisted a contractor to remove a 12-inch layer of concrete on the top floor to create more ceiling height, before enclosing that entire level in glass. The process proved to be arduous, time-consuming, and costly, but well worth it in the end.

Just as determined to respect the vistas was the design team, who carefully considered the palette to complement all the blues outside. In the end, white was chosen for most living areas, a bold jet-black dominates the kitchen, and moody hues instill serenity in the bedrooms. Pops of sea glass green, ocean blue, and sunset lavender found on barstools, throw pillows, and table bases connect the inside to the outside, while gray area rugs and seating subtly ground the rooms

right: “When the residence was gutted, there was an awkward wall that remained near the entryway, and whatever we put there had to be straight and couldn’t break the flow in the passageway,” says Simoes.

“So, we installed a floating table and created a bar area with a slotted panel and a light fixture in the wall.”

A lounge area with curvaceous furniture provides a cozy spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks. Above the set-up in the dining room, clear glass pendants were chosen so the view would be unobstructed.

without detracting from the ample light that pours through the windows.

When it came to illumination, Simoes and Colvin decided on track lighting, some of which is embedded into the walls or on proud display in the living room as an eye-catching circular detail on the ceiling. “The fun thing about track is that you can highlight something if you want to, spread it out if you like, or remove it,” says Colvin. “I love using lighting like this and being thoughtful about the larger fixtures I use. It’s all about making a statement.”

Because the penthouse was gutted, the design team had to find creative uses for some of the spaces that were created as a result. When a passageway to lead from the residence’s elevator doors to the kitchen was needed, the design team installed a glass wine closet that opens into the living room and partly conceals the hallway behind it.

Rearranging also took precedence in the primary bathroom. Because its layout was

“Since we needed to create an enclosed hallway that led from the elevator doors to the kitchen, we thought a wine cellar was the best way to conceal that,” says Simoes. “The homeowners loved the idea.”

“THEY WANTED VERY MODERN AND HIGHEND, BUT NOTHING TOO CLEAN OR TOO COLD,” SAYS DESIGNER RAFAELA SIMOES.

“ONCE WE ESTABLISHED THAT, THE GOAL WAS FOR MODERNISM WITH WARM ELEMENTS. THIS IS MIAMI, AFTER ALL.”

drastically altered, new wood walls and deck floors were installed to conceal the plumbing in a functional yet stylish way. “In some of these older buildings, it’s hard to change the plumbing,” says Simoes. “We wanted to keep it where it was and still design a killer bathroom. I was a little hesitant to do something too crazy because of what was involved, but we were able to add a tub behind the living greenery wall and create lots of storage and a huge vanity with LED lights. No matter where you are in the bathroom, you have a great view.”

When the time came to warm up things as promised, the designers opted to incorporate oak accents throughout the entire residence, whether as a panel of triangular slats covering the entry alcove, along expanses of flooring, or in the form of a floating bar on the top floor. Darker wood evokes calm in the bedroom suites and connects those spaces to each other throughout the hallways. Stone and suede accents, plus ample greenery, add to the organic feel without

The husband insisted on a black kitchen where the sink and appliances were almost invisible. 2ID complied and incorporated a light oak countertop with seating for some balance.

“This family room was an architectural challenge for us because of where it’s located at the bottom of a curved stairway,” says Simoes. “There are two columns in the space, but we didn’t want to divide it up. We wanted to open it up and make it fun.”

complicating or overwhelming the simplicity that was the goal. “Because of the way they worked the foliage and warm elements throughout, they created something for us that was clean, yet cozy,” says Garfield.

No matter the room, the Spencers were thrilled with 2id’s work. So much so, they are considering making Aventura their primary residence.

“We loved these clients and I think it’s important to note that this project turned out the way it did because they gave us absolute freedom to design,” says Colvin. “That made the process easier, and, in the end, they just loved what we did.”

below left: Dark wood paneling flows from the primary bedroom into the hallway to create a two-tone floating wall in front of one of the other bedrooms. “When you have so many white doors that are flush with the wall, this is a fun element that breaks things up,” says Simoes. “The mirror just made sense.”

below: The design team incorporated a darker palette and masculine furniture in the oldest son’s bedroom suite, which in the original floorplan was part of the living room.

Just off the family room, the design team covered an “ugly” winding staircase with drywall for a more architectural look. According to Graham, his wife fell in love with the tree at the bottom, which added warmth to the space. Open shelving divides the area.

