Warmth, Texture and Colour

Tasked with growing an existing home for an Emirati family, Collectus Studio, led by Amer Madhoun, focused on maturing the spaces to focus on the now-adults of the family, shaping and shifting the focus from childhood memories to a mature, design-forward project with elements of playfulness throughout. The property is located in a quiet residential pocket in Dubai, and the firm tackled the design with care and respect, maintaining its existing architectural identity of the space while simultaneously introducing a dynamic and distinct design to each space and retaining core elements such as the existing ceiling moulding and trims and Italian marble.

The Roll & Hill Endless Straight fixture by Jason Miller offers a linear architectural statement

Offering a refined yet playful take on contemporary design, the firm worked on each space to materialise its own distinct personality, reflecting those of its inhabitants, and focused on connecting the spaces with one another. “We started out by stripping down all the existing elements that we did not want to maintain, and highlighting the key features that we will emphasise in the new design,” shares Madhoun. “The major modification was the layout change and complete new joinery and storage system, along with an elevated lighting plan that helped introduce the refined and mature feel we wanted,” he adds. Throughout the home, lighting plays a key role in defining zones and setting tone. The Roll & Hill Endless Straight fixture by Jason Miller offers a linear architectural statement, while hanging lights from Audo Copenhagen add warmth and intention. Among the standout design pieces is the Flos Skynest pendant light, one of the first to be introduced in the UAE, thanks to a special relationship with the Italian lighting brand.

Offering a refined yet playful take on contemporary design, the firm worked on each space to materialise its own distinct personality, reflecting those of its inhabitants, and focused on connecting the spaces with one another

The studio fully gutted the washrooms and replaced the flooring in two of the spaces with solid hardwood flooring. “Building on existing elements of the space that were refined, helped us maintain this consistent language between the spaces,” states Madhoun. One bedroom was reimagined with a calm, curated aesthetic in mind. Natural white oak joinery and wall panelling deliver a sense of serenity and polish, with bespoke furniture adding to its quiet elegance. In contrast, another bedroom leans into a more expressive direction – a collector’s haven, layered with design pieces that spark dialogue. “I am particularly drawn to the second bedroom with the green ceiling,” shares Madhoun. “It has a really effortless feel of combining many colours, wood textures and furniture pieces that successfully bring to life the client’s vision for the space.”

One bedroom was reimagined with a calm, curated aesthetic in mind. Natural white oak joinery and wall panelling deliver a sense of serenity and polish, with bespoke furniture adding to its quiet elegance

The project is rich with collectible pieces and custom-made furniture, reflecting Collectus’ design ethos of blending refinement with playful curiosity. Particularly notable is the Boa Pouf by Sabine Marcelis for HEM, a sculptural piece that anchors one of the bedroom lounges with its bold, yet soft form. Furniture pieces were curated with equal precision, including the Bernard lounge chair and Pier storage system by HAY, the Block lounge chair by Form & Refine, and a modular sofa by &Tradition. Workspace elements are elevated too, with the Pavilion AV1 desk by &Tradition offering form and function in equal measure. Rugs from FBMI and Jaipur Rugs provide texture and softness underfoot, contributing to the home’s subtle layering and material richness. 

Madhoun admits that, as with any renovations, there were some design challenges. “Some related to the client’s emotional attachment to existing spaces, and the majority of the other challenges were around existing conditions that often cannot be changed,” he shares. The studio tackled this by evaluating what could bring benefit to the family by being maintained, and the rest was a constant effort to help the team and the clients visualise how the new space could be more impactful. The final result is a home that now accurately reflects and caters to its residents – mature yet expressive, rooted in heritage yet distinctly contemporary. It’s a space where every room tells a story, and every detail has intention.

Photography by Rami Mansour