Warmed up minimalism in Umm Suqeim villa

Umm Suqeim is an established suburban neighbourhood renowned for its community feel, older-style villas and tree-lined compounds. Standing out from the crowd with its beautifully sleek contemporary lines is a recently completed renovation that is a welcome burst of modernism.

The Emirati homeowner is a well-known advocate of the burgeoning modern art scene in the UAE. A keen art collector, he wanted a home that felt almost gallery-like – a blank canvas where he could build up his art and sculpture collection.

To help him make this vision a reality, he commissioned Zen Interiors and its lead designer, Hadeel Abu Baker, who set about devising an interior scheme that was just as stunningly simple as the exterior.

“The linear, contemporary architecture of the facade was my inspiration for the interiors,” she explains. “And as the homeowner has very minimalist tastes, I knew the direction I needed to take in choosing sleek, uncomplicated furniture that was beautifully designed yet unfussy.”

A masculine palette was chosen for the home, and in the downstairs living area a retro feel also creeps in with the colour combination of brown wallpaper by Rubelli Sahco, and mustard yellow and dark blue soft furnishings. Reproduction Arne Jacobsen Egg chairs also add to the late 1950s look.

The white sofas and coffee tables are from Natuzzi; “I love these low tables,” says Hadeel. “I chose one with a glass top and one with wood to create a kind of void and mass feel; they are the same, but different.”

Read article here –

Warmed up minimalism in Umm Suqeim villa