Penthouse Residence

When London-trained interior designer Alua Kul moved to the UAE in 2021, she brought with her a wealth of experience in crafting sumptuous quiet luxury moments. Her latest project, a Dubai penthouse in the city’s prestigious W Residences is a shining example of her studio, Lumi Interiors‘ deft hand has envisioning timelessly elegant homes. Here, Kul talks about what drives her passion.

What inspired a career in design? My passion for design traces back to my childhood and my early fascination with fabrics, sewing clothes for my collection of dolls, and creating home decor. This love for fabrics and design was inherited from my mother, who is also skilled in sewing and knitting.

As a student in London, I was further inspired by the exquisite interiors found in historical buildings such as Harrods and Liberty London. These experiences nurtured and solidified my passion for design.

How would you describe your style? I think my style can best be described as ‘London Luxury’, creating a timeless elegance that fuses both contemporary classic and contemporary modern elements. Certainly, my style has been heavily influenced by my formal design education at KLC in London and the subsequent time spent in the city. I think London represents a restraint and reliance on quality of materials and finishes that makes it very appealing to my international client base.

When did you move to Dubai and how did the Middle East influence your design style? I relocated to Dubai in 2021 and established Lumi Interiors, which specializes in bespoke luxury. The Middle East has been a significant source of inspiration for me, with its rich natural beauty, traditions, and culture. This is a very exciting time for us as we are launching our studio in Palm Jumeirah.

What is your favourite aspect of any project you take on? My favourite part of any project is the creative process, particularly selecting furnishings, fabrics, and materials. I travel frequently and allow myself time on these trips to take inspiration from around the world, with the idea that I’m always bringing something fresh to each project. This phase is where the beauty of the design comes to life. The excitement of unpacking new items and seeing the project take shape during installation is also a favourite.

What qualities does your ideal client possess? I appreciate two types of clients: those with a clear vision and those open to our concepts and ideas. Both types offer great opportunities for collaboration and creativity.

Please tell us a bit about this project and how you got involved? The 6,343 square feet Duabi Penthouse, which faces the ocean with a long boardwalk along the seafront, is inspired by a modern interpretation of nature, bringing the outside in, while keeping the feel of being a family home. Soft colours, a wide range of textures, patterns and exciting materials offer visual comfort, and ensures that each room has a character. The result offers a feel of London luxury but with an inspirational sea view that is uniquely Dubai. We were proud to see the project recognized with two Awards at the International Design and Architecture Awards in London in 2022 (Design et Al), in both the Best Interior Design Scheme Global and Best Master Bedroom categories.

The location and views are phenomenal. How did that inspire you? The stunning views over the Arabian Gulf inspired the incorporation of the wonderfully rich indigo blue in the cinema room, the choice of cushions in the living room, and the wallpaper in the study. Indeed, the mercurial charm of the water and the way that its colours change from morning to night influenced the whole design concept, creating an haute couture ambiance throughout the penthouse. I wanted to make sure that the colour palette, the materials and character of the house reflected as well its location in Palm Jumeirah.

What were the challenges you faced during this project and how did you overcome
them? Logistics were the most challenging part, particularly due to pandemic-related delays in shipping. This was particularly hard as most of the accessories, furniture pieces, fabrics and wallpapers were sourced from London, Paris, Lisbon and Australia. We had to be quite creative to be able to find solutions to ensure timely delivery, or to find alternatives that maintained the same sense of luxury and quality.

Another highlight is the use of the Magnolia Canopy wallpaper – also by de Gournay – in the children’s bedroom. My client wanted to make their kids room something absolutely unique, yet not too childish – and I immediately thought that the fully hand stitched and embroidered Magnolias would be perfect for this space. In real life its looks even better than the images show – it is absolutely stunning.

The study is another interesting corner, it’s like walking into a Japanese Garden. We used Fromental Prunus Wallpaper with blue accents – which connects the interior design element to the beautiful expanse of water that is visible from the wide windows. Other wallpapers used around the house are also from Fromental and Phillip Jeffries – I just love the textured silk and perfect neutral tone, the colour palette is magnificent.

What is your favourite space in this house and why?  It is hard to name one because the whole penthouse is like a jewel. But it would probably be the master bedroom which is like a sanctuary of peace and good energy, an isolated space just for the owning couple. This room is full of heavily textured Armani fabrics, which sit so well in the soft palette that was selected for this area. The TV can also be turned to both sides of the room, which is a small but convenient detail.

How do you feel you stand apart from the competition in the Dubai design scene? It’s often said by our competitors, but we really have a true commitment to making each project unique, offering interior couture and creative solutions. We maintain a close relationship with our clients even after project completion, always seeking new suppliers and staying updated with design trends.

Confucius said: “Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” This quote absolutely reflects how I feel about my career – I adore each and every stage of the design process. You feel such a good atmosphere in the studio, we create, we laugh, we solve problems, it’s a non-stop flow of energy, which I think also ends up attracting clients. On reflection, it is also fun to see how so many of our clients became friends, and I know that our individualised approach plays an important role on this.