Monica Gupta. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Setting out to create her dream home, Monica Gupta looked to Dubai’s up-and-coming District One neighborhood within the new Mohammed Bin Rashid City. She successfully curated an abode filled with organic elements like natural lighting and airy spaces to bring together her family’s expansive five-bedroom villa in an effortless way.
A former fashion editor for L’Officiel and Noblesse IN, the style aficionado and influencer Gupta founded Tried and Treasured in 2017, an online portal retailing pre-loved luxury pieces at affordable rates. Juggling her role as a mother to nine-year-old twin daughters while revamping her business, the entrepreneur knew she needed a chic space to call her own.
The living room features a stone wall, bringing earthy charm to an opulent space. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
“When we came to Dubai from India, it wasn’t meant to be a long-term move. But as time progressed, one thing led to another and we decided to relocate here permanently,” she says. “We first lived in an apartment in the city’s Marina area, but decided to start looking for a space that would suit our needs and also give us outdoor area for our girls to swim and play.” While looking for villas, Gupta struggled to find her perfect home, finding that extensive work would be needed to refurbish any new space, while high prices created an added challenge. “After about a year, one day I woke up and told my husband Ashish, ‘Today is the day we find our home.’ After some online research, we were shown a few properties before coming across our current house. Both of us loved the outdoor space. We knew we would have to change and upgrade the interiors but saw the potential it had and decided to go ahead.”
The dining room boasts a symphony of custom artwork framed by a pendant light from Henge. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
With the help of Dubai-based design studio ELE Interior, a one-year-long extensive refurbishment followed, which saw the whole villa gutted short of reaching the original framework. “It was pretty much like creating a brand-new villa and outdoor space from scratch,” Gupta says. The renovation included changing the full internal layout of the house, adding new windows, flooring, and walls, as well as an outdoor gym. The pool was demolished and completely rebuilt in glass, with one 17m side panel specially made to create a surreal element within the outdoor space. Gupta moved into the home in February this year, converting the initial six-bedrooms into five with six bathrooms. Alongside a few custom pieces, the home is dotted with high-end furniture and design brands such as Minotti, Visionnaire, and Flos to bring together its sophisticated aesthetic.
The BBQ area. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
“The main entrance of the villa is one of my favorite aspects of the home. It features high ceilings and a beautiful olive tree with a Greekstyle concrete bench,” says Gupta. “Here you can find a sculptural piece of a girl blowing a large balloon by artist Marie-Noêlle Ronayette that we bought during our trip to Paris at Maison et Objet,” she says. Along with the powder room, which Gupta describes as luxe and comfortable, another distinct space is the guest bedroom, which incorporates huge glass windows that open to an expansive backyard from two sides. The room also features a massive art window with direct views of the serene outdoor space. “In the morning, we love to open the space out – it’s amazing to enjoy the quiet morning time,” she says.
In the master dresser, each pair of shoes finds its place on custom made shelves, while the handbags are artfully arranged, their elegance accentuated by specialized lighting. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
The minimalist interior, which presents muted tones, brass undertones, and veined marble, is rich with vibrant artworks and intricate objects that bring a splash of color across the modern aesthetic. A teddy bear sculpture by artist Valay Shinde brings a contemporary touch to a corner on the first floor, mimicking the neutral tenors of the space. In another part of the home, a piece by French artist Mr Brainwash creates a juxtaposition of tones and style with its vivid colors and wide strokes.
The master bathroom features a book matched ribbed marble backdrop, which embraces a luxurious bathtub. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Just as vibrant and eclectic is Gupta’s own closet. “As I grow older, I try to invest in more timeless pieces that have longevity. However, you can still find most international designers in my closet – from Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, and Hermès, to the latest Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Miu Miu, Givenchy, and Prada. I also love Alexander Wang for its casual looks,” Gupta adds. “But most of all, I am obsessed with shoes,” she says, revealing an extensive closet filled with stilettos, slips, and shoes, from the latest to the most colorful. “I feel shoes can make or break an outfit and I’m now happy to have the space to store and take care of my collection,” she says.
Monica Gupta. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Of her future endeavors, Gupta shares that she has “many plans in the pipeline,” revealing a new business venture and the launch of an image consulting company to offer styling and other services to women, which will also include sourcing inaccessible products to her clients. “I want to curate pop-ups with handpicked designers from India and other parts of the world to showcase chosen pieces based on my style aesthetic,” she adds. Gupta is also relaunching Tried and Treasured and will be announcing several brand collaborations on her Instagram account very soon, adding, “Fashion is something that is ever evolving – and so am I.”
Originally published in the July/August 2023 issue of Vogue Arabia
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