Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

As a result of COVID, we are spending significantly more time in our homes. While stay-at-home orders have relaxed, lingering concerns over our safety keep us from venturing out as often as we would like. Therefore, it should almost go without saying that your home decor should make you feel comfortable, and truly at home. Part of that sense of comfort comes from who you are. Your decor should reflect your personality.

So, how do you decide what style or styles best match you? Do the unornamented sleek lines of mid-century modern tempt you? How about the clean, easy-going minimalism of Scandinavian? Or perhaps you are more of a cool brash industrialist. If your answer to any of these questions is "yes," then the authenticity movement may be just what you need.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

What Does it Mean to be Authentic?

The choices we make in designing our living spaces reflect who we are as individuals and have the potential to inspire those who visit our homes. The furniture we choose, the color palettes we implement, and even the dominant shape themes we use say something about how we view and approach the world.

Authenticity is about making choices that enlighten you and fit the personality you want to portray. The key is to spend time with colors and shapes, to explore furnishings and understand their materials, textures, weights, and colors so that you know what truly speaks to you. Only then, can you build a design scheme that feels authentic and inspiring!

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

But who am I?

A great deal of research has gone into understanding how the choices we make speak to our personality characteristics. One immediate way to plan your design scheme is to understand how "you" matches with design elements.

Colors, for example, can speak to our characteristics. People who love blue tend to be reliable and sensitive. The preference for tidiness and their desire for stability suggest that elements of unornamented minimalism or the weighty furnishings of traditional might match well with their authentic style. On the other hand, those who enjoy purple are often artistic, unique and may be perceived as arrogant. People of this element might enjoy the more unusual lines of a zig-zag chair or the quirkiness of an eclectic style.

Shapes can also tell us something about our psychological make-up. Based on Susan Dellinger's book on psycho-geometrics (and yes, that is apparently a field), people who are drawn to squares typically do not like surprises, are organizers and seek a sense of security - traits that connect well to more traditional styles like classicism. Round lovers are more forthright and outgoing and match well with the eclectic sense of style. Look out lovers of curves and waves!

Squiggly lines suggest the non-traditionalist who is creative, motivated, independent and sexy. These traits of the young professional often match well with urban styles like industrialism and modernism.

Even overall design schemes say something about who we are. Drawn to Scandinavian design? Chances are you're friendly, stylish and interested in culture. Tend toward the modern? You are likely driven, organized and professional. The traditionalist is poised and elegant. The minimalist is introverted and efficient. But remember that authenticity is about finding all the parts of yourself, so that one style does not have to define you. If you feel like your personality traits bridge certain styles, then try blending the styles to find what works for you!

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

Just be Yourself

Authenticity is about knowing and embracing your personality traits and the ways they connect to the design you love. Don't feel locked down by any one trend or by styles that seem chic but make you feel like a visitor in your own home. Take a look "inside"... both with yourself and your home. Do not be afraid to make home decorating choices that truly say, "this is the real me."

The post Design Solutions Miami Makes the Case for Authenticity in Design appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Guimar Urbina, founder of Guimar Urbina Interiors has over 15 years of experience and has cemented herself as one of the most notable modern interior designers in the South Florida market. The eclectic and international expanse of her work provides for an extremely tasteful and worldly perspective.

Besides her interior design business, she is also the co-founder of The Wallpaper Company a boutique wallpaper company specializing in unique designs. Headquartered in the beautiful City of Miami, The Wallpaper Company maintains a regional network of showrooms and sales representatives worldwide. Today, the company stocks more than 5000 wallcoverings including papers, vinyls, fabrics, naturals as well as many unique hand-crafted specialties.

Guimar recently debuted her second wallpaper collection with The Wallpaper Company at Boutique Design New York, the leading trade fair and conference for hospitality’s boutique and lifestyle design community. This year the fair returned to New York’s Javits Center November 14-15, 2021 for its 11th year and was co-located with ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) + WantedDesign Manhattan, as well as HX: The Hotel Experience Powered by AAHOA.

Guimar's newest collection was specifically focused on sustainability and included exotic textures, raw patterns, and unseen finishes that will for certain transform any space into a unique experience. Thousands of the world's best interior designers, architects, consultants, purchasing executives, hospitality property owners, and operators stopped by her booth to check out the unique collection.

"New York is the gateway to the world!" Guimar says about the experience.

For more information about Guimar Urbina, please click here.

The post Guimar Urbina Debuts Brand New Sustainable Wallpaper Collection At Boutique Design New York appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

By toeing the line between contemporary and modern style, Luciana Fragali of Design Solutions Miami, gives everyone something to talk about. The client for this particular project was a young bachelor who entrusted the DS Miami design team with the interior of his lavish Miami condo. His request was clear - bold, unique colors and pieces were a must.