SOURCES

TERRACE

Sofa – Gloster, Clima Home, Miami, FL

Curved lounge – Artefacto, Miami, FL

Decorative chair and cocktail table – Gloster, Clima Home, Miami, FL

Lounge chairs and seating – Gloster, Clima Home, Miami, FL

ENTRY

Console – 2id Interiors, North Miami Beach, FL

Millwork – Artepractico, Miami, FL

Decorative jars – 2id Home Shop, North Miami, FL

“We wanted the primary bedroom to feel a little darker and moodier,” says Colvin. An asymmetrical dark wood and stone panel behind the white suede headboard creates contrast and visual interest.

LIVING ROOM

Sofa – Minotti, Miami, FL

Lounge – Ligne Roset, Miami, FL

Wood and glass cocktail tables – Artefacto, Miami, FL

Side table – 2id Home Shop, North Miami, FL

Accent chairs – Luminaire, Miami, FL

Drink table – 2id Home Shop, North Miami, FL

Lighting – Flos, The Lighting Studios, Miami, FL

Area rug – Stark Carpet, Hollywood, FL

CONVERSATION AREA

Curved sofa – Artefacto, Miami, FL

Club chairs – Minotti, Miami, FL

Cocktail table – Cattelan Italia, Anima Domus, Aventura, FL

Drink table – 2id Home Shop, North Miami, FL

DINING AREA

Table – Cattelan Italia, Anima Domus, Aventura, FL

Chairs – Patricia Urquiola, B&B Italia, Miami, FL

Lighting pendants – Flos, The Lighting Studios, Miami, FL

BAR AREA

Cabinetry and island designed by 2id Interiors, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Artepractico, Miami, FL

Stools – Gustavo Bittencourt Design, Brazil

KITCHEN

Cabinetry and island designed by 2id Interiors, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by MiaCucina, Aventura, FL

Chairs – Porro, Luminaire, Miami, FL

Lighting – Flos, The Lighting Studios, Miami, FL

FAMILY ROOM (DOWNSTAIRS)

Puff sofa – Camaleonda, Mario Bellini, B&B, Miami, FL

Hanging chair – Ivano Redaelli, 1st Dibs, New York, NY

Ottoman – Missoni, Wasser Furniture, Hallandale Beach, FL

Accent chair – B&B Italia, Miami, FL

Drink table – 2id Home Shop, North Miami, FL

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed and headboard designed by 2id Interiors, North Miami

Beach, FL, and fabricated by Artepractico, Miami, FL

Floating cabinetry – Artepractico, Miami, FL

Hanging lighting – Vibia, The Lighting Studios, Miami, FL

Bench – Artefacto, Miami, FL

Chair – Minotti, Miami, FL

Millwork – Artepractico, Miami, FL

PRIMARY BATHROOM

Cabinetry designed by 2id Interiors, North Miami Beach, FL, and

fabricated by Artepractico, Miami, FL

Chair – Artefacto, Miami, FL

Shower designed by 2id Interiors, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by CP Construction, North Miami Beach, FL

Living wall – Ana Roma Designs, Miami, FL

THROUGHOUT

Builder – CP Construction, North Miami Beach, FL

Window treatment – Phabrica, Hollywood Beach, FL

Closets & bathroom cabinetry – Oliver Luxury Millwork, Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Bathroom hardware – Gessi, Waterbox, Miami, FL

above and below: A botanical wall brings an organic touch to the spa-like primary bathroom. The deck-like flooring in the shower area conceals the room’s complex plumbing system.

Character Welcome

IN SUNNY ISLES BEACH, A DESIGNER HELPS A BRAZILIAN FAMILY CUSTOMIZE THEIR DREAM HOME WITH THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS IN HER ARSENAL: PERSONALITY AND PERSPECTIVE

left: In the residence’s elevator foyer, an artistic arrangement of racquets reveals the homeowners’ love of tennis. The wall-to-wall bench underneath serves as storage for shoes and athletic equipment, as well as a display nook for the wife’s ceramics.

right: The condo’s terrace overlooks the beach and offers side views of Miami. The chairs and planters are from RH.

interior design DANIELA SALIBA, DANIELA SALIBA STUDIO, MIAMI, FL text PAIGE BOWERS photography DENILSON MACHADO, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

right: A large Minotti sofa and an Anima Domus cocktail table share space in the living room. In the kitchen, the island was extended to serve as a dining table so that the dining area could be transformed into an office.

below: An ever-growing photo wall in the home office area showcases various family members.

