Stepping into this Dubai Marina home, one is instantly captivated by the glorious light that floods the entire space, adding vibrancy to the soft colour palette and modern country style. “The owners are previous clients of mine,” says interior designer Malin Palmlund of M Interior Design. “I did the first apartment they had together and it turned out well with a good mix of both their tastes, but it was a lot darker than this one.”
This time, the couple wanted a relaxed atmosphere with a slightly more country-rustic aesthetic, while still feeling modern, Malin says. They also wanted a lighter, more neutral colour scheme, but were clear about one thing: no beige. “Since we already knew each other, the trust was there and the entire home came together in only one month,” Malin explains.
Before Malin worked her design magic, the penthouse had old wallpaper and paint that didn’t really match the architecture and features. “One important aspect was to take the beige-yellow atmosphere of the original space and make it more comfortable and stylish. And I wanted all the rooms to make visual sense together,” she says. “We used some items from the couple’s previous apartment, but I completely changed the colour scheme.”
On the main floor of the penthouse, Malin painted the walls two different shades of grey and used blues in different materials and shades as the basis of her design. She incorporated natural wood furniture and accessories, including the coffee and dining tables, and added some dark – almost black – pieces for a dramatic effect.
The home really comes alive thanks to Malin’s choice of accessories and accent pieces – gorgeous rugs, lanterns and an eclectic mix of patterned cushions. “Using a lot of cushions makes a big difference in a room,” she says. “You can never have enough cushions!”
Despite keeping the home’s aesthetic and colour scheme soft and neutral, Malin incorporated splashes of colour in the accessories, cushions and even large furniture pieces including the living room sofa – which is dusty dark blue – adding depth to the colour palette. “I was lucky,” Malin says about bringing the couches up 81 floors. “The sofas almost didn’t make it into the elevator! When you buy large furniture you always measure everything to make sure it will fit, but you always have some clients who are not convinced it can be done. Luckily it did and we didn’t have to carry the sofas up 81 floors!”
The neutral colour scheme from the living areas on the main floor continues upstairs in the master suite, guest bedroom and first-floor lounge area, but it’s the dressing room that Malin likes best. “The dressing room is my favourite. It is a bit more bold with a different mix of patterns, which is always fun,” she says.
The couple didn’t want to rebuild the space or make structural changes, so Malin made clever use of furniture and storage units for her clients’ clothes and accessories, including a beloved shoe collection. She says, “The space needed to be big enough for my client and her stylist to move around comfortably, and have enough space for her accessories and all her lovely shoes.”
Malin introduced mirrored boxes, silver canisters and an island in the middle of the room with small storage boxes and compartments inside the drawers to accommodate accessories. “I incorporated her love for lavender and pink and made it a romantic, elegant space,” she explains. The standout feature of the dressing room is undoubtedly the Carl Robinson wallpaper, which adds a dose of feminine glamour to the space.
In designing this home, Malin says she was determined not to fill it up with too many unnecessary objects, but instead let the space, light and a carefully curated selection of objects speak for themselves. “I dislike clutter, and I think things look prettier if you arrange them carefully and with a purpose,” she says. The couple wanted their new home to be a comfortable and relaxing setting where they could spend time together or with a few friends, and with Malin’s masterful design, she has achieved just that.
This story first appeared on InsideOut in February 2014
