The Setting
We’re diving into one of our many ongoing projects—Coconut Grove! This full home remodel is nestled in the oldest neighbourhood in Miami, referred to as “The Grove”. Established in 1919, the Grove has a subtropical, bohemian feel, flanked by banyan trees and lush vegetation. The jungle-like village vibe has stood the test of time, with many of the original homes built in the early-to-mid 1900s remaining today. While these homes are “small” by modern standards—typically less than 2,200 square feet—each is unique and exceedingly charming.
An aerial view of Coconut Grove and a typical, bayan-lined street in the area.
The Vision
Our client recently purchased a home in the Grove and has partnered with us to remodel and modernize the space while maintaining the neighbourhood’s heritage aesthetic. Our shared vision is a home that feels open, airy, and minimalist, incorporating high-quality finishes while keeping the overall look comfortable and inviting.
The South Florida setting certainly influenced the design concepts for this project. We pulled inspiration from the natural environment and carried soft, modern greens through the kitchen and sunroom. We’re planning sheer curtains throughout the home to let abundant natural light pour in and to allow the foliage to provide privacy. We selected natural stones, pebble tiles, warm finishes, light woods, and boho touches for a cohesive home at one with the surrounding natural elements.
Design concept overview for our Coconut Grove Project; inspiration, palette, finishes, and more.
The Canvas
This home has had several additions over the years, so it’s important that we make it feel cohesive and of the same era and style throughout. We’re crazy about the open ceilings and beam details as pictured in the ‘before’ photos, and will be modernizing the look of these elements in the finished home.
Overall floor plan for the Coconut Grove project renovation.
A few "before" images of the Coconut Grove project.
We had originally planned to remove a wall in the kitchen, and after determining this wasn’t structurally possible with the help of our very communicative general contractor, we landed on a walk-in pantry. This reconfiguration actually opens up the space for entertaining and we think it will be all the more special in the end. We’re also altering the principal bedroom suite layout to include a walk-through closet into the ensuite. We can’t wait to see the final look!
A mockup of the pantry as viewed through the kitchen + the pantry itself.
The floor plan for the Coconut Grove kitchen and pantry.
A mockup of the vision for the Coconut Grove project ensuite vanity.
The Progress
Like so many design endeavours over the last two years, this project has seen significant delays due to the pandemic. At this stage, all of the demo work has been completed, electrical and plumbing are currently being installed, and we’ll be heading down for another site visit in the next month to approve all millwork, beam, and flooring samples. In the meantime, take a look back at our recent sourcing trip and follow along for more updates!