When the founding Principals of B+G Design relocated from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami in the Spring of 2021, the design duo opted to transition from a single-family residence to a sky-high apartment. Newly empty-nesters, Brett and Giselle envisioned the new residence as a fresh beginning in this exciting next chapter in their lives. Synchronous to their move, they also relocated B+G’s Headquarters to the Miami Design District.
Project Name: Museum Residence
Studio Name: B+G Design, Inc
“It made more sense for us to be in Miami. Our business was gravitating here, and our friends and colleagues are here. It goes without saying that all the action happens here.” mentions Brett. With extraordinary views of the Magic City’s skyline, overlooking the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum and the Port of Miami, their new residence is strategically located, granting them quick accessibility to the city’s hot spots.
Scaling down from a single-family home to an apartment requires expert space planning, which is a specialty of B+G Design. “An apartment can live and feel as big as a traditional home. You must plan and prioritize every inch of real estate, but it is achievable.” says Giselle. From maximizing storage to concealing cabinetry, the apartment was remodeled into a captivating residence that leaves a grand impression.
The overall design concept is a complete departure from their former home, a 1970s contemporary coastal residence in Ft. Lauderdale. The aesthetic of their new Miami interiors is a modern approach with a mix of sculptural furnishings in matte black, white and a variety of natural tones. The mood evokes a sensual sophistication inspired by their travels. Textured fabrics, marble, Parisian-style moldings, and a curated selection of objet-d’art soulfully characterize the high-design of this Miami abode.
Giselle is known for her intuitive decision making when it comes to designing interiors for their clients. When designing this home, she took high risks knowing she would reap an even higher reward. “We reimagined the interiors completely. Apart from the shell of the staircase, we stripped the original apartment and remodeled every space. The creative process for this home took us on a journey where we wanted to balance functional minimalism with our personal taste.”
B+G created a modern entry foyer that welcomes you into their home. The first encounter with the black color palette begins here. Choosing an interior style that is not often associated in Miami, they gutted the standard kitchen and partnered with Snaidero Hollywood to design a custom ultra- matte-black kitchen that plays a major part in the design narrative of the grand room. Concealing cabinetry and major appliances, they revamped the kitchen with a sleek design making it feel part of the larger space. Fully equipped with the state-of-the art Subzero freezer, warming drawer, cooktop and concealed hood, the kitchen is a space to entertain and welcome guests. The fourteen-foot island, which is an architectural statement, in book matched Paonozzetto marble from Opustone, offers ample space for two cooks in the kitchen, so to speak. Neatly tucked on the opposite side of the island are a row of black leather and oak counter stools by Mater. “The beauty of this kitchen is that we extended the cabinetry and paneled the powder room door to blend through to the front of the apartment.” mentions Brett. The powder room is a simple elegant design with fixtures by Dornbracht and a pendant light by Lee Broom. To the right of the foyer, they added additional storage, creating an expansive pantry in matching matte-black finish that looks and feels velvety to the touch. These built-in cabinets increased their storage capacity while at the same time seamlessly interacting with the rest of the space. Adjacent to the kitchen, a breakfast closet beautifully opens to reveal chrome metal shelves displaying their espresso maker, where Brett and Giselle experience their morning coffee ritual. This convenient addition to the kitchen is a gem that can be appreciated with the pocket doors fully open. Underneath the nook of the stairway, a custom low cabinet bar was added creating additional storage for their entertaining accoutrement with a matching Lamino Nero top.
The central statement in the dining room is an impactful piece by Massimo Listri titled Venaria Reale XIV Torino. Adding the perfect contrast to the black B&B dining table, this area in the home brings back the concept of traditional dining. Resting on the surface is a cherished onyx angel wing, which complements the ethereal mood of the Listri photograph. At the end of the dining room, a B+G custom designed smoke-glass book stand holds a limited edition The Rihanna Book: Queen Size. Perfect for entertaining, this space along with the extended island provide Brett and Giselle more than enough real estate to host large gatherings.
The two-story height grand room, washed in natural light, feels cosmopolitan. A Minotti Lawson sofa was placed facing the custom built-in which offers twenty feet of storage space under the marble ledge in addition to vertical storage and display shelving. B+G added a gray mirror to the built-in which reflects the room, introducing another finish. A beveled coffee table by Holly Hunt is flanked by two caramel Knoll Womb chairs playing off the Holly Hunt accent pillows. Holly Hunt side tables in brushed bronze with black marble base were added to allow each seating area to feel more intimate and create a moment to place a book or drink. Within the shelves, they curated pieces old and new, mixed in with stunning greenery by Plant the Future. At night, the living room takes on another feel as the city lights cast a glow into the living room. The floor to ceiling window frames were painted black which almost disappear at night creating the illusion that the living room continues past the balcony. Hanging above is a clean yet impactful light fixture that perfectly balances the living room while not interrupting the views from either floor. “A common issue that many people face when moving from a house to an apartment is where to store seasonal items. We knew that building up would accommodate our need for storage.” adds Giselle.
Off the kitchen, is a cozy guest room which doubles as a family room and office. Brett and Giselle custom designed a daybed that invites you to stay. Wallpapered in Fuji Weave paper from Phillip Jeffries, this version of their Ft. Lauderdale home theater is upgraded to feel like a studio. Adding custom shelving on both sides of the daybed, they can display artifacts from their travels. Accenting the room is Brett’s precious guitar collection, a passion pastime of the designer.
Travel up the glass paneled staircase into their bedroom sanctuary where a floor to ceiling glass wall overlooks the living room. As you enter the space a print of Greta Garbo, inherited by Brett from his mother, is the perfect piece adding a feminine sensibility. B+G continued the monochromatic color palette in this room adding softer elements throughout like a light-toned curtain panel that electronically closes giving them more privacy. Their custom canopy four-post bed floats away from the back wardrobe closet and is centered in the room, making this the focal element of the space. Choosing mirrored closet doors for the back wardrobe makes the space feel larger. A custom vanity with stone top and built-in LED mirrors provides Giselle a space to sit, relax and prepare for the day. To allow for in-bed entertainment, they opted for a white Samsung Frame TV that also doubles to display digital art.
The master bathroom was laid out to have a full-size closet for Brett in addition to multiple points of storage throughout. Clean, sophisticated, and modern, the master bathroom’s long layout was used to create a separate area for the commode, hidden toward the back for more privacy. A petite vanity area which also offers a morning closet with cold drinks is tucked behind a stunning gray glass shower with a direct view to the city’s skyline.
Once the sun sets, the feel of the apartment changes. The grand room feels like a lounge and the kitchen becomes center stage for moments to enjoy with family and friends. The balcony, which is a large space, features a full-size B&B outdoor dining table. For lounging, two Cane-Line from Clima Home chaises are placed side by side creating another area for guests to connect and take in Miami views.
