A Look Inside The Real Housewives of Dubai Cast Member’s Caroline Stanbury’s Chic Chorisia Al Barari Abode
The Bravolebrity takes Harper’s Bazaar Arabia on an exclusive tour of her spectacular new Dubai home
Vibrant, one-off, unapologetically bright with a dose of Barbiecore. The Real Housewives of Dubai’s Caroline Stanbury’s new villa in the chic Chorisia Al Barari enclave echoes her larger-than-life personality. Essentials are just as unique as she is; who else would specify a podcast room, shelf space for her Hermès collection and an exuberantly designed, flamingo-themed powder room as non-negotiables? She even had an 80-year-old giant bonsai tree that had to be craned into the house, and rewired the whole house to double the MEP. And that’s all before you spot her state-of-the-art Japanese loo.
The Real Housewives of Dubai leading lady wanted her outdoor area to be perfect for entertaining. Dress, POA, Oséree. Shoes, POA, Black Suede Studio x Caroline Stanbury. Tiffany HardWear Ball Hook Earrings, Dhs5,415, Tiffany&Co. Dextera Hoop Earrings, Dhs570; Green Crystal Ring, Dhs570, both Swarvoski. Watch, Caroline’s own
“I can’t say no to anything. I love bright colours, or anything too colourful in fact. And I am known for going against the norms… always,” divulges the 47-year-old star. Hugely self-aware, constantly sprouting catchy sound-bites, she says of Sergio Carrallo, her husband-of-a-year who shares her home, “He would say I’m very difficult to live with. But that’s what keeps him on his toes, so it works.” While we talk her three children, Yasmine, Zac, and Aaron – who also live with her, are all at school.
Caroline and her husband Sergio moved into their new house this summer, six months after tying the knot in December 2022. Sergio wears: Shirt, POA, Ramsey. Trousers, POA, Zara. Shoes, Dhs1,390, Loro Piana. Caroline wears: Jumpsuit, POA, Rat & Boa. Tiffany HardWear Ball Hook Earrings, Dhs5,415, Tiffany&Co. Dextera Hoop Earrings, Dhs570, Swarovski
So who does someone like Caroline choose to design their home? Kate Instone from Blush International who is completely unfazed and laughs that, “I have known Caroline since London, I have helped her design four homes and we have worked together on a furniture line.” The Dubai-based interiors specialist, whose career highlights include working on homes for names such as Madonna, is currently finishing up Lindsay Lohan’s nursery while getting ready to hand over Atlantis The Royal apartments. Kate insists the process of working with her Ladies of London client is seamless: “She listens to the advice we give her. This makes the design process so much quicker and the final product so much more successful. She understands quality and design, she is a fashion addict and through her love for fashion she understands investment pieces and how to style.”
Blush International gutted the interiors, and redid them to Caroline’s exacting specifications
Is Dubai Caroline’s forever home now she’s bought her own place? “I can’t imagine a better lifestyle. I feel so happy here. I literally wake up and want to kiss the ground. The safety, the sun, I feel like a different human, I’ve got Housewives here, and my podcast, I can travel…” she enthuses. We sat with the British reality TV personality and Divorced Not Dead podcast queen to discuss new beginnings, continuing storylines and next chapters.
Was there a distinct aesthetic you were going for?
I asked Kate to create my home. I wanted a home that was comfortable for me and my family. I needed the children to be happy in their spaces, I needed space to entertain, a space for quiet family time and a space for myself and Sergio. Once Kate and I had figured out the function of the house, then we had fun with the aesthetic. I wanted it to feel contemporary, but not cold. I wanted to showcase my art collection, I wanted ‘grown up’ furniture. This is the brief that I gave Blush, and when she came back with the first set of visuals I was sold! I really feel this house reflects who I am. Previous places I lived in were so huge, probably double the size of this, but in all these big houses I probably lived in three rooms. This house has been designed to an inch of its life, I use everything and I absolutely love it. I am obsessed.
Baituti living room pieces make a real statement
How has your personality inspired the interior design of your home?
I’d say it is editorial and edgy with an undercurrent of femininity. Kate designed a fabulous chevron floor pattern for the ground floor, the monochromatic geometric pattern is strong, brave, and edgy and sits in striking contrast with the more feminine organic shape of the olive tree that grows in the central courtyard. This very much reflects the Yin and Yang of my personality. I can be the fearless housewife, but also the more sensitive and nurturing mother and friend. This juxtaposition of edgy and bold versus soft and feminine is the design ethos that Kate has woven through the villa.
