Words by Allegra Salvadori | Image Courtesy of Sophie Paterson Interiors
Discretion often sharpens storytelling. In this grand private villa—located quietly at the heart of the Gulf—place is deliberately left unnamed, allowing the narrative to unfold through space, craftsmanship, and atmosphere rather than geography. Designed by Sophie Paterson Interiors, the residence was conceived for an international family seeking to realise a deeply personal dream home: an English-inspired interior translated for a contemporary Gulf context and guided throughout by the principles of Feng Shui.
Spanning approximately 15,000 square feet, the villa unfolds as a study in balance and symmetry. At its core sits a spectacular double-height atrium—both architectural anchor and social heart—conceived not merely as an entrance hall but as a true living space, one that connects every corner of the home while setting the tone for its quietly monumental character.
“We began with a beautifully ambitious brief,” explains Sophie Paterson, Founder and Creative Director. “The client wanted elegance rooted in English heritage, but interpreted in a way that felt appropriate to life in the Gulf. Calm, harmony and craftsmanship were non-negotiable, which is why Feng Shui became integral to the design process from day one.”
Architecture of Balance
Rather than imposing a literal British aesthetic, the studio distilled Englishness into its underlying principles: proportion, refinement, and classical order. These were then scaled and adapted to suit the villa’s generous volumes and luminous interiors. Large windows flood each space with natural light, softened through layered materials and carefully considered palettes, allowing warmth to permeate even the most formal rooms.
Feng Shui shaped the spatial logic throughout. Key rooms were oriented to encourage natural energy flow; furniture silhouettes were softened to avoid sharp angles; and each space was assigned elemental references—fire, water, wood—alongside bespoke colour schemes aligned with both function and inhabitant. The result is an interior that feels intuitively calm, where grandeur never overwhelms.
The Atrium as Living Canvas
The double-height atrium embodies this philosophy most vividly. Anchored by a seven-metre bespoke carpet designed exclusively for the space, it combines scale with intimacy. A sweeping staircase is flanked by a hand-applied bas-relief floral wall—crafted by artisans and treated with the reverence of a commissioned artwork—while a custom backlit onyx arch introduces a moment of sculptural drama, glowing softly as light shifts from day to night.
“This space needed to feel grounding as much as it is impressive,” notes Paterson. “It’s where the home breathes, where people gather, and where the design language becomes immediately legible.”
Craft, Considered
Beyond the atrium, the villa reveals itself through a sequence of finely tuned moments. Bespoke joinery weaves continuity throughout the interiors, ensuring architecture and decoration read as a single narrative. A private home salon speaks to the rhythms of daily life, while a custom mosaic floor in the pantry offers an unexpected moment of artistry in a utilitarian space.
Materiality plays a leading role. A custom Calacatta Viola marble fireplace brings depth and richness, while furnishings such as the Portia drinks table by Holly Hunt introduce sculptural restraint. Wallcoverings, including Fromental’s Magnolia Canopy, add layers of hand-painted delicacy, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on craft over ostentation.
Art and light converge in the bespoke Sand & Sea installation by Haberdashery, subtly evoking the surrounding region without resorting to literal references. “These collaborations elevate a project from luxurious to truly considered,” Paterson reflects. “They ensure the home feels curated, not collected.”
A Personal Definition of Luxury
In its restraint, the villa reveals much about the studio’s philosophy. Luxury, here, is not defined by scale alone, but by precision, collaboration, and narrative coherence. Every element—visible or concealed—has been tailored to the client’s way of living, resulting in interiors that feel serene, grounded, and enduring.
What emerges is a home that transcends location. Rooted in English heritage, shaped by Gulf light, and guided by ancient principles of balance, it stands as a quietly confident expression of contemporary luxury—one where craftsmanship tells the story, and place is felt rather than named.
