Welcome back to Design Where You Live, a monthly digest of regional trends from our editors—delivered straight to you.
This month, Homes Editor Jennifer Pfaff Smith is on the scene in South Florida, where there's no shortage of sunshine or style. From the vibrant and artistic aesthetics of Miami to the colorful, historic vibes in Palm Beach, Florida's design language comes together in a nuanced collection of breezy retreats.
Learn what makes the Florida design scene so special as we break down trending interior choices, shifts in local architecture styles, popular materials and more.
The Big Picture
Each part of Florida is different, from the beaches to the residents—and that includes the design scene. Miami and Palm Beach are equally known for their breezy, palm tree-riddled vibes, but that’s where a lot of the similarities end.
These days, Miami is a highly creative city with a vibrant art scene, eye-catching architecture—from contemporary skyscrapers to Miami Beach’s iconic Art Deco landmark buildings—and international influence, including starchitects who are leaving their marks on the cityscape. Gone are the shiny, stark white, gallery-like interiors of stereotypical Miami condos; things have been warming up with woods, greenery and a sense of playfulness, particularly though Brazilian sensibilities.
Farther north, Palm Beach design reflects the sparkling personality of the town, which is rooted in social and architectural history, bright colors (Hello, Lilly Pulitzer!), palm prints and natural materials like rattan, sisal and woven woods. Over the years, local architecture has shifted from 100-year-old Mediterranean structures to a British Colonial inflect that plays well with its Mizner-crafted neighbors and now, excitedly, subtle touches of a California feel, particularly through iron-framed windows and doors. It’s exciting to see a fresh, youthful twist on this classic style.
This Jupiter Inlet Colony abode designed by Ellen Kavanaugh features a soft color palette.
Poetic symmetry greets visitors to this chic Palm Beach house by McCann Design Group.
The Most Popular Trends In Interiors
Naturally, indoor-outdoor living is huge because of the state’s year-long warm weather. South Floridians—especially seasonal residents hailing from colder climates—are here to take advantage of the outdoors, so inside-outside capabilities in a home are a must. This means having elements such as doors that fully open, seamlessly connecting a house’s ground level to the back exterior; a loggia outfitted with AC for days with higher temps; native plantings that offer shaded ground cover and visual intrigue; water features to keep things cool and add tranquil background noise; and, of course durable fabrics that stand up to wet bathing suits after drifting from the pool to the living room sofa.
I am also seeing so many curves in interiors! Rounded forms are taking center stage, showing up in everything from sofas with sloped arms to round rugs, organic coffee tables and even circular lighting.
In renovating this 1960s Palm Beach residence, McCann Design Group mixed the historic home’s Regency-style architecture with contemporary furnishings that have fluid shapes and midcentury-modern silhouettes, such as a curved sofa and arched armchairs. Circular forms continue in elements such as a bubble chandelier and porthole doors.
Wonderfully overwhelming ocean views captivate visitors in this ground-floor apartment by Jonathan Adler. The scenery is exposed through floor-to-ceiling windows that span the lengthy living-dining area and wrap around a corner, eliminating entire walls. Although certainly magical, the vista was also a challenge—one Adler overcame by keeping the floors and walls white like the building’s façade and incorporating acrylic pieces that glisten in the sunlight.
Trends + Materials: What's Hot Right Now
Brazilian Woods: In Miami, Brazilian woods, particularly Ipe, are cladding exteriors and interiors, even in the form of clever slatted walls.
Travertine: The cool stone brings interest through its many varietals, as FL Interiors demonstrated in our March/April cover story set in Sunny Isles Beach.
Textile art: Textile art like rope pieces are also making appearances, countering traditional mediums such as framed artwork.
High-gloss paint: Design pros are using this more often because it reflects the area’s gorgeous quality of light. In this way, you can get away with a darker tone, which will be luminous in a space with abundant natural light, or create a moody, dramatic feel in a windowless space such as a powder room. Don’t forget to coat the ceiling, like Margaret Kaywell did in this Palm Beach dwelling’s cocktail lounge.
