Nestled in Riyadh, a quiet residence unfolds like a carefully composed symphony, each space a movement that resonates with memory, art, and emotion. Yasmin Alsdais, the acclaimed Saudi interior designer behind the project, embraces a philosophy that places the lives of its inhabitants at the heart of every design choice.
“I’ve always believed that every project needs to begin with understanding the emotional rhythm of a home, which is ultimately informed by the people who live in it. For our clients, the MUH Project was never intended to follow a single stylistic language,” she explains. The house, sprawling and multi-zoned, allows each area to tell its own story, a principle inspired by the layered homes of Marbella. “The client wanted each area to offer a different experience, something that held a personal meaning or was connected to a memory.”
This trust in creative freedom enabled Alsdais and her team to explore diverse design expressions without constraint. “Cohesion doesn’t necessarily come from repetition,” she notes. In this case, it came from proportion, material harmony, and craftsmanship, which became the underlying thread connecting the entire house. The result is a home that feels both expansive and intimate, a collection of experiences flowing seamlessly from one space to the next.
On the second-floor majlis, jewel tones, gestural paintings, and sculptural furniture create a gallery-like atmosphere. Alsdais describes her approach: “We usually start by keeping the base of the space minimal and calm, especially in larger areas. You’ll notice that the sofas, walls, and the main architectural surfaces in this space are in neutral tones like beige or grey. This allows the colours, artworks, and sculptural pieces to really stand out and take the spotlight.” Every element is considered with the precision of a curator, the art guiding colour, mood, and emotional resonance. “Great interiors are composed like a painting. Every element must have presence, but none should compete for attention.”
The men’s informal and formal majlis reveal her nuanced understanding of history and heritage. “History offers an extraordinarily rich and diverse design vocabulary,” Alsdais muses. “For me, it’s a treasure trove of inspiration, but I strongly believe it must always be reinterpreted rather than reproduced. The past should inspire a space, but it should never trap it.” References to Florentine palaces and Parisian salons emerge not as replicas but as distilled essences, reimagined through contemporary proportions, refined detailing, and a carefully curated palette. “The end goal is always to create a timeless dialogue between heritage, comfort, and modern life.”
Dramatic materials punctuate the home with moments of wonder. The Equator marble bathroom, an ethereal abaya room, becomes a stage for stone that moves and breathes, yet surrounding simplicity ensures it never overwhelms. “For dramatic elements to work, they need to appear at the right moment as you experience the space,” Alsdais notes. The same applies to her sculptural lighting, each piece feel inevitable within the architectural rhythm.
Art, always central, transforms interiors into living narratives. “Whatever the effect, the intent is always the same: the house must remain a place for living. Art should feel integrated into the life of the home rather than positioned as something distant or untouchable.” From vintage chandeliers discovered in Italy to contemporary canvases, every object enriches the journey, weaving a home that is simultaneously personal, timeless, and alive.
This isn’t just a residence. It is a journey of discovery, where history, emotion, and artistry converge, inviting those who enter to experience a story unfolding in every room.
