Miami Modern in Brickell Flatiron Condo

1 of 6

Few people manifest as effectively as Portland-based entrepreneur and venture capitalist Nitin Rai. After endless suggestions from friends and associates to visit Miami, he finally did so in late 2022 during Art Week. Just like many others before him, Rai fell in love with the city—particularly with the metropolitan vibe of Brickell and the neighborhood’s Brickell Flatiron, a triangular residential tower designed by architect Luis Revuelta with public interiors by Massiomo Iosa Ghini. Visions of a vacation pad inevitably ensued, so when news of a furnished residence available in the building reached him, Rai went to see it with his real estate agent and fell in love again—this time with the “cool, chic, and modern vibe” of the interiors created by architects and designers Nicholas Gennari and Roberto Racy, the two principals behind Miami’s Nar Design Studio.

The next day, as he considered purchasing the condo while walking around Art Miami, he encountered a painting by Silvia Berton at the Liquid Art System gallery booth that immediately caught his attention. The alluring image of a woman covering an eye with her hand would be ideal for the Flatiron unit, so he promptly purchased it. Surely, he figured, it was a sign he should become a Miami homeowner. Alas, the condo sold before he could even make an offer.

Determined to find another place in Miami, Rai and his Realtor began a search for a new residence. A few months into the hunt, a three-bedroom penthouse at Brickell Flatiron came up for purchase. This time, Rai didn’t waste any time. As soon as he ensured that Nar Design Studio would be available to handle the interior design, he acquired the residence.

Once onboard, Racy and Gennari had their work cut out for them. While they appreciated the penthouse’s spectacular views, the layout was another story. “The floor plan was tricky, and there was a lot of wasted space,” says Racy. “We knew that to meet Rai’s demands for a residence meant for entertaining we would have to make a few changes.”

And they did. After repurposing the extraneous square footage into usable storage, the design team moved on to finding the right furnishings and finishes. “Thoughtful placement of low-profile furniture, clean lines, and an open layout complemented by reflective surfaces to enhance the perception of spaciousness was the way to go,” says Racy of their overall approach. “The rethinking of space distribution made all the difference.”      

Seeking an infusion of warm accents, the duo looked to Rai’s Indian heritage and some of his beloved artworks to inspire the palette. “The colors we used throughout were inspired by Indian spices,” explains Racy. To that end, the design team incorporated a clove-colored Désirée lounger from Addison House and mustard swivel chairs by Harmony Luxury Furniture in the living room, outfitted the powder room with cayenne-colored cabinetry, and found a burnt orange headboard for the guest bedroom that recalls the color of saffron.

As for that Silvia Berton painting found at Art Miami nearly a year before? It was hung on a prominent wall by the entrance to the apartment, near another lenticular piece marked by shades of orange, brown, and yellow.

The completed residence was met with nothing but praise from the homeowner. “The minimalist design, the warm colors, the practicality … these guys created art,” says Rai. “Nicholas and Roberto treated this residence as if it was their own, and that’s what makes it truly special.”

Story Credits:

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

Text by Riki Altman-Yee

Photography by Gabriel Volpi, Miami, FL

Open to see Interior Design Sources: