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Avoiding the "Miami Design Aesthetic" Trap

If you do an Instagram search for Miami Interior Design (try it, I just did!) you will get a bunch of images and videos that are all monochromatic, with lots of whites and beiges, light color wood. finishes, and lots of white stone. While saturated color is being used more and more everywhere else in the world, Miami seems to not want to let go of beige, which has become synonymous with “the Miami aesthetic.”


In my view, this aesthetic does not reflect the people who live in this city.


The people that live in Miami come from all walks of life and are anything but “beige”. Just look at how we dress, the cars we drive, the music we listen to, and generally HOW LOUD we are! So why is it then, that our city’s purported interior design aesthetic does NOT represent our true colors?



I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what drives this. Yes , we live in a gorgeous natural environment, and our new buildings architecturally are decidedly modern. But I am convinced that there are other forces at play here.


In this city, we live and die by the real estate market. Since Miami was founded, it has been a city controlled by real estate developers. Our most important streets are named after them: Brickell, Flagler, Collins, all developers! Even our largest museum is named after one.



What does that have to do with Interior Design trends in Miami, you ask? Hear me out. In real estate, the belief is that for a home to sell well, its interiors should be neutral. Anyone who does home staging will tell you that they will always opt for neutral colors to “not distract the prospective buyer”. The idea is that buyers should be able to “see themselves in the space”. And it undoubtedly works.


Additionally, there is the huge amount of money that goes into advertising and selling Miami real estate – all with images of neutrally “designed” spaces. This imagery is plastered EVERYWHERE. As a result, people infer that it represents affluent Miami living. Conclusion: real estate marketing has taken on the role of illustrating what many people believe is “Miami Style”.



I believe that this monochromatic cookie cutter imagery does not truly reflect the people of Miami. It’s just Jorge Perez’ and Edgardo de Fortuna’s (the two heaviest hitters in the Miami residential real estate market) perspective on what sells real estate.


Everyplace you go in Miami, particularly in Brickell and Miami Beach (with the notable exception of the deco buildings) it all looks and feels the same. When you shop locally what do you find? White, monochromatic, neutral as well.


IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY!


I believe that Miami Residential Interior Design should be so much more diverse. It should reflect all the colorful people and cultures that this city. And when it comes to your home, I believe that your home should be reflective of YOU, your personality and your style. If you are a colorful person (and I’m betting that you are because you live here), your home should be colorful too! Your home is a showcase for you, and your life story. It should not be a space where the only thing that’s interesting is the view.


This is hard to pull off when all you can find is beige or white upholstery and white walls. Which is why in Miami it’s even more important to work with a great interior designer. One who can not only help you define what your style is (and get you away from the cookie cutter sh#$), but can also help you build it, source it, and pull it all together.



I wrote an earlier blog post – 6 Reasons Your Home Needs an Interior Designer. Generally, the benefits of hiring a designer include maximizing your budget, maximizing spaces, getting a fresh perspective on your home and much more. If you decide to hire a designer in Miami, be weary of the cookie cutter / Miami Interior Design Style – and instead work with an interior designer who can help you define a style all your own and bring it to life.


If you are ready to create a home that’s all you, book a consultation with me here

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Brickell Interiors Design Studio

1627 Brickell Ave, Miami, Florida 33129

Miami-based luxury interior design services throughout Dade County and Southern Florida, in addition to e-design services in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. 

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