Living in continuity with the landscape

Spoonbill is a private villa in Manalapan, Florida, designed by interior designer Alexis Venanzi, founder of Delray Beach-based practice 610 Interiors, and built by Ocean Blue Custom Homes, a company specialising in bespoke residences. The project won the Residential category of the 2026 Tile Competition. Completed in 2026, the villa stands in the exclusive Point Manalapan neighbourhood, on a sheltered inlet of the Intracoastal Waterway, with direct water frontage, a private dock and waterfront access. The relationship with the landscape is the true starting point for the design: water, lush vegetation and Florida’s intense light enter the interiors through carefully proportioned openings that continually expand the sense of space. The six-bedroom residence expresses a vision of contemporary luxury rooted in the quality of its spaces and the precision of its choices rather than an abundance of decorative elements. The clean-lined architecture flows naturally into interiors conceived with a minimalist, almost gallery-like sensibility. Rooms unfold in an orderly sequence, with furnishings, surfaces and materials working together to create an atmosphere that is sophisticated yet welcoming. The design seeks a constant balance between rigour and domestic warmth. Natural surfaces and a restrained colour palette lend the interiors an intimate feel, while daylight becomes a design material in its own right, transforming the perception of the rooms and guiding the transition between different areas of the house. Italian ceramics by Leonardo and ABK take their place discreetly within this interplay. The pale surface of Crash White by Leonardo enhances the overall brightness, while Travertino Ivory by ABK introduces a warmer, more tactile note. Both complement the other materials selected for the interiors, contributing to a visual language of subtle variations in colour and texture. The result is a home in which indoors and outdoors remain constantly connected. The landscape of the Intracoastal Waterway becomes more than a backdrop: it is a living presence that shapes how the spaces are perceived and experienced every day.