Stone House, Dubai

Located in an exclusive Dubai residential neighbourhood, this award-winning double-height family mansion/villa fuses architectural minimalism with contemporary luxury that evokes a timeless warmth and serenity.

It’s a rich domestic haven that appeals to all the senses: from the protective outer solid stone walls to the inviting and sensuous interiors where rare woods, handmade fabrics, and contemporary furniture blend harmoniously with rich family heirlooms. The design symphony is enhanced by the voluminous double-height ceiling and the rays of natural light that emanate from the large windows that create a seamless transition to the outdoors.

With its exotic plants, trees and shrubs the soft trickling sound of the traditional ‘falaj’ water featuring trickling through the carefully manicured gardens, ensures that a thread of Middle Eastern heritage and culture runs through the modern setting. Niu was commissioned as the architect and landscape designers with a brief to create a 1,000-metre square, single-storey modern, minimalist villa. The client (a young Emirati couple) requested separate guest, family and garden zones. Separate traditional Majlis for the female and male guests were also specified.

They sought a warm, informal environment with a lived-in, relaxed family home featuring iconic signature pieces that reflect their personality as well as some items from their art and interior collections.

The luxurious interior is awash with natural light flows that flows in from the oversize windows that simultaneously allow the interior and garden spaces to seamlessly merge. The spacious family villa is furnished with the finest European fabrics, furnishings, chandeliers and accessories selected in conjunction with the owner to create a modern Arabian family home.

Sumptuous Luxurious Rubelli, Sahco and Elitis fabrics were selected for the bespoke upholstery and soft furnishings. The rooms are furnished with items from Living Divani, Porada and Fendi furniture collections, including Giorgetti’s iconic Hug and distinctive Eva lounge chairs. Niu commissioned a 4-metre-long bespoke dining table for the main dining room accented by a stunning hand-blown Murano glass chandelier by Abate Zenetti. Throughout the interior walls and floors, marble including Italian Botticino is widely used, with accents of onyx, white Dunas and black Saint Laurent marble. In some areas such as the bedrooms the marble and walnut wood parquet flooring are softened, with bespoke wall to wall hand-woven carpet from moooi. While other floors are adorned with classic silk Persian carpets from the owner’s personal collection.