Bringing the Outside In

In the interior, we try to keep it as clutter-free as possible for two reasons. One – we love the clean, modern lines of the house. Except for the arched entryway to the kitchen, the house does not exude a local Arabic feel. Plus the commanding view of the lake is the “wow” factor and the simplicity of the house only highlights the view. Secondly and this is the key reason – we have sandstorms! Remember, this used to be a barren dessert located inland from the coast of the Arabian Gulf, so when winds blow and they hit the desert inland (which is our area) huge sandstorms are born! We do not have dust. Just the grit of the sand – everywhere. Even if your doors and windows are closed, they seem to find their way into my house and settle right where I walk. At least they call my attention to sweep them out of the house. Caramba!

It took Mark and I about 2 ½ months to have curtains installed in our villa. We actually did not want curtains at all because it spoils the view. We love the sun streaming through our house and we liked to “bring the outdoors in.” Well, such is not the case in Dubai. Two weeks ago, we gave in and bought curtains. The sun in the morning is so bright that it wakes me up. You really have to wear the darkest pair of sunglasses in bed you have or you will wake up cranky.

All day, the sun just beams through the house and we look like deer in headlights. It cooks the house as well. So we have been channeling our “inner Martha Stewart”, designed and installed the curtains ourselves and we feel have been successful.