Design gallery The Future Perfect has opened its fourth location in a historic 1920s building in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood, taking residence in the landmark Villa Paula, which local legend claims is one of the city's "most haunted residences." The 2,000-square-foot neoclassical building serves as the gallery's newest immersive exhibition space, joining existing locations in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Villa Paula was originally constructed in 1926 by the Cuban government and designed by Havana architect Cayetano Freira. The building served dual purposes as both a consulate and private residence for consul Domingo Milord and his wife Paula Milord, who was an opera singer. According to The Future Perfect, "Over the decades, Villa Paula has served as a diplomatic hub, a cultural salon, and, according to local lore, one of Miami's most haunted residences."
The gallery has carefully preserved the building's original character during its conversion, leaving the interiors largely untouched to maintain their historic charm. The space features colorful encaustic floor tiles, time-worn woodwork, and stained-glass windows that create an authentic period atmosphere. This preservation effort aligns with The Future Perfect's philosophy of creating environments that transcend traditional gallery models.
"Our work has always been about creating environments that transcend traditional gallery models," said David Alhadeff, founder of The Future Perfect. "Miami, with its history of design innovation and vibrant cultural scene, is the perfect place for us to take that vision further. Villa Paula's history and architecture give us the opportunity to create something that is both site-specific and globally resonant."
The inaugural exhibition showcases works by renowned contemporary designers including Anthony Guerrée, Chris Wolston, and Jason Koharik, among others. Featured designers also include Lindsey Adelman, Ian Collings, Piet Hein Eek, Vikram Goyal, Volker Haug, Faye Toogood, Arthur Vallin, Christian Woo, Floris Wubben, and Jane Yang D'Haene. The show represents brands such as Arflex, Bianco Light & Space, Boon Editions, Collection Particulaire, De La Espada, Dimoremilano, In Common With, and Roll & Hill.
Tropical elements play a prominent role throughout the exhibition, both inside and outside the villa. Plants feature prominently in creative displays, including tangles of vines that appear to grow out of bathtubs and bidets in the former bathrooms, while arrangements of leaves and fronds are placed in vases throughout the space. The villa's garden also serves as an exhibition area, where a whitewashed pavilion and a massive banyan tree provide dramatic backdrops for contemporary design pieces.
The exhibition rooms showcase carefully curated vignettes that blend contemporary design with the villa's historic ambiance. In one ochre-hued room, a fantastical, figurative wicker chair and a coffee table etched with outlines of breasts by Chris Wolston are displayed alongside a chandelier of hand-blown glass disks from Bocci. Another space lined with textured green plaster features a large mirror by Chen Chen and Kai Williams that reflects a boucle sofa by Mario Marenco.
Additional rooms highlight other striking pieces, including sculptural interpretations of Tiffany lamps crafted by Autumn Casey from recycled materials in a russet-toned space. Another area features a large walnut and brass dining table by Anthony Guerrée, complemented by Wolston's dining chairs and a Jason Koharik pendant light, creating an intimate dining environment within the historic setting.
The Future Perfect's other gallery locations are equally impressive and experimental in their approach. The company operates from a Manhattan townhouse that includes a David Chipperfield staircase, a Los Angeles mansion that was once occupied by famous movie producer Samuel Goldwyn, and an apartment in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood. Each location reflects the gallery's commitment to creating unique, site-specific experiences for visitors.
Miami's position at the crossroads between the United States and Latin America has helped establish it as an important creative center, particularly during high-profile events like Art Basel and Design Miami in December. The city's growing reputation in the design world makes it an ideal location for The Future Perfect's expansion, offering access to both established collectors and emerging design enthusiasts from across the Americas.
