A Step Above
07/01/2008
"Miami has become an appealing destination internationally," says Columbian-born, Miami Beach–based interior designer Fanny Haim, whose clients hail from all over the world. Attracted by the year-round warm climate, glorious stretches of white sandy beaches, as well as the burgeoning cultural and glamorous nightlife scenes, return visitors are often tempted to swap Miami Beach’s high-style hotels for a vacation home of their own.For those who hail from Mexico, Central America, and South America, adds Haim, the area "is a natural magnet because of its proximity." Such was the case with a couple from Mexico City with three college-age children, who travel often to and through Miami for business and pleasure. Their search for a suitable property ended when they found a spacious apartment with abundant natural light and fabulous views in one of Miami Beach’s ubiquitous high-rise condominium buildings. The problem with it, however, was, "the generic interior—all the apartments in the building are the same," says Haim, who was commissioned by the couple to transform the 4,000-square-foot space.
"The game plan was to create a vacation home that would accommodate all the family at the same time," says the designer. "My clients also wanted something special—a step above." So first, she says, "we turned the uninteresting entry into an interesting one" by replacing the front door and adjacent walls with a Mondrian-inspired window wall constructed of wrought iron decorated with wood and glass panels. A large section of the wall dramatically swings open to reveal the apartment beyond. On the entrance hall floor, Haim installed slabs of gray and white limestone in an interlocking block pattern that extends inside. "This is what you see when you get out of the elevator—it imparts a sense of uniqueness and individuality that is atypical of the rest of the building," she says.
The designer tweaked the layout here and there to make better use of the space. For example, adding a media room that doubles as an extra guest room, among other fairly minor alterations. "Every change I made was handled from a true form follows function mindset," Haim says of her overall design strategy. The combined living and dining room has panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.
As to not obstruct the view, she installed a pop-up plasma TV inside a custom unit that separates the dining and living areas. Generously sized terraces add to the expansive feel of this space, which, not surprisingly, is often filled to capacity with guests. "The wife is a wonderful cook and the family likes to entertain when they’re here so they really enjoy the open plan—it’s a great entertaining venue."
For the furnishings, the couple requested "something sophisticated and refined, but also practical and easy to maintain, because it was a vacation home," says Haim. "We went for a modern look with subtle references to the ’50s, ’60s, and Scandinavian design." The charcoal- and earth-toned palette is accented with splashes of mustard and other spicy colors in the fabrics, art, and accessories. An interesting mix of antiques and ethnic objects, including Murano glass from Italy, a barn ladder from Africa, and elephant bells from Thailand, reflect the family’s extensive world travels. In the four bedrooms, the designer "took a light-handed approach to decorating. The idea was for them to be restful and serene," she says. Details, such as a Chinese shutter above the bed in the son’s bedroom and elegant hanging lamps in the daughters’ add character and personality to the otherwise restrained decor.
"I always strive for uniqueness and individuality in my work," says Haim. "I think we accomplished that with this apartment."
Fanny Haim & Associates, 305.937.0815, www.fannyhaim.com