Cover The living room in a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
The living room in a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
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Highlighting elements of modern design to suit the needs of a growing family, Strang Architecture worked in tandem with the Pembrooke & Ives team to create an unforgettable Miami Beach residence
Amid the relentless pace of modern living, this tranquil home on the shores of Miami Beach is taking a drastically different approach. Under the collaborative leadership of Strang Architecture and Pembrooke & Ives Interior Design, the family home has infused Floridian waterfront living with Santa Barbara-style architecture. Complete with a private dock and unobstructed waterfront views, this home seamlessly integrates the indoors and outdoors in a truly compelling way.
“It was important that we created a design that represented the lifestyle and aesthetics of the client,” explained Elizabeth Starr, AIA, managing partner at Strang. “Stylistically, this was a unique design for us, which was complemented by the beautiful interior design.” The challenge lay in reinterpreting traditional Santa Barbara-style homes, developing a design philosophy around these classic forms in a Miami Beach context, and creating spaces that would support a dynamic family of seven bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two powder rooms spread across multiple floors.
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The pool area and exterior of a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
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The architecture navigates this balancing act with undeniable finesse. The exterior material palette features a blend of travertine stone, shell stone accent walls, wood-clad roof overhangs and barrel tile roof, grounding the building in textural richness whilst using the most durable materials. Beyond this, the defining architectural gesture of the Miami Beach home is the use of arched openings on both the exterior façade and interior transitions, complemented by subtle curved details in the main staircase and various ceiling treatments throughout the space.
Upon entering the home, one’s eye is drawn up towards a dramatic double-height entryway with mitred edges. From this expansive entry, guests have an immediate view of the dining room and the ocean outside. While entering the space, a Max Lamb console adds a blend of warmth and functionality, setting the tone for the materiality seen throughout the rest of the home.
Above The dining room in a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
The dining room in a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
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The dining room serves as the home's unequivocal centrepiece, a voluminous glass area capturing serene waterfront views and flooding the interior with natural light. Here, the design team deployed what Jessica Iwaniec, design director at Pembrooke & Ives, described as “monumental, meaningful and effortlessly elegant” furnishings. The room centres on Francesco Perini’s Incontro dining table, a custom piece of ambitious scale that seats expansive gatherings of family and friends. Above hangs a custom chandelier by Nacho Carbonell, which Iwaniec says “embodies [the homeowners’] growing love and appreciation for contemporary design.”
The space is layered with an array of new and vintage pieces, paired with a neutral palette that allows the evolving ocean views to take centre stage. “The goal was to create spaces that felt beautiful and elevated, yet comfortable and livable for a family,” Iwaniec explained. As a result, the tonal finishes were contrasted with colourful fabric, art and furniture, which add depth to the space.
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Above The kitchen in a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
Above The breakfast area in a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
The kitchen in a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
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Natural light similarly permeates through the kitchen, which features a large window illuminating the white oak millwork and Taj Mahal stone. Such durable materials set the stage for delicious meals together, ensuring that the family can continuously make memories in the space for years to come. Adjacent to the kitchen, custom millwork creates an open living plan, ensuring a seamless flow between the different rooms.
On the same floor, the home office takes full advantage of the home's grand architectural proportions. With its floor-to-ceiling custom wall panelling, tall drapery and an oversized chandelier by Diego Mardegan, the space maintains the elegance and warmth of the Miami Beach atmosphere while ensuring that the homeowners can take inspiration from their space’s overarching design story.
The primary bedroom in a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
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Stepping up the travertine staircase, the upper floors reveal the home’s more private areas. Within the children’s bedrooms and playroom, glimpses of a more whimsical approach shine through. Custom millwork with perforated cut-out details cleverly conceals a television in the playroom, ensuring the children can focus on imaginative play in a serene, clutter-free place. A notable piece within the room is a playful light fixture by Katie Stout, which allows them to unwind after a long day of exploring on the beach.
Echoing the muted hues present throughout the home, the primary bedroom continues a similar material palette. This neutral, serene base features accents of blues and greens that echo the surrounding Floridian landscape, bringing the exterior environment into visual conversation with the sanctuary of this family home.
Above The outdoor city views of a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
The outdoor city views of a waterfront Miami Beach home designed by Strang Architects with Pembrooke & Ives
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“We love that the home feels grand and has a strong presence on the street and waterside, while spaces feel comfortable and cosy,” mused Starr. “The design represents the lifestyle and aesthetics of the client.” Iwaniec echoes this sentiment, reflecting on the process of combining “collectable design with practical luxury to celebrate materiality, craftsmanship, and curated design.” Everywhere in the space, the design stays rooted in a contemporary style, allowing the family to develop daily rituals that echo the undulating rhythm of the nearby waves.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
