Inside a Dubai Hills Estate townhouse where the client’s exacting brief shaped every surface
A sharply focused brief was the hook for Sarah Monti, founder of LEI Interior Design (@lei_interiordesign) in taking on this high-end home. The client, a Mexican businessman making Dubai Hills Estate home with his son, stipulated warmth, wood and gold. “You can see it everywhere,” she says. “But always subtle.”
The client’s tastes were very specific, leaving little margin for interpretation. “We didn’t have much room to manoeuvre. He was very clear, down to the consistent use of white throughout the palette,” Sarah acknowledges. Easy to work with, he wanted rich interiors, and it fell to her to simplify where the property’s scale required it. “This is Dubai Hills Estate, with its prestigious golf course setting, and there aren’t many uniquely delivered townhouses like this,” she notes, with a smile.
The property was taken from shell and core to completion over a six-month period. A two-storey extension enclosed the upper terrace and brought the dining area beneath inside; the roof, full landscaping and all exterior work were also within the turnkey scope. The build wasn’t without challenges. Unexpectedly heavy rains during construction forced the team to remove and re-waterproof certain elements, setting the timeline back before work could progress.
The powder room captures the brief most clearly for Sarah, as she explains: “For me, this small space, along with the kitchen, expresses the heart of the house, and its design really shows how much you care about your home – and this one had to be joyful.” Dark Emperador marble runs to the back wall, softened with a trio of abstract mirrors and a sculptural vanity for a hotel luxe feel that is also delightfully playful.
LIVING AREA
A custom chandelier is paired with the slick idea of an antiqued mirror ceiling panel, its gold trim lending clean definition overhead. Spanish marble underfoot anchors a palette of rich warm wood, leather and gold accents, while the generous L-shaped Natuzzi sofa in cream and brown sets the scene for the perfect father-son movie night.
“The client’s tastes were very specific, leaving little margin for interpretation“
This is Dubai Hills Estate, with its prestigious setting, and there aren’t many uniquely delivered townhouses like this
KITCHEN & DINING
From the living area the palette flows into the kitchen, where countertops are clad in specially treated Calacatta Dover, showcasing exquisite fine-veined markings. The custom cabinetry and built-in white goods are elevated with the addition of gold statement edging. This specific detailing is one of the threads that ties each room back to the overarching design brief. Blue also enters here for the first time as Sarah’s thoughtful nod to her client’s Mexican roots and the ocean of his childhood. Warm wooden slat panelling also features – a textural counterpoint to the cool marble beneath. The dining space is defined by a custom-made chandelier. Its strong yet somehow gentle curves are reminiscent of rolling waves or birds in mid-flight. The antiqued mirror theme from the living area reappears, as does dynamic panelling – an effective recurring device that adapts for each room.
BEDROOM LIVING
The former balcony, enclosed as part of the extension, became a private seating area with an architectural statement ceiling and decadent spiral-patterned rug that encapsulate the home’s design code.
MASTER BATH & BEDROOM
The bathroom’s marble podium sinks are the standout feature: masculine in terms of material choice but magnificently sculptural in form. Impactful slat panelling arches above them like a giant frame and reflects the homeowner’s point of view. In the bedroom, the dynamic wave panelling used throughout the home migrates to the feature wall. The bed is more restrained with neutral linens, cushions with a calming hint of green, and a burnt orange chaise longue as the room’s visual anchor.
GUEST BEDROOM
The guest bedroom introduces a deliberately feminine note. Purple shifts the messaging, courtesy of just a few key elements with intricately CNC-cut work delivering elegant finishes. Panelling with gold trim still holds the thread, while dynamic wave and circle motifs prompt a sense of sophisticated relaxation, and a fluid gold panel beside the bed adds movement. “We played with the masculine and the feminine,” Sarah says. “In life, we should all have balance.”
WALK-IN CLOSET
The walk-in closet was already in place, but Sarah made the decision to rethink it as a fully designed space. The closet doors set the tone: matte gold arch detailing gives presence to what is, essentially, an everyday item. Parquet flooring is framed with marble edged in a thin brass profile – a detail Sarah deems eminently relevant to a complete, quality-driven experience. A textural pink stool softens the functional feel and provides a pastel-soft visual counterpoint.
Want to know more? Reach out to Sarah Monti at info@leiarchitects.com