When SKETCH. A Design Studio’s Bridgette Caporaso got a hold of this cozy condo just steps from The Boca Raton’s Beach Club, she knew it had a lot going for it: location, views, and privacy. However, the property was in major need of modernization from style and functionality standpoints. Caporaso and her team embarked on a full-scale renovation to turn this second home into a luxurious retreat that lives way larger than its footprint, thanks to a slew of clever design concepts and custom creations from the design studio’s various workshops.

First things first, Caporaso had to rethink the home’s floorplan, maximizing entertaining space so that owners and guests alike could savor the nearly panoramic ocean views. The kitchen especially felt choppy, and considering her clients wanted to add full-size refrigeration and a washer/dryer unit, the team was going to have to get creative with every square inch.

Caporaso installed an Invisacook countertop on the kitchen island. It turns into an induction cooktop at a moment’s notice for nights when the couple feels like serving up a meal at home. And she integrated most of the main kitchen appliances to keep the room from screaming “cook space,” since the couple prefers to dine out or order in when vacationing here. Additionally, Caporaso swapped the dining and living areas to incorporate a stunning bar along the interior wall that displays bottles from the clients’ extensive wine collection. This adds additional prep space, giving the bar flexibility to function as a second kitchen.

Lighting was also a major hurdle, and the SKETCH. A Design Studio team was limited in their ability to change it due to condo restrictions. Caporaso had the ceiling’s perimeter dropped ever so slightly and installed cove lighting creating an idyllic ambiance at all hours without taking up precious square footage with lamps and cords. And on the other side of the wall from the bar she installed showstopping custom carved marble panels that were imported from Italy. These panels feature LED lighting behind them and sconces on top, elevating the room’s design by bringing in more texture and artistry without taking up precious space (or distracting too much from the views).

Once Caporaso reconfigured the home’s layout and refreshed the lighting scheme, it was time for the fun stuff: creating a chic contemporary design that would feel contextual without playing up any of the typical beach condo decorating stereotypes.

“The condo definitely has that kind of feeling of being in a penthouse suite at a luxury hotel,” says Caporaso. “The couple didn’t want to go the traditional beachy route of all-white or sandy colors, and I loved that they let us lean into those darker finishes a bit more to give that layer of sophistication to the space.”

In the living area, the SKETCH. A Design Studio team utilized porcelain darker woods to create a stunning wall unit that takes open shelving to the next level with a clever partition to add extra elements of visual interest. In the bedroom, Caporaso and her team created a beautiful TV unit that can be transformed into a desk and sitting area that also helped establish some division between sleep space and home office. Between the proximity to Boca’s most beloved resort and the stunning redesign, this condo feels like one’s permanent penthouse suite in a beloved hotel. What more could one want in a secondary residence?