The 2024 Tour of Kitchens & Tropical Living

Each year, the Coral Gables Community Foundation puts on its Tour of Kitchens, in which noble homeowners allow the public to visit their residences and view their fabulous kitchens, all in the name of charity. The proceeds from the Tour are used by the Foundation to fund their scholarship program for deserving, underprivileged students.

This year’s tour — with the added tag line of “& Tropical Living” — was presented by Mosaicist and featured 10 homes, along with a tour of the Belmont Village senior living facility at Merrick Park and the Pedini showroom. Throughout, guests were served bites by restaurants that included Vinya Table, Americana Kitchen, Bay 13 Brewery, Threefold Café, Doc B’s, CalaMillor, La Carreta, Erba, Benihana, and Zucca, as well as goodies from Frutero, Josh’s Meats, Miami Alkaline Water, Shine Water, Tank Brewing, Salty Donut, and Misha’s Cupcakes.

“This year was another great success,” said Mary Snow, president and CEO of the Foundation, who reports that 900 tickets were sold for the event. View our recap reel here.

Binelo Residence (Agua Avenue)

This home of Alex and Claudia Binelo was built in 2002 in Gables by the Sea as a Mediterranean villa, with its kitchen remodeled last year. The kitchen is part of the home’s Great Room, which shares space with a family media area and is adjacent to the dining area.

The custom cabinetry features oil-rubbed bronze hardware. The countertops consist of “Mystery White” marble, while pendant lights from Restoration Hardware hang above. The flooring is Roman Saturnia stone tiles. Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer; Wolf range, hood, and warming drawer; Asko dishwashers; Blanco sink; ES sprayer faucet.

Silva-Reyes Residence (Almeria Avenue)

This four-story townhome of Jorge Silva and Jamie Reyes was built in 2021, inspired by English Terrace housing in London and Bath. It has an interior atrium with a rooftop terrace and plunge pool. The kitchen, living area, and dining room are all on the second floor.

The flooring consists of oversized porcelain tiles, with custom-designed cabinetry, monochromatic quartz countertops, and a large island with an adjacent black marble dining table. Jenn-Air refrigerator-freezer, wall oven, and hood; Bosch dishwasher; Blanco double-sink; and Hansgrohe polished chrome sprayer faucet.

Brooks Residence (South Greenway Drive)

This 1957 home of Matt and Melissa Brooks was designed in the Monterey Colonial Revival style, reflecting the fusion of Anglo and Hispanic styles prominent on the U.S. West Coast last cen- tury. The Brooks’ bought the house in 2020 as a “handyman spe- cial” and spent three years renovating. The kitchen features two

large islands within an open floor plan. The flooring consists of oversized Arctic Blanco porcelain tiles. The cabinetry is by Gra- bill, painted in “Glacier” and “White Oak Seaspray.” Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer, Thermador cooktop and hood, Wolf special- ty ovens, Miele dishwashers (two), Kohler sink.

Mediterranean Residence (Asturia Avenue)

This Mediterranean Revival-style home was one of the city’s earliest, featuring decorative columns, arched openings, barrel tile roofs, stucco walls, and picturesque courtyards. The kitchen was renovated last year by Compass Point Creations, with custom cabinetry finished in “Diamond Vibe,” “Kenora Coconut,” and “Maritime” colors. It also has glass doors showcasing vintage china by Limoges and La Maison de Louis Cartier.

The floors are ebonized red oak. GE Monogram refrigerator-freezer, Bertazzoni range, GE Profile wall oven, Bosch dishwasher and glazed cast-iron sink, Rohl faucet, dolomite Doral Stone countertop surface.

Durana Residence (Aduana Avenue)

This 1948 home of Xavier and Nataly Durana is an example of Tropical Modern style, with an open floor plan, protective shade, ventilation, and views. The kitchen is part of the home’s Great Room, with white oak flooring and recessed LED lighting. The custom cabinetry is also white oak.

A spiral staircase at the end of the kitchen leads to a home office.The sink is built into an oversized island that serves as an informal breakfast area. Sub-Zero refrigerators (two), Wolf range and wall oven, Miele dishwasher, Ruvati stainless steel sink with Brizo faucet, Best hood.

MG Developer (Anderson Road)

This MG Developer showroom is a townhome in the Biltmore Square neighborhood just west of downtown Gables. It is part of a three-story row of homes designed in the Mediterranean style, inspired by the palatial Spanish colonial governor’s house in Cartegena.

The kitchen is part of a large space that also comprises the family media area and dining room, which all open onto a balcony with a stainless steel out- door grill, fridge, sink, and cabinets. The kitchen island, countertops, and backsplashes are all done in white Italian marble, with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances.

Silva Residence (North Greenway Drive)

This 1923 home of Alex and Marta Silva is made of coral rock in the Mission Revival style. The home was designed by architect H. George Fink, first cousin of city founder George Merrick. The home was recently rehabbed by Alex, an architect who serves on the city’s Historic Preservation Board.

The kitchen is at the center of the residence and is comprised of patterned ceramic tiles. The cabinetry is from Thomasville and painted in “Cayman Green.” Thermador refrigerator-freezer, cooktop, wall ovens, dishwasher, and microwave, Zephyr exhaust hood, Ruvati sink.

Marques Residence (Zamora Avenue)

This charming 1940 bungalow-style home in the North Gables is the home of Sergio and Jennifer Marques, who purchased the property in 2017. Among their renovations was the creation of an open kitchen between the dining room and the family room.

The kitchen is minimalist, yet warmly accented with brass fixtures and a chandelier. The cabinets are custom-built and painted white, the backsplash consists of Carrara marble tiles, and the flooring is made of red oak. Thermador refrigerator-freezer, cooktop, wall oven, and dishwasher; Kohler “Farmer’s Sink;” Kingston faucet; Breville expresso machine and smart oven.

Teno Residence (Granada Boulevard)

This home of Andrew and Tarin Teno was built in 1956 and renovated over the last three years with family friendliness in mind. The kitchen and pantry cabinetry were custom designed by Cozy Salazar Interiors.

The large island countertop is soapstone porcelain by Opustone, with overhanging “Painted Cone” pendant lights designed by Mark D. Sikes. The kitchen table “Tulip” fiberglass seating inspired by Eero Saarinen. Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezers (two); Wolf range, wall ovens, and microwave oven; Vent-a-Hood exhaust hood; Asko dishwasher; 4S “Gallery” sink.

Rodriguez-Duret Residence (Mar Street)

This waterfont home of Rudy Rodriguez-Duret is in Gables by the Sea and has been completely renovated since its 2019 purchase. The teak veneer custom cabinetry was designed by Yuniel Echazabal of Style Custom Design to reflect a marine theme, with a custom inset wine storage area. A well-stocked pantry with a concealed door leads from the kitchen and contains a coffee system and large oven. The countertops are of Calacatta Quartzite. Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer and island icemaker, Wolf cooktop and island microwave, Dax island sink with Kohler faucet, Miele dishwasher.