Perched on a small island just off Miami’s coast, this Key Biscayne apartment merges tranquil island living with urban access. The home, envisioned as both a family sanctuary and a space for entertaining, spans 2,840 square feet with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. Its open-plan layout flows effortlessly from living to dining and bar areas, emphasising continuity, natural light, and a sense of calm.
Marcela Restrepo of Lamarc Studio led the project, embracing a brief that required more than aesthetic transformation. The owners - a successful Ecuadorian couple in their 50s with four sons - initially sought help selecting a property. “The apartment we found looked nothing like what you see today,” Marcela recalls. Even before purchase, the design team was already exploring layouts, mechanical solutions, and spatial strategies. “What began as a leap of faith became a transformation built on trust,” she explains.
Balancing Contrasting Styles
One of the home’s most striking achievements is the dialogue between classical and contemporary sensibilities. The wife’s preference for traditional details - crystal, moldings, and art - coexists seamlessly with the husband’s love of clean lines and understated modernity. The result is a home that feels both timeless and current, where ornament and simplicity, history and modernity, meet in careful balance.
Materials, Light and the Elements
The home draws inspiration from its surroundings: the ocean, sky, and Miami’s bright, balmy light. Travertine floors and Nero Marquina marble create a grounded, elegant foundation. The interiors feature subtle palettes of sand, ecru, taupe, and natural wood, allowing statement materials like Viola and Hermitage stones to shine as sculptural anchors. Bedrooms offer restful retreats with muted tones, layered textures, and curated artworks, while bathrooms present bold, architectural gestures that complement understated elements.
Curated Details and Functional Innovation
Reconfiguring the apartment to accommodate a dedicated laundry and a more open kitchen required inventive thinking. The former powder room became a sculptural element with a floating travertine sink and raw wood floor mirror, linking foyer to functional space without compromising style. Every detail - lighting, furniture, and artwork - was carefully chosen. From a Poliform sectional to Lalique sculptures and statement lighting by Tom Dixon, the design celebrates intentionality and narrative.
The private elevator opens into a foyer framed by sweeping views of the Miami skyline, bay, and ocean, instantly setting the mood for the home. Symmetry, clean lines, and natural textures guide the eye throughout, creating spaces that feel calm, cohesive, and effortlessly elegant.
A Living Gallery of Life
Ultimately, this residence is more than a home; it is a curated gallery of life. Stone, light, and art converge to form a sanctuary that supports family living, entertaining, and reflection. “Every element was chosen to tell a story,” says Marcela. The apartment embodies the essence of intentional luxury, where modern comfort meets timeless elegance, and every space is thoughtfully considered to support both life and memory.
This Key Biscayne apartment demonstrates the power of careful curation, where materials, light, and design converge to create a serene, sophisticated second home that is both a family haven and a showcase of thoughtful artistry.
Credits
Interior design by Lamarc Studio, Instagram: @lamarcstudio
Photography by Mateo Soto, Instagram: @mateosotoph
Production by Karine Monie, Instagram: @karinemonie