The DS Miami team set out to maintain a playful edge in their bold colors and eclectic approach, creating hand-crafted products and ensuring that non two pieces are ever alike. In the living room, a custom bar unit in terra-cotta dominates the room, adding a unique flare, indulging the senses while offering style and practicality to match.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

The living room's contemporary design lies in certain essential pieces such as the Italian Tulles sofa from desirr'e, the Lou Reed armchair from Driade, and the colony accent chair from Miniform, all curated at Anima Domus. The modern aspects are embodied in pieces such as the custom organic sculpted coffee table and gorgeous decorative accessories, which become chic conversation-starters. Each item is an intriguing piece of artwork that boasts exquisite detail and sophisticated design.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

Nearby, the dining room opens the sense with approachable furniture that is as functional as it is fun. The DS Miami team selected a smoked glass dining table to open the area and paired it perfectly with the Flos Aim pendant. Nostalgic concept accessories in the kitchen accentuate the area beautifully as you enjoy the panoramic skyline views.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

The high standard goal of using bold color and creating pure sophistication in a diverse array of rooms is not always attainable to accomplish, but this project turned out to be a memorable experience for interior designer, Luciana Fragali. "My goal here was to create a variety of vibrant and sophisticated spaces to match the passions of this cosmopolitan owner in this luxurious downtown residence."

Never one to shy away from experimentations, Fragali admits that this residence became one of her favorite projects because the homeowner allowed her to be adventurous with so much color. "I created a glamorous, yet comfortable home, which is very sexy and fitting with the sophistication of the owner," says Fragali.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

The post Design Solutions Miami Presents Sweet Spot Between Contemporary And Extraordinary appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

With each turn in this ocean front condo in Oceana, Key Biscayne, views of ocean and blue sky change, mix and match as they would with the twist of a kaleidoscope. However, here, the lens comes in the form of oversized windows and sliders that frame the beautiful natural setting.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

Credit for the design throughout the home goes to Luciana Fragali, CEO and Owner of Design Solutions. Her assignment to create a comfortable home for a Brazilian newcomer and her two children was a breeze, so to speak, thanks to a lot of group thinking, which included the homeowners.

In just one year, Fragali and the team at Design Solutions were able to complete the design, renovation and staging of two individual units into one contemporary dream home, which adds up to a total of 6,000 sq ft. After all, this residence is comprised of two combined penthouse units.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

The client was introduced to Fragali through mutual friends. The design took off from there.

"There are amazing beach homes in Brazil and she wanted to have a home here that would feel the same way - a house that would be contemporary, cozy and not pretentious," said Fragali. "It needed to be a place her kids could play with friends without worry, and still be an appropriate setting for entertaining."

This certainly implies a fine line design-wise, but by all accounts, Fragali and the Design Solutions team nailed it.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

At first, the client just wanted to combine both penthouse units, keep the same structure and incorporate some millwork.

"The she got more and more excited about the home and wanted to do more and more," said Fragali.

Although the remodel was dramatic, it was well well-planned. Various floor plans were produced by Fragali, who has a background in architecture. After plenty of communication and several meetings with the clients, a singular vision was agreed upon and all worked out to lay out the final plan. From the very beginning, the client realized she was part of the team.

According to Fragali, “She went to the site every day and purchased the specified materials. This was the smoothest project I’ve worked on. Whenever there was an issue, we sat down together and solved it.”

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

New rooms include a grandiose foyer, the maid’s quarters, a playroom and family room, a spa-inspired master bath, a spacious and functional master closet, as well as a brand new chef’s kitchen by MiaCucina. For furnishings, Fragali focused on durable materials in a neutral color palette. She chose mystery white marble flooring with oversize tiles for living areas, white oak for the bedroom and closet floors and porcelain tiles for the bathrooms.

The idea was to create cozy spaces by furnishing layouts and introducing color and patterns in pillows, art and decorative accessories. Fragali also designed a custom-made, stunningly elaborate wooden pivot entry door, as well as built-ins, including the dining room buffet, family room television wall and a dramatic bronze mirrored with LED lighting wall niche behind the living room.

“There are hidden LEDs on top of the niche. So at night, when the lights are on, it washes over the bronze mirror and illuminates it.”

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

In the kitchen, sleek new cabinetry gives off an ultra-contemporary vibe and adds visual interest. Today, luxury homes are only as valuable as the kitchens found within. Fragali opted for a calcatta gold marble countertops with a matching slabbed ranged hood, Subzero and Wolf appliances, matte lacquer Bianco Ghiaccio finishes, and Castagno wood for the breakfast top and cover system.

With minimal orientation and flat surfaces, the style is intentionally non-traditional. "This is the future of design," said Fragali.

By the end of the project, these two separate units became one single bright and easy-to-live-in space that lives up to those dreamy kaleidoscopic views.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

To learn more about Luciana Fragali's work and book the Design Solutions team for an upcoming project, CLICK HERE.

The post Design Solutions Presents Contemporary Living In Miami appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Rafaela Simoes & Laila Colvin

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

Founders and Creative Directors Rafaela Simoes and Laila Colvin have established Miami’s premiere luxury interior design company, 2id Interiors. Regarded for their relevant and skillful approach to design, 2id Interiors in Miami is an award-winning leading interior design firm servicing clients which are among today's well-known names in professional industries and entertainment, spanning across South Florida, the U.S., and around the world with projects in Canada, Europe, and Brazil.

