Calimia Home, led by the talented husband and wife team Gustaf Svensson and Monique Miller, embarked on the renovation of a 1930s Miami Beach home, redefining traditional perceptions of seaside design. Their goal was to accentuate the client’s extensive art collection, curate standout furnishings, and enhance the idyllic outdoor space of the residence.
This expansive 3,500-square-foot home, featuring 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and an office space, is situated on the picturesque Sunset Islands of Miami Beach, Florida. The strategic central location in Sunset Harbour, offering waterfront views and convenient access to shops and restaurants, catered to the clients’ preference for a lifestyle that mirrored their experiences in New York City.
Coming from a compact NYC apartment, the family of four sought a more spacious and kid-friendly environment. The design decision to replace the existing marble floors aimed at creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Calimia Home chose rugs from the beloved Australian brand Armadillo + Co to add warmth to each room, carefully balancing the functional aspects with the art deco and Miami-inspired aesthetics.
In all their South Florida designs, Calimia Home prioritizes the integration of lush surroundings, architectural considerations, and a personalized touch that resonates with the clients’ personalities. The result is a transformed space that serves as a waterfront oasis, seamlessly blending practicality and style.
Calimia Home, with its distinctive Scandifornian style—a fusion of Monique Miller’s laid-back Southern California roots and Gustaf Svensson’s Scandinavian background—brings a unique and evolving aesthetic to every project, including the renovation of this Miami Beach home. The design philosophy emphasizes natural elements, vintage textiles, and a clean, eclectic, and fresh approach that adapts with each new design.
For this particular project, the client’s desire for a “turn-key” home, avoiding major renovations, provided the duo with a challenge to transform the space primarily through furnishings and décor. The original curved staircase and the waterfront backyard were already highlights that the clients wished to preserve. The focus, therefore, shifted to furnishing, painting, and maximizing the potential of outdoor living.
Despite not undertaking significant remodeling, Calimia Home succeeded in a remarkable transformation, creating a welcoming and stylish environment for the young family. Drawing inspiration from Instagram, old design books, and their travel experiences, the duo curated a design that reflects a balance between comfort, aesthetics, and the vibrant Miami lifestyle.
This captivating Miami Beach home seamlessly integrates stunning original details, such as the art deco exterior and a gracefully curved marble staircase, with Florida coastal elements, evident in the charming shutters. Monique Miller emphasizes the exterior’s crucial role, setting the tone for the entire home and capturing the lush surroundings, architecture, and the clients’ personalities—a consistent theme in their South Florida designs.
In crafting the color scheme, the objective was to maintain a neutral palette while infusing visual interest through diverse textures and natural woods. Abundant windows welcome beautiful light and panoramic views of the verdant yard and waterfront, with the surrounding environment acting as a complementary element to the design.
The design journey commenced with the outdoor spaces, focusing on the landscaping and exterior. A meticulous cleanup enhanced the overall aesthetic, and the addition of two elegant pots with fan palms elevated the outdoor appeal. Collaborating with plant designer Hilary Bailey at Studio Madre Selva, the Calimia team seamlessly connected interior and exterior spaces through thoughtfully selected plants. A charming detail lies in the discovery of exterior pots, repurposed with a limewash treatment, contributing to the overall design’s character.
Upon entering this Miami Beach haven, a sense of coastal sophistication envelops you, courtesy of the gracefully curved staircase and a welcoming pedestal table adorned with fresh flowers in the entry. The ambiance exudes an elevated beachy vibe, characterized by whitewashed woods and a textured, round jute rug.
Transitioning into the dining and living area, the dining room has metamorphosed into a vibrant playroom. A casual dining space seamlessly connects with the living room, featuring oak spindle chairs with linen cushions and a wall-mounted swing light to compensate for the absence of electrical provisions for a chandelier. The fireplace and mirror, initially posing a challenge, harmonize effortlessly with the introduced furnishings, culminating in a perfect fit.
In the living room, clever spatial planning accommodates both a dining nook and a spacious area for a deep, cozy sofa. The sofa, complemented by an ottoman from Amber Interiors, introduces a captivating pattern to the space, harmonizing with a Spanish leather chair for a touch of Spanish flair.
The office stands out as a gem within the residence, serving as a dynamic workspace for the client’s jewelry business. Bathed in natural light, the office features a creative ambiance with a unique touch. The client repurposed an unused CB2 dining table into a desk, cleverly accommodating wires with a central hole. The space underwent a creative DIY transformation, including linen pinboards crafted from soundboard, a selfie mirror, and an Instagram-inspired gallery wall. Collaborating with Alexa, the design team curated a cohesive narrative through the incorporation of the client’s favorite images and quotes.
Stepping into the backyard, the home effortlessly captures the essence of Miami living. The outdoor space radiates a tropical charm, adorned with basket pendants suspended above a teak dining table, complemented by lightweight white chairs featuring custom perennials stripe cushions. The lounge area, furnished with the Mesa Teak collection from Restoration Hardware, exudes a lived-in and relaxed atmosphere, accentuated by linen weave perennials.
Children in the family enjoy a multitude of spaces within the home that cater to their playfulness and creativity. The dining room-turned-playroom showcases thoughtful utilization of space, incorporating the original corner arch as a stylish focal point. A play mat tile covers the entire room, accompanied by storage baskets and vibrant artwork, creating a playful and functional environment.
Both kids’ rooms underwent a delightful transformation with a combination of limewash and wallpaper, infusing each space with a renewed vibrancy. In the baby boy’s nursery, a playful wave-patterned wallpaper from Magnolia Home takes center stage. The design team introduced Crate & Barrel Kids’ open shelf units to organize the child’s trucks and books, while Rejuvenation plug-in sconces above the shelves add a finishing touch to the wall. A cozy rug complements the overall aesthetic, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.
This residence masterfully integrates personal touches with the inherent charm of its historical architecture, resulting in a space that exudes a modern yet classic allure. Miller’s design philosophy, centered on trusting one’s instincts and avoiding overthinking, guided the project to a successful conclusion. She emphasizes the importance of intuition, recognizing that the initial creative impulse often proves to be the most authentic and effective.
