STRONG BONES AS A STARTING POINT 

 

“This is our personal home,” she says. “From the start, we were looking for a property with strong architectural bones that we could renovate and truly make our own.” After exploring several neighbourhoods, it was this particular house in Green Community West that stood out. “I saw a level of potential in the floor plan that felt rare in Dubai, and I knew we could transform it into something special for our family.”

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Built in 2008, the Spanish Revival–style bungalow offered a clear architectural framework: a terracotta-tiled roof, stucco exterior, and an arched front loggia that immediately set the tone. Rather than overriding these features, the interior responds to them. Arches and softened curves appear throughout the house, echoing the exterior and creating a sense of continuity between inside and out.

 

“I’ve always been drawn to the timeless elegance of Parisian interiors and the character of classic New York brownstones,” Amna explains. “At the same time, we wanted the home to feel appropriate for Dubai’s climate, which is why Mediterranean houses became an important reference—especially in terms of materials and a softer, more relaxed palette.”

 

Two early design decisions shaped much of what followed. Breccia Capraia marble was selected for the kitchen, its cream base and expressive veining becoming a visual anchor across the home. Alongside it, an ILVE range introduced a slightly antique note. “The range brought a sense of age,” she says, “which naturally led us toward incorporating vintage pieces throughout the house.” Together, these elements established a balance between softness and boldness that informed the wider design language.

 

LIGHT, TONE, AND ATMOSPHERE 

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The colour palette remains restrained but expressive. Warm whites dominate the main living areas, allowing light to move freely through the space. “We wanted these rooms to feel open and airy,” says Amna. In contrast, darker tones appear in more enclosed areas such as the pantry and powder room. “Those spaces receive less daylight, so we used deeper colours to create a moodier, more intimate atmosphere.”

 

In the kitchen, the decision to move away from an all-white scheme was deliberate. “The space felt too large and bright,” she notes. Deep navy cabinetry grounds the room, drawing directly from the tones of the Breccia Capraia marble used on the countertops and backsplash.

 

Throughout the home, warmer hues—beige, rust, and red—appear in furniture and artwork. “These are colours I naturally gravitate toward,” Amna says. “I grew up in New York, and autumn has always been my favourite season. That palette feels familiar and personal to me.”