Homes
This Miami beachfront mansion by Robert Rionda Interiors juxtaposes antiquity with modernity
OCT 18, 2020 | By Aneesha Bhadri
Spread over a sprawling 14,500 sq ft waterfront property in Miami Beach and furnished with antiques, classical touches and contemporary elements, this villa embodies the best of both worlds. “The clients, a young family, wanted an old-world look with a grand but relaxed European feel as well as modern day comforts,” says Robert Rionda, who moved from a law career to establish this eponymous design practice in 2005.
An entry foyer with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows looks out into a courtyard and the bay beyond. To the right, a double-heighted hallway opens to an expansive living room, dining area and kitchen. An entertainment room and three terraces facing the oceanic waterfront complete the lower level. The family quarters including a master suite and three ensuite bedrooms lie upstairs.
“The living room is my favourite space for its eclectic assortment of pieces spanning centuries and styles. I have always been fascinated by the history and stories behind antiques. This project gave me the opportunity to further explore and incorporate some of my favourite historical styles. I always enjoy the search and this project was all about that,” enthuses Rionda.
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There are two secondary buildings connected to the main house. One contains an automobile museum for the husband’s collection of cars, while above it is his study and a guest suite. The other building comprises a state-of-art gym and spa terrace. The museum doubles up as a ballroom for parties, while the gym—with its old industrial vibe owing to a double-heighted wall of reclaimed Belgian bricks—is mainly the domain of the wife, a former Olympian.
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“The mandate was to use strictly traditional pieces but I didn’t want it to look like a period house. So, we combined furnishings from many eras and origins to arrive at a fresher, eclectic take on tradition, suitable for a young family,” explains the interior designer. Many of the finishes were reclaimed materials sourced from Europe, while aged surfaces and patina help convey the old-world charm.
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The homeowners wanted the villa to evoke a sense of calm and Rionda didn’t want strong colours to detract from the details of the antiques. A soft and neutral palette of whites, beiges, taupes, greys and soothing blues, with a few strong pops thus emerged. The husband’s study is the only place that diverges from this colour scheme with its darker masculine look.
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When asked about his approach to work, Rionda says he strives for timeless and comfortable design. “Even in contemporary projects, I try to stay away from trends unless I think they will survive the test of time and feel fresh in the years to come. Here, I suppose the inverse came into play—we wanted to make sure that such a traditional home filled with antiques would still feel fresh, young and comfortable,” he affirms.
Scroll below for more images of this Miami beachfront property…
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