Inside the moody, striking lounge of a cheerful Palm Beach escape by Margaret Kaywell.
The Designers + Design Spots Making Waves
In Palm Beach, Helen Bergin is one to watch. She has a fresh eye and brings art-like modernity to traditional interiors. Cece Bowman recently launched her own firm after years at Kemble, and I cannot wait to see how she uses her voice and perspective to darling, preppy interiors she creates on her own following this incredible education. Finally, Sara McCann and her team are always inspiring the local scene, especially through their retail components—everything they touch turns fabulous.
Read exclusive interviews from Helen and other top designers in our LinkedIn newsletter.
In Miami, after growing up witnessing the evolution of the city's design scene, Sabrina Maclean has since taken the helm of the firm her mother launched and expertly brings a forward feel to the endemic look. A personal favorite, Moniomi, is finally getting the attention the firm deserves, bringing bold, fantastical style to places like the Kips Bay Palm Beach Show House. And a relative newcomer to the area, Stephanie Roy-Heckl has a worldly, global sensibility that allows her to expertly mix and curate pieces of various heritages while still creating a cohesive look that feels rooted in Miami.
When it comes to shops and showrooms, a number of people and places stand out. Designer Alessandra Branca’s Casa Branca and her atelier and showroom are the most sumptuous places to admire her gorgeous textiles and masterful talent for sourcing vintage pieces. I’m also impressed by Storia Flooring, which feels more like a cozy living room than a showroom, and Arca for stone slabs—my eyes turn into hearts wandering through the maze of gorgeous surfaces. In Broward County, I’m always delighted wandering the halls at Design Center of the Americas—we’re lucky to have this incredible resource in our area to access top brands. Farther south, I keep hearing great things about Covet House, brought to the area by architect Elmar Benavente. And in Miami, I am dying to visit Otto Tiles & Design and Calimia Home.
Helen Bergin Interiors imbues this Palm Beach oasis with a vibrant sensibility.
Benjamin Moore’s Pink Flamingo accents the kitchen in this Palm Beach villa by Cece Bowman.
See inside the tropical bathroom of this Miami condo by Moniomi Design.
In the living room of this retro revival by Sabrina Maclean, a diptych by Vladimir Dubossarsky and Alexander Vinogradov holds court behind a Vladimir Kagan chair from Holly Hunt.
Vintage and contemporary furnishings mix in the living room of this Miami abode by Stephanie Roy-Heckl.
Looking Forward: What's Next
Two of the three projects in our July/August 2025 edition are by designers whom I’ve long admired and are being featured in LUXE for the first time. It is always such a thrill and an honor to debut fresh talent to our readers.
Until then, there's no shortage of unforgettable features in our May/June 2025 edition. The Islamorada project by Max Strang and his team includes a must-see architectural feat: an exterior metal-formed staircase clad in Ipe wood and enclosed by glass balustrades, floating above a trickling water feature. They called it a “louvered pièce de resistance,” which is a perfect descriptor.
And in the Jupiter Island home of the same issue, Ellen Kavanaugh selected a stainless steel kitchen hood, surrounded by cerused-oak cabinetry and onyx countertops. It’s an awesome, reflective piece that is the perfect counterpoint to more natural elements, making everything pop.
In South Florida, a metal-formed staircase clad in Ipe wood and enclosed by glass balustrades floats above a trickling water feature in an indoor-outdoor retreat by Strang Design.
About The Author
As the Homes Editor of LUXE Interiors + Design magazine’s Palm Beach, Miami and Naples editions, Jennifer Pfaff Smith reports on the inspiring work of leading interior designers, architects, builders, landscape designers and creative artisans between Vero Beach and the Keys and from Sarasota to Marco Island. A seasoned magazine journalist in South Florida, with more than a decade of expertise in covering the local luxury lifestyle, Jenn resides in Jupiter with her husband, John; daughters, Audrey and Grace; and 90-pound golden retriever, Roman. Read more of Jenn's work here.
