Take A Tour Around Dina Alghuessein’s Colour Coded Chic Villa

A traditional Dubai villa was reimagined as a gallery-inspired family home by aesthete Dina Alghussein

Dina Alghussein’s home in Dubai’s Green Community is filled with joyful energy. From the polychrome splashes of colour to the cornucopia of collectibles, the mood of the villa is undeniably joyful. And it’s different. No cookie-cutter layouts or hackneyed décor, instead clever configurations and a sharp eye for detail that have transformed a traditional Dubai villa into something altogether more fun.

“When we bought the villa in 2019, it was in its original, unrenovated condition and required a complete transformation to better suit our family’s life,” explains Dina. “My vision was to transform the villa from a dated, compartmentalised house into a warm, joyful, artistic and creative family home.”

Functionality drove every decision, followed by flow, wanting connected living spaces that encouraged interaction whilst providing privacy when needed. Interior walls were removed, the kitchen extended, and rooms relocated to take full advantage of the park-facing view. “It was a complete redesign of both the interior and exterior spaces,” says the Palestinian mother of three.

With the groundwork laid, next came the creative and this is where Dina’s artistic vision came into full force. It all started with the staircase, she recalls. “I had designed it around the concept of lines, and when I brought in Rola Abdelhamid of All Things Rola to lead the styling and décor, we used that as a thread throughout the space.” By which she means interpreting the line motifs in different ways, from the wallpaper cascading behind the cabinet and the colourful floor candles, to the Quranic verses on the wall and black and-white striped coffee tables and pedestals. “The repetition of lines became a subtle design language we carried throughout the reception area.”

When standing in this space, the vibrancy of the house hits you in full force – the colours, the character, the creativity. Whilst it’s minimal in design, it’s absolutely packed with personality. The stairs might have been the starting point, but all eyes are drawn to Gucci’s heron-print wallpaper in a shock of pink that anchors the living room. “It’s a favourite of mine,” Dina smiles. “After considering countless wallpaper options, Rola came across this design, and I immediately knew it was the one. It adds colour and interest and perfectly captures the playful yet sophisticated spirit I wanted for our home.”

This sense of playfulness permeates every room. Seletti’s Circus Lady in a red dress holds up a vase with one foot; oversized red cherries from Dubai CITIES add whimsy wherever they’re placed; and a striking black and white statue of a man affectionately named ‘Marco’ juxtaposes beautifully against custom-made pink and green cactus wallpaper.

Each collectible tells its own story – some tell of collaborations with local artists, others of rummaging through boutiques in far-flung places. “Our family has lived and travelled in different parts of the world, so I wanted the home to feel contemporary and globally influenced, rather than tied to a single design style,” Dina expresses. “The result is a balance between modern living and cultural heritage.”

One consistent thread running through the villa is Dina’s homeland. “As a Palestinian with strong ties to the Middle East, it was important to me that our home reflected not only our personality but also our heritage and sense of identity.” Gathering, a limited-edition watermelon print by Palestinian artist Brahim Jawabreh, presides over the family room, a bottle of virgin olive oil from Jenin sits on the kitchen counter, next to a well-thumbed Falastin cookbook by Sami Tamimi. Elements woven into the home add meaningful details – “artwork, ornaments, handcrafted pieces and objects I’ve collected over the years that connect us to our roots and tell our family’s story.”

As for many, the kitchen is the heart of the family home. The extension added a breakfast area framed by garden and pool views, which flows into a cosy family living room. It’s a space that evolves throughout the day. Quiet mornings morph into lively afternoons once Dina’s children are home from school, cooking, chatting, playing games and enjoying impromptu visits from family and friends. “The space has become the backdrop for so many everyday moments and memories,” Dina smiles. “More than any room in the house, it reflects what is most important to us – connection, togetherness and making everyone feel at home.”

Dina says the house feels like an extension of herself, reflecting her through the balance of opposites. “It’s strong but feminine, sophisticated yet playful, artistic yet comfortable, and it’s filled with pieces that spark conversation and bring joy. It doesn’t feel like a typical villa where everything matches perfectly. It’s curated, artistic and personal. Above all, I wanted it to reflect our love of living life in full colour.”

Lead Image Credit: Gucci’s Heron wallpaper creates an immediate focal point tying the ground floor together

Images Supplied

Photography By Aasiya Jagadeesh

From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Interiors Summer 2026 issue