What’s New and Noteworthy in Design This September
By Owen Kessler
Surface Upgrade
There’s mosaic and then there’s Bisazza mosaic. The Italian company has been putting out cutting-edge designs via natural stone since 1956, and its latest collection stays true to that tradition. The Collezione Moinard Bétaille features the combined talents of Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille, two of France’s most renowned architects/interior designers. The marble collection’s four designs include Cadence, a variety of geometric shapes; Cosmos, different sizes, angles, and colors with the universe as a theme; Echo, a sinuous flow motif enriched with 24-karat gold inserts; and Accord, two-tone modules in regular and irregular sizes. Designer’s Tile, 300 Palermo Avenue, Coral Gables, designerstile.com; bisazza.com
On the Floor
The 135-year-old Swedish textile purveyor Kasthall prides itself on its slate of craftspeople, most of whom have learned the weaving trade from elder family members. That’s why rug connoisseurs pay attention whenever the brand releases something new. Case in point: Spire Oval, a new rug within the Landskab collection designed by Cecilie Manz. What makes this one special? Linear shifts in pile height that trace a radial pattern across an oval field. Look long enough and said pattern is bound to hypnotize. Luminaire, 2331 Ponce de Leon Blvd., luminaire.com; kasthall.com
Kitchen Reverential
Scavolini’s latest kitchen design has social interaction in mind. Designed by the Italian duo Spalvieri & Del Ciotto, Stilo reinterprets the kitchen as a space that creates a flow between the different areas of the home to, as its creators put it, “foster a sense of connection and community.” And, oh, how sleek it is! A top made of pearl onyx laminate can slide out to become surface space or slide back to conceal the cooktop and dish washing area when those features are not in use. A system of shelves offers plenty of display space, while deep cabinets satisfy real-life storage needs. Scavolini, 2600 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, scavoliniusa.com
Take It Outside
As temperatures begin to yield to fall (albeit slowly), our outdoor spaces beckon us back. New from Janus et Cie, the Viretta Collection is a furniture suite with classic European charm. Envisioned by award-winning designer Sebastian Herkner, the line is defined by graceful curves, open frames, and seatbacks with woven rods in diamond patterns. Consisting of an armchair, side chair, ottoman, two loungers, and two sofas (either a two- or three-seater), the pieces are made with black aluminum frames and come with customizable seat cushions and back pillows. Janus et Cie, 273 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables, janusetcie.com
A Layered Approach
Designer Maritza Capiro Leans Into Texture-Driven Style Inside a Century-Old Residence in Coral Gables’ Granada Neighborhood
By Owen Kessler
Photography by Dan Cutrona
Maritza Capiro
Maritza Capiro discovered her calling as a designer as she was overseeing the renovation of her own home. Somewhere between selecting finishes and looking at paint swatches, she realized that transforming spaces was what she was meant to do. Fourteen years later, she is a licensed interior designer and architect with
a thriving studio with offices and clients in
Coral Gables, Marco Island, and Silverthorne,
Colorado. maritzacapiro.com
The Design Goal
Originally built in 1925, the 2,210-squarefoot
home is a beautiful example of Mediterranean- style architecture and Capiro wanted the interiors to reflect and honor that history rather than compete with it. Her approach? Texture and lots of it.
The Directive
When the managing director of a financial advertising firm approached Capiro about the design of her Granada neighborhood home in Coral Gables, she asked the designer for authenticity. “She wanted a space that would meet her everyday needs while reflecting her personal taste and style in every detail, from the layout down to the finishes,” says Capiro. “Her wish wasn’t just for a beautiful home, but one she could feel genuinely proud of, a space she’d be excited to share with family and friends.”
The Living Room
“We built the palette of the living room around the cream sofa layered with a honey-toned throw and textured neutral pillows, so the space feels soft and tactile,” says Capiro. “Every piece of furniture was selected to feel elevated but still livable – nothing is too precious or off-limits – so the room functions as a real gathering space with a refined feel.”
The Dining Room
“The dining room needed to feel connected to the kitchen while still standing on its own as an elegant gathering space, so we used the archway as a natural threshold between the two,” says Capiro. “Above the table, the statement brass chandelier with cylindrical cream shades echoes the warm metal tones used in the kitchen. The area feels sophisticated and layered, but still completely livable.”
The Kitchen
Capiro wanted the kitchen to tie into the Mediterranean character of the house, so there’s a mix of both light and dark cabinetry, paired with black and gold finishes for a look that feels warm yet luxurious. “The contrast here was very intentional,” says Capiro. “We wanted the kitchen to feel layered rather than one-note, so the mix of cabinetry tones gave us depth without ever feeling closed in.”
The Primary Bathroom
“After the warm and layered textures introduced in the bedroom, we wanted the primary bath to feel like a calm, restorative escape,” says Capiro. “Keeping the surfaces predominantly white and light was intentional. The goal was for a serene, spa-like moment that feels quiet and elevated rather than busy.”
The Primary Bedroom
“Texture was the driving idea in the primary bedroom,” says Capiro. “The intent was for the room to feel calming and layered, a true retreat, with materials doing the work instead of pattern or color.”
The Home Office
“The office needed to feel completely different from the rest of the home, a bit more graphic and energized while still connecting to the overall design language,” says Capiro. “It was important that the space felt inspiring to work in, not just practical, so every choice, from the plush chair to the styling on the shelves, was about making it a room the homeowner would want to spend time in.” As for that eye-catching desk? It’s the Vanora model by Made Goods.
The Laundry Room
No nook in the house was spared the Capiro design touch. “The laundry room was considered like any other room in the house, not an afterthought,” says Capiro. “It was important that even a utilitarian space like this one stayed true to the design language we established.”
