If it weren’t for the view of Atlantis The Palm through the windows of this luxurious beachside villa in Dubai, it would be easy to mistake the home for one on the coast of Miami or Barbados. An elegant space composed of neutral shades, sumptuous textures and surrounded by a luscious tropical garden, the dwelling exudes glamour, which, as it turns out, was the operative word when it came to the interior design mandate.
Rania Hamed, owner of VSHD Design and the woman behind the home’s interior, says, "My clients are avid art collectors and aside from a beautiful space, they wanted a place in which to display their collection. A modern interior was not enough for them; they wanted to include elements from the past, including objects collected on their travels, without losing their signature eclectic style. We decided to create a dialogue between the old and new and came up with a modern-classic theme that incorporates glamour and luxury. We began by stripping the entire house and creating a blank canvas for the new interior, using a neutral palette and clean lines."
Aside from the eye-catching pieces inside the home, one of the most impressive features is the view. "The owners wanted to make the most of the home’s beachside location so every walkway, window and door was resized and upcycled," Rania says. "The owners love to entertain, so access to the garden and beach was made easier by installing foldable doors throughout."
The living room, a plush area decorated with elegant furniture upholstered in richly textured silks, velvets and leather from Donghia, Rogers & Goffigon and Edelman, is the epitome of the home’s modern-classic theme. "It was influenced by the designs of the 1930s, but we added furniture from different historical periods. A Louis XVI sofa is paired with an art deco chair, while a Victorian stool sits by a sleek, modern coffee table," Rania says.
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