How an outdated Abu Dhabi villa became a connected family home
An established, family-friendly community, this older home was in need of a thoughtful upgrade to suit modern family life. “The property had great structure, but the original layout no longer suited family connection, so the focus was on redesigning the flow and making every square metre work harder,” shares Kelli, founder of Abu Dhabi Home Design (@abudhabihomedesign_).
Her long to-do list centred on creating a warm, practical family home that felt elevated but still comfortable and with an improved flow. “I wanted the home to be more connected and intuitive to walk through, especially the kitchen, dining and living spaces; as well as more storage, a larger living space, proper ensuites and outdoor entertaining areas,” she notes.
This meant reconfiguring for larger communal living areas – which included an eight-metre ground floor extension onto the pool – with an infusion of natural light also key. Other touchpoints included the addition of a pantry and space-saving under-stairs laundry space; a nanny’s room; and the transformation of underused areas such as balconies into functional spaces.
She was equally clear about her no-gos: overly formal or trending designs. “European and deVol-style interior inspiration adapted for family life in Abu Dhabi was key, and I wanted the spaces to feel warm and characterful, combining natural textures, soft neutral tones and thoughtful details with modern practicality. A huge inspiration was the idea of making older communities feel relevant and beautiful again.”
“My biggest challenge was working within the structure of an older villa while trying to make it feel like a completely different home. A lot of the project involved rethinking awkward layouts, hidden dead space, and structural limitations while still keeping the renovation practical and cost-conscious,” she reveals.
The decision to add a fourth bedroom saw the first floor reconfigured to create two en suite bedrooms along with a large eight-metre roof terrace – perfect for entertaining – while the entire second floor became a dedicated primary suite, featuring a spacious bathroom and dressing room.
“Consistency in materials, tones and detailing helped tie everything together visually, but the biggest change came from the layout itself. Open sight lines, improved circulation and stronger connections between the indoor and outdoor spaces have completely changed how the villa feels,” smiles Kelli.
“A huge inspiration was the idea of making older communities feel relevant and beautiful again“
KITCHEN-DINER
Inspired by unfitted European-style kitchens, the design is warm, practical, and characterful, with the central island as a focal point. “Incorporating the sink and integrated dishwasher helps keep the kitchen connected to the dining and living areas.” Another standout feature is the Smeg cooker, with a practical ‘pot filler’ sitting directly above. Large wooden dividing doors were also introduced to separate the kitchen and living spaces as needed.
“The kitchen and main living area is probably my favourite part of the home because it completely transformed the way we live day to day. Before, the spaces felt disconnected and underused, and it’s become a much more social and welcoming environment.”
DOWNSTAIRS LIVING
The newly expanded ground floor is now softer, brighter, and more connected to the outdoors. Large bespoke wooden dividing doors are a defining design feature. “Rather than relying on fully open-plan living, I wanted to create subtle separation between the spaces while still maintaining light, warmth and connection throughout the ground floor and allowing each area to have its own identity.” The timber finish exudes texture and character, helping balance the lighter neutral palette used throughout the villa. The discovery of a tucked-away home office corner and reading chair set against a light-refracting oversized mirror adds a sense of charming intimacy. Says Kelli: “I think homes become far more interesting when they’re curated gradually over time. Some of my favourite pieces are vintage finds, upcycled furniture or items that have been collected over the years.”
PRIMARY SUITE
A calm, accessibly luxurious sanctuary away from the bustle of family life, the second-floor suite is a triumph for self-contained privacy and style, reminiscent of a hotel getaway on a sought-after island. The dressing room is worthy of mention, combining practicality with a boutique hotel feel. “I do have a soft spot for this space. There’s something very peaceful about slipping away there at the end of the day, stretching out on the couch with a glass of something, and getting lost in a good TV series,” smiles Kelli. The suite’s bathroom was also extended to improve layout and flow, with Kelli especially passionate about improving layouts to transform spaces into something beautiful and wonderfully practical.
OUTDOOR SPACES
From the stunning roof terrace to the incredibly private pool area, this is a home where outdoor spaces matter. Created as a result of the living extension below, Kelli immediately saw a purpose for the terrace as a one-of-a-kind entertainment space. At ground level, the design is a true extension of the house, featuring stylish seating and a barbecue spot, and is directly connected to the new extension. “The outdoor area completely changed the atmosphere of the home. It’s where everyone naturally ends up now.”
Want to know more? Reach out to Kelli Tomkins at ADhomedesign@outlook.com