HEAVEN CAN WAIT
The ethereal design of this home in Cocoplum was inspired by the clients who commissioned Carolina Feyre to create “something clean and light, with Belgian linens and white oak.” What she created was a world of comfortable, bright tones, an elegance that blends tropical sensibilities with modern design.
CAROLINA DESIGN
Carolina Freyre’s approach to interiors is rooted in a lifelong immersion in culture, craft, and atmosphere. Her earliest sensibilities were shaped by a Cuban grandmother whose gatherings layered cuisine, poetry, linen, and ritual—an early study in elegance and intention. Her life unfolded across New Orleans, Philadelphia, Salamanca, Santo Domingo, New Hampshire, Boston, Atlanta, and ultimately Miami, each place informing her refined understanding of architecture, proportion, and lived beauty. Her projects range from a Tuscan- inspired estate in Coral Gables to a modern reinterpretation of a family lodge in Kentucky and the island-minded interiors of Mamey restaurant at the THesis Hotel. Freyre is known for spaces that feel collected and quietly luxurious, where materiality, light, and craftsmanship converge, balancing tropical ease with European restraint.
The Dining Room
Floor-to-ceiling Belgian linen drapery lends height and softness to the dining room, custom fabricated by Marsh Industries and layered with York Wallcovering; both the fabric and wallpaper are from Fabric & Walls. Sculptural dining chairs from Worlds Away sit beneath pendants by Jamie Young, with twin buffets from Gabby Home anchoring the space. Antique mirrors reflect the surrounding palms, adding depth and age, while artwork from Casa Gusto completes the room.
The Bar
Custom white oak millwork defines the bar, executed by Miami-based millworker Artemisa, whose craftsmanship is evident in the sculptural spindle detailing of the pillars. A statement marble countertop and checkered limestone porcelain flooring from Opustone ground the space, while an antique mirror adds depth and an old-world sensibility. Verdigris-finished pendants from Urban Electric introduce a rich patina overhead, paired with a burled wood coffee table from Four Hands, leather chairs from Lee Industries, and swivel bar stools from Bernhardt.
The Family Room
The kitchen and adjoining seating area are anchored by custom cabinetry, including the kitchen, vitrine, and pantry, all crafted by Artemisa. Custom brass lamps from Urban Electric and fixtures from Coral Gables Kitchen & Bath bring warmth and patina, while island stools by Palecek with antique brass detailing sit alongside a relaxed seating area. A natural fiber rug from Carpet Boutique on Ponce grounds the space, layered with handwoven hyacinth stools, a bamboo side table, and pillows from Ryan Studio.
The Breakfast Room
Designed as the most frequently used room in the home, the breakfast room was created with the lady of the house in mind. Fern-pattern wallpaper by Cowtan & Tout, sourced through Fabric & Walls, brings a fresh English note, paired with grey-washed wicker chairs from Serena & Lily. A wooden dining table, pendant and bench all from Gabby Home anchor the space, while a raffia-wrapped buffet from Villa & House adds texture and warmth.
The Bathroom
The primary bath continues the home’s sense of elegant lightness, with custom millwork by Artemisa and brass accents bringing warmth to the cabinetry and shower. A freestanding tub from Coral Gables Kitchen & Bath is paired with antique brass hardware from Rejuvenation, while tile flooring and herringbone shower tile from Opustone ground the space. Floral wallpaper by Thibaut, sourced through Fabric & Walls, adds softness, complemented by wall sconces from Chapman & Myers and a chandelier by Aerin, both from Visual Comfort.
DOWN TO EARTH
A home designed using warm, earthy colors to exude a sense of calm and natural peace, with pieces of vintage and modern art to add unique elements to each space.
CAROLA PIMENTAL ASSURE INTERIORS
Carola Pimental founded her Gables-based interior design firm in 2000, focusing on residential projects in Miami, across the U.S., and in the Caribbean region. Her approach is to fuse the design tastes of the client with functionality. “It’s so important to take into account the function: Do they have kids? Do they entertain a lot or want quiet? Do they have pets or travel frequently?” She likes to start with a calming and earthy palette and to then add “pops of color” in the furniture and art. “Adding unique pieces and bespoke elements in the interior – vintage or custom elements – adds to the uniqueness of the space.”
Living Room
Pimental removed the walls between the original living and dining rooms to create “one room together; open, very Miami, very Coral Gables,” she says. “We created a larger space [including the same ceiling height] in order to entertain and make it more cohesive.” The sofas are of Italian design in a neutral grey-weave color, with a “subtle pop of color” in the blue and green throw pillows. Of note is the green Moleca lounge chair and ottoman, by Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues from the Espasso showroom in Miami. The two iron chairs in the foreground are from Arterios in North Carolina, the central wall art is by Dominican artist Tony Capellán, and the white table sculpture by Uruguayan artist Pablo Atchugarry.
