From its spiral staircase to its calming color scheme, lawyer Rumana Nazim’s Dubai home is a thoughtful escape that balances heritage, modernity, and mindful living.
Rumana Nazim. Dress, Del Core; shoes, Michael Kors; bracelet, Amie. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
For lawyer and entrepreneur Rumana Nazim, home is a concept that is emotional more than physical. In 2023, she and her husband bought their family home in Jumeirah Islands, a serene area in Dubai that they’ve always loved for its lush beauty and proximity to her parents. The power couple set about transforming the four-bedroom house, which had never been upgraded, into a five-bedroom residence, using the added section as an office. “I wanted to create a tranquil haven; a space that would stand the test of time and balance contemporary and classic styles,” Nazim says. She aimed to combine her Indian heritage with notes of modernity, ensuring a welcoming villa that is both a reflection of personal panache and a place for connection, comfort, and hosting.
The central spiral staircase, with a scuplture by Lovemore Bonjisi, tapestry by Linie Design and art by Massoud Arabshahi, Assadour Bezdikian, and Nima Nabavi. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
As the founder of Dubai concept store The Edit, Nazim uses her impeccable eye to curate the space with a range of eco-conscious fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands. She brought this same discernment to her own residence. “I wanted the house to feel luxurious but also lived in, blending all these pieces I’ve collected over the years with newer items,” she says. While a fan of interior designers like Kelly Hoppen, Nazim is also drawn to “real” homes, where you can “feel the passion and love that have gone into it.” For this forever abode, she focused on stripping everything back to its core and rebuilding it with intention, ensuring the layout flows with the needs of its occupants. She worked with Claudia Baliyan from Creating Homes Interiors & Contracting, who helped hone Nazim’s singular vision and ensure the practical aspects and details were on point. The collaboration was hands-on, from designing the striking spiral staircase to selecting elements like checkerboard flooring and brass herringbone accents. They also introduced arches throughout, as “it brings a lot of character in the house,” the owner shares. The staircase was a particular challenge, even though she knew it was the one element she was set on including after falling in love with the one at the Edition Hotel in New York. “The setting was not actually meant for a spiral staircase so getting the angles and physics correct was difficult but I’m quite stubborn, and I think my contractor would agree!” she laughs. The result is a sweeping, graceful centerpiece that creates a sense of movement and energy.
Rumana Nazim in the media room, featuring Indian-inspired Ananbô landscape wallpaper. Knit, skirt, Michael Kors. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Nazim’s style integrates Indian elements with modern aesthetics, creating a cohesive yet eclectic look. A favorite is the media room with its Ananbô landscape wallpaper reminiscent of the Mughal Empire, complete with a man riding an elephant. She creates a throughline with four 18th century Indian miniatures and hundred-year-old wooden artifacts. Chic molding and an olive-green painted ceiling anchor the room in the present day. The hue is a recurring feature – “My friends make fun of me because I’m always dressed in shades of khaki and olive and now the house is, too!” – and it grounds the surroundings with a neutral, harmonious palette that still evokes interest and individuality in every room. Points of visual surprise are added with unexpected red or blue pieces, ensuring the environment never seems one-note.
Against a Zhivago Duncan backdrop, Nazim wears coat, shoes, necklace, bracelet, Hermès. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Conscious living lies at the heart of Nazim’s design philosophy, and every choice, from the materials to the companies she partners with, is guided by intention and a sense of responsibility. “I wanted to create a home that felt timeless and that is also aligned with my values. One of the most significant choices I made was to become a zero-single-useplastic household. I installed a Quooker tap, which provides boiling hot and cold water directly from the tap, eliminating the need for plastic water bottles.” She also implemented an efficient drip technology to irrigate the garden, which is filled with resilient plants that require less water in the desert environs. The natural grass, too, ensures stability and calm by fostering a connection to the Earth; an important element of mindfulness for Nazim. “I wanted to make sure everything would stand the test of time, so I selected sustainable and long-lasting materials and natural fibers wherever I could. I also made an effort to work with Dubai-based companies, such as female-founded The Fifth Designs, which made my dining room table.” Creative Clinic also did a lot of the outdoor furniture, helping create a seamless transition between inside and out for all the entertaining the family loves. Nazim also catered to various wellness needs, with an infrared sauna helping her to recharge and focus. “I wanted to add it to create a spot of health and rejuvenation,” she says. “Design is not just about being aesthetically pleasing, but also about feeling good.” Art, too, plays an important part in cultivating a characterful home, and Nazim’s collection effortlessly complements the space. This includes works by Pakistani artist and poet Sadequain, Austrian sculptor Monika Grabuschnigg, Syrian-Danish painter Zhivago Duncan, and Bangladeshi visual artist Rana Begum.
Her expansive bespoke walk-in closet. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
“Walking through our doors feels amazing,” Nazim shares. “It feels as if I’m stepping into a retreat. There’s an immediate sense of calm and comfort, with beautiful scents washing over you. Home is where you feel comfortable, where you find inspiration, where you make memories. It’s the site where you feel at your calmest and where you can reset.” With its striking expression of modernity rooted in familiar history, Nazim has created just that: A family spot filled with enigmatic details, distinct personality, and conscious sophistication.
Nazim wears blazer, pants, necklace, bracelet, Hermès. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
The dining room centers artwork by Apnavi Makanji, with a table by The Fifth Designs and chairs by Creative Clinic. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Nazim wears blazer, pants, scarf, shoes, Del Core. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
The master bathroom and the rest of the home are dotted with candles, including Nazim’s favorite – a scent crafted for Estelle Manor in the English countryside. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
In the outdoor dining area, a table from Loom Collection and chairs, bar stools, deck chairs, and sofa by Creative Clinic make for effortless entertaining. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
The living room features the Studio sofa from Norr11, custom marble fireplace, chaise longue by Creative Clinic, and stone coffee table from Danish studio 101 Copenhagen. The artwork on the wall is by Rana Begum. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
The office features bespoke furniture and Polaroid art by Cyrus Mahboubian. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
The master bedroom, with Caracole bedside tables. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
A custom mirror, Jaeger-LeCoultre clock, and vintage candlesticks in the living room. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Ananbô wallpaper in the marble bathroom. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Originally published in the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of Vogue Living Arabia
Style: Mohammad Hazem Rezq
Hair and makeup: Diana Tin
Producer: Ankita Chandra
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