elegant and sophisticated, the penthouse in The Mansions at Acqualina in Sunny Isles is a showstopper among showstoppers. To create the stunning architecture and interior design for the palatial 9,350-square-foot home, interior designer Isabel Tragash of STA Architectural Group fused classical elements with opulent modernism. A sense of place coalesced with floor-to-ceiling windows and unique materials from Europe and Asia further defined the home. The result: a home so open and organic, it seems to be one with its lush tropical surroundings.
Hues of green and blue — echoing South Florida’s natural beauty — were selected for the color palette. Breathtaking views, Calacatta crema marble flooring and stunning 30-foot-high ceilings are only a few of the home’s many special elements. Together, they perform flawlessly to produce the home’s luxe design.
Most of the uber high-end, handmade, luxurious Italian furnishings are from Luxury Living Group. “We used Bentley Home, Fendi Casa and Luxury Living Outdoor furnishings. This home is really special and needed a wow effect as soon as you stepped into it from the private elevator,” says Ricardo Britto, the firm’s director of design and projects.
With over 2,500-square-feet of outdoor terraces, there are several outdoor living spaces. The largest and most elaborate is the Sky Garden. “The waterproofed sofa and armchairs on the terrace stand up well against tropical climate as do the specially treated dark Emperador marble cocktail tables,” Britto says.
Immediately adjacent to the terrace is the fabulous heated, cantilevered swimming pool. Fashioned with handmade tiles by artisans in north Wales, the modernist mural on the pool floor stuns. The acrylic front rail turns into the floor allowing swimmers to look hundreds of feet below them onto Collins Avenue. Structural engineers ensured its safety.
To create a more intimate space, ceilings in the dining area were lowered to 15-feet. Dramatic views by day and Miami’s twinkling lights at night add to the romantic vibe.
Leather arm covers embossed with Bentley’s signature diamond pattern protect the living room sofas clad in a cotton and linen blend that create casually elegant living at its best. Two rolled one-arm modern chaises near the floor-to-ceiling window are clad in taupe suede with dark leather for contrast. A hand loomed rug from Nepal defines the space, is soft underfoot and absorbs sound. The 150 hand-blown dichroic glass spheres floating overhead fill the space with a shimmering canopy of light.
Nearby, enormous columns in the dining space that could not be removed created a huge problem for the design team. “There was nothing to do but create something beautiful, so we added walnut wood and mirrors to reflect the fabulous views of the apartment and the ocean,” Tragash says. The large, dining room table seats 12 and can be separated into two tables if desired, such as during the holidays when there is often an adult and a children’s table. The tabletop is sumptuous sycamore wood over a table base of three gray gunmetal infinity circles. Just off the main social spaces, a grand alcove houses an electric piano in a Steinway design. The piece also doubles as an audio unit.
In the kitchen, a soaring 30-foot-high wall clad in black bookmatched Bardiglio marble creates an unforgettable statement. Light from the custom hand-blown glass pendants dances off the stainless steel ceiling. Similar to a library ladder, the kitchen ladder allows easy access to the custom cabinetry. “There is a fully equipped working kitchen behind the family kitchen for caterers,” Tragash says.
Vast ocean views, a private terrace and custom furnishings in the master suite created a space normally found only in the most luxurious resorts. The custom headboard is so large it had to be brought in by crane. Long, organic and reminiscent of the constellations in the night sky, the LED chandelier over the bed once again brings the outside into the home.
Awash in magnificent views of the ocean and city lights, her master bath is one of the penthouse’s most unique and fabulous rooms in the home. Cloaked completely in white alabaster from floor-to-ceiling, it includes a soaking tub with a white onyx design. Alabaster-like custom pendants reflect from the mirrored ceiling like stars. Only steps away, encased in the floor-to-ceiling bay window is her incredible walk-in-shower.
“It was a true joy working on this project and having the opportunity to do the penthouse was a dream come true,” Tragash says. “It is exquisite.”
Story Credits:
Interior Design by Isabel Saaverda Tragash with Jonathan Cabrera Caruso and Amber Engebretson, STA Architectural Group, Miami, FL
Furniture concept by Ricardo Britto, Luxury Living Group, Miami, FL
Text by Mary Thurman Yuhas
Photography by Dan Forer, Miami, FL
Open to see Interior Design Sources:
SOURCES
sky garden terrace
Sofas, chairs and cocktail tables – Fendi Casa, Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Balcony railing – Continental Glass Systems, Hialeah, FL
Pool – Custom designed by STA Architectural Group, Miami, FL
Fabricated by Bradford Products, Leland, NC
dining area
Dining table, chairs and sideboard – Fendi Casa, Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Chandelier – Il Pezzo Mancante, Italy
Centerpiece vases – Roots & Roots, Miami, FL
Vases on sideboard – Global Views, High Point, NC
Artwork on sideboard – Axiom Gallery, Winter Park, FL
Drapery fabric – P Kaufmann, New York, NY
Corner planter – David Sutherland Showroom, DCOTA,
Dania Beach, FL
Area rug – Niba Designs, Hollywood, FL
living area
Sofas – Bentley Home, Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Grand piano, bench, daybeds and cocktail tables – Fendi Casa, Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Occasional tables – Trussardi Casa, Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Light fixture – Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, Hialeah, FL
Planters – David Sutherland Showroom, DCOTA,
Dania Beach, FL
Wall treatment – Jeffrey Michaels, Hollywood, FL
Drapery fabric – P Kaufmann, New York, NY
Area rug – The Rug Company, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
Circular black artwork – Axiom Gallery, Winter Park, FL
kitchen
Cabinetry and island – Downsview Kitchens, DCOTA,
Dania Beach, FL
Countertops and backsplash – Imperial Stone Corp.,
Hallandale Beach, FL
Counter stools – Fendi Casa, Luxury Living Group, MDD,
Miami, FL
Artwork – Axiom Gallery, Winter Park, FL
breakfast area
Table and chairs – Paul Mathieu, Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Chandelier – Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, Hialeah, FL
family room
Sofa and billiards table – Custom designed by Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Green chair and ottoman – Fendi Casa, Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Billiards light – Kelly Wearstler, Los Angeles, CA
Planter – David Sutherland Showroom, DCOTA,
Dania Beach, FL
Area rug – The Rug Company, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
master bedroom
Bed, bedside chest, lounge chairs, cocktail table and accent tables – Fendi Casa, Luxury Living Group, MDD, Miami, FL
Chandelier – Serip, Jerry Pair & Assoc., Hollywood, FL
Area rug – The Rug Company, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
master bath
Vanity and tub – Custom designed by STA Architectural Group, Miami, FL
Vanity top and tub – Imperial Stone Corp., Hallandale Beach, FL
Vanity base – Downsview Kitchens, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
Shower enclosure – Continental Glass Systems,
Hialeah, FL
Rain Shower head and hand showers – Dornbracht, Whitehead Sales, Fort Lauderdale, FL
throughout
Recessed lighting – Sesco Lighting, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Ceiling treatments – Custom designed by STA Architectural Group, Miami, FL
Fabricated by Akira Wood, Inc., Gainesville, FL
Flooring – Imperial Stone Corp., Hallandale Beach, FL
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