Entrepreneur Zainab Alsalih Invites Bazaar Into Her Arabian Ranches Home
Founder of Carousel Events, Zainab Alsalih opens the door to her utterly tranquil, memory-filled modern home in Dubai’s Arabian Ranches
“Come on inside!” exclaims Dubai-based Carousel Events’ founder, Zainab Alsalih, as she excitedly welcomes us into her quiet, contemporary home in Arabian Ranches. The neutral-coloured space is just as warm as she is, exuding a sense of utter peace balanced with joy.
When the opportunity arose to own a home in Dubai almost 20 years ago, Zainab and her husband, Firas, packed their bags without hesitation. “Arabian Ranches seemed to be the perfect mix of far away, but not too far. Private, but bustling with life, and we loved the desert landscaping and felt it was so real, authentic and environmentally friendly,” Zainab says, walking down the generous entryway.
The gallery wall in Zainab’s home features artworks and pictures sourced from all over the world. The custom-built stairs are made from solid walnut and the balustrade is made of a single sheet of tempered glass. Zainab wears dress by Zimmerman, sandals by Balenciaga and earrings by Chanel
“We were lucky to be one of the first residents in one of the first communities and have lived here for the past 15 years.” Upon entrance is a stunning gallery wall neighbouring the staircase. Painted a textured, deep-sea blue, the wall is home to artworks and pictures sourced from all over the world.
Each piece holds a memory, whether it’s a work Zainab’s late uncle drew by hand, paintings given by her father as a wedding gift, a pencil sketch of her late grandmother, or manuscripts found in old family collections. There’s even framed Quran pages Zainab’s husband sourced from an antique store in Mexico during their travels.
Vases of dried flowers are gracefully kept around the home, contributing to its timelessness. “They are real and yet they last as long as artificial flowers,” Zainab explains. “I’ve always disliked artificial flowers and plants, so if I want something long-lasting, dried flowers are the best option.”
The downstairs workspace features a lighting fixture by Ingo Maurer called Zettle Z, a desk by Nada Debs, the Forum executive chair by Poltrona Frau, a bespoke built-in bookshelf and a limited edition red Gebrüder Thonet Vienna chair
Originally hailing from Iraq, Dubai has been home for Zainab for the past 32 years. She began her career as a banker working for the National Bank of Dubai and Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait, eventually finding her calling and launching Carousel Events a little over a decade ago. “Having your own business is extremely hard work but it’s also very rewarding,” she smiles.
The company has seen many successes, with an early highlight being executing the launch of the Trump Tower project on the Palm Jumeirah, an event which was hosted by Donald and Ivanka Trump. But her proudest achievement since the launch in 2008 has been impacting lives, even if just a little, and helping others realise their own dreams.
“Whether it is the clients I have passionately served, the many vendors and suppliers I have successfully partnered with, the employees I have grown with and who grew with me, and the many young women I have mentored, and perhaps in some small ways, inspired to do more, and to be more,” Zainab considers carefully.
An interior view of the downstairs living room which contains the Quadra sectional sofa and Dezza, armchairs by Poltrona Frau, the ‘Smoke’ coffee table by Cappellini, planter by Serralunga, rug by Paola Lenti, Arco lamp by Flos, stools by Silsal and scatter cushions from Maison Mishmashi
Having been in the interiors business for over two decades, the Alsalihs know exactly where to source their furniture and décor items from. There are many Poltrona Frau pieces, the classic Italian furniture house where Zainab worked for many years before her entrepreneurial ventures. “Many of the other pieces were procured over several years from different places, with an emphasis on Italian products,” she explains.
There’s furniture from renowned Italian houses such as Cappellini, Pierantonio Bonacina, Flos, Kartell, Produzione Privata, Studio Michele Di Lucchi and Serralunga, among German and Lebanese brands, Ingo Maurer lighting and Nada Debs. Along the way, Zainab has added pieces from brands her dear friends own, such as Maison Mishmashi and Silsal Design House.
