Caribbean spirit meets Dubai luxury in this stunning Shoreline penthouse
An award-winning project from the hands of Cinzia and Marco Tedeschi of Smart Renovation, the client brief was both personal and precise. A five-month, top-to-toe renovation of their Shoreline penthouse, it needed to reflect two very different homelands – the azure coastal essence of Barbados and Ireland’s open, welcoming environment – while functioning beautifully for a young family of five.
Blue was non-negotiable. And, more specifically, the home needed to feature what Cinzia calls “Barbados blue” – to represent the colour of the sea, the sky and the Barbadian flag. It became the design thread woven through the entire home and paired with other shades in the different spaces.
Marble was equally central to the brief, with careful attention paid to the cutting and placement of every slab across the kitchen countertops, as backsplashes, and in bathrooms.
With the living space fully open-plan, one of the major challenges, according to Cinzia, was keeping the behind-the-scenes reality of a working kitchen hidden. “By discreetly concealing the sink, we created what reads as a stylish kitchen-meets-breakfast-bar gathering spot that flows seamlessly into the dining area,” she shares.
The breakfast bar was also purposely angled to create a natural separation between the two zones and to break up a conventionally angled line of sight, amplifying the home’s unique personality.
The powder room, Cinzia’s own statement moment, is where Barbados blue takes full command. A striking wallpaper from Trendies – bold, beautiful and immediately loved by the clients – anchors the space, with crisp white introduced as contrast through the toilet, skirting and floating vanity.
Throughout the rest of the home, the palette softens, allowing the couple’s own carefully chosen furniture pieces to shine.
“The powder room is where Barbados blue takes full command“
KITCHEN
“Grey marble was central to the brief, but rather than using it in isolation, we mixed quartz and marble across both the backsplash and countertops – a deliberate pairing that introduces contrast and texture against the bold choice of navy-blue cabinetry.” The navy is deeply confident, grounding the space with a colour that nods, of course, to the sea. A modern take on a classic dresser softens the sleek contemporary lines and doubles as a dedicated coffee station, adding personality and purpose.
FORMAL LIVING
The formal sitting area is reminiscent of a European salon and makes an immediate impression as the first space a visitor encounters. Classic moulding at double height draws the eye upward, while a clean, neutral palette amplifies the grandeur. The client’s own furniture anchors the space, complemented by an SVC herringbone floor in warm honey, with wood accents carrying up the redesigned staircase, crowned by a sparkling chandelier.
MASTER SUITE
Real marble backing the vanity brings vibrancy and movement, its gold and black flecks catching the light moving across the room. The curved bath is a deliberate softening device in what is otherwise a space designed around confident, clean lines. “Our signature wet space shelving with inset lighting transforms function into a design feature,” Cinzia highlights. The walk-in closet was created by cleverly reclaiming square footage from the bedroom, which had space to spare. Mirrors placed at the rear open up the room, drawing light deep into the space and lending the entire suite an added layer of luxury that you would expect from penthouse living.
The practical floor-to-ceiling mirror and bespoke storage makes this walk-in feel surprisingly spacious.
NURSERY
A neutral palette that is calm yet full of character sets this nursery apart. The bespoke sepia-toned jungle wallpaper brings a wonderfully whimsical touch without overwhelming and is perfectly suited to the calming space that is a baby’s room. White furnishings keep the nursery serene, and the design has been conceived to grow with the child. In the adjacent bathroom, Majolica tiles bring a gentler, more textural energy in contrast to the grown-up bathrooms.
FAMILY HANGOUT
The family room is exactly what it needs to be – comfortable, unpretentious and made for quality time. A generous cream sofa anchors the space for movie nights and lazy weekends, while ample built-in storage keeps toys and family items neatly out of sight. A media unit with integrated shelving is the perfect home for personal trinkets and photos. Pops of colour from textural throws and an elegant armchair lift the space design-wise.
CHILD’S ROOMA fun and intimate room that balances personality without feeling overtly childish, this bedroom features wallpaper sourced from Dragon Mart that introduces a playful element. Grey and pastel tones keep the result spirited and immersive rather than overloading the senses. The simplicity of a white wooden bedstead and a miniature bedside lamp keep the scheme grounded and serene. Grey tones carry through into the adjacent bathroom, where a full slab wall makes a statement that is striking and characterful yet surprisingly soft.
Want to know more? Reach out to Marco and Cinzia at info@smartrenovation.ae