A Chicago couple relocated to Miami, choosing a 6,850-square-foot residence in Cocoplum, a quiet Coral Gables neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets, lush landscaping, and sense of privacy. The natural surroundings offered a welcome change from city life and were a key factor in their decision to settle here. For the couple, this environment represented a deliberate departure from Chicago’s winters and the pace of city life. The decision to settle in Cocoplum was as much about adopting a slower rhythm as it was about acquiring a home—one where the boundaries between interior and exterior could dissolve into a continuous experience of nature.
From cold contemporary to lived-in warmth
The eight-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bath home initially attracted them with its layout, though the interiors leaned contemporary and a bit cold for their personal taste. Constanza Collarte of Collarte Interiors, who oversaw the redesign, noted that the original design felt too modern and impersonal.
Over 18 months, the space was reimagined to merge modern architecture with a warmer, more inviting atmosphere. The transformation began with the walls, where tadelakt plaster was applied to create a soft, matte finish. Oversized rugs were layered across floors to muffle sound and add visual weight. These rugs, often in muted earth tones or geometric patterns, served as anchors for the furniture arrangements, grounding the expansive rooms.
Collarte emphasized that layering—both in color and material—was essential to the transformation. Natural stone and patinated wood appeared in custom cabinetry, dining tables, and shelving units. Woven textiles, including linen drapes and embroidered cushions, were strategically placed to soften the home’s angular architecture. Vintage furnishings were integrated not as novelties but as functional pieces that carried the weight of their history. These elements collectively dismantled the home’s initial sterility, replacing it with a sense of lived-in comfort that invited touch and lingering.
The couple’s appreciation for plants influenced the design in both overt and subtle ways. Sculptural planters were positioned in corners and along windowsills, their organic forms contrasting with the home’s straight lines. Jardinieres were used to raise greenery to eye level, creating vertical gardens in rooms where floor space was limited. Botanical patterns appeared in upholstery and wallpaper, their motifs echoing the foliage outside. The landscaping, designed to envelop the property, extended this theme beyond the walls. Thoughtfully designed landscaping wraps around the home, creating a private garden oasis with a pool and barbecue area designed for seamless outdoor living and family gatherings.
A home built on trust and shared vision
The partnership between Collarte and the homeowners progressed without friction, marked by trust and decisiveness. From the outset, they agreed on key goals: softening the home’s sharp architectural lines, prioritizing comfort over formality, and creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. This alignment allowed the project to unfold with a sense of inevitability, where each decision built upon the last.
Window treatments played a critical role in achieving these goals. Rather than opting for a single solution, Collarte combined curtains and shades to address both practical and aesthetic needs. Heavy linen drapes were used in living areas to diffuse harsh sunlight while adding a sense of grandeur. In bedrooms, layered Roman shades provided privacy without sacrificing natural light. The choice of fabrics—linen, cotton, and wool—was deliberate, as their textures absorbed sound and added warmth to rooms dominated by hard surfaces. The color scheme took inspiration from the natural environment, using warm neutrals as a foundation for deeper, earthy tones. Collarte explained that the goal was to balance contemporary design’s clean lines with the authenticity of traditional elements, ensuring that the home felt timeless.
The redesign unfolded methodically, resembling the curation of a collection rather than a wholesale overhaul. Accessories, textiles, and art were introduced over time, each selected for its harmony with the space and its ability to evoke emotion. Large-scale abstract paintings and vintage botanical prints were integrated alongside textured textiles like chunky knit throws and handwoven mixes. These details were not afterthoughts but integral to the design, each contributing to the home’s narrative of warmth and personalization.
By completion, the home reflected a personal, lived-in quality unique to its Florida setting. The couple no longer felt like temporary occupants but as stewards of a space that had grown around them. Collarte observed that the transformation went beyond aesthetics; it had altered the way they interacted with the home. The project also aligned with the firm’s broader work in high-end residential design, as seen in recent luxury home contracts, where the emphasis on bespoke, character-rich interiors has become a signature. For Collarte, the success of the redesign lay in its ability to feel distinctly like home—one that had been shaped by the people who lived there, the climate they inhabited, and the memories they would continue to create.