MOJEH explore the cool, contemporary Al Barsha home of Styled Habitat’s, Rabah Saeid
“I have always admired the work of Emirati architect, Khalid Najjar, and his exceptional aesthetic. It’s such a privilege to actually live in a house designed by one of my favourite creative minds in the business,” says Rabah Saeid of her stunning Dubai home.
The founder of Dubai-based interior design company Styled Habitat, the 43-year-old Sudanese America moved into the property in 2015 with her husband and children, drawn to its minimalist style and concealed location.
“I like that the villa is hidden from the street,” explains Rabah of the imposing white residence which sits behind sleek grey gates on a quiet street in Al Barsha. A cool and contemporary design, with an abundance of glass walls and foor-to-ceiling windows, the house boasts an innate sense of calm that offers tranquil respite from Rabah’s hectic professional life.
“It’s definitely not the kind of place you’d expect to find in Al Barsha,” says Rabah. “The house reveals itself to you. You enter through a narrow hallway, and all of a sudden, there is more light and space and freedom. The whole house is visually connected because of the extensive use of glass throughout. It’s open and airy from the inside to reveal the rituals of everyday from every angle, yet offers a very private look into it from the outside.”
With the daily job of creating unique interior spaces for a wide range of clients who want an effortlessly curated and collected aesthetic whilst still displaying their personality, Rabah’s home is a direct representation of the meticulous attention to detail that has seen her business flourish since it launched in 2016.
“The bones of the villa were already fabulous, with expansive windows that let in plenty of natural light. I knew I wanted to keep the walls white, but tonality is where I’m most comfortable, because it’s forgiving and textural, which makes it inviting,” she explains.
Working on a theme of restrained layers, Rabah focused on creating a sophisticated space which blended a traditional aesthetic with modern accents for a more eclectic vibe.
“We added tone-on-tone neutrals for warmth, while varying the wood grains to mix it up a little,” says Rabah. “Soft grey rugs and dramatic dark floors offset occasional ashes of colour from artworks, treasured ornaments and artefacts we’ve collected on our travels.”
With a magnificent spiral staircase acting as a focal point on the ground floor, the open-plan living space boasts a number of areas in which to relax and enjoy Rabah’s exquisite taste in furnishings.
“My favourite piece in the house is the Flag Halyard chair by Hans J. Wegner,” says Rabah of the classic Danish design, which takes pride of place at the foot of the staircase in a much-loved reading nook.
“I love its clean, stark beauty and bold lines, which are indicative of the early modernists. Their seemingly futuristic designs elegantly combined industrial sharpness and sculptural simplicity.”
One of Rabah’s cherished quiet corners in which she likes to relax with a book when she has the house to herself, the designer also makes the most of being an early-riser to enjoy the silence before her busy day begins, saying, “I love to be the first one up and enjoy a moment of peace and quiet with Coco, our dog, and a cup of tea by the living room window before the rest of the house is moving.”
An undoubtedly beautiful house, aside from being photoshoot-perfect and a wonderful example of her professional capabilities, Rabah’s is clearly a family home from top to toe. “Our home had to be functional,” she explains.
“I couldn’t have designed it to be too precious with the kids, their friends and a dog. You have to be able to spill stuff without freaking out about it. You have to be able to enjoy yourself and feel comfortable.”
Citing the kitchen as her favourite room in the house, it’s here that Rabah wants to spend quality time with the people she loves. “Nothing makes me happier than to get home, go into the kitchen and switch off by cooking for my family and eating together,” says Rabah of the bright and spacious centre of the villa, which boasts sleek white cabinets, dark grey tiles and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook an interior courtyard lush with towering tropical plants.
“There are so many memories and family decisions that have been made and shared here, so many laughs. I truly adore being at home with my family. I am proudly a self-confessed home-addict.”
A collector of furniture and accessories by the legendary Charles and Ray Eames, Rabah credits design stores Ikonhouse and Designitch as her favourite haunts to pick up authentic designer works, along with The Odd Piece for bold, unique items; and is currently lusting after the rather appropriately-named Swoon lounge chair by Danish design duo Space Copenhagen.
While the walls of Rabah’s home are peppered with dramatic art – including a striking oil portrait of model Shaun Ross by Dubai-based Zambian artist Victor Sitali that hangs above a bright red Eames LCW lounge chair on the first floor – it’s art created in-house that Rabah treasures the most.
“The pieces we have hanging on the walls at home are so personal and beloved to us,” she explains. “I first came across Victor’s work when I was trying to find local artists to collaborate with for an interior design project, and became a firm fan of his. He has speech and hearing impairments, and this portrait of Shaun Ross – the first male African-American model with albinism – is part of a series of oil paintings that demonstrate tolerance and the understanding of the diversity of beauty."
"But it’s my kid’s art – especially the self-portraits that they painted in their early years – that are my favourite paintings in the house,” she smiles. “I love their impressions of themselves, and the attention to detail in each and every one of them. They are hung up all over the place, and they make me smile every time I walk by and look at them.”