WHEN A BRAZILIAN COUPLE began contemplating moving their family to South Florida, they turned to Instagram in search of a local interior designer whose style matched their own. It was a fellow Brazilian, Daniela Saliba, whose work caught their eye, mainly because it reminded them of home. Post after post revealed Saliba’s flair for mixing sleek modern pieces with organic materials, textures, and just the right amount of pattern.

The couple reached out to the designer immediately, even though it would be another year before they purchased a 2,800-square-foot oceanfront condominium at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sunny Isles Beach. Once the keys to the unit were theirs, they called Saliba again and enlisted her to

create an elegant, yet inviting residence where they could create new memories with their extended family and friends.

The apartment is ideal for the homeowners’ gregarious ways. The living room and kitchen are part of an open floor plan with glass doors that can be opened to include a 200-square-foot deck. The wife immediately envisioned cousins, nieces, and nephews flowing between these spaces and gathering around the kitchen island while she cooked.

“For me, it was really about respecting the floor plans,” says Saliba. “That was not difficult, but I did have to make sure I could fit everything in this integrated space.”

“The look of the residence very much complements who the homeowners are,” says interior designer Daniela Saliba. “It’s elegant, but it can also be casual and homey.”

A custom shelf (filled with family mementos), a painting by Cristina Canale, and a wall cabinet introduce shades of seafoam green to the residence’s living area. In the background, space that would have traditionally accommodated a dining room was recast as an office.

As square footage was limited, the design team integrated custom storage throughout the home to ensure all the homeowners’ possessions were at hand but unobtrusive. A number of cherished objects and artworks brought over from Brazil were integrated into Saliba’s design.

“The look very much complements who they are,” says Saliba. “It’s elegant, but it can also be casual and homey.”

In the living room, a floating seafoam green-hued shelf was installed to accommodate 20 years of thick leather photo albums, as well as display space for plants, sculptures, and books. Next to that, an oversize painting by Cristina Canale echoes the shelf’s green palette. This

right: The cabinetry and island in the kitchen was all custom-made by Snaidero. The wood stools by Craig Bassam offer a contrast to all the lighter surfaces.

approach also took precedence in a home office near the kitchen. Here, the design team used custom wood cabinetry and shelving to create yet more discrete spaces for memories. “In that room, there’s even a wall with 32 tiny photos of the family,” says Saliba. “Each time someone marries or has a new baby, a photo goes up.” Features like these made the move from São Paulo to Sunny Isles Beach all the much smoother for the family, which includes two parents and a teenage son.

Sa liba’s aforementioned “elegant, yet casual and homey” approach is on exhibit in the open area that encompasses the living room and kitchen, a space that embraces the water views with a neutral palette and here-and-there warm textures like the woven area rug and wood stools by the kitchen bar.

Although the project took longer than expected, the couple was thrilled with the final result. “They were very happy, and they constantly send me photos of themselves entertaining,” says Saliba. “It’s very rewarding for me to see them enjoying their home the way they envisioned it.”

above: In the primary bedroom, the design team opted for a clean and classic aesthetic with a Villa bed and Nathan Yong side chest. Textural artwork by Hilal Sami Hilal lends an organic essence to the room.

SOURCES ENTRY

Bench designed Daniela Saliba Studio, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Des & Art Furniture, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Tennis racquet art – Homeowners’ collection

CORNER WITH ARMCHAIR

Swivel chair – Vala, Hlynur Atlason, Design Within Reach, dwr.com

Millwork designed by Daniela Saliba Studio, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Des & Art Furniture, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Lamp – Damo, Fadecci Lighting, Miami, FL

LIVING ROOM

Sofa and lounge – Minotti, Miami, FL

Armchair – Jader Almeida, jaderalmeida.com

Ottomans – Nanimarquina, nanimarquina.com

Cocktail table – Cattelan, Anima Domus, Miami FL

Floating cabinet – Daniela Saliba Studio, Des & Art, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Lamp – Belle Soiree, Fadecci Lighting, Miami, FL

