Our First Miami Beach Airbnb: Art Deco Suite on Ocean Drive
Updated: 7 days ago
At Studio 790, we keep a list of bold, crazy dreams. We say them out loud at every staff meeting. One of them has always been about Airbnb's, and this month we got to check off our first Airbnb project, right on iconic Ocean Drive on Miami Beach.
We don't own it. We designed it like we did, the same way we approach every project. And we couldn't be more excited to share all the details with you!
The brief: make it playful, make it camera ready
Our client came to us with a clear ask: a suite that blends Miami's art deco with Palm Beach coastal style, built to be camera ready. He also gave us something every designer hopes for. He was all in on fun. Bold patterns, color, unexpected materials: he didn't push back on any of it.
The guests are travelers from all over the world who come to Miami Beach for Ocean Drive. So the goal was a suite that feels like stepping into a boutique hotel where no two rooms are the same. Somewhere you remember long after checkout.
Where the design started: Palm Beach Regency meets retro Miami Beach
Our biggest inspiration was The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, paired with the Art Deco energy right outside the door on Ocean Drive. Palm Beach Regency brings the polish and the pattern. Retro Miami Beach brings the fun. Put them together and you get a space that feels like vacation the second you walk in.
How we designed a Miami Beach Airbnb on a budget
Here's the honest part: the budget was tight. So instead of spreading money thin across every surface, we picked one statement moment per space and went big on it.
Kitchenette: we painted the ceiling pink, an unexpected pop of color on a surface that usually stays white.
Closet: we splurged on a wallpaper feature wall. Saved on everything else.
Bedroom: we made the ceiling the wow moment, with bold wallpaper and contrasting crown molding and kept everything else relatively minimal.
Bathroom: we took a simple, affordable tile and installed it in a bold striped pattern.
That bathroom tile is the best example of how we think about budget. The tile itself is basic and durable, exactly what a busy Airbnb needs. The pattern makes it look custom. You get personality and impact without paying for a luxury finish that won't hold up to a steady stream of guests.
The colors and materials
Soft, light-toned woods on the cabinetry and case goods keep the suite warm, fresh, and relaxed. Against that calm base, we went bolder on the upholstered pieces, pulling colors straight from the wallpaper, which became the star of the design.
Across the walls, trim, and ceilings, we worked in soft pink, teal, and creamy white. One of our favorite low-cost moves: carrying pink onto the ceilings in the bathroom and the entry/kitchenette. Ceilings usually stay white. Painting them pink cost almost nothing extra, and it makes the whole suite feel intentional and playful.
Two weeks, start to finish
Because this is a working Airbnb, open for bookings, we had about two weeks to take it from demo to final styling. Add in a permitting process on Ocean Drive that took longer than expected, and this one tested our planning skills. It all came together.
The moment we knew
The wallpaper on the ceiling. OBVIOUSLY. And okay fine, the bathroom tile! We are glad the client trusted the vision and allowed us to install the tile in such a fun, playful way. It truly paid off. It was a "yes, this is it" moment. The bold bedroom ceiling was a close second.
Designing a home vs. designing an experience
When we design a home, we design around the people who live there: their routines, their habits, their long-term needs. An Airbnb is different. You're designing a feeling. We wanted every guest to walk in and immediately feel like they're on vacation, with a space that's cheerful and unexpected, but warm and comfortable enough to actually relax in. And is clearly Instagram-worthy!
The result
Our client is obsessed with his new Miami Beach Airbnb. He told us the suite surpassed every expectation, and he's already talking about doing another one. For us, the lesson is simple: good design doesn't need a massive budget. It needs smart choices about where the money goes.
Book your Ocean Drive Vacation (or staycation)
Flying in from across the world or driving over from down the street? Your spot on Ocean Drive is waiting. Retro Miami energy, bold design around every corner. Click here to book your stay today!
