Coral Gables Residence Possesses an Elegant Duality

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Interior design projects and delays seem inevitable, but sometimes, those forced breaks can work to the homeowner’s advantage. When designer Justin Joy and his husband purchased their Spanish-Mediterranean residence in Coral Gables in 2018, they were ready and eager to update its Tuscan-heavy interiors. But then life surprised them with a pandemic that brought their plans to a halt. Looking back on it, however, the delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“We had to live in the home as it was for a couple of years, so we figured out what worked and what didn’t,” says Joy. “The renovation ended up being much larger than we initially planned, but I’m so glad we really invested in what we needed.”

What they needed was a home for real life. “With four kids under eight, we had to be realistic,” says Joy, “so zoning was critical.” So was functionality, especially in the kitchen, which was expanded for entertaining with a mudroom that’s a dedicated drop zone. Another key addition was a kids lounge, complete with both a styled space where parents and children can spend time together, as well as a nearby playroom that houses toys and clutter. “The goal was to balance utility with a sense of retreat,” adds Joy. “We leaned into texture, tone, and timelessness to make the home feel grounded, even amid the chaos.” Grounded did not mean boring, however. “The look is one of refined modernism with soulful, organic elements,” says Joy. “It’s influenced by the relaxed elegance of cities like Montecito and Santa Barbara in California.”

Key to all these intents was the home’s chosen palette, a mix of earthy neutrals (including terracotta, warm green, and rich taupe) that provides an ideal backdrop for textures such as honed stone and white oak. The most eye-catching example of these materials is on the residence’s walls, which were finished with marmorino (a plaster mix of natural limestone, powdered marble, and fine sand) that took more than four months to fully apply and now provides dynamic movement. “Since the walls themselves are the main event, we kept the art to a minimum to let that craftsmanship breathe,” says Joy. Layered onto all this is a mix of vintage and custom furniture, as well as curated objects that read both classic and new.

Of particular importance to the designer was illumination. “To me, lighting is art that’s functional,” he says. “We prioritized ambient layers over standard recessed cans, using sconces and pendants to create mood.”

In the end, Joy’s plan to update with “warmth, restraint, and intention” came together, even if it was much later than anticipated. “This project is the most personal expression of my design philosophy and one I feel fortunate to reside in,” he says. “What was particularly rewarding was watching my family fall in love with the different spaces in the house. The place finally feels like a home and that is the ultimate luxury.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Justin Joy, J. Allen Design, Coral Gables, FL

Text by Florian Jouin

Photography by Danilo Castro & Anabel Valdes, Miami, FL

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