The Sculpted Abode, Part 6: Dubai Villa Renovation Week 3 - Designing the Kitchen
- Dora Tokai
- Aug 24
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Week 2 was all about hidden systems — MEP and HVAC installations that had to be completed with absolute precision before anything else could move forward. It was a stage defined by coordination and trust, when progress felt invisible but every decision set the foundation for what comes next.
By Week 3, that groundwork paid off. With new windows installed and balconies finished, the villa was finally sealed. The demolition surprises were behind us, and the site shifted into a more controlled rhythm. Design took centre stage.
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A Week of Focus and Control
By Week 3, the house felt different. With all the windows installed and balconies completed, the site was finally sealed. Dust and heat were kept out, and the interiors were protected. This was a turning point. We had moved past the uncertainty of demolition-related surprises — issues related to shafts, pipes, and pillars that were different from the developer’s drawings.
From here, the focus shifted to controlled execution. A tightly sequenced programme unfolded: MEP works in the bathrooms drew to a close, HVAC and electrical installations advanced through bedrooms and public areas, and deliveries of bathroom tiles signalled the first preparations for finishing.
This week carried a rare sense of relief. The feeling that from here, the path was defined by determination and steady work rather than uncertainty.
Open Living, Open-Plan Kitchen Design
When we searched for our home more than a decade ago, one key criterion was that the ground floor had to be open plan. What we envisioned was the long, social layouts of townhouses in New York, London, and Paris: an entrance that flows into a living room, then into the dining area, and finally into the kitchen. Distinct zones, yet connected as one, portraying a sense of togetherness.
We imagined a floor plan that could hold it all: the weekday rush of school mornings, the family dinners that gather us each evening, and those weekend mornings when freshly baked croissants come out of the oven. The children curl up on the sofa, and later, friends join us as the day unfolds. The floor plan allows for distinction, yet the movement through it feels seamless; spaces that hold us together even as life shifts from moment to moment.
Flow, Storage, and the Everyday Rhythm
Over the past decade, our lives have evolved, but the kitchen has not. Ten years of family life revealed its limits: too little counter space, too little storage, and no flexibility for the way we live today.
During the redesign, we relocated the laundry upstairs, removed a large shaft, and extended the counter space to create a more open plan. We added a dedicated bar and a tea-and-coffee cabinet by the dining table, easy to reach when hosting and entertaining. The cooker and sink were positioned in the corner with the least circulation, intentionally set away from the busiest paths of movement. The open-plan kitchen design was planned with young children in mind, yet designed to grow and evolve with us. Even the island reflects this balance, with integrated fruit and vegetable drawers that keep fresh produce readily available.
One seemingly small but essential detail is a dish-drying cabinet concealed beside the sink. In an open-plan kitchen, counters stay free of piled dishes. Everything that doesn’t go into the dishwasher dries neatly out of sight. It’s a quiet feature that preserves order and composure in the space, even at the busiest moments.
Cooking from Everywhere We’ve Lived
Between my husband and me, we’ve lived in sixteen countries. Our meals reflect that history. Monday might be Singaporean laksa, Tuesday grilled chicken with homemade pickles, Wednesday tacos, Thursday sushi, Friday slow-cooked beef noodles, Saturday curry, and Sunday Arabic mezze with hummus and falafel.
Cooking at home is as much about memory and connection as it is about flavour. The kitchen had to embrace that variety — storing a wide range of spices and ingredients, and supporting a rhythm that moves easily between everyday meals and moments of entertaining. Living in Dubai, where so many nationalities and traditions converge, food becomes more than sustenance: it’s a bridge, a conversation starter, and often the most memorable part of gathering with others.
The Design Concept: Steel, Wood, and Marble
Design-wise, my husband and I have always loved utilitarian objects — simple stainless steel forms, stripped back to essentials — but equally, we love spaces layered with warmth and history. Our colour instincts lean toward greens, soft whites, and natural warmth.
