Thus, the backyard is an outdoor room to be framed. At one end is a garden folly, which doubles as an outdoor kitchen and dining pavilion, and at the other, a tree-lined wall. The Douras collect tropical fruit trees, so instead of a more expected hedge, the property is defined by rows of mango trees.

The bay view is framed by sea grape trees, which, Sanchez points out, "hide the imperfections in the view," namely the more industrial aspects of the Port of Miami. "They force your eyes to the water and the sky," he says. They also give the space a sense of enclosure and act as a gateway to the boat dock. Beside the pool area is a lawn with irregular pieces of coquina set into the grass.

The back of the house is more open and informal, a counterpoint to the comparatively sober Italianate front façade. It consists of a two-story covered loggia with bougainvillea cascading down its sides and a thick, sturdy balustrade with arched openings below.

The upper loggia is outfitted with antique lanterns and centuries-old iron tables with weathered patinas. "We figured they'd been rusting for more than 200 years," says Portuondo, "so why stop now?"

The interiors of the house are just as atmospheric. Special attention was paid to architectural detailing, such as the groin-vaulted hallway ceiling, hand-plastered walls, and niches with scalloped Moorish arches.

The stairs of the foyer ascend three flights, culminating with panoramic views from the rooftop terrace where the Douras occasionally entertain, especially on New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July, when the fireworks can be seen in all directions. On more ordinary days, it is the subtle charms of the house itself that offer satisfaction, detail by intricate detail.