Dining Area
The vintage Thonet dining chairs were acquired from a gallery in Germany and echo the natural wood buffet. “The glass top table allows these special vintage chairs to standout,” says Pimental, and contrast with the large epoxy wall art by Peter Zimmerman. The table is supported by white cement pedestals from CB2, a division of Crate and Barrel. The carved wooden bowl, by Colombian artisans, is from CEU studio, while the iron statue is a family heirloom from the Dominican Republic. The table lamp, from CY Gallery, is mid-century wooden, with a pleated linen lampshade.
Stairs
The table is an acrylic and polished chrome console from CB2, topped by a vintage wooden flower vase, a Murano glass bowl, and a glass pineapple from Mexican artisans in Oaxaca. The 3D art on the walls is made from clay, some with gold leaf, by Argentine artist Nicholas Leiva. “His art is inspired by nature and sea creatures, but with his unique take.” The two stools are by Brazilian designer Carlos Motta from the Espasso gallery. The stairwell art is by Regina Jestrow, a local textile artist. The plant baskets are from CB2; the black and white picture is by Walter Goldfarb, in charcoal and acid.
Bedroom
“This is a warmer room, in keeping with the whole use of earth colors,” says Pimental. “The bedroom is very subdued, with considered textures.” Those textures start with the woolen Nordic Knots area rug and continues with the two swivel chairs of boucle fabric from CB2. The leather bench in front of the bed is Italian, from the Poltrona Frau showroom in Miami. The sculpture over the bed is a vintage piece by Curtis Jeré, which Pimental found through 1st Dibs, a platform for antique dealers and galleries. The table lamps are acrylic with linen lampshades.
Patio
“People in Coral Gables love the outdoors,” says Pimental, so she pays special attention to outdoor areas. The teak wood/woven faux rattan couches are from Gloster in the DCOTA and the waterproof “performance fabric” cushions are by Christopher Farr. Again, pop-up color is provided by throw pillows, accented by two lanterns from Clima Home in Miami, one (left) of woven recycled plastic, the other (taller, right) of woven rope. The two chairs at the dining table (itself custom concrete terrazzo) are from DCOTA, the flooring is keystone, and the front right table is a cedar trunk “in keeping with the use of natural materials and organic shapes.”
A HOME WITH A VIEW
Adriana Hoyos’ transformation of this home in Deering Estates opened its inherent connection to spectacular verdant vistas, while grounding it with neutral, natural elements.
ADRIANA HOYOS
Ecuadorian designer Adriana Hoyos began her career as a furniture designer in 1994, with her eponymous Adriana Hoyos Furnishings brand. That same design sensibility evolved into
Adriana Hoyos Design Studio, which relocated to Coral Gables in 2023. Her work has ranged from the reimagined airport in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to the complete renovation of the clubhouse and restaurant on Miami’s Fisher Island, to numerous private homes stretching from New York to Central and South America and even the Middle East. For residential projects, her philosophy has remained the same: to design livable spaces that reflect the lifestyles – and preferred color palettes – of her clients, and to do so with timeless style.
The Living Room
The main living area uses neutral tones for the main pieces of furniture, creating a warm, inviting space enlivened by the mustard color of the two swivel chairs and the over-sized wall art, “which creates drama,” says Hoyos. “The art is what ties everything together, while the mirror reflects the amazing view.” All the furniture was designed by Hoyos, with the seats and sofa from her Gem collection, and the coffee table from the Lua collection (it consists of two halfmoons). The wool rug is by Feysi, the chandelier from Visual Comfort, and the linen wallpaper from Arte.
The Powder Room
“This room is pretty special, because it contrasts the traditional molding with the ultra-modern steel sink,” says Hoyos. The mirror is from Arterio, while the lighting fixture is from Visual Comfort, which has a showroom in Coral Gables. The two tables are from Interlude, made from brass and marble.
The Family Room
This room had been separated by a wall from the rest of the home. Hoyos removed it, installing two wooden partitions to mark the separation while opening the home’s space “from east to west,” she says. The room itself is “a very comfortable space,” she adds, with a sofa made by Natuzzi, an end table from her Lua collection, and a plaid carpet “that anchors the room.” The cocktail table, with natural stone on top, has two levels, so you can put books and other objects on the lower level. The art is “very organic,” with human silhouettes in abstract form.
The Master Bedroom
The oversized headboard, low and white, extends past the bed in both directions. “I love to do this because it stretches the room,” says Hoyos. The textured wallpaper is from Arte, and the end tables are from her Lua collection. The wool rug adds to the comfort, while the neutral tone painting, done in watercolor on linen, “makes the room feel modern.”
The Dining Room
The dining room is done simply, once again using oversized decorative art (watercolor on linen) to add drama and expand the sense of space. The chandelier is from Visual Comfort, which Hoyos says she loves “because it looks like birds” and reflects the natural world of Deering Bay. The table, made from natural wood, comes from a Brazilian designer, while the chairs are vintage Hoyos, with caramel-colored leather braces.