When a Chicago couple was ready to relocate, they set their sights on Cocoplum, a quiet Coral Gables neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets, lush landscaping, and sense of privacy. “The natural surroundings offered a welcome change from city life and were a key factor in their decision to settle here,” says interior designer Constanza Collarte of Collarte Interiors. They found a 6,850-square-foot home with eight bedrooms and seven and a half baths. “With limited inventory in Miami’s housing market, the homeowner was initially drawn to the home’s layout, though the interiors leaned contemporary and a bit cold for their personal taste,” the designer recalls.
A key priority was to embrace the Florida lifestyle, strengthening the connection between the interiors and the surrounding landscape. From the outset, the collaboration between designer and homeowner was thoughtful and highly engaged. “The clients embraced the design vision with a clear sense of trust and decisiveness,” Constanza recalls. “Our shared focus was on bringing warmth and character into the space through elements like tadelakt plaster, large-scale area rugs, and richly textured fabrics.”
Pulling inspiration from the verdant greens just outside the windows, Constanza let the lush landscape inform the home’s palette and guide the overall mood of the interiors. “This translated into a thoughtful use of neutrals—warm, nuanced tones that provided a quiet backdrop for richer, more organic layers to emerge,” she says. The homeowners’ love of plants and florals also inspired Constanza to incorporate sculptural planters, jardinieres, and botanical motifs throughout, adding organic texture, softness, and a sense of life to the interiors. Thoughtfully designed landscaping wraps around the home, creating a private garden oasis with a pool and barbecue area designed for seamless outdoor living and family gatherings.
For both art and furnishings, Constanza selected large-scale pieces with presence, including heavily textured tables and casegoods that add depth and tactile richness to each room. “Layering was key throughout the home, not just in terms of color, but in materiality and form,” she says. “From woven textiles to natural stone and patinated wood, every element was selected to create harmony while offering visual interest.”
To soften some of the home’s colder, more architectural elements, the team incorporated layered window treatments that combine curtains and shades to add warmth, texture, and softness. The client also had a strong appreciation for character and history. “So, we integrated vintage pieces from various styles and eras,” the designer notes. “This curated mix brought soul to the home and allowed the modern architecture to feel more storied and timeless. It was about striking a balance between the clean lines of contemporary design and the warmth and authenticity of the past.”
The home came together over the course of eighteen months, with the final layers emerging gradually over time. “We approached the interiors much like a collection, carefully layering in accessories, planters, textiles, tapestries, and fabrics as we found pieces that felt right for the home,” Constanza reflects. “By the end, they loved that the house felt warm, personal, and lived-in.”
