Fisher Island Residence Embraces the Richness of Wood

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Ideally situated between Miami and South Beach and accessible only by ferry, Fisher Island is beloved for its tranquil pace and exclusivity. For one couple, the residence they had purchased in one of the enclave’s condominium buildings started out as an occasional getaway, but as their love for the community grew, so did their visits. Not surprisingly, when the unit above them became available for sale, they jumped on the rare opportunity to turn the two spaces into the duplex-style island dream home of their dreams.

To help them achieve the ambitious renovation, the husband and wife turned to Obras Studio, a Miami design firm that had come through for them before, and its founding partner Giselle Coujil, a tastemaker celebrated for her ability to merge modern architecture with warm, organic materials. Their request? A cohesive and elevated aesthetic. Coujil answered with stylish interiors that reflect those adjectives and celebrate the warmth of wood via flooring, millwork, paneling, and furniture made mostly of walnut and oak.

“They wanted a true vertical townhome,” says Coujil, “so the remodel wasn’t just about merging two units. The union had to be intentional, and the flow through the space needed to be organic.”

Realizing that vision began with connecting the two levels via a staircase made from floating wood treads, powder-coated steel risers, and transparent glass railings, a feature that proved to be the project’s most complex task. “Since the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, building code restrictions for projects like this one have become significantly stricter and understandably so,” says Coujil. “We had to bring in a structural engineer and go through two rounds of peer reviews, but it was worth it.”

On the upper floor plan, a complete gut renovation began at the landing, where a bulky mechanical closet was moved to improve sightlines and focus on the water views. “Pulling that off was spatial gymnastics, but now, when you walk into the residence, you notice the blue ocean right away,” says Coujil. “That’s the perfect wow moment we wanted to achieve.”

Once the owners decided the second floor would serve as the residence’s entertaining quarters, other ideas arose: an open-concept kitchen that’s more about convenience and visual aesthetics than serious cooking, and a game area setup (complete with a pool table) in lieu of a traditional dining room layout. On the southern edge of this level, glass doors open to a sunlit terrace that serves as a gathering spot for alfresco cocktails at sunset (or any time of the day). “These clients love to entertain, so they wanted a space to be with people that felt relaxed and not at all fussy or formal,” says Coujil. “This terrace is ideal for that kind of vibe.”

Back inside, mindful to not compete with the views, low-profile furnishings were incorporated, along with a color scheme of neutral tones. Select pieces from the couple’s art collection were seamlessly integrated, bringing character and visual intrigue to the home.

Beyond the social spaces, all bedrooms  were treated with retreat-inspired reverence, which meant a calming palette, lush textures, fine millwork, and interesting artwork.

Whereas the upper level was designed for entertaining, the lower level was reimagined for everyday living. Since this was the couple’s original residence, Coujil retained the original footprint and integrated a slatted wooden screen between the kitchen and staircase to allow for more natural light.

As is typical of Coujil’s work, the self-described “regional modernist” prioritized subtle architectural details, such as curved millwork, and mixed lighting concepts that offer a true sense of rhythm and fluidity throughout. “We always design in layers,” she says. “Function comes first—where to drop keys, where to charge phones—but it’s all done seamlessly.”

For Coujil, the project’s main achievement wasn’t the dramatic makeover or the many precious bespoke details found throughout the residence; it was in how effortlessly the larger space now accommodates the lives of its residents.

“This is a forever home, and every part of it reflects the people who live in it,” says Coujil. “That’s the main goal with every job we take on.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Giselle Coujil, Obras Studio, Miami, FL

Text by Kerry Shorr

Photography by Michael Stavaridis, Miami, FL

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