Area rug – Minori Casa, Miami, FL

KITCHEN AREA

Cabinetry and island designed and fabricated by

Snaidero USA, Miami, FL

Stools – Tractor, Craig Bassam, Design Within Reach, dwr.com

Counter chairs – Hoffman, Joseph Hoffman, Design Within Reach, dwr.com

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed – Vella, Michele di Fonzo, Design Within Reach, dwr.com

Bedside chest – Line, Nathan Yong, Design Within Reach, dwr.com

Chairs – Lina Swivel, Hlynur Atlason, Design Within Reach, dwr.com

Platner table – Knoll, knoll.com

Area rug – Minori Casa, Miami, FL

TERRACE

Seating and lounges – RH, rh.com

Pillows – Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com

White table – RH, rh.com

Orange table – Ballard Designs, ballard.com

THROUGHOUT

Cabinetry – Des & Art Furniture, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Remodeling – Builcore Inc., Miami, FL

left: Lina swivel chairs on either side of a gilded Warren Platner side table offer a perfect nook for reading or meditating.

above: The home’s resident greyhound enjoys the sun atop an RH sofa.

LAKE SUPERIOR

A FIVE-STAR CONDOMINIUM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES, MIAMI BEACH ELEVATES WATERSIDE LIVING WITH A CITY-CHIC AESTHETIC

WITH A SHIMMERING VIEW

framing the boats that gently drift by on Surprise Lake, a waterside condo proved to be a dream home for the residents who live here. Boasting 2,680 square feet of space, the setting is one of the superior units at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach, the waterside community designed by master architect Piero Lissoni that’s renowned for its noncondo essence and prime address.

“We chose this location because of our three dogs—Coco, Birkin, and Mia,” says the homeowner, partly joking. “It gives them the feeling of a backyard while being in a condo and keeps us close to all the action.”

The homeowner and his fiancé enjoy entertaining and hosting friends, and

interior design MARIS RAFFA, TAUPE DÉCOR, NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL text JEANNE DE LATHOUDER photography PAUL VALE, MIAMI, FL

left: The living room’s dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows boast views of Surprise Lake and the towering palms beyond. Impeccably designed, the dwelling’s calm neutral palette brings the owners’ dazzling artwork to the forefront. Low-slung seating pieces and cocktail tables from Artefacto lend a minimalist aesthetic complemented with clear orbed pendants from Farrey’s Lighting & Bath.

A reverse view of the living room offers unobstructed sightlines into the dining/kitchen area and the upper-level area. The glass-paneled open staircase integrates seamlessly with the modern vibe of the space, and a custom bar and wine cellar take optimal advantage of the ample space underneath.

family. They wanted to have a city dwelling with outdoor space where they could bring everyone together. Once sold on the Ritz property and everything it offered, they tapped Miami interior designer Maris Raffa, owner of Taupe Décor, to bring their vision of a modern home to life.

“[Because the residence is] right next to the water, we designed a summer kitchen with a living space so they can gather with guests in a relaxing outdoor atmosphere,” says Raffa. Here, roomy lounge seating is sprinkled across a stretch of fresh green grass, mingling with majestic palms, and emitting a blissful tropical vibe. A cozy covered patio with a TV set, kitchen, and dining area creates an intimate spot for alfresco get-togethers. “My favorite memory about creating this space is that every time we would be working on the outdoor area, we would see row boats passing by,” says Raffa. “It was amazing.”

The views inside are just as dynamic. The soaring living space delivers visual drama with its spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows, sweeping staircase,

and expansive custom wall

above: Custom floor-to-ceiling wall paneling by Idelli Miami brings the warmth of natural wood to the living/dining area, lending an organic feel to the space. The sleek forms of Artefacto’s glass-topped dining table and curved chairs align with the home’s understated elegance.

below: Clad in black Nero Marquina marble, the kitchen countertops, backsplash, and waterfall island emit a streamlined, sophisticated aesthetic. White cabinetry designed by Maris Raffa and fabricated by Idelli Miami provides a striking contrast. Plush Artefacto island chairs echo the shapely curves of the dining chairs.

left: A chic guest room overlooking the living area below features a Maris Raffa-designed wall treatment, platform bed, and custom headboard. The glass wall is highlighted by a glamorous vanity from RH and a custom ottoman from Taupe Décor. The halo-like chandelier from Farrey’s Lighting & Bath emits a soft, moonlight glow.

wall paneling. Raffa chose modern, low-slung Artefacto furniture for the living and dining area to give a minimalist feel to the overall design. The kitchen follows suit, dressed in a sophisticated black marble complemented with white cabinetry and natural wood open shelving.

