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Love Lake Studio Debuts a Modern Miami Residence in the Surf Club Four Seasons



Love Lake Studio by Genevieve Love Lake is a concierge Interior Architecture and Design Studio that crafts projects with a presence. 


Headquartered in Miami with residential and commercial projects spanning the globe, the Love Lake Studio team has cultivated critical trust from the most discerning clientele, ranging from A-list celebrities and global entrepreneurs to hoteliers, restaurants and developers. Their standards are meticulous, their approach is custom, and they are widely recognized for their full-service design and architectural expertise resulting in press worthy projects that have graced the pages of multiple publications.


Today, we sit down with Love Lake Studio founder Genevieve Love Lake to discuss her latest project. 


Genevieve Love Lake


ML: Tell us a bit more about the Four Seasons Residence Project.


GLL: This project was a ‘full circle’ moment for me. When I was in real estate, my first major new development sales project was the Surf Club Four Seasons. I moved back to Miami from New York, sold the project through the construction phase, and watched it come to life. I never could have imagined that 10 years later I would be designing a home in one of Miami’s most iconic properties that I had such an intense fondness for. 


When this energetic couple - who share a passion for cars, boating, flying, and James Bond - told us they were moving from their existing two-bedroom Surf Club condo to a four-bedroom, we immediately knew the design had to reflect their combined adventurous spirit, but also play on their individuality. Our clients both had very different ideas of what they wanted in their new home. She has a very sleek, tonal, modern aesthetic, and he is more traditional and loves color. It was a balancing act for sure!  In the end, everyone compromised to create a home that reflects both of their personalities. You can see the moments where restraint was used in the architectural details to deliver a sense of sophistication, while pops of color and texture were used to incorporate a counter-balance of whimsy. We were all also deeply appreciative of the iconic Richard Meier–designed building, and we wanted a home that respected the architectural language of the space while feeling uniquely their own.


ML: You have had an interesting career trajectory - from model to designer. How did you transition? 


GLL: Model to designer and everything in between! I've had so many learning opportunities in my life, even as a teenager, I was always working multiple jobs. Busser, kennel tech at the local animal hospital, hostess, bottle waitress at a nightclub - you name it, I have done it. Becoming a model meant access to the world, and that's why I pushed so hard to make modeling a career. I was told no more than yes, but I was determined. Modeling led to living abroad and exposure to a world well beyond that of the small town I grew up in (Stuart, Florida). I was immersed in gorgeous architecture and design, and everything was beautiful and exciting to me. The fashion, the food, the people - I couldn’t get enough. Europe was exhilarating. 


As I aged out of modeling, I moved to New York, got my real estate license, and began selling new development projects in New York and Miami. Luxury New Development meant I had a front-row seat to the inner workings of development. From pre-design to marketing, to construction, to sales, I had a seat at the table, and I absolutely loved it. I loved space planning, and floor plans, and value engineering, and everything involving the construction process. I got to see how legends like Richard Meier and Joseph Dirand worked, and that exposure was a game-changer for me. I never thought about being a designer myself until I flipped a house on Miami Beach and my friend who is a mega designer told me I should give it a try. Covid 19 was a catalyst, and within a month of deciding I was going to go for it - I had secured a residential project as well as a restaurant project, and we were off to the races! Modeling taught me a lot about accountability, perseverance, timeliness and self-marketing. New Development gave me the sales skills, the confidence, and the understanding of the process to step into an industry I had no specific knowledge about, and to thrive. All of these crazy work experiences were preparing me to land in the wild world of design, which is a million jobs under one title. Nothing seems too out of reach or impossible in this business. They dream it up and we make it happen! 


We are also 100% referral based, and we have clients all over the world. My real estate background really left a mark on me and very much influences the way we relate to our clients. I am available, me personally, to my clients at any time. 

We are incredibly responsive and the entire team knows that availability and accountability are two of our main pillars. We approach every situation with integrity, we solve problems as they come, we take accountability and NEVER throw anyone under the bus, and most of all we make the process enjoyable.


