A long-held family home in Coco Plum required a delicate balance: modernizing a very traditional interior while preserving the essence of a house that had been the family's anchor for years. The clients, originally from Nicaragua and now deeply rooted in Miami, wanted their home refreshed without losing the formality that defined their lives there. The enormous staircase had become visually heavy, so we transformed it with a sleek wood panel wall that brought it into the present while maintaining its architectural presence. Throughout the home, we established a fresh tonality centered on white and natural oak wood, creating breathing room for the family's art collection and the client's love of color, particularly blues and pinks. This was a formal household with three grown sons, designed to accommodate both intimate family moments and larger gatherings. We integrated existing vintage furniture pieces with Poltrona Frau's clean-lined quality and Holly Hunt's more transitional pieces, sourcing furnishings that felt comfortable without sacrificing sophistication.
The powder blue entryway showcases the client's collection of ceramics in orange and maroon terra cotta tones. In the living room, a Baccarat chandelier with modern fluted glass honored the home's original intention while feeling contemporary. The dining room features an Aubusson rug that exemplifies the juxtaposition of old and new running throughout. Two custom coffee tables allowed the living room to flex between scales.
The den became a particularly compelling space. Originally fitted with dark wood ceilings, we modernized it while preserving a coziness the rest of the house intentionally doesn't have. It offers retreat when needed, counterpoint to the formality elsewhere. Decades of family history remain present throughout, but the house feels unmistakably fresh, a place designed for sons to return to and parents to live gracefully within.
