Coastal Glitz in Estates at Acqualina Residence

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One step inside their home, and it becomes obvious why a couple from Texas chose the Estates at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach for their South Florida pied-à-terre. Reflecting the family’s affinity for vibrant city life and the coastal glitz of Saint-Tropez, this gold-standard property, with exquisite lobby designs by the late Karl Lagerfeld, embodies the best of luxury real estate. The couple’s 5,000-square-foot residence is perched on the 18th floor with dreamy horizon views traveling far and wide. 

Executed by Isabel Tragash and Jordan Dobrow of STA Architectural Group in Miami Beach, the sophisticated interior design translates through bold patterns, watery blue hues, and contrasting black and white boiserie with highly reflective finishes, amplifying the ethereal oceanscape. A high-impact art collection custom-curated by the design team combines retro black-and-white photography reminiscent of the Mediterranean Riveria’s glory days tempered with modern art set amid coastal backdrops.

“We were solely responsible for conceptualizing the interior spaces, including relocating a few walls to create a dramatic all-black den retreat,” says Tragash. “Our clients’ affinity for Saint-Tropez and cosmopolitan city life inspired the sleek architectural backdrop complemented by ocean hues expressed through the furnishings and artwork.”

Embarking on their design endeavor in March of 2020, when the world was on lockdown, the STA team faced all the challenges of navigating virtual presentations, mailing finish samples back and forth, and getting to know their clients from behind a mask and through a computer screen. “A year into the process, we finally met in person for furniture and fabric selections,” notes Dobrow. “It was then we could break down barriers and help us reconnect with the more traditional aspects of our work.”

Passionate about entertaining their out-of-town guests, the clients envisioned a carefree lifestyle where they could come and go without concern. “Far from being typical snowbirds who are here only during the winter months, they visit whenever there are exciting events in the city or long for Miami’s pristine sandy beaches,” says Tragash. “The open living areas are thoughtfully designed to accommodate large gatherings of friends.”

The private elevator entrance offers a striking opportunity to captivate guests from the moment they arrive, thanks to its dynamic interplay of mirrored walls against dark, lacquered surfaces. Alex Sher’s black-and-white photograph layered on sheet steel serves as the pièce de resistance, creating the illusion of an underwater swimmer breaking through the wall. Chic Italian seating pieces and occasional tables from Luxury Living Group punctuate the living spaces, exquisitely befitting edgy and brilliant artworks, the likes of which include Topless Island by Phillip Sangti and Heads in the Clouds by Felipe Posada.

The sensuous and eye-catching artistic statements are not relegated to just one part of the residence, but rather ubiquitous throughout. In the all-black windowless den, it’s in the form of Philippe Shanti’s Liberty of Expression, a photograph of a woman halfway out of a Guy Fawkes mask reading a newspaper. In the guest room, it’s with photographer Tyler Shields’ Kodak image of a woman lighting a cigarette with a camera on fire. In the primary suite, it’s via Tony Kelly’s glossy Twin Engine, a close-up of a woman’s legs in heels outfitted with yacht engines. The bold imagery makes its message clear: This is a home of art collectors who like to push the envelope.

“The clients remained steadfast in their unique appreciation for contemporary, provocative art,” notes Dobrow. “Their genuinely distinctive vision offered us a clear direction, and we deeply valued their unique perspective as it opened the door to an exciting creative freedom in our work.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Isabel Tragash & Jordan Dobrow, STA Architectural Group, Miami, FL

Text by Jeanne Delathouder

Photography by Gabriel Volpi, Miami, FL, & Sophia Tragash, Miami, FL

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