A Glimpse Inside Amna Bani Hashem’s Dubai Villa

The Emirati show jumping champion strives to upturn the status quo professionally and personally

At the age of just 28, Emirati equestrian icon, mechanical engineer, philanthropist and advocate for gender balance, Amna Bani Hashem, is pioneering new possibilities for women across multiple spaces. Absorbed by “the way that things work”, Amna carved out a career in mechanical engineering at a time when female participation in STEM-related fields remained disproportionately low. Today, she uses her positionality as an engineer at ENOC to contribute to international dialogue surrounding gender equality in the workplace.

These accomplishments feel all the more remarkable given that Amna is also a professional, top-ranking horse rider and showjumper with Olympic aspirations. “My entry into competitive horse riding was one of my happiest coincidences,” shares Amna. “Neither my friends nor family were riders but I have a faint memory of riding as a child, on holiday with my family. It was love at first ride,” she smiles. “There’s an inexplicable bond between humans and horses, something difficult to explain, yet so profound.”

Part of The 5am Club, Amna prays as the sun rises and then it’s straight to the stables to train her horses before a day in the office. She’s committed to uplifting others on her journey and dedicates the little spare time that she has to volunteering with people of determination and supporting philanthropic efforts in Africa. Against the backdrop of her gruelling schedule, Amna maintains that one’s abode should be their sanctuary.

Her family’s Dubai villa was the passion project of her mother. A home that sprung to life from a plot of land and became a tonic to the chaos of the outside world. Her mother envisioned a home that would grow with her family; an environment that cultivates a feeling of togetherness.

The aesthetic straddles the classic and the contemporary, with traces of multiple eras and approaches to design interwoven throughout. Floor-to-ceiling windows diffuse natural light throughout the space while walls are coated in a natural palette – taupe and cream – that establish an outdoor-indoor connection. What’s most striking about the home is the effortless flow between spaces, facilitated by an open layout and the seamless integration of design elements.

The ground floor encloses multiple living spaces, cosy nooks for quality family time as well as formal seating areas where guests are entertained. A fresh, minimalist backdrop is punctuated by furnishings and accent details that charter major moments in design from the 1930s until the contemporary period. A circular brushed metal table recalls Art-Deco sensibilities while sumptuous modern-style armchairs in peacock blue inject a playful pop of colour. The brilliance of gold echoes throughout the address, apparent in the veins that run through the standout Italian onyx marble wall panel, geometric candlestick holders and vases laden with fresh blooms.

Lighting sets the ambience and offers an abundance of sensory delight. In the main hall, delicate crystals cascade down from a fixture that resembles the branches of a willow tree while sofas are enveloped under the soft glow of a circular installation that summons 1970s geometrical codes. Ethan Allen and Fendi Casa are among the family’s interior favourites yet the beauty of Amna’s family home is that it carries the trace of each of its inhabitants: “We have each contributed pieces that we love to the space and which reflect our individual tastes,” enthuses Amna. “Guests are greeted by orchids in the entrance way, the favourite flower of my mother and myself. We’re a family of animal lovers so we placed a pair of white ceramic songbirds here to honour the collaborative spirit of our home.”

We have each contributed pieces that we love to the space and which reflect our individual tastes

Amna Bani Hashem

The dining room is the area most appreciated by Amna and her family. Here, an elegant slice of Italian black onyx marble forms a dining table surrounded by a collection of modernist chairs in charcoal grey. It’s an intimate environment illuminated by the overhanging light pendant that feels more like a piece of jewellery. “With our busy schedules, the moments spent around the dining table feel all the more special,” says Amna.

Windows gaze out towards the garden. It’s a space for quiet contemplation that works in harmony with the home. Here, the mango and watermelon trees planted by Amna and her father offer shade for the family’s cats. “My father starts each day by feeding them on the lawn,” she tells us. The kitchen contributes the vision of Amna’s sister. A marriage of function and fun, it’s a generous space where friends and family can congregate while she pursues one of her passions – baking. The highly contemporary setting is fitted with professional appliances and characterised by glossy, clean-lined surfaces in a palette of earthy tones – clay, sea-moss green and cream.

Home is a place of harmony and where Amna finds her focus. Last year saw her take the title of the UAE champion in showjumping in the novice category yet, she’s setting her sights even higher. Amna insists that one can, and should, strive for the stars.

“Representing the UAE in the Olympics is a personal ambition but I’m also driven to do it to show others that it’s possible,” she expresses. “I was told that I started riding too late in life and that I couldn’t compete professionally yet, here I am. I want to make it clear to others that they can follow their dreams and thrive.” Her palatial home is a testament to just that, and is as grand as her visions.

Photography by Mohammad Adel Rashid

From Harper’s Bazaar Interiors Spring 2022 issue