Coastal Luxury Inspires in Miami Townhome

1 of 9

Sometimes if you’re lucky, you can have it both ways. Homeowners Craig and Danielle Storch are fortunate by design, as they chose to make Aqua on Allison Island their home knowing they would have tropical views across the Intracoastal Waterway on one side and city views of the Upper East Side of Miami on the other. “Aqua is a hidden gem,” Craig says. “We have a hint of city life without the hassle of actually living in the city. Seeing the sun break over Collins Avenue in the morning is a phenomenon.”

Once they knew the 4,201-square-foot, four-story townhouse would be their choice, they had no doubt who would turn this new city dwelling into a home that reflected their lifestyle and aesthetic points of view, as they had tapped interior designer Krista Watterworth Alterman to design their last home in Palm Beach Gardens. “I know this family well and they have become friends of mine,” the designer says.   

Fun and creative, the Storchs are unafraid to take some risks with design. “There is an ease about working with these homeowners because they trust my vision and let me have ample freedom with the selections,” Alterman says. “They love to entertain, like I do, so I designed this home accordingly.”

In the presentation to her clients, Alterman described the design as “Badass Contemporary Chic,” her vision being a fresh contemporary outlook and a stylish vibe. With each decision she kept in mind that the family would be reading, gaming, relaxing, celebrating and entertaining in the spaces. “While the home is a waterfront coastal home in Florida, many elements remind me of an upscale Manhattan apartment,” the designer says. “The layout, courtyard and roof deck make it feel a bit urban to me.”

Craig calls Alterman a master at managing expectations. “There are so many moving parts to a design project that can bring stress; so many hassles to deal with, and we knew, from having worked with Krista before, there’s none of that with her,” he says. “We felt comfortable with her guiding us through making a home edgier than we had in the past.” Given this direction, the process reminded Alterman of the days she was living and designing apartments in New York City. “With urban spaces, it’s all about spatial relationships,” she says. “It was fun to return to my roots!”

To make each room radiate with a sophisticated urbanity, Alterman designed elements like the custom cocktail bar with its counter-height table and the distressed farmhouse dining room table. With each piece, she kept the couple’s attributes in mind. “This is truly a modern family and there is a hip and contemporary style to everything they do. From the clothes they wear to the vacations they take and the spaces they come home to, they are always on trend, or even a little ahead of the curve, so I was able to push the envelope.”

Burgeoning art collectors, the couple fits perfectly in Miami given the city’s evolution as an arts, cultural, fashion and design hub. “We definitely have a growing interest in collecting art, and Miami is a great place to explore the possibilities,” Craig says. “But I would say we’re aspirational collectors at the moment — just dipping our toes in the water.”

Alterman took this into full consideration with a design that boasts a bold palette of emerald greens, blacks and grays so that new pieces the couple acquire will fit right in — the future envisioned by her clients is as important to her as their past. “I always develop what I call a ‘family brand,’” the designer says. Filled with modern touches and fun surprises, she hit the mark with a design that is high on style and speaks to the vibrant personality of this hipster couple. “With this one, I know I truly accomplished it,” she says.

Story Credits:

Interior Design Krista Watterworth Alterman, Krista + Home, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Text by Saxon Henry

Photography by Jessica Glynn, Atlantis, FL

Open to see Interior Design Sources: