Fisher Island Home Boasts Lavish Contemporary Cachet

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Life excels beyond the idyllic on Fisher Island. Surrounded by sparkling blue waters and solely accessible by ferry, this private enclave draws its one-percent residents for obvious reasons. But for Mariana Abbott and her husband, it was all about the views inside a residence that they chose with the help of designer Carla Canepa. Located inside one of the 1980s-era buildings on the island, the oceanfront apartment epitomized the quintessential modern Miami style the husband and wife were looking for—from travertine stone floors to pink-tinged exterior facades.

“The 6,120-square-foot property is surrounded by tall palm trees, beautiful water, and coastal scenery—like an oasis colliding with the busy life of Miami,” says Canepa. “I think the island’s privacy speaks for itself and that’s the reason so many people choose to live here.”

With design studios in Lima, Peru, and the Sierra Furniture showroom in Coral Gables, Canepa’s atemporal approach and elite connections secured the opportunity to work with Abbott, who had heard nothing but positive reviews about the designer and her firm. “Carla was recommended by a good friend of mine,” says Abbott. “Once we got together to talk, we concluded that what I was looking for was a modern yet comfortable home. After those discussions, our primary focus for this remodel was to find the perfect balance of pastel hues mixed with refined metallic tones.”

While working on the interiors, the Canepa Design team also advised the homeowners on architectural matters via mood boards with conceptual ideas and styling details. Describing her aesthetic as “contemporary with a tinge of ’80s Miami,” Canepa took inspiration from the location and the architecture, following the blush color palette, particularly with the pink living room fabrics and the pink powder room. “We chose champagne accents for wall panels and some of the built-ins to create an elegant yet dynamic contrast,” she says.

Distinctive pieces include a spectacular custom wall of abstract mirrors in the foyer that welcomes visitors with an array of reflections and beautiful coastal sunlight. A sleek bar area (defined by an exquisite piece of polished onyx and an encased wine room) stands at the helm of the public spaces. In the living area, a sinuous pink sofa from Sierra Furniture pairs impeccably with gold wood embellishments and a champagne mirrored-glass beverage center. In the dining room, a glass-top table imparts a bold statement with its sculptural base.

“I thoroughly enjoyed having a client open to what I would call a risky design proposal,” says the designer, “one that allowed us the creative freedom to incorporate magnificent showcase pieces, along with an enchanting pink powder room using a custom blush onyx stone.”

Boasting prime ocean views, the terrace expands across the front face of the entire unit, making it accessible from all the public spaces as well as the homeowners’ private quarters. Prioritizing cozy elegance, the ethereal primary suite floats an upholstered headboard fabricated by Carla Canepa Design and an extravagantly wide bench and chaise lounge from Sierra Furniture.

“I thought deeply about the color palette because I wanted it to blend perfectly with the ocean and the colors of the sunset,” notes Abbott. “I love how the place has this feminine touch with the blush in the materials. It makes everything feel like a dream.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Carla Canepa, Canepa Design, Coral Gables, FL

Text by Jeanne de Lathouder

Photography by Marcel Aniello, Miami, FL

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