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MIAMI HOME & DECOR Homes with Spectacular Views
Art Basel Opens in Miami Beach
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LIVING THE LANGUAGE SITUATED IN A PART OF THE WORLD WHERE THE VERNACULAR INCLUDES MODERN ELEMENTS, UNCLUTTERED SPACES, CLEAN WHITE PALETTES AND A GRATITUDE FOR NATURE, THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME SPEAKS A DIALOGUE THAT IS, IN A WORD, MIAMI
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DESIGN BY JAY BRITTO AND DAVID CHARETTE, BRITTO CHARETTE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL TEXT BY ROBIN HODES PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEXIA FODERE, MIAMI, FL
T
hough a native of Peru, designer Jay Britto is fluent in the language of Miami having crafted a notable
roster of projects ranging from South Beach nightclubs to multi-million dollar private homes in the region. His client, who also hails from Peru and spends about a third of the year in town, expressed the desire to create a secondary residence with the distinguishing characteristics that continually draw people here from all corners of the world. Housed in the prestigious and modern Jade Ocean building this 2,400-square-foot condominium in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., definitively talks the talk: a monochromatic white palette, uncomplicated lines and a celebration of stunning sea views. Partnering with David Charette, with whom Britto works in tandem on each and every one of the firm’s projects, the pair undertook a minimal, though important, amount of construction. “Our main goal was to address the sense of entry in the foyer and how it opens into the living spaces,“ says Britto, who used a good deal of custom millwork to achieve continuity and cohesiveness throughout. “Conceptually, it feels a bit like a train ... long and narrow, and leading to the caboose — or in this case, the master bedroom.” The designers created a dialogue of materials, which flows like a well-structured sentence from the great room through the hallways, and is punctuated by the bedrooms.
LEFT:
The terrace is a precursor to what lies beyond the glass
sliders: modern overtones awash with white and majestic ocean views. Karim Rashid’s “Vondom” table and chairs from Inside Out are faceted like diamonds, while glass-tile flooring imparts an elegant sheen that mimics that of the interior walls. RIGHT:
The conversation begins to flow in the entry, where custom
millwork, high-gloss surfaces and stainless accents speak to the sense of easy modern luxury that defines the home. An organic, three-part fixture from Artimide dangles from above, while contemporary, cup-like counter stools are seen in the distance.
The design team of Jay Britto and David Charette.
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“We start that dialogue in the foyer and continue into the living area covering the walls with back-painted glass and MDF (medium density fiberboard), which looks more sculptural and also performs better than wood,” says Charette in reference to the design duo’s custom panel system that takes ordinary drywall to a higher, more impressive echelon. “It’s a detail that’s not screaming for attention, but adds a level of subtlety and complexity that you begin to appreciate the more time you spend in the rooms.” On the other hand, there’s nothing subtle whatsoever about the magnificent ocean vistas surrounding the property, and for this reason, both the designers and client concurred that the views should remain the center of attention. With this goal in mind, the living area features few and simple furnishings — a sleek white cotton sofa from Arravanti, a pair of Butaca Roma armless lounge chairs from Baltus and a translucent cocktail table from E.G. Cody — but most importantly, and intentionally, no TV. “We tried not to showcase technology,” Charette says. “This is a place for the family and friends to come together to relax and rejoice.”
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ABOVE:
Diva III, a statuesque bronze figure sculpted by
Tom Corbin, presides over the hallway, where the use of reds in an 8-foot-long photo-on-canvas by Beatrice Aden preludes the significant role color plays in the bedrooms. LEFT:
A mix of materials comes together in the living
area, just as the family converges there to enjoy the space. The edgy lines of modern Míele and Sub-Zero appliances in the kitchen are softened by a textural patchwork, hair-on-hide area rug by Kyle Bunting. The driftwood sculpture from Michael Dawkins adds a natural component to the room. FAR LEFT:
A wine-colored Murano glass chandelier,
seemingly borrowed from “Wonderland,” is aptly entitled “Melt Mee,” being that it gives the appearance of ... well, melting. Its presence adds both a spirited flair and touch of baroque to the dining area.
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A SHARP PALETTE OF BLACK, WHITE AND RED SPARKS A DRAMATIC INTERPLAY IN THE DAUGHTER’S ROOM. HERE, A PHOTO OF A PAPER COLLAGE, ENTITLED STILETTOS BY TREVOR WINN, AND A MINISCULE GLITTERED PILLOW BY DONNA KARAN BRING A DECIDEDLY FEMININE FEEL TO THE SPACE.
In fact, with the exception of the bedrooms, whenever a television does appear, be it a kitchen or bathroom, it is disguised by cabinetry or cleverly concealed with mirrors. Putting electronic distractions on the back burner for a moment allows luxurious materials to draw focus, whether it’s the glazed linen Silla Niza dining chairs, a pleated graphite velvet accent pillow from Romo or reflective silver clamshell sculpture by Ipe Cavalli, there’s plenty to entertain the eye in the great room. The same can be said for the bedrooms, where a theatrical fade to black happens by way of attentiongrabbing pieces such as a glamorous glass chandelier from Cyan and a bold floral print area rug.
ABOVE:
Playful and tasteful, the son’s room doubles as a guest room, where a Ligne Roset daybed on casters can be
positioned for lounging, sleeping or optimal television viewing. The quarters are brightened by natural sunlight or a flush-mounted chrome and glass ceiling fixture from Farrey’s, depending upon the time of day.
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Relaxation comes easy in the master bath, where floor-to-ceiling glass windows frame the city views and two TVs that masquerade as wall mirrors make it easy to catch the morning news.
These secondary spaces also serve as a areas for the designers to play with curves and softer lines. A high-gloss wood desk and chair, a stenciled Lucite wall sconce from Ligne Roset and an assortment of cylindrical accent tables are just a few of the more lighthearted elements that add character and interest. Britto and Charette augment the walls with texture in the bedrooms. In the daughter’s room, it’s a Modani headboard of tufted synthetic leather, while custom Maharam panels shape the son’s bed. To foster the sense of consistency, both treatments are crafted in white. And it is just that consistency, that dedication to modernism, airiness, respect for the ocean and abundance of white, which has enabled Britto and Charette to give this home a voice — one that speaks Miami, loud and clear. ABOVE:
The master bath features a graphic vanity of ebony wood topped by quartz and Duravit washbasins that are
square in shape and generous in scale. The wall covering, a lacquered white-on-white stripe by Phillip Jeffries, creates a ripple effect that conveys an understated sense of movement.
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