Swimwear Designer Laura Vilppula Opens The Door To Her Sunbathed Sanctuary in Dubai Hills
Every piece of art and furniture in her stunning abode is a trip down memory lane…
For swimwear designer Laura Vilppula, tranquillity means an abundance of light and water. An inveterate sun lover, it’s not surprising that the Finland-born designer made the UAE her home. She has been living in the Emirates for almost four years with her husband Ahti and five-year-old son Otto, after time spent modelling in Athens, Los Angeles and Milan.
An interior view of the master bedroom upstairs, defined by creamy tones and statement artworks. Bed, bedside tables and artworks above bed from Chattels & More; Bedside lamps from 2XL Home
Later, she settled in the UK for a decade which proved to be transformative. This was where she fell in love with Ahti and established her fine and bespoke jewellery brand, Addalit – a concept which embodied her long-standing fascination with gemology and fine eye for detail. “Growing up in Finland and negotiating the long, cold winters, I craved the feeling of the sun on my skin and longed for the ocean’s calming effect,” she says.
The spacious master bedroom’s living area features a sofa, circular centre table, purple chairs and a wall unit from 2XL Home; The dressing table is from Chattels & More; White rug from The Red Carpet
Cultivating a family domain that’s a sun-soaked sanctuary has been her top priority. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe each room in the Vilppula’s seven-bedroom Dubai Hills villa, with soft natural light that glows more and more golden as the day unfolds while the glass-panelled centre stairway, a standout feature, extends a sense of openness.
Outside, the bleached, wood-decked terrace gives way to panoramas of the sweeping Dubai Hills golf course. With an adjacent palm-fringed pool, the tranquil garden forms a retreat where Laura develops her brand, hosts long, lazy lunches with close friends and raises her son in an environment which she describes as, “In balance with nature. Home is the place where you can just be as you are. There’s no judgement or expectations,” she explains.
The outdoor swimming pool area features sunbeds from Crate & Barrel; Sofa and chairs from Rattan House. In the background are swimwear pieces from Always On Holiday Swim
“It’s where I feel at peace.” Life has taught her to seek the positive in every situation. “When my son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at four-weeks old, I thought I’d never feel happiness again but you have to take it day-by-day and be thankful for the moments that you are alive and healthy,” she shares.
Having cultivated a climate of serenity amid chaos, her new family residence is a testimony to her spirit of endurance. During the first four months of 2021, she already moved homes with her family and launched her internationally retailed swimwear brand, Always on Holiday Swim. “It was challenging and often overwhelming establishing a brand during the pandemic but when you keep pushing, good things will follow,” she says.
The walk-in closet for her features an open-plan unit with ample shelving space
“I have friends who are also brand founders and we inspire and motivate one another.” In fact, she is wearing her friend Else’s resort-wear label called ‘Else Adelia’ while we speak. Designed and sourced entirely in Italy, Laura’s label is configured to flatter the female form.
Her garments are cut in symphony with natural curves, in a palette of vibrant acidic tones and pastel hues. Beyond aesthetics, Laura endeavoured to cultivate a label that empowers women to be the best version of themselves. “You need to feel good in what you’re wearing and celebrate your body,” she insists.
“We have so many problems in the world right now and we need to find ways to bring the happiness back and celebrate the female body.”
The stunning onyx walls add texture to the home; Luminous lighting installation from Casa Mia and Huda Lighting
This ethos spills over into her home environment as well, which houses a collection of works by international artists, united through a focus on impactful portraiture. Their art is an accumulation of the couple’s memories and passions.
Laura’s contributions draw from fashion: In the living room there’s a cinematic black-and-white shot of Marilyn Monroe, the late female figure which Laura regards as visionary, and in the hallway hangs one of London-based artist Louis-Nicolas Darbon’s signature Chanel No.5 gold-leaf print editions.
Her husband Ahti’s selections recall his frequent travels to Africa for work. His favourite? A lithograph print of a cerulean-blue Bedouin male by French post-war artist, Pierre-Jean Couarraze, who, much like Ahti, traversed Asia and the Levant absorbing the culture he encountered into his art.
This chic, golden mirror sourced from Chattels & More adds character to the master bedroom’s wall
Fresh flowers – roses and peonies – and decorative mirrors populate every room reflecting natural light and enlivening the space. The couple’s design philosophy is one that connects the universal languages of life: nature and art. “Living abroad from a very young age taught me to invest in timeless pieces that last but it also showed me that through travel, we collect the items that spark memories of a certain place or time – that’s priceless,” expresses Laura.
The home, furnished entirely during the pandemic, includes a majority of locally sourced design elements that oscillate between modern and contemporary aesthetics by Rattan House, Marina Home and 2XL Home. It’s an environment that whispers rather than yells.
A red, life-sized art sculpture stands at the entrance, injecting curiosity and sparking conversation
In the living room, a minimalistic palette of soft greys and white straddle the balance between calm and impactful, juxtaposed against two elegant, black, curved modernist armchairs and the clean geometric forms found in the villa’s original arabesque details.
Harmonious material and tactile surface combinations see touches of marble, metal and glass balanced with sumptuous, thick-pile cream rugs. Retro-inspired, stainless-steel Lagonda cabinets by Eichholtz enclose Laura’s family photographs, with Otto’s new-born shoot taking centre stage.
Artist Louis-Nicolas Darbon’s signature Chanel No.5 gold-leaf print edition is framed over a console table from Marina Home
As a mother and entrepreneur, Laura quickly realised the importance of having a dedicated workspace. The blush-hued master bedroom is her most treasured room which often doubles as her office. “I start each day with fresh celery juice and once my son is at school, I swim for 45 minutes and enjoy a breakfast of organic coffee and fruit,” she smiles.
“Then, I often find myself working out of this bedroom. It’s my happy place filled with feminine energy. If I’m not there, I’m lucky enough to be tending to business by the poolside.”
For more information, please visit @alwaysonholidayswim
Photography By Aasiya Jagadeesh and Make-up by Maria Doyle