THE MAGIC OF SOUTH BEACH
Miami's City Lights And Ocean Vistas
Cast A Spell Over An Art Deco-Inspired Penthouse

outh Beach. The name conjures up images of sunny beaches, neon lights and Art Deco buildings. When Dana and Jerry Carson decided to relocate here from Naples, Fla., they envisioned a residence that would "achieve every possible dream we could imagine," says Dana, whose husband is the forrner chief financial officer and executive vice president of Playboy International.

Their penthouse in Portofino Towers overlooks Government Cut, the main waterway in Miami for cruise ships and yachts. Located on the 40th floor, the three-story residence "has probably the best penthouse view in America," says designer James T. Keena, who had previously done the couple's penthouse in Naples.

For the design of their new home, the Carsons were certain of one thing: It had to be Art Deco. "Our other homes were traditional," Dana explains. "This direction was new to me, and I loved leaming about it."

Keena shared his knowledge of French Art Deco style with the Carsons, and together they outlined the direction of the project. "We did many sketches and plans," Keena says. "In fact, several of the drawings look like art themselves." The end result is an Art Deco interpretation that integrates Art Nouveau, ancient Celtic and other motifs.

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