The dining room features the Passepartout bookcase by Cappellini. Table and buffet unit by Pierantonio Bonacina, paintings by Enrico Benetta and chairs by Poltrona Frau. The chandelier is called Montone by Dutch lighting designer Jacco Maris
The artwork dotted throughout her space is also permeated with a rich Italian influence, with two of the couple’s most-admired artists being Enrico Benetta and Marco Buzzi. “We became good friends with Enrico and absolutely fell in love with the vibrancy and colours of his work,” recalls Zainab.
“We also hosted an event with him many years ago and he produced an amazing collection of pieces which ended up being part of a global art tour sponsored by Poltrona Frau.” The home office is where Zainab and her husband spend most of their time, especially while they were in quarantine.
Here, a statement lighting fixture from Ingo Maurer called Zettle-Z hangs low from the ceiling, adorned with personal handwritten cards and photographs which Zainab has attached to the piece over time. The Nada Debs desk is another piece filled with memories.
Pops of colour pepper Zainab’s home. The kitchen features a whimsical lighting fixture by Ingo Maurer entitled Light au Lait, placed here above the coffee station
“It’s a piece that has gotten bruised and battered over the years, but remains as solid as ever and is gracefully ageing with time.” Zainab has spent hours working on notable projects at her Nada Debs desk and also used it for helping her children with their homework.
“The past few months really allowed me to fully immerse myself at home once again,” says Zainab, explaining that she has redecorated, done several rounds of spring cleaning and went to town baking in the kitchen. “I also find that I move around a lot during the day, changing the scenery and shifting between rooms.”
The home office features a painting by Enrico Benetta and Poltrona Frau’s iconic 1919 armchair. The lighting fixture is called Zettle Z by Ingo Maurer, lovingly customised with family photographs
When she’s not checking her emails and taking calls in the office, Zainab can be found cooking in the brightly lit open kitchen downstairs. “I love to bake and when I do, I find that my whole family like to hang around the kitchen, whether it’s to help me mix, lick the batter or icing bowls, or be ready to pounce when the goodies come out of the oven,” she laughs.
A furniture piece of note and also, understandably, one of Zainab’s favourites is the white Lyra chair from Poltrona Frau placed upstairs. “I nursed all of my babies on that chair and it carries such sweet memories for me,” she says fondly. As a proud mother of three boys, Zainab has deemed the upstairs dressing room her own little hideaway — one of those guilty pleasures every woman needs.
Tthe master bedroom features Italian furniture including a bed and chaise longue by Poltrona Frau, planter by Serralunga, lamp by Kartel, rug by Paola Lenti and an artwork by Enrico Benetta. The ceiling light is entitled Birds by German lighting designer Ingo Maurer
Once a nursery, the all-white room is now home to stunning, work-friendly designer bags, shoes, and clothes. “This room is a luxury I felt I deserved after raising my three boys,” Zainab shares.
“Being the only girl in the house, I needed a girly space that I could keep all my things in and [this] is where I start and end every day. I designed it to be both extremely functional, and also very beautiful.”
So, how does she juggle motherhood and work while maintaining such an admirable home, and all with such poise? “Well, as any working mother will tell you, it’s not easy,” she sighs, adding that one of the biggest advantages of owning a business is working to your own schedule.
No home is complete without chic coffee table accoutrements. Also pictured here is the Dezza armchair by Poltrona Frau, a classic design by Gio Ponti reimagined in pony skin leather
“I had some degree of control as to what hours I work, which allowed me to take time when I needed it most for my family. Of course, a great nanny was one of the luxuries that allowed me to focus more on my work,” she says, “and a supportive husband never hurts either.”
A firm believer that a space should grow and evolve with the owner, the driving force behind all the designs and changes ever made to this home has been to reflect her family; it had to be personal and it had to reflect their lifestyle.
“Our furniture is ageing, just as we are, and our things are growing, just as we are.” Beyond the artworks, painted walls and furniture, beyond the gorgeous shoes, flowers and history books, above all, what makes this house truly a home is family. “No question about it,” says Zainab. “The memories we have created here are forever and are why wherever I may go, there will never be times like these, or a place like this.” ■
Photography by Aasiya Jagadeesh, ITP Images
From Harper’s Bazaar Interiors Spring Issue 2021