Home as Gallery
J. Steven Manolis and Myrthia Moore Let Their Affinity for Art Guide the Concept for Their Contemporary Abode
Manolis and Moore purchased their Coral Gables townhome in 2016, but it was not completed until 2017. That’s because the couple hired an interior architect to redesign the layout of the house according to their specifications and to size the walls to fit their pre-existing collection of art. “It was a fun process because my husband and I had the opportunity to blend our tastes and create a shared vision,” says Moore. “We knew that we wanted to build a house that was grounded by neutral colors to offset the colorful art, and we wanted it to feel very peaceful.”
To realize these goals, Manolis and Moore focused on a continuity of materials in the house so that one room would seamlessly flow into another. “We have unpolished shell reef stone floors throughout the house, and we used the polished version in the custom showers,” says Moore. “The stone even extends to our outside patio, so that when we open up all of the doors, it becomes a true addition to the house.”
Foyer
When you enter the home, you are immediately met with several dis- tinct works, including a painting by the late American artist Wolf Kahn (left) and a pair of 17th century Fu dog sculptures. A sleek charcoal console table from B&B Italia sits beneath the painting.
Living Room
“Our formal living room is where color reigns,” says Moore, who traveled to Morocco to buy the handmade wool tribal rug that grounds the sitting area. The room features paintings by the American artist Hunt Slonem and two paintings by Manolis. The chairs and sofas are by Maxalto and the coffee table is from Anima Domus.
Dinning Room
“We wanted to bring the ocean to our home, so my husband created this custom piece,” says Moore of “Splash,” the focal point of the dining room. The glass-topped table was sourced from Anima Domus and the upholstered chairs are by Maxalto.
Studio
This room functions as a creative sanctuary outside of the couple’s gallery. While the painting on the back wall is by Manolis, “the red rocking chair came from Steven’s original studio in the Hamptons, which he had in the 1980s,” says Moore. “It’s whimsical memorabilia.”
Guest Bedroom
This guest bedroom’s sitting area was given a punch of color with the addition of a spirited painting by Manolis. The side tables and lamps are mid-century antiques.
Gables residents J. Steven Manolis (Steven) and Myrthia Moore are the co-owners of Manolis Projects in Miami’s Little Haiti, Florida’s largest working studio and fine art gallery. Along with sons Jason and Brian, Manolis and Moore have worked to curate a collection of pieces from over 40 artists, many of which are limited edition and strikingly unique.