August 7, 2025 | DESIGN & INTERIORS
SHOOTING FOR the MOON in SUNNY ISLES
words Karine Monie
photos Douglas Friedman
interior design Studio RODA
A riot of color, music, and personality in a bold Florida beachside home designed by Studio RODA.
When retired radio legend and philanthropist Tom Joyner set his sights on a new chapter in Sunny Isles, Florida, he wasn’t looking for a quiet retreat—he wanted a statement. His first words to interior architect Rodrigo Albir of Studio RODA set the tone: “This place feels like beige came here to die. I want life, I want color. Shoot for the moon—and I’ll let you know if you’ve gone too far.”
It was a brief like no other, delivered in true Tom Joyner style—clad in a bold Versace kimono, tinted sunglasses (indoors, of course), and a Swarovski crystal-studded cane, all while Carlos Santana played in the background. “He greeted me like a rockstar,” recalls Albir, “and I knew instantly that we were about to embark on something fearless.”
Set within the sleek Porsche Design Tower, this 5,000-square-foot oceanfront condo is now a maximalist dreamscape—vivid, unapologetic, and layered with personal history. A former musician and the iconic voice behind The Tom Joyner Morning Show, Joyner wanted his home to reflect the vibrancy of his life, his style, and his enduring love of music.
A VISION IN FULL COLOR
From the start, Joyner insisted: “I don’t need practicality. I need a WOW factor.” The result is a home alive with saturated color, sculptural form, and bold materiality. Inspired by his wardrobe, musical legacy, and flair for drama, Studio RODA crafted a space that’s both playful and elevated. The living and dining areas feature 1970s DS-1025 Terrazza sofas in suede by Ubald Klug for de Sede, paired with a striking 10-foot lime green resin dining table from Francesco Balzano’s Antica Collection. Overhead, a bespoke glass chandelier by Milan-based 6:AM anchors the space in glowing spectacle. Walls and ceilings are dressed in high-gloss Venetian plaster in rich hues—creating the perfect backdrop for works by Picasso, Anish Kapoor, and a custom commission by Ernie Barnes.
THE JOYNER CLUB: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
As if the palette weren’t bold enough, Joyner added one last request: “I want a club in my apartment. A room for dancing, entertaining, and celebrating life.”
Studio RODA delivered a fully custom club room wrapped in velvet, complete with sculptural lighting, disco-inspired furnishings, and a wall sconce in the shape of the moon—symbolizing their “successful moon landing” in design. Every detail, from the mirrored surfaces to the banquettes and bar, was custom-built in collaboration with D-Coded International.
DESINGNING AT FULL VOLUME
Elsewhere, the home continues to riff on Joyner’s 1970s roots. The Blowing Armchair by Seungjin Yang (crafted from resin and balloons) brings a burst of whimsy. Ricardo Fasanello’s Esfera chair, reissued by Espasso, adds sculptural calm. Sebastian Herkner’s glass side tables, lacquered millwork, and pure silk rugs reinforce a tactile, gallery-like experience—always bold, never beige.
The kitchen pairs Studio RODA’s custom cabinetry with BassamFellows stools and accessories from Zanat. In the breakfast nook, Kazuhide Takahama’s Gaja chairs surround a Luca Stefano table from Studiotwentyseven, lit by Peter Zumthor's Candela di Vals pendants for Viabizzuno.
LIVING LOUD, LIVING JOYNER
As a final touch, the Studio RODA team surprised Joyner with a set of Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses, each pair color-matched to a room in the house—honey yellow, emerald green, and of course, deep red.
This is not just a home—it’s a personal anthem. Every room is a verse, every object a chorus, and the whole space? A living encore.
