PLACE ST. MICHEL HOTELS

Project Overview
Place St. Michel is a distinctive boutique hotel housed within a 1920s Mediterranean Revival building in Coral Gables, Florida. When I began the project, the guest rooms were furnished with beautiful antique pieces, but an abundance of silk flowers and decorative ruffles distracted from the elegance of the architecture.

The owner’s vision was to preserve the feeling of a charming European getaway while enhancing the building’s historic character. My role was not to reinvent the hotel, but to reveal the beauty that was already there.


Design Story
The design focused on respecting the architecture while introducing subtle refinements that complemented its Mediterranean heritage. Guest rooms were simplified and enriched with hand-painted floral friezes that added warmth and old-world charm without overwhelming the spaces.

In the lobby, we restored the original reception desk to its rightful place, reconnecting the entrance with the building’s history. Missing Moorish tile high within the arches presented another challenge. Without have access to the original materials, we commissioned a trompe-l’œil painting, to recreate the appearance of the decorative tile work.

Throughout the hotel, carefully restored antiques, sourced from antique markets, served as functional armoires, bureaus and accent pieces for the guests comfort. 


What Made This Project Unique
Rather than imposing a new design style, this project celebrated the building’s original identity. Every decision was guided by the goal of preserving its historic character while creating a welcoming experience for modern guests.

Today, Place St. Michel continues to be one of Coral Gables’ treasured hospitality landmarks. Its enduring appeal reflects the value of thoughtful restoration—where architecture, craftsmanship and carefully chosen details work together to create a timeless sense of place.