Inside Interior Designer Kate Instone’s Stunning Dubai Villa
Exuding joie de vivre at every turn with functionality at the forefront, we can easily see why this Dubai villa is the interior designer and founder of Blush’s self-confessed passion project
Tucked away in Dubai’s lush green Al Barari neighbourhood, Kate Instone’s family villa is a treasure trove of vintage, antique and bespoke pieces housed within blush pink walls and chinoiserie wallpapers.
Kate discovered she’ll be moving into the home while on vacation with her three kids in Vietnam, following a surprise call from her husband. “I was at first a little taken aback, as you can imagine I am quite particular about which house I am going to live in,” Kate laughs. “I had the plans emailed over to me and immediately started work there and then. With three young children, a dog and a cat, I needed finishes that would not get damaged, but would still work with my aesthetic, hard-wearing and practical furniture that would still look elegant and detailed, but withstand a nerf gun attack!”
Entrance lobby; Artwork by Ophelia Art Consultancy; The Taschen Book of Fashion and white silk roses by Bloomr
Design has always played a pivotal role in Kate’s life. Her father is an architect-cum-interior designer who specialises in converting historical English country homes into country house hotels, estates which Kate visited during much of her childhood.
“I was obsessed by this transformation,” recalls Kate. “I was amazed by how he could take something that no one else seemed to care about, something that was deemed totally out of fashion and create a modern-day masterpiece.
He could always see their former beauty and grandeur and he had the vision to breathe life back into the old and create something new and once again adored.” Seeing these transformations marked the beginning of launching interior design studio Blush, and designing her own home fast became her ultimate passion project.
An interior view of Kate’s living room
Founded in 2007, Blush specialises in residential projects around the globe, from private residences to luxury yachts and jets, for discerning clients in the Middle East and beyond. Kate has created designs for Madonna, Thierry Henry, Seal, Michael Flatley and Caroline Stanbury, to name just some. The studio first launched in London and now has a home in Dubai and the US. “We are not interested in creating easy and formulaic designs to earn a quick buck,” Kate admits. “We want to fill homes with beautiful objects that simply make our client happy.”
The colour palette of Kate’s villa, where she has lived for two years now, predominantly comprises white mixed with a warm grey, complemented by pops of colour and bespoke designs throughout. The powder room, one of Kate’s favourite spaces, includes a simplistic grey-white chequered floor, surrounded by an Art Nouveau-inspired wallpaper featuring a pattern of intertwined, bright turquoise peacocks, dotted with hints of golds and pinks.
Interior view of the dining room; Hand-blocked wallpaper; Serip organic chandelier; Roger Rougier table lamps; Saint Laurent bookmatched marble dining table
“It serves as the perfect backdrop to my collection of limited edition ‘Erte Alphabet’ prints and my quirky vintage bronze and copper toucan that is suspended from the ceiling,” says Kate. “I am obsessed with brightly-coloured art and my base palette of white, textured walls allows the art to dominate the walls and be the main focus. This simple and timeless base palette gives me versatility to change colour schemes and accents within the spaces without having to touch the more costly hard finishes of the villa.”
Teddy’s bedroom; Blue corduroy bed; Bright green Hermès oil painting by Luc Waring bought from Imitate Modern Gallery in London
The furniture and décor has been sourced from many places; antiques from Paris’ Saint-Ouen, an ostrich feather lamp from Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire and there are also custom-made pieces from Dubai by Kate’s upholsterer at Cyril Furniture in Al Quoz. Mid-century pieces are dotted throughout the home, including a pair of tulip-shaped table lamps by Roger Rougier in the dining room, sourced from a shop called Talisman in Kings Road, London, and a Louis Vuitton trunk bought at a Christie’s auction.
“I always buy pieces because I love them, not because I have anywhere particular in mind for them,” she says. “I recently popped into The Odd Piece in Alserkal Avenue and found some beautiful treasures, a vintage Italian butterfly mirror which I fell in love with and just had to have, and a kiwi green velvet, tasselled curved sofa. I then had to rearrange my furniture so that I could find spaces for my new gems.”
Kate designed the family room with her youngest son George’s love of turquoise and leopards in mind.
Kate sits in Sam’s study; Antique leather wingback chairs next to chess table; Louis Vuitton trunk; Bench upholstered in Hermès silk mohair fabric
The space is adorned with a dreamy mural painted on a white-gold background comprising leopards lazing away on trees and African cranes with bright, turquoise plums. “I wanted to create a space that everyone would be happy in,” she smiles. “I wanted my house to be able to grow up with my family.”
The dining room recalls Al Barari’s jungle-like scenery, with a wallpaper inspired by morning walks around the estate amidst picturesque lakes and the tranquillity of the surrounding greenery.
But Kate’s ultimate happy place, understandably, is the kitchen. “When my girlfriends come to visit, we perch around the island unit to discuss all that has been happening; it is my home office and where I eat dinner with my husband each evening and we chat about our days. It is the heart of our home.”
The villa is even home to an art room; a space where the kids can be completely free and nurture creativity. They’ll often be found in here painting on the walls and the floors, or sewing away by the work bench. “I lose my children for hours in this room!” Kate laughs, adding, “During the pandemic, I’ve been so grateful for this space.”
Entrance hall showcasing leaf chandelier By LUUM Lighting; A cascade of aluminium discs pierced with a sunray design; Inlaid floors with an Art Deco-inspired pattern
Overlooking the main hallway on the first floor, the library is Kate’s quiet escape from the daily hustle and bustle of the household. The vintage bookshelf, sourced from Alserkal Avenue’s The Odd Piece, features a collection of books which can be traced back to when Kate and her husband were children. Also of note are the vintage chairs sourced from a thrift shop in Notting Hill’s Portobello Road, coupled with a vase filled with fresh flowers. “I often sit here with one of the children and we curl up on a chair and spend an hour reading.”
The master bedroom houses a flamed mahogany chest of drawers, dating decades back. “My mother gifted it to me when I first moved out of home,” Kate fondly recalls. The piece has travelled with her from Cotswolds to London, and now to the Middle East.
“I love vintage and antique furniture,” Kate shares. “I believe it gives a home soul! I look at my furniture as old friends; it is sourced from so many interesting places and when I look at certain pieces, they evoke so many memories.”
Poppy’s Boho-inspired bedroom; Antique Persian rug bought at Lots Road Auctions in London; hand-painted trunk by Sophie Cowdy that was gifted to her when she was born; Chunky bed throw and white fluffy throw cushions
All the furniture and décor items housed within Kate’s eclectic abode are testament to the fact that actually, there are no rules when it comes to sourcing antiques and artwork – it is all about nailing what brings you joy.
Kate’s expert advice to those redecorating? “I believe in both life and in design, you should always follow your instincts. I would always avoid being too influenced by trends. Select items that you really love and mean something to you, redecorate for yourself and never worry about what others will think, this is your special space, it’s all about you.”
Images courtesy of Aasiya Jagadeesh: The main staircase, Kiwi green sofa from The Odd Piece and a selection of antique silver photo frames displaying family photographs
From the Autumn 2020 issue of Harper’s BAZAAR Interiors