Robe, Dhs1,930; Trousers, Dhs1,650, both L’Agence. Dextera Hoop Earrings, Dhs570, Swarovski. Tiffany HardWear Link Earrings, Dhs14,505, Tiffany&Co.
How long has it taken to transform the house into what it is today?
It has taken around 18 months to transform the house. It would have been much quicker if I had taken the standard villa, but Kate and I decided that we wanted to change the layouts and all the finishes. We added an extra bedroom, a laundry room on the first floor, a cinema and of course my master suite. It took longer than I anticipated, but I am happy that I waited and got what I really wanted.
How much say, if any, did Sergio have in the design and decoration of the house?
I’m going to give him credit – primarily because he just overheard me. Sergio really enjoyed the design process and came to all the design meetings with Kate and her team. However, the cinema and garage are all Sergio! He was determined to have his fibre optic Rolls-Royce ceiling, full surround sound and ice-cream store in the cinema. The garage is totally his baby too! He also did the kitchen counters.
You have documented your building and interior design journey via @thecarralloshome.
My house has now become more popular than I am. Everybody loves it, I think it’s a very different house for the Middle East. No one has done what we have, and it’s a very unique concept. I think it reflects my personality, and it’s a happy vibrant home. You can’t help but come into this house feeling the same emotions.
Where are we most likely to find you hiding out?
It has to be my master suite. Kate totally remodeled this space so that I now have an open plan bedroom and bathroom, a fantastic dressing room and my very own podcast room. Having my bedroom and bathroom in one room really suits our lifestyle, as we have such hectic schedules I love to be able to chat to Sergio whilst he is still in bed, and I am brushing my teeth! I am totally in love with the aesthetic that Kate has created. The scheme is blush pink, but with masculine undertones and Sergio loves it too. The oversized pattern of the wallpaper looks beautiful alongside the pink onyx of the raised bathroom area. The bed and bedside tables were custom made for us by The Design House and the foot stools are B&B Italia. The bathroom and bedroom are divided by a pink onyx box that houses our pop-up TV – there really isn’t much reason to even leave this room! We have two separate cubicles for the steam shower and WC which are all supplied by Kohler, I love my new smart loo with its heated seat and night lights!
Pink accents permeate the villa, adding colour without becoming overbearing
Your walk-in wardrobe is the style stuff of dreams.
Yes, I love my dressing room. Kate knows how many clothes I have as she has designed all my wardrobes, so she made sure this one was large enough. I decided to keep it mainly open so I can see my clothes, it’s so much easier when you have a hectic schedule like mine, and you are always travelling. The island is a great asset to house all our smaller items and of course lots of shelf space for my Hermès collection of bags. I just need to make sure I don’t out-grow this one too!
Furnishings all accenturate Caroline’s art collection.
Blazer, Dhs720, Eliya The Label. Jeans, Dhs1,180, AMO. Shoes, Dhs2,550, Manolo Blahnik. Dextera Hoop Earrings, Dhs570, Swarovski. Tiffany Lock Pendant, Dhs78,960, Tiffany&Co.
You have an incredible wardrobe. What would you never wear?
Crocs. I’ll never wear Crocs.
Any sentimental pieces of furniture?
Kate introduced us to Baituti Home in Dubai, and I selected some beautiful pieces which I know I will keep forever. I have always loved B&B Italia furniture and Kate helped me pick up some classics, I love my Flair’O dining chairs that just look amazing with the floor and the magenta pink stools in my bedroom, but my two absolute favorite pieces are my Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini and my Serie Up armchair which is the most comfortable thing ever… Both of these pieces I think of as sculptures rather than furniture.
Striking pieces lead up the stairway to the first floor, where the private living quarters are located
Did your children have any say in their bedrooms?
Yes, they did. Blush did a beautiful presentation for the children in their offices, they selected each piece of furniture and every fabric – like their mother they are very particular. Zac wanted to make sure he had enough room to study and game with his friends, Aaron wanted to make sure he had the right LED lights and for Yasmine, everything just had to be perfect!
Were there any collections that had to be displayed – aside from your Hermès bags?
Art, I am totally passionate about art… I have been unbelievably lucky to work with some of the most amazing up and coming artists creating special commissions for me, like the striking neon Nat Bowen piece on my staircase wall. My Punk Me Tender butterfly in the entrance is another favourite.
Quirky items like this Christian Dior bear sit on a pedestal
Any sentimental items you had to find place for?
My framed photographs of friends and family. I have so many I don’t actually have room to display them all. The children grow up so quickly I love to have these memories around me. It’s not going to be long until they are off to college.
