A Key Biscayne apartment where bold contrasts create a deeply personal retreat

Perched above the turquoise waters of Key Biscayne, this oceanfront apartment proves that restraint and personality can comfortably coexist. 

Originally designed in 1974 by Florida architects Marchesani, Cohen & Associates, the home overlooks Crandon Park's white-sand beaches and lush tropical landscape, but its latest chapter is defined by a transformation led by Lamarc Studio.

For founder Marcela Restrepo, whose practice spans California and Florida, the brief was clear. The homeowner, who inherited the apartment from her father, wanted a complete withdrawal from her classically styled primary residence. 

As a second home shared between Miami and South America, the apartment needed to feel modern, functional and easy to maintain, while still reflecting her family's story.

The most significant change came from opening the previously enclosed kitchen into the living and dining spaces. Removing the walls created a more sociable layout that allows the ocean views to flow throughout the apartment, making everyday living and entertaining feel effortless.

The design language is built on contrast.

Warm oak joinery softens the precision of stainless steel, while striking emerald marble sourced from Brazil introduces some rich colour and sculptural drama. Limewash walls, textured fabrics and woven rattan soften the harder finishes, creating interiors that feel sophisticated.

Throughout the apartment, a selected arrangement of furniture forms a timeless backdrop for an impressive collection of contemporary artworks and vintage pieces sourced from galleries across Europe and the United States.

Instead of overwhelming the interiors, the artwork adds colour, individuality, and a sense of discovery into every room.

One of the home's defining features is a once-undesired structural column. Instead of concealing it, the designers celebrated its raw concrete finish, pairing it with a floating oak console and the original marble flooring to create a sculptural point that now anchors the open-plan living spaces.

Preserving those original marble floors became one of the renovation's greatest challenges. Once the kitchen walls were removed, large sections of stone needed replacing without disturbing the apartment's history. 

After months spent sourcing matching slabs, the team successfully blended new marble with the existing floor, preserving both its craftsmanship and sentimental value.

Lighting also received a complete do-over. Gone are the single ceiling fixtures that once illuminated each room. In their place, layered lighting introduces warmth, depth and atmosphere, enhancing the apartment's architectural details, while creating inviting spaces that transition seamlessly from day to night.

This transformation resulted in an elegant seaside home that embraces bold contrasts without ever feeling overstated.

It is a space where raw and refined materials, contemporary design, and meaningful collections come together to create an apartment that feels calm, curated, and unmistakably personal.

Credits

Interior design: Lamarc Studio, Instagram @lamarcstudio

Photos: Venjhamin Reyes, Instagram @venjhaminreyes

Production: Karine Monié, Instagram @karinemonie