Where Shanna Gatanis Meets Malabar: A Florida Beachfront Retreat with Truly Extraordinary Style
Where Shanna Gatanis Meets Malabar: A Florida Beachfront Retreat with Truly Extraordinary Style
Sports and hip-hop music set the rhythm in this Florida beachfront retreat, a contemporary castle brimming with surprises. Designed by Shanna Gatanis with an acute attention to every detail, the home feels effortlessly alive, each space flowing seamlessly into the next, offering both comfort and a touch of theatricality. And just like a modern-day fortress, it holds more than meets the eye: a full recording studio, a state-of-the-art cinema, a private hair salon, a hip-hop piano room, a gym, and even a secret whiskey-tasting lounge concealed behind a hidden door. Set on a private estate surrounded by water and lush gardens, this Florida beachfront retreat have become a luxurious playground where discoveries never seem to end.
Shanna Gatanis’ Vision for a Florida Beachfront Retreat
At the helm of this vibrant Florida beachfront retreat is Shanna Gatanis Design Studio, renowned for translating lifestyle and personality into spaces that feel effortlessly sophisticated. “Since the beginning, our client’s energy and creative vision set the tone for the project,” Gatanis explains. “She sought luxurious finishes, bespoke pieces, and a lively mix of fresh color palettes with a cultural touch. Every room became an opportunity to combine sophistication and personality, and from day one, we were inspired to translate her vision into an elegant, one-of-a-kind home.”
From the initial concept to the final flourish, the studio curated each space with an editorial eye, ensuring that every detail resonates with comfort, playfulness, and a distinctly contemporary yet timeless aesthetic. The goal was clear from the start: to translate the client’s vision into a home that feels alive. Today, this Florida beachfront retreat is exactly that: a space where design and daily life flow seamlessly together.
The Entry Hall: Where the Story Truly Begins
If the home is a symphony of sport, music, and color, the entry hall is its very first note: bold, bright, and unapologetically confident. From day one, the client’s energy and creative vision pushed the project toward luxurious finishes, bespoke craftsmanship, and a vibrant cultural twist, setting the tone for this Florida beachfront retreat. And here, the moment you step inside, that vision becomes tangible.
A custom console by Shanna Gatanis Studio anchors the space with sculptural presence, balanced by a luminous Ben & Aja Blanc mirror from The Future Perfect—a reflective portal that expands the room and doubles its drama. Nearby, a whimsical custom Balloon Chair by Seungjin Yang adds a playful contrast, its glossy volume echoing the home’s love of unexpected moments. A Holly Hunt Lens coffee table brings a delicate clarity, while two custom artworks by Nick Thomm pulse with color and movement, nodding subtly to the rhythms and passions that shaped the entire project.
Overhead, a custom iridescent chandelier by John Pomp throws soft, shifting light across the space, catching on the lacquered curves of the custom Yamaha piano in the background. It’s an entrance that doesn’t just welcome, you feel it. A gateway where sophistication meets personality, and where the story of this home, and the people who live in it, truly begins.
The Main House: Grandeur in Motion
The main house spans nearly 3,000 square meters across two levels that balance scale with softness, while the 300-square-meter guesthouse offers three bedrooms, generous living areas, and a serene zen cabana for meditation. “We’re lucky to collaborate with many professional athletes,” Gatanis notes. “This project came to us through a former client in that community.”
Throughout the property, sport and music become design cues. Sculptural Italian marble, hand-finished plaster, art glass, bespoke rugs, and custom furniture crafted across Italy, Portugal, Denmark, and South America build a home rich in texture and personality. “We were inspired by our client’s New York roots—hip-hop and basketball shaped her story,” Gatanis adds. Neutral foundations meet warm tones, expressive art, and vibrant accents, capturing the energy of the music, the game, and the city she calls home.
And then there’s the basketball court, an essential chapter in this home’s story. If music sets the rhythm, sport amplifies it. The court becomes a physical expression of the client’s passions, a space where energy, discipline, and play converge.
More than an amenity, it acts as an architectural pulse, connecting the design narrative back to the owner’s New York roots and the athletic community that inspired the project from the start.
Glam Room & Tennis Closet: Where Personality Takes Center Stage
In this Florida beachfront retreat, personal expression unfolds through two of the home’s most character-driven spaces: the glamorous beauty room and the spectacular two-story, five-room tennis closet. Rooted in the owner’s New York spirit, where music, culture, and sport pulse through everyday life. These rooms embody her bold vision and unshakable creativity.