No stress reaches our clients, we are here to make life easier. Lastly, and very important, we are creating FOR our client, not for ourselves. 



ML: How did you end up in Miami? Favorite places to visit? 


GLL: Growing up in a small town like Stuart, I craved a little more action. So I initially moved to Miami in the early 2000’s. I then went on to live in Copenhagen, London, Monaco and New York before finally settling back into Miami life thanks to my now husband being based here! We love entertaining and host a quite lively “Sunday Funday.”  Dancing is NOT optional! The coolest new restaurant is The Joyce on Espanola, it’s a tiny space and super popular already, which makes getting a reservation pretty darn near impossible. You walk in and immediately forget you are in Miami. Yes, I am a little biased because we designed it, but I have designed many restaurants, and this is the one I frequent the most. It's just the definition of cool. The chef’s food  is awesome. Additionally, I will never say no to an invite to the Surf Club Bar. We are lucky that our studio is around the corner from the Design District, and I love just walking around and soaking in all of the action and art. I live in the MiMo District, which is basically the Art Deco district and Little Haiti. So much is happening in the area. I love the growth we are seeing in Little River - the best pizza experience hands down for me is La Natural - if you know, you know. I also always recommend the Rubell Museum for anyone who loves art.


ML: What does a typical day look like for you? 


GLL: Typical day when I am not traveling: I am an early riser. I wake up between 5:30 am and 6 am depending on how much work I have to get done first thing. I feed and walk all of the dogs and let the cat out (we have 3 Pittie/American bulldog rescues). I work in complete and glorious silence for 1 - 2 hours and then head to the barn to ride my horse, Rocco. I am an amateur showjumper. The barn is an hour away, so I use the drive there and back to make calls and catch up with vendors and contractors. I’m back to the studio by 10:30 am, and from there it’s organized chaos until 7pm. The team is very collaborative, so we usually convene throughout the day to review project progress.  I have calls or zoom meetings every hour from 11 am - 5 pm Tuesday - Thursday. Fridays are for running around to client meetings and site visits, and by the end of the day I just want to pass out come 7pm, but a few days a week, my husband and I will go out to dinner or meet up with friends. I always try to go somewhere new. The restaurant design scene in Miami is off the charts, there is inspiration around every corner!


ML: What are you working on at the moment? 


GLL: So many exciting projects are in the works. The penthouse at 111 W 57th in New York, a new steakhouse in Wynwood called Luca Steak, A gorgeous private estate at Albany in the Bahamas, and a new restaurant in Nantucket called Billie’s that opens this summer.


ML: What are you excited about for the future?


GLL: Growth! Every day I wake up and pinch myself that this is the path I get to walk (run) down. We are a young studio, 4 years old this year, and our accomplishments are so vast. The team has grown with me, they are all young and talented and hungry for new challenges. I think  our passion as a team comes through in our work and is a big reason our clients return and also refer us to others so often. 


It’s never too late to start over and to forge a path that you truly believe in. I'm 45 this year. I started this company with no interior design background four years ago. If I can do it, anyone can. I meet so many people who wish they could do something creative or something they love, but feel it's too late. It's never too late! I’ve used everything I learned in my past ‘careers’  to create the company I have today. You're never too old to start over, learn more, work hard, and inspire the people around you to do the same!



Four Seasons Surf Club Residence Highlights: 


POWDER ROOM



A distinct departure from the main living spaces, the powder room was designed as a jewel box - compact, bold, and unexpected. The Super Crystal Verde quartzite is the main feature. The smoked mirror and gold foil ceiling expand the space visually, while Gucci wallpaper adds a graphic contrast to the stone. “This powder room is definitely not what you would expect in this home, and thats exactly rhetorical point” says Genevieve. The integrated sink is carved from the same Super Crystal Verde quartzite and paired with the Bond collection faucet from Waterworks, combining function with sleek, tailored detail.


