Simply Abu Dhabi XXVIII

1 5 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Born inBirminghambeforemoving as a child to the Forest ofDeanwhere she was privileged to have “a very rural, happy and sheltered childhood,” Sarah has always enjoyed the great outdoors. Her first foray in design started out in the bustling city of Cheltenham, where she cut her teeth studying under a design group that specialised in high-end bathroom design. “I trained there for nine years, where I not only refinedmy design style but came to understand all the behind the scenes running of a business, from finances to project management to building/installation works.” Now firmly established within her own studio in Worcester, Sarah is a regular guest designer onBritish television, and divides her time between theUK and theMiddle East. “TheMiddle East ismy second home,” says Sarah. “Having had family there for the past 18 years, I’ve seen the place grow and develop into the cosmopolitan chic dream location that it has become, and it will always have a special place in my heart.” When it comes to the fast-paced trends of interior design, too, the seasonal fashions of the UK dovetail nicely with the cosmopolitan edginess of the Middle East. “I am influenced every time I am in the UAE, whether it’s visiting a souk or viewing the Yas Viceroy, the newly opened Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr al Muwaiji, or even the Burj Al Arab, which is still a permanent favourite. “Dubai is really at the forefront of design, and there have been numerous relevant design exhibitions of late, such as Downtown Design and the CIDAwards,” she adds. “Every hotel or home is demanding the next big thing, the highest quality products and attention to detail; it’s a design mecca. Meanwhile, design trends in the UK seem to develop every few months, and these are naturally led by the seasons and coincide with all fashions. As we head into winter, the trend for metallic finishes with an industrial-edge are still at the fore. Geometric lines throughout tiles, fabrics, wallpapers and accessories are also prevalent, as is warm lighting, filament bulbs and a strong desire for bold shapes. The arrival of 2018 is forecast to soften everything with pastel tones.” Recent projects of Sarah’s include Malvern Spa; it saw her working alongside a local architect to bring a high-end, relaxing retreat to quiet Worcestershire, and highlights the flexible nature of her design schemes. Initially challenged by the harsh surroundings of the spa location, which sitswithin a business district on the outskirts ofMalvern, Sarah introduced stonewalls adornedwith foliage, and a clever positioning of trees to create the feel of a rural haven. Her ongoing projects for both Hilton Hotel Group and Hampton Manor also demonstrate how her couture vision can be applied to even large-scale projects. “Both these larger commercial projects were enjoyable clients and briefs, achieving stunning contemporary yet timeless styling within each bedroom or bathroom space,” she says. “It always comes down to those finer details and finishes on handles, soft furnishings or even tiles. Both clients are aiming for the top end of the market, requiring attention to detail on a larger scale, and making every room blend seamlessly with its surrounds, whilemaintaining its own individual touch. HamptonManor has gone from strength to strength, and I will be designing phase two shortly, whilst Hilton is a growing brand with high expectations.” Boutique in size with infinite creativity, Sarah Ireland Designs regularly collaborates with other artists, architects and interior designers, including Pippa Orgee, who specialises in soft furnishings and exquisite fabrics and shares the design studio. In the new year, Sarah will also be actively pursuing both commercial and residential ventures in the UAE, where she has her sights firmly set on a new design project. But, no matter the location, for Sarah, the skill of successful interiors is to stay true to your own sense of style. “Like everything, design evolves; nothing is truly original but an adaptation of something else,” she says. “I’ve seen somanymaterials, styles and trends emerge andmorph, but I always say, the key is to be trendy yet timeless.”