Explore designer Dalia El Ali’s Mykonos-inspired retreat in Dubai

Stepping into Dubai-based fashion designer, art collector, and entrepreneur Dalia El Ali’s quirkily curated villa in Victory Heights feels like landing in Mykonos—white sun-drenched, and effortlessly chic. It's the kind of home that makes you exhale and breathe easy. From the moment you walk through the door, you're immersed in a minimalist-modern world of clean lines, curated textures, and Mediterranean soul. Much like the designer herself, her modern home is a masterclass in effortless style. Think white resin floors, dramatic art, and gallery-chic minimalism, all bathed in natural light from oversized windows that make you want to stay a while.

An olive tree anchors the garden, while whitewashed walls and earthy accents conjure holiday vibes—without ever leaving Dubai. It’s like walking onto the set of White Lotus—if it were all sunshine and style, minus the macabre twist. “We were just in Mykonos... I remember I just bought this house and I was renovating it and working on it, and I did get inspired a lot with Mykonos,” Dalia says. “That’s why there’s a lot of white. Everything is white, whether interior and exterior… even the cactus and choices in the garden and the landscaping was very Mykonos inspired.” And she’s right—her sanctuary reflects not just an artistic vision, but a life built with heart and hustle.

"Design fairs are not just events, they’re classrooms," says Dalia with the kind of poise that only comes from turning passion into profession. For someone who once traded investment banking for mood boards and museum walls, these events weren’t just a hobby—they were a masterclass. "Attending those events really helped me explore a part of my style I didn’t even know I had," she confesses. From Art Dubai to Design Week, each outing pushed her to shed predictability and lean into playful, sometimes risky, expressions of taste. Think curated chaos with a couture twist. Her home—layered with texture, curated with curiosity—is the ultimate flex: a personal gallery where resin art flirts with beaded sculptures, and no two corners play it safe. "Design is about evolution," she says.

Step into Dalia’s entryway and you'll instantly clock the fashion designer in her. No heavy décor, no statement pieces screaming for attention—just clean lines, soft tones, and that rare sense of breathing room. “I wanted everything to be light,” she says—and she meant it. Her curated coffee table books (yes, there’s Chaumet), sculptural modern vases, and design-led objects remind you she has an eye for detail that doesn’t need to scream to be seen. It’s minimalist, but make it designer. Every element is considered, not crowded. It’s a quiet but confident intro to a home that’s been edited with intention, and lived in with heart.

And don’t even get her started on accent pieces—because that’s where Dalia really shines. "Most of my attention comes to 3D pieces because of my passion for fabric," she admits. If it’s tactile, textured, or teasingly quirky, chances are it’s already in her house. Think resin, threads, embroidery—art that you can almost feel before you see. Her favorite? A resin piece shaped like a Polaroid sunset. "I fell in love with it... it was just a nice meaning," she says, and suddenly you understand that every piece is part of her emotional playlist. "Every piece in this house has a story to tell," she insists. And she means it. From a vintage Murano light sourced in Italy to a coffee tray picked up during a trip to Cape Town, her home doubles as a visual travelogue. "I like to be asked, ‘Where is that from?’" she says with a grin. Spoiler alert: she always has the best answer.

Despite her deep affection for vibrant colors, Dalia made a conscious decision to start with white. "I made white the base because I do love colors, and I do have a lot of colorful pieces," she said. This choice wasn’t just stylistic—it was strategic. As a designer who treasures visual storytelling, white served as her blank page. It allowed her eclectic art and statement furniture to breathe, to shine, to claim attention without chaos. The home’s white palette, echoed in both interiors and exteriors. As she puts it: "I needed something quiet and calm as a base so that we can add as many colorful pieces without feeling overwhelmed."

"I just love the view so much," Dalia says, gesturing toward the expansive glass that encases her living space. "That’s why I broke all the walls and added windows everywhere." In a city where the heat can isolate residents indoors, Dalia flipped the script. She infused her home with light, air, and the comforting sights of her garden and pool. Her artistic instincts kicked in when she realised nature wasn’t just a backdrop—it was integral to her design.

"Colors make my eyes happy. They open up my brain," says Dalia. For her, colour isn’t a trend—it’s a way of thinking. Her morning walks through Victory Heights, with its wide skies, green spaces, and playful dogs, are more than a ritual—they’re where inspiration begins. "I just enjoy the colour of the sky, the nature," she adds. This connection to the outdoors shaped everything, from her choice of community to the mood inside her home. In a city as intense as Dubai, she’s created a space that feels grounded and calm. Colour isn’t a design feature. It’s her reset.

The pool is mostly for tanning—and that's perfectly fine, says Dahlia with a laugh. “Unfortunately, I’m maybe the only one who uses it—to tan." Yes, the pool was a must-have, but don’t expect cannonballs or pool parties every weekend. “We have beautiful beaches in Dubai,” she shrugs, proving once again that practicality never trumps aesthetics in her book. It’s not about how often it’s used—it’s about the vibe. And with the white couches, vibrant mustard and maroon cusions, and cacti-lined plans, that vibe screams White Lotus, without the macabre twists.

Her pieces have attitude. Some, she’s designed herself. Others are vintage Italian or bold Lebanese. "I pick the piece because I love the piece," she explains. It doesn’t have to match. She believes design is still in her DNA. "I’m Palestinian, raised in the UAE, Emirati by passport," she says. That cultural mix is everywhere in her design—from light colours and laid-back layouts to the sense of openness and welcome. In Dalia’s world, even the still life speaks.

Dalia collects what she loves—Lebanese, Iranian, international artists. "There isn’t one kind of region I do... I like contemporary art," she says. Her walls are curated with feeling, not flex.

A quick glance at her coffee table and you’ll spot a Chaumet book sitting pretty next to modern sculptural vases and sleek monochrome decor. These pieces don’t shout luxury—they suggest it. They’re subtle reminders that this is a fashion designer’s home, someone with a trained eye for balance, negative space, and visual poetry. "I like to be asked, ‘Where is that from?’" she says.

Her master-bedroom strays away from the traditional utopian tropes. The cacti-filled wallpaper screams personality in a stylish tone. Her sculptural lamps and shades in every corner of the house feels like a love letter to vacation vibes—effortless, sunny, and just the right amount of quirky.

"We have one kitchen. We don’t have a second, dirty kitchen where actual cooking happens," says Dalia. Just like her inviting personality, Dalia likes to keep things real and quirky. "Everyone can eat in the kitchen. It’s open. It’s real." The only hiccup? "When we have guests, the kitchen gets messy and there is no door," she laughs. It's a detail she admits she forgot in the design frenzy—but no regrets. The kitchen stays pretty and practical.

Hosting is her second language"I do love hosting," Dalia admits. Whether it’s a casual dinner or a glamorous Ramadan soirée, her home adapts. She’s an effortless host—equal parts laid-back and luxe.

Her house isn’t a showroom—it’s a mood. "It can’t be copied from a magazine," she says. "Your home needs to be you." Dalia’s home has soul, spunk, and a few imperfect finishes—because that’s what makes it hers.