Sunny Isles Beach Condo Oozes High Fashion Allure

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High above the postcard-blue waters of Sunny Isles Beach, an exclusive luxury condominium perched on the forty-eighth floor of Armani Casa Residences reflects the quintessence of the celebrated fashion designer after whom the high-rise was named. Owner Thomas Wood, an area resident since 2007, recently purchased the 3,050-square-foot abode as a virtual blank slate, and it was his one desire to integrate the building’s overall design spirit into his own home.

“[Thomas’ main wish was] for us to embody the design of the [tower’s public spaces] within his home,” says Monica Souza, owner of MC Studio, an interior design partnership she shares with her sister Cristina. “Our inspiration very much came from the building’s interior design by Giorgio Armani, which influenced the pieces and color palette you see throughout the home.” In addition, Wood requested a masculine apartment with upscale flair, which was achieved through the selected materials—leather, silk, and metal—and a palette incorporating Armani’s handsome taupe base mixed with moody darker tones.

“Cristina has an amazing eye for color, and Monica zoned in on the furniture style I loved,” says Wood. “I wanted a warm feel, so we went with neutrals and designed much of the unit around Armani/Casa, Fendi Casa, and Artefacto furnishings.”

As the elevator doors open, a foyer clad in book-matched Vena Grigio marble floors and taupe leather wallpaper lends a striking first impression. Beyond the front doors, a showstopping den area spotlights a floating Azalai Negro porcelain slab feature wall. “We wanted this space to be a private lounge where Thomas could entertain guests without having to bring them into the private inner sanctums of his home,” says Cristina.

Further in, a luxurious living room emanates high-style masculinity with a custom wall panel mirroring the porcelain slab applied in the den. A sleek ivory linen Fendi Casa sofa blends fluidly with a plush Minotti ottoman, cognac leather cube, and Linha coffee table topped with Sahara Noir marble. From the living room, an unadorned hallway leads to the primary bedroom with panoramic ocean views and a private balcony. Millwork panels behind the bed covered in mink sateen wallpaper with bronze metal detailing visually connect the space to the outer rooms.

“MC Studio was remarkable at presenting the various options and then molding them to suit the look I was trying to get,” says Wood. “This is the perfect space—I love to entertain and my family loves to visit.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Monica Souza & Cristina Souza, MC Studio, Miami, FL

Builder Jorge Liza, Blue Crew Contractors, Miami, FL

Text by Jeanne de Lathouder

Photography by Craig Denis, Miami, FL

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