n cosmopolitan Miami, modern design often comes with a tropical twist. It's a unique look that reflects the city's balmy climate, mix of Latin American and Caribbean cultures, and urbane sophistication.

Designer Santiago Bernal's apartment on Brickell Avenue captures the essence of this "Tropical Modernism" with its clean-lined furnishings, Latin American art and splashes of color. A native of South America, Bernal "had a gut feeling" he could turn the place into "something special." His hunch paid off — and the living room appears on our cover.

South Beach's Art Deco buildings and upbeat scene lured Dana and Jerry Carson from Florida's Gulf Coast to the Atlantic side. When the couple asked James Keena to design their penthouse in Portofino Towers, they wanted the interior to have a moderne feel. Incorporating stained glass, faux painting and gleaming woods, Keena composes a magical setting that melds into the skyline.

On a more traditional note, a lakefront estate in Orlando recalls a centuries-old, Tuscan winery. Its owner, a true "Renaissance man," envisioned a villa with an authentic Italian flair. Paying meticulous attention to details, builder Rial Jones and designers Peter Ferwerda and Shannan Puschmann Goforth bring his vision to life.

In Naples, Howard Litton and his design team of Billy J. Fabec and Margaret Karakas create the illusion of more space in a condominium with an artful play of lights and mirrors. Tailored furnishings establish the home's minimalist aesthetic, while a taupe, champagne and charcoal-brown palette flows smoothly from room to room.

From one page to the next, this issue of Florida Design offers a lively blend of fine design.

Karen B. King McCallum
Managing Editor