This Indian family's 6,600-square-foot home in Miami is artful and eclectic

For the Talwars—a couple in their sixties—design studio MONIOMI has created a vibrant, artful home in Miami where bold colours and layered textures reflect both personal memories and a deep connection with family.

By Ela Das

30 October 2024

“This is a culmination of our shared passion for creating spaces that are both artful and deeply personal,” shares Ronald Alvarez, when describing the Miami-based design firm MONIOMI he founded with his wife Monica Santayana. “Our approach to design is fearless—we love to play with bold colours, layered textures and unexpected materials to craft homes that feel vibrant, energetic alive,” he explains as we step into the 6,600-square-foot home in Miami they’ve designed for the Talwars—a sexagenarian couple whom they first met in 2016 through mutual friends at a Diwali party in their Chicago home, and went on to work on their Miami pied-à-terre, their New York apartment, and now, their forever home overlooking PortMiami.

The bar in the living room was designed, “to feel like an artistic focal point—something that would stand out and make a statement. We selected a stunning marble slab as the main backdrop, to immediately draw the eye and set the tone for the entire space,” share the duo.

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“They’ve reached their ‘golden years’, where they are beginning to embrace the joys of having grown-up children who are starting families of their own, and now welcoming grandchildren into their lives. After living in homes across the globe, they envisioned a space where their children, grandchildren and extended family could visit and feel comfortable. They also love to entertain, so the home needed to open up for hosting friends,” points out Santayana.

Bold Designs For Every Generation

Adjacent to the kitchen, the breakfast nook was designed as a cosy corner where the family would gather regularly in a more casual and comfortable setting. Intimate and inviting, it displays one of the family's most coveted art pieces, which inspired the space’s colour palette

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The dining room features a custom table set from the firm’s MADE collection. The table comprises a high-gloss lacquer frame with a monotone wood-stained insert and brass inlays; bookended with upholstered end chairs with intricate brass legs

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Across the home, there are subtle nuances in the colour palette and pattern play that echo the Talwars’ Indian heritage.

Jeanne Canto

This home in Miami is filled with unique details in every corner, a reflection of the Talwars’ desire for a design that truly feels spectacular. Two units have been brought together: one side houses the common spaces such as the foyer, the kitchen, and its cosy breakfast nook along with the living, dining and family room, all centred around a striking bar. The opposite side of the home comprises the bedrooms, which are complemented by a sunset lounge—a serene space that frames infinite views of the Biscayne Bay.

The daughter’s room was smaller than the rest of the rooms and lacked a closet. Custom millwork ensured adequate storage while also incorporating functional elements like a desk; and soft blush and burgundy tones, paired with metallic accents echoed a youthful elegance

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The team embraced the challenge of working with a smaller space in the guest bathroom by focusing on impactful design elements. “The countertop was extended to continue above the toilet, providing more surface space for guests. To add a bold statement, we used a foliage-inspired wall covering and paired it with a rich green marble countertop.”

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Across the home, there are subtle nuances in the colour palette and pattern play that echo the Talwars’ Indian heritage, “without feeling overtly ethnic,” Santayana points out. And, the importance of family is reflected through each room’s layout, designed to accommodate family gatherings. “We worked closely with the clients to create areas that encourage togetherness, from the breakfast table where they can enjoy meals to the terraces and balconies designed for family hangouts. Each bedroom was carefully tailored to reflect the needs and personality of their children, while also preparing for the future by incorporating spaces for their growing family, including grandchildren,” Alvarez reveals.

This guest room has been designed as a warm and sophisticated space for the couple’s eldest son and his wife when they visit. Custom millwork allows the space to function like a boutique hotel room, providing guests with ample storage for personal items, clothing and luggage, ensuring that they have everything they need for a comfortable stay while also maintaining a sense of luxury and privacy

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“We incorporated several traditional Indian elements into the design, with the most notable being two key chandeliers—one in the kitchen and another in the foyer—both created in collaboration with Klove Studio, based in New Delhi. What made these pieces particularly meaningful was their connection to the clients. The chandelier in the foyer is part of Klove’s Goa collection, a reference to the city where the couple courted and spent significant time together. Goa holds immense sentimental value for them, and bringing in a piece that carried the essence of this special place into their home was a beautiful way to remind them of that chapter in their lives,” muse the duo.

Designing With Colour

The balcony was designed as an extension of the interior spaces, pulling together all the colour schemes that run across the home. “We wanted the outdoor area to feel like a natural continuation of the living room, so we used its rich rust tones here. Additionally, we brought in the blushes and burgundies from the sunset lounge and the kitchen, creating a cohesive flow between the interior and exterior.”

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“What we’re most proud of is how this home perfectly embodies the spirit of the Talwars and MONIOMI's design philosophy—with our signature use of bold colours and fearless material combinations, while being warm enough to bring generations of the family together,” Alvarez looks back, with Santayana pondering how vibrant, unexpected colour palettes can be one of the most challenging aspects of design to get right. “Our advice is to approach colour carefully. If you’re not working with a designer, the best trick is to choose a shade you love and stay within that spectrum. Rather than mixing too many contrasting colours, work within various shades of that one colour. You can go a few notches lighter for a brighter tone or a few notches darker for depth, but keeping within a cohesive palette can create a striking impact that feels harmonious and intentional.”

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