Beyond our borders, Florida might appear as a uniform setting: palm trees, beaches and tropical flora coloring every corner. But explore the Sunshine State, and you’ll quickly realize there is no “typical” Florida—nor a singular design scene. It’s a nuanced observation I’ve come to understand, informed by a life spent from Atlantic beaches to the Gulf Coast, with nearly 20 years rooted in South Florida.
As a LUXE editor for the past decade, I’ve covered design communities from Vero Beach through the Keys and Sarasota to Marco Island. Commonalities exist among each locale—notably, a penchant for indoor-outdoor living, as observed at the Islamorada property by Strang Design seen at right—but each creative landscape is as distinct as its ecology. While Miami is known for its vibrancy, Palm Beach presents a fresh take on classical vernacular. Naples maintains a discreet charm, and Sarasota is celebrated for its architecture.
Much has changed since my reporting began 10 years ago, particularly an influx of residents. With them came aesthetic sensibilities shaped from former home states like Illinois and California as well as regions such as Latin America. The result is one of the country’s most robust, affluent and glamorous markets—as diverse as the state itself.
Half Of Client Homes In South Florida Are Valued In Excess Of $11M
Colorful Palm Beach
Like a peacock with its feathers fully fanned, Florida’s legendary resort destination has become a beguiling haven in recent years, particularly luring young families. That’s why we’re noticing the area’s traditional design tropes—palm prints, trellis accents, chinoiserie motifs and furnishings crafted of bamboo, rattan and wicker—are being reinterpreted with contemporary twists, such as modern art collections and brass accents.
The town’s architectural language is similarly shifting. While the region’s preserved 1920s Mediterranean-style estates will always remain desirable, new construction has embraced related forms. British Colonial inflections and California touches, like iron-framed windows and doors, sit comfortably beside their historic neighbors.
What hasn’t changed: vibrant colors inside and outside. The greens of leafy palms and turquoise blues of the waterways often inspire bright selections, as showcased inside the home pictured at right and below by Marshall Watson & Reid Deane Ganes. “We were influenced by everything oceanic and the lush, verdant landscape right outside the windows,” designer Marshall Watson says. The quality of light here also allows for daring decisions such as not-so-subtly patterned wallpaper. It all amounts to the Palm Beach of today: a modern, family-friendly Slim Aarons photo come to life.
“Clients want spaces that feel both sophisticated and deeply livable, well-crafted, technologically intuitive and personalized.”
—Lauren Hooks McCauley
The Miami Vibe
In a city that welcomes art fairs, global residents and boundary-pushing architecture alongside landmark Art Deco buildings, Miami interiors follow suit. High-rise living, in particular, often embraces risk-taking through innovative lighting and museum-worthy collections.
Yet the once-ubiquitous high-gloss gallery look is softening. Brazilian sensibilities have made noticeable appearances through warm woods, while Latin playfulness extends to curved furnishings and sinuous gestures, such as the undulating wall in the penthouse featured below by Light On White Design Studio. “Curves provide a sense of ease and fluidity as well as guide circulation more naturally,” designer Alizee Brion observes.
Outside the metropolis, earthy neutrals ground single-family dwellings in enclaves like Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Natural materials such as Calacatta Viola marble and native coral stone deliver organic drama against tactile backdrops like plaster and limewash finishes, which absorb harsh sunlight beautifully. The effect is an aesthetic that is bold yet refined—a glamour that whispers, rather than shouts.
96% Of Designers Report Their South Florida Clients Value Prestige And Exclusivity
Outdoor Living, Coast To Coast
Across the state, warm weather is an enticing luxury—elevating landscape architecture as a key investment. To enjoy grounds with native plantings, Floridians embrace resort-style amenities: lengthy pools, air-conditioned loggias, alfresco dining and living areas and outdoor kitchens. In turn, the built environment works with the setting, maximizing the views through thoughtful siting, expansive windows and fully retractable doors. “The architecture is a direct response to the tropical climate,” architect Max Strang shares of his projects. “We use a consistent language of deep overhangs, louvered systems and regional materials to manage the sun and the breeze.” This indoor-outdoor connection calls for performance textiles, oceanic colors and coastal textures. In locales like Naples and Sarasota, where houses are prioritized for multigenerational gatherings, designers execute this balance with tailored, comfortable spaces that invite grandchildren, dogs and wet bathing suits—proving elegant Florida homes are meant to be lived in.
Explore more regional design trends in our digital exclusive series: Design In Focus.
