Art Takes The Spotlight In A South Beach Condo

It was all about finding balance.

Homeowner Stephen Macricostas wanted a design that would place focus on his museum-worthy art collection without making his South Beach condo feel stuffy.

So, to execute his vision, the philanthropist hired designer Sofia Joelsson, whose past Miami condo projects combined a certain wow factor with a sense of ease. She had a lot to work with: iconic images of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Michael Jackson–all part of the client’s extensive Pop and contemporary art collection–plus, a jaw-dropping oceanfront view.

Art placement and, therefore, lighting became all-important, while the sandy palette, reflecting the oceanfront setting, receded into the background.

“What was really important was to make a comfortable home without taking away from the artwork or the location,” Joelsson says.

The overall look–elegant, contemporary and “very South Beach”–was just what Stephen had envisioned. “People can come in and put their feet up,” he says. “They don’t feel like they’re in a museum, and people aren’t afraid to touch anything.”