These sensibilities came together in the kitchen. A stainless steel island anchors the plan, paired with tall cabinetry in a warm wood finish. But the element that brought the whole space into focus was the marble.
Finding the right stone took the longest time. We had dreamt of this home for over a decade, but this decision couldn’t be rushed. When I found the Calacatta Paonazzo Verde, everything aligned. Its off-white base, rich warm beige, sage green veins, and occasional violet patches were exactly what we wanted: elegant yet bold, timeless yet relevant, overall neutral yet with pops of colour.
The marble flows across the countertops and backsplash, continues into the flooring paired with Carrara, and extends into the bathrooms as niches. It gives coherence to the entire home.
Choosing Appliances with Intention: Our Case with TEKA
Our appliances were selected as an integral part of the design. Each choice answered a functional need and also aligned with the visual language of the kitchen.
Oven with air-fryer function for crisp meals without the oil, used daily for the children’s lunchboxes and family dinners.
Microwave integrated into the island — discreet and rarely needed, but easily accessible.
41-bottle wine fridge integrated into the raised island — a hard-to-find piece that allows us to store and display part of our collection.
White induction hob that blends seamlessly into the marble, letting the stone remain the visual focus.
Dishwasher with a cutlery tray.
We chose Teka, a German brand with a long-standing heritage in Europe, because their design language reflects the same clarity and restraint we value: timeless geometry, clean lines, and reliability. For this project, their appliances were delivered the very next day after confirmation — a level of efficiency that kept everything on track.
Their professional support is something I’ve experienced consistently over the past five years while working with them on client projects. Bringing Teka into our own home felt like a natural step in a partnership built on trust and proven performance.
Looking Forward
What excites me now is seeing the kitchen we designed take form — already in the hands of the craftsmen building it off-site, soon to be installed here. I picture evenings when I take over the cooking, preparing meals we’ve collected from the places we’ve lived, and weekends when the children gather around to taste or help. I see my husband entertaining friends, the table filling with conversation, and the quieter moments when the space simply belongs to us. What takes shape here is design anchored in intention — every decision reflecting the way we live, setting the stage for meals, conversations, and moments that will carry us forward.
As a final touch, the large blank wall in the kitchen will carry a gypsum relief inspired by Matisse’s The Dance — simplified to outlines only, a gesture of movement, joy, and connection. For us, it captures the atmosphere we want to feel in the space: alive, human, celebratory.
This space reflects both sides of our life together — his love for entertaining and my love for rhythm and order.
Kitchen Design Principles: Timeless Tips from a Designer’s Perspective
Every kitchen is unique, but some principles remain universal:
Design around the way you live. Daily rituals, family rhythms, and entertaining habits should shape the plan.
Balance openness with storage. A well-designed kitchen can feel spacious while still accommodating everything it needs to hold.
Plan the flow with intention. Whether through traditional work zones or an open-plan layout, the relationship between cooking, cleaning, and gathering areas should feel seamless.
Anchor the design in materials you love. Choosing one or two statement surfaces creates harmony and longevity.
Choose appliances that integrate with your lifestyle. Reliability and timeless design language matter more than novelty or trend.
Layer the lighting. Combine functional task lighting with warm ambient layers to make the kitchen both practical and atmospheric.
Think of the kitchen as both personal and long-term. It’s the most significant investment in most homes — design it for the life you live now, and as a value for the future.
The better a kitchen reflects the way you live — and the more deliberately it’s planned as both a personal space and an investment — the more rewarding it becomes every single day.
Week 4 will mark another shift: all MEP systems will be concealed as the ceilings close, while bathroom tiling begins and plastering and cornices take shape. After weeks of structure and systems, the focus turns to finishes. This is when the design starts to emerge — when precision in the hidden layers allows beauty to surface. Step by step, atmosphere replaces bare structure, and the home begins to carry the character we envisioned.
Experience the process. Watch how a vision becomes a home, week by week.
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