Inside a Collectible Design-Filled Oceanfront Apartment in Florida

An oceanfront apartment on Key Biscayne finds the sweet spot between restraint and expression, where sandy tones, collectible design and sweeping sea views coexist in perfect balance.

There is a fine line between a home that feels curated and one that feels overworked. In this oceanfront apartment on Key Biscayne, Florida, Lamarc Studio has found the sweet spot. Designed for a homeowner with a discerning eye for art and design, the residence balances quiet architectural restraint with an impressive collection of furniture, lighting and decorative objects from some of the world's most celebrated makers.

The result is a home with a dual personality. Calm and understated at first glance, it slowly reveals moments of colour, character and whimsy through collectible pieces by Jaime Hayon, Tom Dixon, Baccarat and others. It is neither minimalist nor maximalist, but something more nuanced in between.

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The Last Airform House Preserves a Radical Housing Vision

Large-scale contemporary artwork injects energy into the otherwise restrained palette, creating a striking focal point against a backdrop of sea and sky.

A New Chapter for a Historic Building

Situated within the first building ever constructed on Key Biscayne, originally completed in 1965, the 180m² apartment underwent a complete transformation under the direction of Lamarc Studio founder Marcela Restrepo.

The residence originally comprised two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Through a thoughtful reconfiguration of the floorplan, the team successfully introduced a third bedroom and bathroom without compromising natural light, proportions or the apartment's connection to the ocean beyond.

Today, uninterrupted sightlines draw the eye towards the water, while simplified circulation creates a sense of ease throughout the home.

The coffee table vignette layers richly veined stone, colourful glass and playful objets, reflecting the homeowner's appreciation for artful details.

Inspired by Sand, Sea and Sky

While the homeowner gravitates naturally towards colour, Restrepo took a different approach.

"The owner loves colour, which is precisely why we chose to keep the palette very clean and refined," she explains.

Custom oak panelling and softly filtered daylight create a serene atmosphere in the principal bedroom, framed by uninterrupted coastal views.

The design team grounded the interiors in engineered oak flooring, natural travertine, warm timber tones and softly textured limewashed cabinetry. The palette references the golden-white sands of Key Biscayne while creating a timeless architectural backdrop capable of supporting bolder decorative gestures.

In the kitchen and bar, ecru lacquered cabinetry is paired with Brazilian Archipiélago marble, its subtle movement and delicate veining adding depth without dominating the space.

The effect is quietly luxurious and deeply connected to the island setting.

Minimal furnishings and carefully selected artwork allow the panoramic seascape to remain the room's defining feature.

A Home Designed Around Art

From the outset, the project centred on the homeowner's personality.

"From the very beginning, the design process revolved around understanding the owner's personality; elegant, confident, charismatic, and allowing that spirit to coexist beautifully with the endless ocean horizon outside every window," says Restrepo.

Art punctuates the circulation spaces, introducing moments of colour and personality throughout the apartment's quietly elegant interiors.

Rather than competing with the views, the interiors were intentionally pared back. Walls become galleries, niches become moments of discovery and furniture becomes sculpture.

A Baccarat Ellipse chandelier hovers above the dining table, while a Norwegian rose marble coffee table by Form LA introduces an unexpected note of colour to the living room. Jaime Hayon's whimsical ceramics for Lladró, pieces by Tom Dixon and collectible accessories from Reflections Copenhagen, L'Objet and Fornasetti punctuate the spaces throughout.

Large-scale artworks provide additional visual energy, creating a dialogue between architecture, furniture and personal expression.

The principal suite balances crisp simplicity with playful contemporary artwork and bespoke oak detailing, while an adjoining study nook makes the most of the apartment's abundant natural light and uninterrupted ocean views.

Finding Balance

The challenge, according to Restrepo, was achieving equilibrium between drama and serenity.

"The challenge was to honour the owner's taste for dramatic objects while keeping the space feeling light, ethereal and never overwhelming," she explains.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws the Atlantic into every corner of the apartment, from a sculptural reading nook overlooking the water to a covered terrace designed for relaxed outdoor dining.

The solution was to create what she describes as a calm architectural envelope. Against this backdrop, every statement piece appears deliberate rather than demanding. A sculptural bench, an oversized chandelier or a vibrant artwork feels suspended within the space rather than competing for attention.

This careful layering creates interiors that feel sophisticated yet deeply personal.

Thoughtfully framed sightlines connect the apartment's various spaces, where contemporary artworks, richly veined marble and bespoke detailing create moments of visual interest throughout.

A Contemporary Coastal Sanctuary

Despite its extensive collection of furniture and art, the apartment never feels crowded. Instead, it embodies a relaxed sense of luxury rooted in its surroundings.

"It is a home where restraint and richness meet at the perfect equilibrium—not minimalism, not maximalism, just the fair point," says Restrepo. "A balanced, contemporary sanctuary shaped for art, light and living beautifully."

A restrained palette of stone, oak and ivory allows the coastal setting to take centre stage, with both the living area and study corner oriented towards sweeping ocean views.

With its uninterrupted ocean views, tactile materials and thoughtfully curated collection of design objects, the apartment offers a compelling lesson in balance. It proves that contemporary coastal living need not rely on clichés. Instead, it can be expressive, sophisticated and entirely personal.