Contemporary Design Shines in a Compact Brickell Apartment

A compact apartment in Brickell benefits from designer Rodolfo Pomini’s no-nonsense approach to composition, function, and style

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The living and dining areas of the residence were designed as one continuous space where both coexist naturally while still maintaining their intended functions. Maritza Caneca’s artworks perfectly capture the essence of Miami with color and light.
The living and dining areas of the residence were designed as one continuous space where both coexist naturally while still maintaining their intended functions. Maritza Caneca’s artworks perfectly capture the essence of Miami with color and light.

“Size is not a defining factor of impact,” says Rodolfo Pomini. “When a space is designed with clarity and intention, even a compact footprint can feel generous, functional, and expressive. The key factors are composition, the relationship between light and proportion, and how each element is placed.”

A Pietro Terzini edition of the Les Grands Trans-Parents mirror by Cassina was chosen because it immediately resonated with the project. “It speaks about perception,” says Pomini, “and how meaning shifts depending on who is looking.”
A Pietro Terzini edition of the Les Grands Trans-Parents mirror by Cassina was chosen because it immediately resonated with the project. “It speaks about perception,” says Pomini, “and how meaning shifts depending on who is looking.”

Said mindset served the interior designer well when he tackled the 1,000-square-foot apartment of a young bachelor in Brickell. Pomini’s approach was to keep the layout open and continuous, avoiding unnecessary visual interruptions and emphasizing the clean architectural lines of the condo. “Every decision we made carried major weight,” says Pomini. “That’s why it was essential to prioritize function, circulation, and atmosphere in equal measure.”

The bar area of the apartment features light oak millwork that houses all sorts of cocktail accoutrements. The wall-mounted beverage cooler (officially known as the SMEG500) is from a 2013 collaboration between Fiat and Smeg.
The bar area of the apartment features light oak millwork that houses all sorts of cocktail accoutrements. The wall-mounted beverage cooler (officially known as the SMEG500) is from a 2013 collaboration between Fiat and Smeg.

Stylistically speaking, the residence “functions almost like a gallery, where each piece is intended to surprise and guide the guest through the space,” says the designer. And what pieces they are. A restrained palette backdrops a contemporary mix of furniture that embraces top brands. In the combined living and dining area, a sculptural Toio lamp by Flos, a Zig Zag chair by Cassina, and a dining setup by Knoll all speak to Pomini’s curator’s eye. Pool-themed artworks by Maritza Caneca introduce soothing blue hues, while textiles from Loro Piana and Hermès add warmth. In a corner, the hood of a Fiat 500 appears to come out of a wall, but closer inspection reveals the piece to be a beverage cooler (a 2013 collaboration between the Italian automaker and Smeg), a playful touch that nods to the homeowner’s love for irreverent design.

“With small spaces, design cannot be arbitrary,” says designer Rodolfo Pomini. “Everything needs to serve a purpose.”
“With small spaces, design cannot be arbitrary,” says designer Rodolfo Pomini. “Everything needs to serve a purpose.”

“The main challenge with this project was ensuring the apartment never felt crowded while still providing enough storage, comfort, and flexibility for daily life and entertaining,” says Pomini. “The client fell completely in love with the space, and for me, it was incredibly rewarding to deliver a home that truly reflects how he lives.”

Story Credits:

Text by Christopher Day

Photography by Demetrius Borges

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