Chicago Couple's Aventura Condo Kitchen Remodel: Mixing Maximalist and Minimalist Design
This wasn't a project about erasing history—it was about elevating it. It all started with the Kitchen as the main impetus for the remodel. She runs a successful baked good company so getting the kitchen right was imperative. (Versus many clients who like Kitchens that look good but seldom get used, this was not the case.)
At their core, my clients are true curators. Their luxury condo in the tony Aventura waterfront community in Miami is a testament to years of thoughtful acquisition. They had owned the unit for almost two decades and it was time to freshen it up. They understood something profound: their home wasn't just a property investment, but a canvas for two decades of carefully curated memories.
My challenge? Create a sophisticated framework that charted a new chapter for their condo. This meant exposing the Kitchen from it sequestered location, a propos its 1996 floorplan. (Oh the 90s! What a liminal time for interior design.) Additionally, it meant setting the stage for subsequent phases of the remodel.
Aventura Condo Kitchen Remodel Project
For this project, our scope was focused on:
- Kitchen
- Foyer
- Hall Bathroom
- Dining Room
- All Flooring the common areas
The Luxury Condo Owner's Dilemma: Permanence Meets Sophistication
Unlike vacation properties or secondary/tertiary luxury investments, today's discerning high-end condo owners seek something increasingly rare: spaces designed for long-term living. They're putting down deep roots, creating forever homes.
Perched high above Aventura's waterways with sweeping vistas of North Miami's prestigious Golden Beach, this east-facing condominium arrived not as a blank slate, but as a cherished home ready for its next chapter. After more than two decades of memories woven into these walls, our clients sought something profound: a design reimagining that looked ahead without being overly modern, sterile and certainly not minimal, rather, “curated”.
When I work on a luxury condo with spectacular views, the interior design challenge is clear—create rooms that honor those vistas without being overshadowed by them. I turn to delivering spaces that are layered but not overly fussy or congested. The end game is visual interest without clutter.
The Foyer - Making an Entrance
The original foyer to the condo features a hexagonal layout. Challenging; but I was into it! That said, it felt a little closed. I wanted to preserve the shape, but opened up the opening into the Dining and Living areas so that the payout of the beautiful waterviews came quicker.
Kitchen Remodel: Creating the Heart of Multigenerational Gatherings
The kitchen was the soul of this transformation. We knew this space demanded more than aesthetic beauty—it required functional perfection wrapped in timeless design. It had been closed off from the rest of the common spaces so it was important that its design transition seamlessly into the rest of the house.
Custom cabinetry provides both display opportunities for collected ceramics and practical storage for everyday living. Thoughtful layout encourages conversation while cooking, allowing hosts to remain connected to guests rather than isolated in culinary preparation.
This is kitchen design that anticipates the next twenty years of family meals, holiday preparations, casual coffee mornings, and celebratory dinner parties. Timeless materials ensure it won't feel dated. Comfortable flow ensures it invites lingering.
One key element of the Kitchen we wanted to add in was expanded counterspace. We created two peninsulas leaving a large open space that could accommodate a temporary island when the baking gets hot and heavy!
Dining Room Design: Unexpected and Chic
Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room was being shifted as a result of the expanded footprint of the Kitchen. Ceilings and lighting had to be redone accordingly. The Dining Room’s alignment with the rest of the open space had to be considered.
For the table, I wanted something a little unexpected. Two, polygonal pedestals topped with glass created an artistic statement in the room. It felt curated and purposeful for the overall design. I collaborated with a tablemaker I’ve worked with previously on several projects. The table adds a strong modern element to the room that keeps is current, while the glass top makes the space feel lighter. The custom upholstered chairs are a mix of modern side chairs and more traditional arm chairs for the ends. The chandelier crowning the table is playful yet elegant.
The east-facing orientation floods this space with Miami's generous morning light, making breakfast gatherings feel celebratory and holiday brunches luminous. As evening arrives and Golden Beach twinkles below, the dining room shifts into its evening personality—warm, enveloping, perfect for long conversations that stretch past dessert.
Design Philosophy for the Discerning Collector
What sets luxury condo owners apart isn't just their address—it's their commitment to curation over accumulation, investment over impulse. Our design philosophy embraced this permanence: choosing timeless over trendy, investment pieces over fast furniture, sophisticated evolution over complete reinvention.
This Atlantic II residence represents design that honors history while creating space for all the memories yet to come. For families who've loved their home for decades and want to love it for decades more, for collectors seeking spaces worthy of their curated treasures, for hosts who believe the kitchen and dining room are where life's most important moments unfold—this is our craft.
Ready to Transform Your Luxury Condominium?
If you're a luxury condo owner in Aventura, Miami, or South Florida seeking a designer who understands the intersection of sophisticated curation and timeless living—someone who can honor your collected treasures while creating functional elegance—let's begin the conversation.
Your home deserves a design partner who sees beyond trends to create spaces that evolve with your story.
Schedule your consultation today and discover how your condominium can become the gallery-worthy residence you've always envisioned.