Simply Abu Dhabi XXX

2 7 3 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I conveniently dock their yachts, and the luxury hospitality brand Dorchester Collection will manage the property. Earlier this year, Elicyon were appointed by the private purchaser of the Penthouse. Although One Palm will have three swimming pools, the penthouse will include a 20- metre long private lap pool and upon completion become one of the highest and most private swimming pools in Dubai. This was a specific request from the buyer of the 29,000-square-foot triplex penthouse—who purchased the property last year for AED102 million ($27.7 million)— making it the city’s most expensive apartment. Mahdi Amjad, CEO and executive chairman of Omniyat, said: ‘As the most exclusive address on The Palm Jumeirah and home to Dubai’s most expensive apartment, One Palm commands the best style and design possible. ‘Clients are given the choice of two high-end designers to style their villas in the sky, and the new showroom captures the high-end finishings and plush furniture that turn these units into exquisite homes.’ Simply Abu Dhabi was invited to the unveiling of the completed show apartment to see howGandhi and her team at Elicyon had transformed the space into a stunning private residence. Upon entering one immediately notices how Elicyon has brought a London aesthetic to the Middle East, whilst also embracing the vast expanse of water seen from the apartment. The large open plan, lateral living space is designed in a cool colour palette of teal blue, pale green and calm greys that don’t detract from the stunning views of Dubai Marina, the AinDubai and the Arabian Gulf. There are four distinct spaces in the open plan zone, starting with a kitchen and dining area, through to a more formal dinner arrangement, followed by a lounge area and finally a garden. Elicyon has brought Omiyat’s vision to life by continually marrying references between the furniture and fittings, picking out colours and connecting design elements at just the right opportunity. A stunning chandelier connects the spaces and guides you through this main living area—which balances comfort with function—and features gorgeous fabrics and thoughtful details, such as patterns that pay homage to the sea. The artwork and sculpture lend symmetry and sophistication to the space and Elicyon have clearly used only the very best designers and suppliers. We see gorgeous wallpapers from De Gournay and Fromental, lamps by Donghia, Rubelli, Armani and Porta Romana, fabrics from Holly Hunt, Dedar, Jason d’Souza, le Lievre and Pierre Frey, and in the master bedroom Yann Jallu lamps with beautiful straw marquetry that picks up on the marquetry of the headboard. The American design legend Charles Eames once said, ‘The details are not the details, they make the design,’ and Elicyon’s finished design shows this at every point—from bedroom to bathroom, everything is tied in, everything has been thought through and done for a specific reason. Nothing is slapdash or thrown in without being justified. Eames also said, ‘Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose.’ And again, Gandhi ensures that the purpose of each room is apparent. In the library snug an Eames chair—one of his many contributions to the development of modern architecture and furniture—invites you to sit, relax and contemplate. Restraint and composure are the winning traits here— Elicyon has created a luxurious living space that never feels too much. Ostentation is overlooked in favour of classy refinement. With impeccable taste Elicyon has managed to retain the scale of the space and maximise the effect of the immense sweeping views, whilst simultaneously bringing the space in with carefully placed screens and alternating ceiling heights so that certain areas feel intimate and cosy, like a home should feel; a place where you can escape from the world and feel content in your own private realm.