LIVING ROOM




The integrated sink is carved from the same Super Crystal Verde quartzite and paired with the Bond collection faucet from Waterworks, combining function with sleek, tailored details. Mixing such a bold onyx and green marble in an open plan made us reluctant at first. The client fell in love with both materials, and were inspired by the variety of hues that the ocean reflects, and felt that both could work in the space. We pulled mostly neutral fabrics with wood, and pulled coordinating fabrics - for the stone to be the true showpiece of the entire space, and ultimately an extension of the ocean views.


  • Minotti Sectional

  • Giapato & Coombs floor to ceiling column lights

  • Pierre Frey Ottoman

  • Custom Soraya Osorio coffee table

  • Poliform Accent Table

  • Enne Lounge Chair

  • Art and Loom Rug


DINING ROOM




  • Floating airy “jellyfish” bocci fixture - framing the ocean view.

  • Custom Ceiling/Floor Mounted Bar Unit

  • Custom Casa Dio Dining Table, Travertine - Metal Inlay – Wood

  • Enne Dining Chairs


KITCHEN MEDIA ROOM 




The Boffi kitchen and newly defined “media room” are separated by four 360-degree rotating walnut panels. The clients wanted a theater room, which could provide dark viewing, but still remain connected to the space and ocean view. This was the most isolated space in the home and didn’t feel like the space was being utilized to its full potential. Our solution: custom louvered panels inspired by airplane wings, offering both privacy and flexibility while maintaining flow and light. The millwork columns, a detail which is carried to the living unit and media unit are also inspired by flight (airplane wings), but were reinterpreted at a smaller scale. The columns give the illusion of piercing through the bronze metal accent shelves.


  • Dedalus Marble Slab

  • Gabriel Scott - smoked glass and LED fixture

  • Donghia Sectional in a Sapphire mohair

  • Custom travertine console to match the floor tile

  • Art & Loom rug


KIDS ROOM



  • Casa Metier Walnut Wall

  • Double Layer Art + Loom rugs “fluffy”

  • Marshmallow inspired custom bed in a Dedar Fabric

  • Hermes Throw and Pillows


HIS OFFICE



A unique departure from the open plan area with a luxury yacht feel featuring a 40-year-old desk, which was already vintage when he bought it, and was refinished with a stone top featuring: 


  • Blue Lapis Lazuli Stone

  • White striping in the millwork - marine feel

  • Art + Loom Rug

  • Navy Leather Eames Executive Chair


PRIMARY BATHROOM





The owners selected a gorgeous Sage and Orange Onyx stone so we knew that everything else needed to be tonal and natural to complement the bold stones.


  • Bond Waterworks

  • Tinted bronze glass

  • Oak Wood

  • Custom Closet with a central display

  • Speakers in the shower

  • Mirror in TV


PRIMARY BEDROOM



Warm tones and layered elements create a room that balances the light bouncing off the ocean.


  • “Bottega Weave” Headboard

  • Art and Loom Rug

  • Fendi Pillows and Throw

  • Frette Linens throughout home

  • Triple Suspension Pendant by Wareco


Production: 

Contractor : Krome Construction

Architect: Salto Architecture

Lighting: Apure

Photographer: Kris Tamburello

Styling: Senses Unleashed


Custom Collaborators:

1. Opustone

2. Waterworks

3. D-Coded Millwork

4. Poliform Closets

5. Casa Dio

6. Donghia/Kravet

7. Ralph Pucci

8. Giapato & Coombs

9. Soraya Osorio

10. Armani Casa

11. Art+Loom

12. Enne

13. Gabriel Scott

14. Bocci/Luminaire

15. Minotti

16. Porter Teleo

17. Gucci

18. Holly Hunt Fabrics

19. Hermes

20. Fil Doux

21. Entrelacs


CONTACT: 

Address: 5601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33137


By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Love Lake Studio


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