Art Deco inspiration with a high fashion edge in Jumeirah Park
Mutual friends and a chance conversation in a Dubai salon sparked a new project opportunity for Sawsan Al Nabolsi, owner of Reesha Interior Design (@reesha.interiors), with the client looking for a new home at the time. Fast forward to late 2022 and the newly-built villa was ready for an interior – and exterior – makeover, including physical extension. “In the beginning, the clients had something very classic in mind, with the wife, who owns a beauty business, keen to bring an element of high fashion into play, and the husband requesting elegant spaces for guest entertaining,” she explains.
With children ranging from middle school age through to a university graduate, the family didn’t need to factor in age-appropriate play spaces but still wanted a home that felt like a place to relax together as well as a magnet for guest occasions. Thinking cap on, Sawsan came up with a design anchored in Art Deco principles to fulfil the classic element, paired with contemporary style to guarantee a modern, comfortable home with guest appeal.
Large geometric pieces, classic motifs and the judicious use of mouldings were the foundation on which to dress the different spaces with couture accents, colour and textural detail, including high-end Houlès upholstered accessories. In the main living area, for example, an Arabesque-detailed screen hints at the greenery outside with furnishings in off-white, blue and rich wood tones blending sophistication with warmth.
A year-long renovation, the project included back-of-house space for a trio of maids, cook and driver, with a focus on customisation and bespoke pieces – a speciality of the Reesha Interior Design team.
“The entryway makes a deliberate grand statement and is instrumental in shaping the design identity of this exceptional family home“
HALLWAY
An entrance with the requisite wow factor, Art Deco influences define the double-height foyer and deliver a bold, impactful first impression. The cascading droplets from the grand chandelier soften the overall space with the abstract placement of local artist-designed mirrors adding a playful element to counter the formality of the grey panelling.
LIVING ROOM
A 500-kilogramme classic sculpture imported from Hong Kong is the centrepiece of the main living space, ensconced in a dramatic black marble frame with direct line of sight from the entry hall. The staircase is another key feature with its curved Art Deco-inspired treads offset by a contemporary glass banister.
“Understanding the client’s personality was key in bringing the design vision to life“
MASTER BATHROOM
Getting the balance between opulence and ostentation right isn’t easy, especially when putting gold front and centre, but the master bathroom is an homage to carefully studied decadence. Brushed gold shelving, and plenty of it, frames a deliciously retro claw-footed standalone bathtub where modern gold fittings and feet blend seamlessly. Black marble slab walls and flooring make this a bathroom with his and hers appeal, while the inclusion of a side table with floral decoration gives five-star hotel suite vibes.
POWDER ROOM
Luxury needed to be reflected in even the smallest of spaces with the ground floor powder room standing out thanks to the choice of gorgeously sensory wallpaper, with its floral design and fabric feel. This was paired with a classic vanity featuring gold fittings and a duo of oval mirrors also framed in gold. A special mention has to go to the matte gold painted Fabergé egg-inspired wall sconces that add a contemporary edge to the overall ambience.
MASTER BEDROOM
The glamour of Old Hollywood-meets-old money-Parisian apartment echoes throughout. Ornately decorated wall mouldings in a neutral mocha tone are a clever front for hidden storage, which allows the wraparound terracotta velvet-upholstered custom-made headboard to naturally anchor the space. A tower of Hermès boxes is a nod to the homeowner’s love of high fashion, with the vintage style vanity with its hand-fringed stool, curving tongue-and-groove panels and infinity mirror red carpet-ready. Next door, the walk-in closet is an ode to femininity.
KITCHENETTE
A family focused space on the first floor, this cosy nook is designed as a casual breakfast or snack spot. “We installed a coffee station and counter with bar stools that picks up on the overall design theme but with a more relaxed ambience.”
OFFICE
Minimalist with luxury accents in the form of leather and brass, the open library-styled office space features a mesh panelled bi-fold door for privacy while still feeling connected to the rest of the home.
KID’S BEDROOM
A bedroom built around one son’s love of gaming, subtly nuanced motifs and accessories capture this personal passion. Neon lighting frames the leather bed, with its floor-level bench seating for when friends come over, and two different wallpaper finishes add texture and graphic style to create a distinctive feature.
POOL & GARDEN
“A garden and entertaining space with a French touch,” was the exterior landscaping mandate with Sawsan opting for a black and white theme. The two-sided mirror lattice-topped open pergola artistically dapples light onto the monochrome woven-pattern floor tiles. Striped sofas feature colourful Dolce & Gabbana cushions, with other seating options resembling fallen Roman columns for a light-hearted nod to the home’s classic design notes. “Used for seasonal parties, the black and white template is essentially a blank canvas for the homeowner to theme for different occasions,” remarks Sawsan. Outdoor art is evident in the topiary, with greenery shaped into exquisitely sculptural forms. Oversized black pendant lights add life to the barbecue area, with the villa’s main entrance also featuring white marble, black planters and sculpted Bonsai tree details.
Want to know more? Reach out to Sawsan at sawsan@reeshainteriors.com