Inside Juliana Xerez’s Gem-Filled Dubai Hills Home
Like her jewellery brand, the designer’s abode prioritises self-love, positive energy and personalisation
Juliana Xerez’s vision for jewellery design was one centred on healing and empowerment; her eponymous brand takes a deeply personal approach to wearing artistic pieces that carry sentimental value. This philosophy reigns supreme in her home in Dubai Hills, a testament to meaningful luxury and design.
Juliana, an ex-model, felt the need for a more fulfilling career after her first pregnancy, carving out a more creative and purposeful path in fine-jewellery making. “My passion has since blossomed, and Dubai has become the place where I have found my purpose,” says Juliana. “Jewellery, to me, is an art form that should be unique. I believe each piece should reflect the individuality of the wearer.” This is why the brand crafts one-of-a-kind pieces, avoiding mass production. “Quality is paramount; I ensure that my jewellery is comfortable, durable, and crafted from the best sustainable materials. My pieces are designed to last, to be treasured and passed down through generations,” she adds.
A reverence for gemology, the science of dealing with gemstones, is rooted in Juliana’s jewellery. “I’m also very passionate about the healing and protective properties of gemstones – they help ground me and shield against negative energy,” says the designer, who pursued several courses in Dubai, delving into the world of gemstones and healing crystals at GIA, IGI, L’ÉCOLE and the Dubai Design Academy. “It truly was love at first sight as I truly loved learning about jewellery. Once I completed all the courses, the next natural step was to allow my creativity to flourish and create my own brand.”
Juliana’s generously sized villa follows a conscious plan; the home is well-divided to allow for ample privacy for the whole family, while also being a perfect place to host friends. The abode is a true labour of love, showcasing a dynamic design with a thoughtfully planned layout and custom-made furniture.
While jewellery ignites her zest for life, nothing compares to Juliana’s role as a mother; her home has been styled with family at the forefront. “I moved to Dubai from New York to start my family and it truly has been a transformative and rewarding journey,” she recalls. “I have two beautiful boys, Charlie (six) and Nico (five), and motherhood is my greatest love. Spending time with them and watching them grow brings me so much joy.”
Interior designer Michele Atijas was tasked to transform the villa, working tirelessly with the existing structure while custom designing several key features such as the large statement curved sofa, six-metre-long dining table, the entrance storage cabinet embellished with Gucci wallpaper inlay, and custom millwork in the living areas and boys’ bedroom. Many items were sourced from furniture stores while other existing pieces were upcycled to achieve a cohesive yet eclectic style. As the design process evolved, the aesthetic naturally embraced more colourful and playful elements, injecting some whimsy into the mix.
“Michele was highly recommended by a friend, and I was immediately drawn to her bold yet playful designs,” Juliana says. “Beyond her talent, it was her personality that drew me to her, she’s super fun and easy to work with and brought such great energy to the process.”
The palette is infused with touches of colour brought by the vibrant accessories and artwork. Bold bursts of blue stand out in the formal living area, complemented by the stunning marble on the TV wall with its distinct veining, and the surrounding accessories accentuate the tones beautifully. The master suite celebrates an interplay of pink and green, inviting an airy and light ambience to the space. The neutral base in every room allows the pops of colour to shine through, radiating a unique personality in each space.
“One of my favourite accessories that I have to mention is our Kelly Wearstler lamps; they are unique and bring a lot of fun to the décor,” Juliana smiles. “We’re still in the process of curating the main art pieces for our home, and this is something that I’m really excited about.” Some smaller art pieces are already on display and are particularly special to Juliana – her own jewellery gouache sketches that Michele has cleverly framed being one. “These sketches add a deeply personal touch to the space, representing the fusion of my passions for both design and art,” she says.
Her personal favourite space in the home? “The upstairs family room. It’s where we gather for cosy movie nights, with a comfy sofa and plenty of snacks on the centre table. I also cherish my own room, where I can journal, plan for the week and meditate on the balcony overlooking the golf course. Both spaces offer comfort and a sense of peace, making them special to me.”
Above all, Juliana is a firm believer that a home should be a sacred space – a clean sanctuary that is always warm and welcoming, while also reflecting the values of its occupants. Her villa is a positive, protected space that emanates an endless sense of calm and peace – its aura almost tangible. This was accomplished through a conscious, and evident, ongoing investment in the property’s character: “I use gemstones to cleanse the energy in the house, for example by placing selenite by the door to absorb negative energy and to maintain a harmonious environment.”
Juliana suggests incorporating certain gemstones in every home to bring balance, unity and authenticity in abundance. “I suggest using citrine in the office to attract deals, pyrite for prosperity, black tourmaline in the bedroom for protection and rose quartz throughout the house for love and healing.
Photographers: Alina Lulu And Gabriela Bell
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Interiors’ Autumn 2024 issue