Sweeping Views and Fine Art Rule in Modern Miami Condo

1 of 12

An exhilarating sense of arrival is immediately palpable once you enter a 10,000-square-foot penthouse atop The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach. With floor-to-ceiling windows as far as the eye can see framing idyllic vistas of Surprise Lake and Biscayne Bay, this extravagant dwelling captures the essence of next-level living in a city known for next-level everything. “A seamless connection to the outdoors is undeniable when you set foot in this beautiful tropical oasis,” says designer Blanca Wall, who customized the South Florida getaway from top to bottom for New York clients. “The homeowners wanted a peaceful family retreat, comfortable yet approachable, with a relaxing but luxurious atmosphere.” 

A native of Sweden trained in the fine arts, Wall gravitated to Miami to pursue her passion for interior architecture. Rooted in her Scandinavian heritage, she became the founder of The Wall Studio and has more than 20 years of experience ushering her international clientele through every stage of project development. In designing this apartment, she and her team were faced with new construction and wanted to take advantage of the expansive views, infusing the blank canvas with built-in millwork to enhance a truly custom experience. “As an interior designer with expertise in spatial awareness, it was important to ensure the vast residence felt intimate and inviting at the same time,” says Wall. “We devised a few strategies to tame the open floor plan, essentially creating rooms without defining walls.” 

Architectural details—including slatted walls in white rift-cut oak—encompass several spaces, allowing natural light to filter throughout and the view to remain in the forefront. Travertine limestone flooring keeps the overall color palette neutral and quiet, letting the clients’ extraordinary art collection take center stage.  

An ethereal entrance foyer with a slatted gallery hall captures light and shadow with a dramatic effect that shifts throughout the day. A display pedestal highlights Mauro Perucchetti’s whimsical resin sculptural work Jelly Baby Family, one of the owners’ favorite art pieces. On the flip side of the pedestal wall, a custom bench designed by The Wall Studio in oak, brass, and bouclé grounds a custom installation composed of sconces by artist Stefan Gulassa. Next to the bench, a custom wine cabinet preludes the dining area, creating a room within itself and eliminating the need for walls.  

“A clean contemporary layout not only maximizes the panoramic views but also provides a canvas to layer personality through art and furnishings,” notes Wall. “In working with Doo Architecture, we created a large open space with minimal walls, allowing the home to feel expansive yet intimate.” 

The living area combines a lavish seating area and game room divided by a custom TV cabinet with open shelving that visually connects them. The game table flanks an entertainment area and doubles as an extra dining table for the children during dinner parties. An exuberant artwork by Francisco Valverde explodes with linear color on the living room wall. 

A serene gallery hallway leading to the family room creates a moment of pause to contemplate a compelling series of dreamlike methacrylate installations by Casablanca artist Nathalie Cohen. In the kitchen, an iridescent orbed-glass lighting fixture incorporating air plants echoes the tropical paradise that awaits outside. Bamboo plants along the edge of the pool terrace lend year-round privacy, and a street art mural by South African artist Jeremy Brown continues the artistic vibe outdoors. The project’s many complexities required Wall’s team to conquer multiple challenges, including managing furnishings delivered via crane and configuring proper irrigation and lighting for the vast alfresco spaces.  

“I always say that 10 percent is design and 90 percent is execution, and this project was no exception,” says Wall. “We truly enjoyed collaborating with our client and we were especially delighted that the project was such a great success that we were invited to help them renovate a second apartment.”  

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Blanca Wall, The Wall Studio, Miami, FL

Text by Jeanne de Lathouder

Photography by Gabriel Volpi, Miami, FL & Joseph Accordino, Aventura, FL

Open to see Interior Design Sources: