A TRENDY SOUTHBEACH ESTABLISHMENT GETS A SIGNATURE LOOK.

 

Tosca is a 5000 SF Dining establishment on South Beach.  This project involved an exterior garden, dining courtyard and a 500 SF addition to an existing 2000 SF restaurant, The design draws inspiration from Florida's European roots by incorporating a Mediterranean garden that includes a romantic meandering path through a very lush and native vegetation, a fountain inspired by il ponte vecchio in Florence, and various interactive and playful art pieces that are hidden in the garden.  Tosca represents a story of innocent romance, a voyage through a path in a romantic garden that culminates at the most intimate, private and romantic table in the entire space, the VIP table seen below.  The style and decor also drew inspiration from jet setting Europe and a lifestyle that was prevalent in the 50's where movies such as "La Dolce Vita' were created and opulence became a lifestyle for many.

 

 

The Art of Simplicity

A Gables By The Sea home gets a style of its own.

 

The Liendo residence involved an existing structure that was essentially rendered unusable by the client.  The client was interested in more house for him and his family.  One challenge was working with the existing structure, which was approximately 2000 S.F. and none of which was useful for the client.  A complete make over was required. Another challenging aspect was obtaining city design approval which emphasized and promoted a Mediterranean style solution.  Our solution was a hybrid between the cities stylistic requirements, the needs of the client and my resistance to the Mediterranean style and towards a more modernistic scheme.  The solution included a second floor with a well balanced approach between interior private space and exterior terraces.  And a new family room, enlarged double height dining and living room and a larger kitchen defined the ground floor level.  The modifications increased the square footage to approximately, 3,500 SF,

 

 

NOCERA CONDOMINIUM | MIAMI

HIGH-END LIVING AT THE SANTA MARIA BRICKELL

The Nocera condominium is located on the 25th floor of the Santa Maria on Brickell avenue in Miami.  This was a magnificent through unit apartment with unobstructed views to the east and west.  The alteration to the existing apartment covered approximately 2200 SF.  It included enlarging the kitchen, re-distribution of the existing layout in order to minimize circulation and create more efficient and usable spaces.  The master bedroom was enlarged.  Scattered closet spaces were condensed into two very large walk in closets, a master bedroom was expanded and now connected directly to the master bedroom.  Secondary bedrooms received proportionately sized closet space.  All rooms were fitted with the latest in AV technology and chosen finish selections were of high end designer brands.  The Snaidero kitchen and Miele hood and appliances also added to the sophistication and level of design that Mr. Nocera appreciates.  Mr. Nocera is a client that knows quality and is a perfectionist.  No detail in this project went unnoticed by this client and his hands on approach helped the team achieve a solution that we can all be proud of.

 

A Wilton Manor's fixer upper - A Residence that undergoes a dramatic yet tamed transformation.

"I think constraints are very important.  They're positive, because they allow you to work off something" - Charles Gwathmey

 

The Couture residence was a complete make over.  It included a 500 s.f. addition to an existing 1,500 s.f. 2 story home.  Before and after pictures reveal the contrast between the delapidated existing structure and the new.  Taking advantage of a large back yard, a pool was incorporated into the design as a main attraction.  We accentuated it by creating a bistro kitchen that extends out towards the pool.  The bistro concept was utilized here due to the local culture, which emphasize less living room and more entertainment space.  Hence, the bistro configuration which is defined by a series of double doors at the rear of the house that frame the pool from the interior and when opened, allows the interior to bleed towards the exterior creating an open plan that allows plenty of natural ventilation and light into the house, while providing guests and residents a visual connection to the exterior.  Essentially, when all the double doors are opened, the edge or the exterior wall that defines the bistro kitchen is erased and creates a very large indoor outdoor area for entertaining.

 

 

Bazzura Cafe, a vibrant 1,200-square-foot Colombian dining spot in Doral, FL, presented a unique design challenge for its first-time restaurant owner. The initial hurdle was understanding the specific kitchen equipment and spatial needs essential for smooth operations. Once these critical requirements were defined, the design embraced the building's narrow footprint by splitting the space down the middle—dedicating one side to cooking and service, and the other to dining and socializing.

The material palette was thoughtfully inspired by the restaurant’s name, “Bazzura,” which means “garbage” in Spanish. Corrugated metal panels—reminiscent of classic tin garbage cans that also serve as waste receptacles—anchor the design in authenticity and local cultural history. This inventive approach creates a meaningful connection between the concept and its tangible environment, delivering a space that is both functional and rich with narrative.

The B Lounge was a hidden gem inside the historic Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive.  Complimenting the BLT Steak house at the Lobby level, the B lounge comfortably sits in a cozy and secluded space at the lower level.  Giovanni Pezzino Architects was chosen to provide interior design and furnishing services.  The objective was to illicit the best of after dinner South Beach lounging for hotel guests while also providing a trendy 'pre-game spot' for the locals.  The plan called for designer furniture by Ralph Lauren and other furnishings by notable high-end designers.

492 Halsey is a classic Brooklyn Brownstone that has been carefully and thoughtfully converted from a traditional two-family home into a spacious single-family residence. The entire interior was completely gutted, creating a blank canvas that allowed for a fresh, modern redesign tailored to contemporary living. Fortunately, the building’s excellent existing structural condition meant that this renovation did not present major challenges. Without this solid foundation, the process of bringing the home back to life could have been considerably more difficult and complex.

The real challenge in this project was navigating the often intricate and sometimes complicated building department procedures specific to brownstone conversions. However, thanks to our experienced and proactive expediting team, this obstacle was efficiently managed. Their expertise ensured a smooth permitting process and contributed significantly to the overall success of the project, allowing us to deliver a high-quality renovation within the planned timeline.