Why You’ll Fall In Love With This Spa-Inspired Contemporary Dubai Villa
An Italian-style home with a nod to Japanese influences, it’s easy to see why Katia Jundi’s art-filled abode has been her safe haven during times of uncertainty
After the move in March to Dubai’s up-and-coming Fairway Vistas area, watch and jewellery aficionado Katia Jundi’s new home fast became her lockdown project and an escape from the outside realities of the ongoing pandemic. Noting inspiration from the surrounding greenery of Dubai Hills, the spacious villa emanates a calming ambience with a grey-brown colour palette and pops of teal throughout, which, the interior designer Liza De Luna of the eponymous Liza De Luna Interiors, intentionally chose to evoke comfort.
“We wanted to create a sense of Zen throughout the household and these colours are both soothing and work well aesthetically,” says Liza. “We used shades of grey to create intimacy with the high ceilings and some double-height voids. These colours also helped us achieve the modern look that we were committed to. I am also a fan of neutral tones in general and you can see that in my personal style as well.”
The large, floor-to-ceiling windows invite an abundance of natural light to fill the home, creating a sense of oneness with the exterior and surrounding nature.
A marriage of marble and wood, the space has been designed to mimic a spa-like environment, complementing the bold collection of handpicked artwork in seamless agreement. Upon entrance hangs a work by self-taught realist painter Elias Izoli from Ayyam Gallery. Painted a sea-blue colour, the work depicts the innocence of a child.
“In some of Izoli’s works, the children are placed alongside toys or objects with which they would usually playfully interact,” explains Katia. “With scenes as such, Izoli intends to depict the everyday reality of Syrian children who hope for a better future after the war.”
The artworks in the home are sourced from several Middle Eastern galleries and fairs by the likes of Ayyam Gallery, Third Line and Art Dubai, with some bought directly from the artists including the Syrian contemporary painter known for his hauntingly beautiful expressionist style, Mohannad Orabi.
“I think art can dictate the whole mood of a room or the specific area the artwork is displayed in,” expresses Katia.
“Art is not only beautiful, it is also functional. In can have a huge impact on our mood and emotions. Our art speaks to us of worlds and experiences beyond our home. It’s a way to invite some of what happens in the world into our realm. I know for a fact that guests also pause at the entrance when they are greeted with the Elias Izoli piece. It speaks to our guests in different ways. Some are drawn to it, others are puzzled by the subject’s expression and what she is trying to communicate.”
In the dining room hangs a large work by Syrian painter Thaier Helal, in which the artist has recreated the physical attributes of natural settings such as mountains, deserts, rivers and lakes.
“The painting is sculptural and appeals to the senses with added volume and dimension, providing tactile references to these environments,” says Katia. “The coarse surfaces of the artist’s works are created with organic and synthetic materials such as sand and glue, and describe layers of sediment that accumulate over time.”
Most of the furniture has been sourced from Milan, with pieces bought locally from Aati and Obegi Home in Dubai as well. Intertwining beauty, comfort and timelessness, there are pieces by Minotti and B&B Italia dotted throughout.
Taking a whole seven months to complete, the outdoor section, Katia’s personal favourite spot in the home, resembles an island retreat with lemon-yellow two-seaters, light grey sun loungers and of course the pool, complete with a sleek glass design.
“It was amazing to see what started out as being a hole dug up in the backyard be transformed into a beautiful swimming pool,” says Katia.
“I was inspired by the colour palette of the swimming pools of the private villas of the Cheval Blanc in the Maldives which is by far my favourite resort. Since we weren’t going to travel anytime soon, we thought it would be nice to bring elements of our favourite resort to our home. That’s as close as we were going to get to spending a getaway at the Cheval Blanc.”
In future, the social media sensation is set to add to her growing art collection. “It’s a good thing that Art Dubai is just around the corner,” she says. “Investing time, energy and resources into your own space is always a rewarding experience.”
Photography by Aasiya Jagadeesh
From the Winter 2020 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Interiors, The Art Issue