Words By Allegra Salvadori | Photographs By Kelly Tooze
In a world of constant movement, few things feel as revolutionary as stillness. For Shatha Alhashmi and her husband Suhail—seasoned travelers and professionals whose lives have spanned continents and emirates—the decision to build a permanent home was both a turning point and a quiet act of intention.
Set in a peaceful Dubai neighborhood, Noor Residence is more than a house—it’s a personal manifesto of serenity. “We wanted to open the door and feel transported,” Shatha explains. “To feel as though we were somewhere else in the world, far from screens and schedules, in a place that offered calm.” The result is a minimalist sanctuary that feels part resort, part refuge—designed not just to impress, but to soothe.
Created in collaboration with architect Hassan AlHakim, Founder of Ideatum, Grounded Design (interiors by Bani), and the finishing of the Across designs (by Amos & Priya Antin), the villa was brought to life during the challenges of the COVID era. But despite delays and debates, the shared goal was unwavering: to craft a home that declutters both the eye and the mind. “We needed it to be functional, self-service, and free from noise—visual and otherwise,” says Shatha. Every detail, from the flowing layout to the hidden conveniences, was chosen to make guests feel at ease.
Light plays a leading role throughout. Double-height ceilings, bare windows, and Italian travertine walls bathe the interiors in warmth. There’s a swing suspended between two floors—a feat of engineering now turned into a family favorite and photo spot. There’s a sunken garden, a lap pool, and a gym that opens to the outdoors, seamlessly blending lifestyle with architecture.
But perhaps the most telling detail is the villa’s name, affectionately dubbed Al Noor—The Light Villa. “It’s simple, grounded, and full of light,” says Shatha. “It represents who we are.”
Whether sipping morning coffee to the sound of the waterfall or hosting friends in the travertine majlis beneath handblown canvas lights, this is a home where global citizens have finally rooted themselves—not in permanence, but in peace.