Do you think your home will ever be ‘finished’?
One of things I wanted was to make sure everything was selected and finished, for when the house was ready. I am quite impatient so it would have driven me crazy if it wasn’t finished or I didn’t have a plan to finish it. I guess the only thing that will never to be finished are the walls, as I like to acquire new art and my art collection is ever evolving.
The huge Bonsai tree had to be be craned into the house
What do guests comment on the most when they come to your home?
The Powder Room. I wanted something that was really fun and a bit different from the rest of the house. Kate suggested the flamingo wallpaper from De Gournay and I was totally sold. We paired the De Gournay with mauve onyx, and it is absolutely stunning.
If you could have a home anywhere else in the world – where would it be?
I would like to have one in Bali, or any island for that matter.
As a working mother, do you ever ‘switch off’?
Well, I am about to go to the Maldives now, to the St Regis and Fairmont. But when you work for yourself and have a business to run, you don’t quite have the luxury to ever fully switch off. I work two different time zones every day, including weekends. So it’s almost never really easy to ‘switch off’ for me.
Sergio wears: Shirt, POA, Orlebar Brown. Trousers, POA, Zara. Caroline wears: Dress, Dhs1,900, Racil. Shoes, Caroline’s own. Tiffany Lock Earrings in Rose and White Gold with Diamonds, Dhs38,560; Tiffany T Bangle in Rose Gold with Diamonds, Dhs48,845; Tiffany T Bangle in Yellow Gold, Dhs16,895, all Tiffany&Co.
Do you and Sergio have a similar daily schedule?
Yes, we have the same schedules. We are almost always around each other for majority of the day, since we both run the business from home, and work from home every day.
The space seems perfect for holding parties. Do you entertain a lot?
We entertain all the time, it’s usually always dinners. We have 15 people coming over tonight. Everyone just comes around here. The outdoor area has LEDs and its like a little bit of Mykonos in Dubai. We haven’t had that many people over recently, as we were busy moving houses and I’ve been busy filming as well.
We first photographed you when you moved to Dubai around eight years ago – Al Barari is obviously where you feel most at home as you’ve never moved!
For me, Barari is a community. I know everyone here, and life is very easy. I don’t ever have to leave or step out of the community at all, as everything is right here for me which makes it super convenient. I have basically moved around the compound four times. The last two houses I’ve been in were in areas that weren’t even built when I first moved here.
What is your secret to living your best life every day?
Every morning being grateful for what I have. I love to thrive in my world. Also, always put yourself first, and everyone else can be happy around you. You are such a positive role model for women of all ages.
Accessories with a distinctive logo clearly show Caroline’s favourite designer brand in the master suite
What advice would you give to women starting out in their careers and or new relationships?
For women starting out in new relationships, just be confident in yourself, it attracts people to you. If you are insecure and sit to question yourself, it attracts the wrong man, and that relationship would never last. Confidence is everything.
For those starting new career paths, my advice would be, just fake it till you make it! Nobody goes into a business knowing what to do. It’s all about putting on that power suit and just stepping into the role, and somehow believing it will work out. There is no rule book to business, and no one will know your business better then you. So again, show that confidence, and be the confidence, for your business.
The swimming pool was designed to give off Mykonos vibes
Caroline’s nine to five…
My alarm goes off at: When Sergio wakes me up. He is my alarm every morning. The first thing I do is order my coffee and listen to the water flowing right outside my house. For breakfast I like to have black coffee! I am a black coffee drinker all the way.
My daily wardrobe always consists of: Trainers.
Every day I always log onto: Instagram.
My daily exercise regime is: While filming I don’t work out as it’s almost not possible. But when I can, I have workouts with my trainer Matthew in Barari, as it’s closer to home, and workouts with my trainer Sarah at ROAR fitness. I love to train with both, and looking forward to returning back full time once filming is wrapped up.
I always eat lunch… this would be BBQs and salads. Love both!
I am most happy when… I have some me-time in my room with no one around, which I don’t get very often of course.
Every day I always… find myself busy with problem solving.
I spend my evenings: If I have an evening to myself, it would be to sit back and watch a movie.
Before I go to bed: I love my cup of tea, and open all the bedroom windows to hear the sound of running water. I have always wanted to live in or around water. I manifested that – and now I am living it!
Walk-in wardrobes have always been a staple of Caroline’s homes, and this latest one is the biggest one yet. Caroline wears a pink Chanel tracksuit.
Photography: Efraim Evidor. Styling: Imogene LeGrand.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s June 2023 issue.