As Shanna Gatanis explains, “It was a deeply personal request, and it became one of the most complex spaces to design. We treated it almost like a boutique, both architecturally and through lighting.” Here, luxury isn’t just aesthetic, it’s experiential, intimate, and unapologetically individual.
Malabar Elegance in Motion: The Viv Id Chaise Longue in the Tennis Closet
Inside this tennis closet, part boutique, part personal museum, every surface glows with intention. Architectural lighting carves out the sneakers like collectible art, while subtle urban references echo the owner’s New York roots. Yet, amidst this dynamic visual rhythm, one element offers a moment of sculptural calm: the Viv Id Chaise Longue by Malabar.
Its hand-crafted silhouette softens the space with a refined, almost cinematic stillness, transforming a functional room into a curated experience. Here, taking a seat feels like stepping into a private ritual, where texture, craftsmanship, and indulgence meet, the chaise longue brings depth and sophistication, grounding the room with its unmistakable artistic presence.
More than a place to dress, this closet becomes a statement of identity, elevated by Malabar’s signature blend of cultural nuance, artisanal mastery, and contemporary finesse.
More of the Home:
Across the main living areas, this Florida beachfront retreat unfolds as a series of carefully curated experiences. The living room balances soft neutrals with playful flashes of neon, while subtle accents of pink, violet, and electric blue drift like poetry across the space, a reflection of the owner’s lively, joyful spirit. In contrast, the game room immerses visitors in a cocoon of deep indigo, where textures, furniture, and curated art create a rich, atmospheric playground.
The primary bathroom offers a moment of serene sophistication, with a Gaspare chandelier and a bespoke vanity from The Future Perfect framing a luminous, sculptural sanctuary. Meanwhile, the kitchen transforms utility into artistry: Italian marble cut by water-jet in delicate fluted patterns, paired with warm walnut and pale oak, adds tactile intimacy to its generous proportions.
Through all these spaces, materials and color weave a narrative of comfort, elegance, and personality. Every detail, from textures to lighting to art was chosen to resonate with the rhythm of life in this home, crafting a Florida beachfront retreat that is as dynamic and vibrant as the people who inhabit it.
Whiskey Lounge: A Secret Sanctuary
Tucked behind a discreet door, the whiskey lounge feels like a hidden jewel in this Florida beachfront retreat, a private refuge where art and spirit intertwine. Rich textures, moody lighting, and carefully curated pieces give the space an almost gallery-like intimacy, inviting guests to unwind, reflect, and linger. It’s a room of contrast: both secretive and radiant, quiet yet vibrant, where the refined ritual of tasting becomes a deeply personal moment within a home that’s as bold as it is elegant.
Private Cinema:
Another corner of this Florida beachfront retreat unveils a space crafted for cinematic immersion and intimate gatherings. The private cinema marries New York sophistication with playful comfort, creating an environment that feels both luxurious and approachable. A custom rug by The Rug Company grounds the room, while globe lights from Skol and 1stdibs sconces cast a soft, inviting glow that sets the mood for every screening. Subtle purple LEDs trace the lilac accents echoed throughout the home, adding a layer of contemporary flair, while the sleek marble floor balances texture and elegance.
Every detail, from the plush seating to the carefully curated lighting, transforms film-watching into a full-bodied sensory experience, where comfort, design, and the owner’s personality converge seamlessly.
Outdoor Oasis: Sun, Sea, and Serenity
The exterior of this Florida beachfront retreat is a vision of effortless elegance, where design meets the natural rhythm of the coast. A pristine pool overlooks the beach, offering a serene panorama that mirrors the home’s luxurious interiors. Seating and lounging areas are outfitted with Kettal sofas, chairs, and tables, while Shore Studios sunbeds from The Future Perfect invite relaxation under the sun. It’s a seamless extension of the home, where every detail, from materials to vistas, celebrates a harmonious balance of nature, comfort, and refined style.
As the sun sets over this Florida beachfront retreat, a home where sports and hip-hop music shine, the contemporary castle full of surprises reveals its true essence. Each corner, from the private cinema to the sneaker closet, and out to the serene poolside terrace tells a story of movement, rhythm, and personality. Here, luxury and creativity coexist effortlessly, where bespoke design meets vibrant energy, and every detail transforms into an experience that lingers in memory, a living testament to a lifestyle where art, culture, and playfulness converge.
And you? Which corner of this Florida beachfront retreat captured your imagination? Share your thoughts with us!
Keep following our journal for more insights, highlights, and stories from the global art scene.
