Miami Beach Vacation Home Finds Beauty in Balance

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With its central location and dynamic architecture, Five Park Miami Beach turned out to be a natural fit for a young Brazilian family seeking a vacation home that would offer tranquility and nearby city life. It was there, on the building’s 21st floor, where they found a 3,014-square-foot residence that checked all their boxes—with views of the Miami Beach Marina, Biscayne Bay, and downtown Miami to boot. Conceived and overseen by Nicholas Gennari and Roberto Racy of Nar Design Studio, the condo’s design was heavily inspired by those views as well as the homeowners’ art collection.

“The overall aesthetic draws from the minimalism and warmth of Brazilian design, elevated by European clean lines and sophistication,” says Gennari. “The result is exceptionally clean yet highly detailed, with harmonious curves and rounded surfaces woven throughout every space.”

The designers introduced subtle nods to Miami’s Art Deco heritage through their selection of wallcoverings and rich textures—sumptuous leaf-textured patterns in the social areas and embroidered tropical palm motifs in the private spaces—combined with the flowing curves of a custom area rug of their own design. To build on this tactile experience, they curated a material palette that includes bronze metal accents, natural stones such as Patagonia and Barbados marbles, soft bouclé fabrics, luxurious nubuck leather, and compatible light wood flooring. The Patagonia marble in particular plays a defining role—its dramatic, large-scale patterns, translucent crystalline sections, and bold mineral geometry bring a strong biomimetic element to the space, introducing movement and an organic counterpoint to the precision of the surrounding millwork.

“The foundation relies on pale neutral tones and warm grays meant to evoke the calmness of a sandy beach,” says Racy. “This intentional neutrality creates a beautifully restrained canvas, allowing the art to take center stage while our accent colors are pulled directly from the outdoors, including the vibrant blues of the ocean and the lush greens of the landscape.”

Custom details and millwork also play a major role throughout the home, including wood paneling that connects the main living area’s built-in wall unit to the primary bedroom entrance, and a custom curved panel with thin, floating metal shelves that complements an architectural column, creating one of the living room’s most striking moments. LED accents and cove lighting, running through corridors, built-in cabinetry, and wall panels, lend a unifying look and generate a warm, layered glow that ties areas together. “Ultimately, every design decision was made to craft a sanctuary that functions seamlessly as a curated gallery while remaining deeply grounded, inviting, and true to the tropical spirit of its surroundings,” says Gennari.

Because the homeowners are avid entertainers, the apartment is a gathering place, often hosting friends and family. As a vacation residence, the dwelling needed to feel effortlessly welcoming, a place where guests are immediately at ease—whether it’s at an intimate supper in the dining room or a relaxed evening on the terrace overlooking the bay.

“What we enjoyed most about this project was the process of translating the clients’ desire for a peaceful, beach-inspired atmosphere into something that felt truly original,” says Racy. “They came to us with a clear aesthetic in mind and it was incredibly rewarding to channel that through our design vision into a space that is both serene and richly detailed. We feel the result is something genuinely unique—a home that captures the spirit of its surroundings without relying on clichés.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Nicholas Gennari & Roberto Racy, NAR Design Studio, Miami, FL

Text by Jeanne de Lathouder

Photography by Gabriel Volpi, Miami, FL

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