See How This Miami-Based Design Duo Embraces Color Fearlessly

Husband-and-wife design duo Ronald Alvarez and Monica Santayana, of Miami-based Moniomi Design, have mastered the compelling balance between bold playfulness and polished sophistication. From innovative residential and commercial projects to their Made by Moniomi furniture line—and their crowd-favorite stint at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach—the couple is redefining the design landscape in South Florida. Read on as they share more.

What are you working on at the moment?

RA: We’re incredibly excited about La Sala, our new concept space in Miami’s Little River. It’s more than just a showroom—it’s a destination where design gathers and inspires. We’ll showcase our bespoke Made by Moniomi furnishings and curated collectibles in a setting that celebrates artistry and innovation. The space has also served as the launchpad for several upcoming collaborations.

You’re known for your design dramatics. Any tips for injecting color into interiors?

RA: One thing we love to do is embrace saturation and not be afraid to commit to color. Instead of using bold tones just as accents, we love to fully immerse a space in hues with layers and tones of the same family. This creates depth and drama while maintaining a cohesive feel.

As a couple in business together, how do you challenge each other and push design boundaries?

MS: One of the most powerful aspects of Moniomi Design is that we have two leaders, each with a different perspective. There’s always a conversation, always a push and pull that brings new ideas to the table. We don’t design in a vacuum; we constantly bounce ideas off each other.