Carl D’Aquino and Francine Monaco are known for making their client’s dreams come true.

The powerhouse duo behind the New York-based design firm, D’Aquino Monaco, have lent their magic touch to projects around the world, creating captivating spaces full of beauty, warmth and charm.

So, when Michael Ryan, owner and developer of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, wanted to bring his vision for his new residential development to life, he turned to D’Aquino Monaco.

That development was Secret Harbour, the exclusive waterfront village at the heart of Dragon Bay, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s burgeoning community.

“It is an amazing project,” Carl says, “and it has been an extraordinary experience.”

“Being involved in a project from the birth of an idea through the realisation of a place is the thrill of architecture,” Francine adds.

Carl and Francine’s connection to Grand Cayman was established with Silver Rain, a La Prairie spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. D’Aquino Monaco was enlisted to create La Prairie’s first spa, using only the brand’s signature packaging as inspiration. It was a new direction for Carl and Francine, but one they undertook with relish.

“Silver Rain was the very first spa we ever designed,” explains Carl, who is the interior designer to Francine’s architect. “We loved taking the La Prairie brand and transplanting this Swiss company to the Caribbean.”

Carl and Francine’s unique design and unparalleled attention to detail captured the glamour of La Prairie and cemented D’Aquino Monaco’s relationship with the company. After their work on Silver Rain, Carl and Francine were asked to design La Prairie’s executive offices in New York City. For the experienced team, it was a feather in their cap.

Yet the story of D’Aquino Monaco begins 15 years ago, when Francine joined Carl’s fledgling design firm. Although a graduate of the School of Architecture in New York City, Carl at the time was concentrated largely on textiles and fabrics.

“I fell in love with interiors as an architectural designer,” Carl explains with a laugh.

Francine remained devoted to her architectural impulses. She worked for the in-house design department of the Guggenheim Museum before establishing D’Aquino Monaco with Carl in 1997. The partnership between Carl and Francine enabled the business to expand into a comprehensive architectural and design firm.

Since that time, D’Aquino Monaco’s body of work has shown remarkable depth. In 2007, Carl and Francine were inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame, an accolade that placed the duo among the top echelon of designers in the world.

“The Hall of Fame was an experience that was larger than life and simply wonderful,” Francine enthuses.

Yet, there are no clashes of ego here. The successful collaboration between Carl and Francine lies in their mutual admiration and differing approaches to the design process. She is the yin to his yang.

“Carl and I realised, after sharing stories of various projects, that we have shared ideals from different points of view,” Francine says of their decision to found D’Aquino Monaco. “This creates a very good opportunity for a partnership, with opposite strengths and shared respect.”

“Francine knows how to get to the core of a project,” Carl concurs. “She can look at the foundation of a project and just get it. I can be more of a dreamer. You need to meet someone in the middle and that’s why this works.”

Whether a project is residential or commercial, Carl and Francine believe it is essential to establish a strong dialogue with the client. Carl says he and Francine approach every task with a fresh view and pride themselves on their ability to push the boundaries of creativity.

“We are not cookie cutter designers, every project is different,” Carl says. “For us, a residential project is a very exciting process to be involved in. We have to understand who you are as a family. Our work is very client driven. The more we know about you, the better.”

Francine is inspired by D’Aquino Monaco’s capacity to transform a client’s home, and inevitably, their life.

“In either residential or commercial projects, I enjoy providing people the opportunity to see the potential of their world in a new way,” Francine says. “This is my inspiration.”

Or, as Carl explains, “We have really affected people’s lives”.

D’Aquino Monaco’s relationship with The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman was an organic progression following the success of Silver Rain.

“Secret Harbour was born from a desire to discover something hidden,” Francine says. “It’s the gem inside the rock.”

“The design for Secret Harbour was based on Michael’s travels, when he took a year off and travelled around the world by boat with his family,” Carl continues. “It’s an exciting concept, the idea that you can come by boat and experience this inner, hidden cove.”

Francine loved the process of bringing Michael’s concept to life using global influences set against a backdrop of Cayman. However, Carl and Francine have transformed the West Indian aesthetic from its kitschy past and created a fresh take on this traditional style. As such, Secret Harbour features two collections – Contemporary British Colonial and Urban Loft.

“[The collections] are Francine and mine’s take on the traditional British Colonial style of the Caribbean,” Carl says. “But we’ve updated it in the textures and the materials.”

From the architecture to the interior design, Carl and Francine meticulously conceived every element of Secret Harbour. The result is a sophisticated and luxurious residence that captures the beauty of the Cayman Islands.

“Every project has its own identity, from the glass of Silver Rain, to the textures of Secret Harbour, to the glamour of New York, to the drama of Palm Beach,” Carl says. “Our goal and our dream are to personalise every space.”

With Secret Harbour set to transform the concept of luxury living in the Cayman Islands, will the collaboration between D’Aquino Monaco and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman continue to grow?

“Absolutely,” Carl says. “It has been very inspiring working with Michael. It will be an ongoing relationship.” 

Being involved in a project from the birth of an idea through the realisation of a place is the thrill of architecture