A Hall of Fame-Worthy Home Makeover

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and his wife, Claire, are at home in their newly renovated residence in Weston

A white aluminum settee and armless chair set atop an orange area rug in the entry are welcoming touches to Dan and Claire Marino’s newly renovated Weston ranch-style house.
Photography by Deborah Whitlaw

It’s not the first time that interior designer Phyllis Taylor has teamed up with NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino and his wife, Claire. From a 15,000-square-foot estate to their newly renovated 3,000-square-foot ranch-style house in Weston (and many in between), Taylor has made it her business to know the colors, the favorite pieces, and the lifestyle of one of South Florida’s most famous families.

With six children, the Marinos have traditionally needed a lot of space. But these days, the older children are on their own, and the two youngest are in college. Turns out that even sports legends decide to downsize at some point—and Taylor has made sure the Marinos’ new scaled-down digs feel just as luxurious (and more intimate) as the larger homes they’ve shared over the years.

Though they’ve reduced their square footage, the family wanted to keep an open feeling in their home. Taylor made sure their most cherished possessions—and their love for dramatic color palettes—found their place in the new setting.

The original structure was built in the early 1990s, so Taylor gave it a modern makeover: eliminating the outdated popcorn ceilings and most of the interior walls, and creating a distinct entry transition into the living area.

The kitchen’s ceilings were lifted to 13 feet during the renovation.
A green motif follows in accent pillows and artwork in the living area.

The home’s outdoor foyer provides a unique space before guests even reach the front door. Framed with wide-striped draperies from Jeffery Michaels, it doubles as a pleasant place to take in sunsets. From there, a small living area gives way to the kitchen—where Taylor created a unique custom solution of elevated drawers atop a large island counter. “The drawers serve as convenient catch-alls,” explains Taylor. “The elevation gives more counter space, as well as hides the disorder from meal preparation.”

The Marinos’ ability to reimagine their beloved pieces in new environments set the stage in both the living area and family room, anchored by “Syrian” chairs that pay homage to the Middle East. A green and white area rug from Niba expands patterns into ellipses and curves.

Garden party vibes are visible in Jeffery Michael’s green metisse jacquard, trellis-like fabrics that adorn chairs in the dining room.

From the pass-through in the kitchen, guests can take a seat at the dining room’s British Colonial dining table. An imposing walnut chest from Normandy stands as a proud period piece in a twenty-first-century setting. Overhead, there’s an iconically French white wooden chandelier. A Foo dog sculpture and Chinese faience offer their own versions of chinoiserie in the eclectic space.

The master bedroom is bursting with color: Taylor balanced the strength of Phillip Jeffries’ coral grasscloth wall covering with patterns that tempt the eye, including a Stark rug in interlocking tracery. The custom oversized bed by Ralph Lauren provides the perfect restful respite, upholstered in plush leather, and covered in pale embroidered linen from Niba.

A sunburst mirror adds shimmer to the master bedroom’s coral-hued grasscloth walls.

In the newly enlarged master bath, Taylor incorporated a dressing room that leads to an ample closet. With gray marble flooring to match the marble mosaic of the walls, the coral-colored covered bench becomes the star of the dressing space.

After completing half a dozen design projects for the Marino family, Taylor says that “with 22 years as friends and collaborators, we think along the same lines.” With Taylor on their team, those lines have led the Marinos home once again. 

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