Soaring Spaces Delight in Surprise Lake Condo

A five-star condominium at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach elevates waterside living with a city-chic aesthetic

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With a shimmering view framing the boats that gently drift by on Surprise Lake, a waterside condo proved to be a dream home for the residents who live here. Boasting 2,680 square feet of space, the setting is one of the superior units at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach, the waterside community designed by master architect Piero Lissoni that’s renowned for its non-condo essence and prime address.

“We chose this location because of our three dogs—Coco, Birkin, and Mia,” says the homeowner, partly joking. “It gives them the feeling of a backyard while being in a condo and keeps us close to all the action.”

The homeowner and his fiancé enjoy entertaining and hosting friends, and family. They wanted to have a city dwelling with outdoor space where they could bring everyone together. Once sold on the Ritz property and everything it offered, they tapped Miami interior designer Maris Raffa, owner of Taupe Décor, to bring their vision of a modern home to life.

“[Because the residence is] right next to the water, we designed a summer kitchen with a living space so they can gather with guests in a relaxing outdoor atmosphere,” says Raffa. Here, roomy lounge seating is sprinkled across a stretch of fresh green grass, mingling with majestic palms, and emitting a blissful tropical vibe. A cozy covered patio with a TV set,  kitchen, and dining area creates an intimate spot for alfresco get-togethers. “My favorite memory about creating this space is that every time we would be working on the outdoor area, we would see row boats passing by,” says Raffa. “It was amazing.”

The views inside are just as dynamic. The soaring living space delivers visual drama with its spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows, sweeping staircase, and expansive custom wall paneling. Raffa chose modern, low-slung Artefacto furniture for the living and dining area to give a minimalist feel to the overall design. The kitchen follows suit, dressed in a sophisticated black marble complemented with white cabinetry and natural wood open shelving.

“This client is passionate about art, so we worked around each unique piece he bought specifically for each space,” notes Raffa. “Because the artworks are very colorful, we designed the space with neutral tones and textures so the pieces can pop.” The client is also a big wine lover, so Raffa designed a custom bar and wine cellar at the center point of the living room.

“The exterior area has an amazing view of the water, so we designed a casual and functional space for entertaining,” notes the designer. “The plants, the hot tub, and the natural fibers were a perfect combination to tie everything together.”

The second floor features a chic guest bedroom with floor-to-ceiling glass that overlooks the living area. Raffa designed a custom wall headboard flanked by leather nightstands and added a desk space with a view. In the primary bedroom, she mixed mirrored surfaces with warm woods and a luxurious blend of textures. She also added a unique custom wall feature paired with an upholstered velvet headboard to create a relaxing, beautiful ambiance. 

“Inspired by Miami and seaside living, we were looking for a warm contemporary feeling,” says the homeowner. “Maris and her team were amazing and brought our vision to life. They were communicative, collaborative, and comprehensive. It felt like working with family.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL

Text by Jeanne de Lathouder

Photography by Paul Vale, Miami, FL

Open to see Interior Design Sources:

Sources

Living Area

Sofa and green chair – Artefacto, Aventura, FL 

Glass and wood cocktail tables – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Chandelier – RH, rh.com

Chandelier – Farrey’s Lighting & Bath, North Miami, FL 

Area rug – Oriental Rugs, Miami, FL

Dining Area

Table – Artefacto, Aventura, FL 

Chairs – Artefacto, Aventura, FL 

Kitchen

Cabinetry designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Idélli Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 

Countertop – Opustone, Miami, FL 

Island chairs – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Primary Bedroom

Bed and headboard designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Lua Décor, Wellington, FL 

Wall treatment designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Udecide Wallpaper, North Miami Beach, FL 

Bedside tables – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Bench – Artefacto, Aventura, FL 

Chair – Artefacto, Aventura, FL

Chandelier – Farrey’s Lighting & Bath, North Miami, FL

Sconces – RH, rh.com

Area rug – Oriental Rugs, Miami, FL

Guest Bedroom

Platform bed and headboard designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Lua Décor, Wellington, FL

Wall treatment designed by Maris Raffa, Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL, and fabricated by Udecide Wallpaper, North Miami Beach, FL 

Bedside table – RH, rh.com

Chandelier – Farrey’s Lighting & Bath, North Miami, FL 

Lamps – Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL

Vanity – RH, rh.com 

Ottoman – Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL

Area rug – Taupe Décor, North Miami Beach, FL

Back Exterior

Lounges, seating, and day bed – RH, rh.com

Dining table and stools – RH, rh.com 

Throughout

Millwork – Idélli Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 

Planters under stairs – Ana Roma Floral Design, Fort Lauderdale, FL 

Wallpaper installation – Udecide Wallpaper, NorthMiami Beach, FL 

Wallpaper supplier – Fabulous Wallcovering, Hallandale Beach, FL

Shades and drapery – Udesign Shades, Miami Lakes, FL

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