“This client is passionate about art, so we worked around each unique piece he bought specifically for each space,” notes Raffa. “Because the artworks are very colorful, we designed the space with neutral tones and textures so the pieces can pop.” The client is also a big wine lover, so Raffa designed a custom bar and wine cellar at the center point of the living room.

“The exterior area has an amazing view of the water, so we designed a casual and functional space for entertaining,” notes the designer. “The plants, the hot tub, and the natural fibers were a perfect combination to tie everything together.”

The second floor features a chic guest bedroom with floor-to-ceiling glass that overlooks the living area. Raffa designed a custom wall headboard

The elaborate yet minimalist primary bedroom features a custom bed, headboard, and wall treatment designed by Maris Raffa. A sparkling chandelier and blissful water views generate captivating focal points. RH sconces illuminate the bedside tables, and a tufted bench and blue lounge chair from Artefacto lend sumptuous softness.

above: Massive, stone-like planters from Ana Roma Floral Design display an abundance of succulents and tropical foliage underneath the staircase. Their sinuous, smooth shapes create a dynamic organic focal point that brings beautiful visual balance to the contemporary architecture.

Comfortable cushioned loungers from RH compose a lavish outdoor entertaining area with views of the water beyond.

flanked by leather nightstands and added a desk space with a view. In the primary bedroom, she mixed mirrored surfaces with warm woods and a luxurious blend of textures. She also added a unique custom wall feature paired with an upholstered velvet headboard to create a relaxing, beautiful ambiance.

“Inspired by Miami and seaside living, we were looking for a warm contemporary feeling,” says the homeowner. “Maris and her team were amazing and brought our vision to life. They were communicative, collaborative, and comprehensive. It felt like working with family.”

SOURCES

LIVING AREA

Sofa and green chair – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Glass and wood cocktail tables – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Chandelier – RH, rh.com

Chandelier – Farrey’s Lighting & Bath, North Miami, FL

Area rug – Oriental Rugs, Miami, FL

DINING AREA

Table – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Chairs – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

KITCHEN

Cabinetry designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Idélli Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Countertop – Opustone, Miami, FL

Island chairs – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed and headboard designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Lua Décor, Wellington, FL

Wall treatment designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Udecide Wallpaper, North Miami Beach, FL

Bedside tables – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Bench – Artefacto, Aventura, FL Chair – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Chandelier – Farrey’s Lighting & Bath, North Miami, FL

Sconces – RH, rh.com

Area rug – Oriental Rugs, Miami, FL

GUEST BEDROOM

Platform bed and headboard designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Lua Décor, Wellington, FL

Wall treatment designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Udecide

Wallpaper, North Miami Beach, FL

Bedside table – RH, rh.com

Chandelier – Farrey’s Lighting & Bath, North Miami, FL

Lamps – Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL

Vanity – RH, rh.com

Ottoman – Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL

Area rug – Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL

BACK EXTERIOR

Lounges, seating, and day bed – RH, rh.com

Dining table and stools – RH, rh.com

THROUGHOUT

Millwork – Idélli Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Planters under stairs – Ana Roma Floral Design, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wallpaper installation – Udecide Wallpaper, North Miami Beach, FL

Wallpaper supplier – Fabulous Wallcovering, Hallandale Beach, FL

Shades and drapery – Udesign Shades, Miami Lakes, FL

Part of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach, the ground-level condominium is superbly located at the confluence of the ocean, lake, and marina.

Timeless Quality

BRETON’S POLTRONA BEVERLY CHAIR SATISFIES DESIGNER PAULA AMBROSIO’S PENCHANT FOR ENDURING DESIGN

THE TASTEMAKER: Brazilian designer Paula Ambrosio believes in design that, in her words, reveals the personality of her clients but never sacrifices functionality. Her North Miami-based studio has tackled projects all over the world.

THE OBJECT: The Poltrona Beverly chair by Breton is an exercise in texture that makes the most of metal, leather, wood, and various fabrics to make a statement about silhouette.

IN HER WORDS: “I don’t believe in trends,” says Ambrosio. “I believe in essence and timelessness, and this is a versatile chair that has those qualities in check. I’ve used it in several modern and contemporary projects and it always gets its point across.” paulaambrosio.com; breton.com.br