My friend D. (he asked me not to use his name) just bought a condo in Miami and asked for a little design advice. Since he reads my blog, he knows that I have access to a multitude of images for inspiration and that I love a design challenge. His only directive was that he wants it to feel "masculine, bachelor pad, tropical, and nautical." It can't look too bachelor pad thought because his parents will stay at the condo when they are in town. He's also in his late 20's so it can't look too fuddy duddy either.
When I started thinking about inspiration, one of the first places that came to mind was the JK Hotel in Capri.When I mentioned this to D., he sent me the photo above of the hotel that he had in a file. We're starting out on the same page but who knows where things will end up. I like the darker blue color for the master bedroom but maybe a paler blue for the living/dining area with an accent color like orange or yellow. D. is more into neutrals so it will be interesting to see if he likes any of my other suggestions. I do know that he's planning to pull up the laminate "hardwood" and replace it probably with marble since wood floors aren't the best in humid climates.
This is a photo of the current living room. There is a rental tenant in the condo so please keep in mind that none of this non-chic furniture or decor is his. One interesting decorating challenge about the condo is that there are no square walls. Almost all are angled or curved and contain doors to other rooms.
This is another inspiration photo that D. sent me since he likes neutrals. I'd like to see more blue but I do love the Massimo Vitali photo on the left wall.
The beachy scenes in Massimo Vitali's work would be perfect for a condo on the water in Miami.
In this room from Canadian House & Home that contains another Massimo Vitali, I like the punches of turquoise and yellow. Perhaps yellow could be used as welting trim or an accent instead of orange.
Since D. likes neutrals, I thought he might like this room designed by my friend David Lawrence. I think it's a good balance of neutrals and blue. I also love the cotton rug laid over sisal
This Victoria Hagan room also has a good balance of blue and white. I love darker sofas since dark denim will rub off on lighter upholstery.
I think this room was designed by T. Keller Donovan and it's another good mix.
It might be fun to find some nautical maps like T. Keller Donovan used in this room.
This other space also designed by T. Keller Donovan is also a nice jumping off point. A grid of artwork might be nice on the dining wall or above the sofa if the Massimo Vitali photos won't work.
Another room designed by David Lawrence with sisal and stripes.
I love the striped pillows and light in this room designed by Victoria Hagan.
Similar striped pillows in the home of Ralph Lauren. I don't know if D. is up for monograms but I like them. Since his family also has a house on the water on Long Island, it might be nice to bring in some East Coast touches like a little blue and white porcelain.
More blue and white porcelain in the Hamptons home of Whitney Fairchild.
Another look at the Miami condo. The first door on the right leads to the kitchen and the second is to the very small den/guest bedroom.
If he doesn't side to mount a television on the wall, it might be nice to bring in a taller piece of furniture. I like the look of this darker bamboo secretary.
Would definitely love to bring in some potted palms or other greenery.
Entry wall of the Miami condo looking into the living room.
I think a clean lined console table and colorful lamps like this one in a home designed by Ashley Whittaker would look nice in the Miami condo.
I wish there was a way to incorporate this sisal inlaid in between striped marble look that I saw at the Soho Beach House in Miami last year. I love this look.
This awkward doorway leads to the master bedroom, closet and bath.
Miles Redd designed a condo in Miami with a similar layout. I love the painted molding detail on the door.
Again, lets keep in mind that none of this furniture belongs to my friend. But in this angle, you can see where there is room for a dining table in the living room. Although, if I had that terrace, I'm pretty sure I'd eat outside everyday.
Let's not get hung up on the whole room even though I love it. I like the idea of a round table surrounded by antique chairs like these covered in pale blue leather. A cement table could be an interesting option or maybe a marble topped Tulip table.
I all of the sudden realized that there are no bookshelves in the apartment so it might be nice to place some behind the dining table like in the home of James Andrew. He also has chairs upholstered in pale blue fabric.
After I started my post, D. mentioned that he might put a desk where the dining area is in the living room. In that case, I would still add bookshelves behind and face the desk toward the windows like I did in the bachelor pad I decorated a few years ago.
The kitchen is interesting. I really hope D. replaces the counter tops and backs plash. Please.
I love the look of this kitchen with the paler marble and orange stools.
A blue back splash could be interesting too.
Bistro chairs are too casual for the living room but could work in the eat in area off the kitchen. I love the color of these used by Ashley Whittaker.
A look at the bedroom in the Miami condo. Hope there is room for two bedside tables.
I think a darker blue paint color would be nice in the master bedroom. This is obviously too much pattern for a man but it might be nice to find something more masculine but colorful at Quadrille to use for pillows or a dust skirt.
Another look at the dark blue walls at the JK Hotel in Capri.
A striped headboard could be fun like this one in a room at the JK Hotel.
I love the nautical photos and contrast welting on the chair in another room at JK Hotel Capri.
I think that is the door to the terrace on the left. I'd love to design a valance and drapes for the windows with a nice trim detail. And replace the ceiling fan for sure.
These drapes at the JK Hotel Capri are my inspiration for the Miami condo.
More dark blue and a monogram was used by T.Keller Donovan in this bedroom too.
Since D. likes neutrals, this bedroom by James Andrew might be a nice compromise. I love the fabric on the chair.
I have no idea what the closet looks like but I hope it ends up looking like Tommy Hilfiger's as seen on The Coveteur.
This is the very small den/guest bedroom in the Miami condo.
It has a connected bath and walk in closet and doesn't have room for much else.
When I sent this image of a condo in Miami that Miles Redd decorated, D. said he was also thinking stripes for the small guest room.
This is the room designed by Robart Passal that D. had in his inspiration file. Of course, it's shades of brown. We're going to have to work on him and color.
I love how the previous room and this one designed by Ashley Whittaker both have a patterned David Hicks carpet. This little day bed could be good inspiration for the Miami condo too.
Not sure what the master bathroom looks like but I love the shelf of beachy photographs in the Hamptons bath of Whitney Fairchild.
Love these stripes for a powder room and the photograph too.
I also love this floor in the Ralph Lauren Owner's Suite on the Oceania ship Marina that I saw last year.
This is a look at the Miami condo terrace.
These are the tables and chairs on the roof of Soho Beach House in Miami. White might be a nice alternative to natural outdoor furniture. I also love the white welting on the blue cushions.
It's hard to see but there are similar cushions on these chairs at the JK Hotel Capri.
These chairs were on the deck outside the Owner's Suite on the Oceania ship Marina.
T. Keller Donovan decorated this terrace in bright blue and white.
On closer inspection, the outside of the Miami condo building looks yellow. It might be nice to use a pop of yellow in addition to blue and white.
This is the view from the Miami condo that I look forward to enjoying when I go down for Art Basel. It's fun having friends in warm places!
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