The dynamic duo behind 2id Interiors sat down with Haute Design and spoke about an eclectic array of topics which covered subjects from collaboration in design to what inspires their work.

Haute Design: Both of you are from Brazil. Do you think part of the Brazilian culture or design criteria carries over into your work?

Rafaela Simoes: Yes. I think the use of wood and organic, essential materials are always present in our design and I think that really comes from the Brazilian style of design. The desire to use natural and organic textures, I think, is very Brazilian and we always apply that into our work.

But because we also cater to so many cultures here in Miami, not just the Brazilians, I think we have learned how to be very diverse. For example, we have Russian clients who like a bit more 'bling-bling,' Brazilian clients who are more 'Earth-y,' and love the use of wood, but then we also have German clients, who have a totally different taste.

We have so many different clients and you can see that in our portfolio because it's so eclectic. We don't only follow one trend or one style. We cater to different cultures, different clients, with different backgrounds, and I think that is definitely reflected throughout our portfolio.

HD: We would agree! You mentioned the use of natural elements within your design. Have you noticed a shift with clients in regard to requesting more environmentally-conscious materials and design principles?

RS: Yes, I think so. Not specifically ecologically conscious material, but definitely more design aspects geared toward nature, more blues and greens. We are doing a lot of green walls on the exteriors of homes, so I do feel that people want the outdoors reflected inside their homes a little bit more. That said, I wouldn't go as far as saying it would be ecologically-friendly thinking.

We do have clients who really want to go in an environmentally-conscious direction and make sure the materials are responsible, but that's rare. That does not happen much.

Rafaela Simoes

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

HD: That's interesting. Switching gears a bit, considering all the time most of us have spent indoors over the past year or more, do you think clients have reconsidered how much they value their interior living spaces and home design?

RS: We definitely felt that at the beginning of COVID. We were a little bit worried about what was going to happen, as everyone was. So, everyone was remaining indoors and trying to contact us for potential projects and we couldn't do construction. But clients were ready to improve their homes right away.

From the beginning of lockdown, clients wanted to change furniture or change the layout of their homes that we had recently worked on and make things more comfortable. The first thing we did, before lockdown was over - we were already sending proposals to existing clients and new clients . It seemed everyone was desperate to improve their homes because it was a new way of life. No one had ever stayed home for this long so it was an interesting shift in the way people lived.

Everyone wants a comfortable home and they always have. But now, this idea of a comfortable home is really at the top of the list for requests. The requests have definitely shifted toward a more cozy and inviting home because people are working from home, the kids are studying from home, so comfort is key.

HD: To that point, something that has been rightfully addressed often throughout the year has been mental health. Have you noticed this awareness of mental health affect the clients' requests?

RS: I totally think so. But with us, we always thought about that when we started in this business; using materials we love, natural materials, bringing nature inside, including wood and raw materials inside the home, which does not happen in Miami often.

I think the Miami style is very shiny and cold and not very home-y. It's glossed whites and a pearly kind of style. Which, in my opinion, is not the most mentally healthy because it's so cold rather than warm and cozy like one should want their home to be. We are always designing with that in mind. We totally think that the house can be chic and elegant but still include some nature in the home.

We want the home to be beautiful but still feel cozy and warm and I totally connect that to mental health. I think that having a home that is not so cold and stark is very important for mental health.

Laila Colvin

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

HD: If we had to ask you to name three main principles throughout your design, what would those be?

Laila Colvin: I think our main principle is definitely to design for the client. As Rafaela mentioned, we have clients from all over the world and our portfolio is so eclectic because of that. I don't think we have a specific style. We do have some things that are always present, but we really try to embrace the client's dream home.

We really try to follow their vision and try to put that together for the client. If the style is more traditional, we will keep things more traditional for that project. If the taste is very modern and contemporary, we embrace that. So, whatever dream the client brings to us, we try to really embrace that.

We are not designers that say, 'you know what, that's not my style, go find someone else.' We really love having been able to work on such a variety of projects because that is an asset when trying to satisfy the clients to create their home, not our home.

HL: So, would you say in this case the client can be regarded as a secret weapon within your design team?

LC: Yes, that would be a fun way to say it, yeah. We definitely listen to them. There are a lot of exchanges between us and the client so that we have a better understanding of their desires. I do not understand how other designers can have a style that is so specific. You know, some designers have a style that once you see the work, you know it's them right away.

I don't know how they do it! Because they either need the client to totally buy into their personal vision so the client agrees to everything they recommend, or they say no to a lot of clients. We cannot do that. We actually love the difference between our projects and clients.

If you would like to learn more about 2id Interiors, CLICK HERE to visit their website.

The post 2id Interiors’ Rafaela Simoes and Laila Colvin Talk To Haute Design About Their Design Philosophy appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.