This week we’re talking pastel palettes and palm trees as we stroll through Miami’s Art Deco architecture. Our Wylde studio support. Harriet got to explore the beautiful buildings last week, so we’re ready to explore. Miami’s Art Deco architecture is like stepping into a perfectly preserved postcard from the 1930s — pastel façades, bold geometry, and tropical details that feel both retro and strangely timeless. The Art Deco Historic District in South Beach is home to over 800 buildings from the 1920s to the 1940s, and walking through it feels like being surrounded by design in its most playful, optimistic form.
What stands out most is the sheer consistency of the style. From the rounded corners and porthole windows to the layered façades and chrome accents, there’s a rhythm to the streetscape that’s hard to ignore. Colours lean into the soft side of the spectrum — think mint greens, peachy pinks and buttery yellows — all lit by the Miami sun, which only adds to the drama. It’s the kind of place where even the smallest detail, like a tiled entrance or a stylised hotel sign, feels deliberate.
There’s no sense of the architecture being treated as precious or stuck in the past. It’s very much alive and part of the city’s identity. Many of the buildings are still in daily use as hotels, cafés, shops and homes. The preservation work doesn’t feel overly polished or commercialised either — it just feels like people care about keeping the area looking good, and keeping its character intact.
Spending time in the district is a reminder of how design can shape atmosphere. There’s a lightness and confidence to the way these buildings sit together — distinctive without shouting, cohesive without being dull. It’s a masterclass in making a statement while still being laid-back.
Back at Wylde, it’s hard not to be inspired by that blend of ease and attention to detail. It’s proof that good design doesn’t have to be flashy or overthought. Sometimes, it’s about finding the sweet spot between form, function and a bit of sunshine.
