Stephanie Farah recently finished renovating her three-bedroom Springs 10 home in Dubai, which she bought in 2022 for Dh2.65 million.
The entrepreneur, who owns a PR agency and interior-upgrade company specialising in architectural wrapping and 3D stickers, transformed the villa, extending the floor space, increasing the height of the ceilings and installing a fireplace.
She also turned the third bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe.
But despite the fact she is getting offers of up to Dh4.8 million almost every day for the house, she doesn't want to sell, describing it as her haven of calm within her busy life.
The National takes a tour.
Please tell us about your home
The style I chose for the interiors is modern farmhouse. That's just the style that suits my personality the most. I love the calm elements, the different colours that are more natural. I've got a lot of wood in the house. I've got a lot of bright whites.
It also has the right amount of lighting. I'm very into afternoon lighting and not having a dark living room.
I got very lucky with the home I eventually found.
How did you decide on your renovations?
During Covid, I learnt how to design using a program called Planner 5D. It's basically a program for people who have no idea how to do renders or bespoke designs. It's very basic, but allowed me to have a 3D render of what the space could potentially be.
This was easier for my contractor to envision it with me and go ahead and execute my inspiration.
How did you renovate the downstairs?
The entranceway used to be outdoors. We extended this area and broke down the wall next to the front door to add a glass banister and give it a little bit more of an open-space concept.
I extended the kitchen by about two metres, where there used to be a patio. I created a pantry and installed a hidden sliding door. This is where I keep my fridge and goodies.
I didn't want to have any cabinets, so I went for open shelves. I chose Italian marble. This is real marble, which I wish I didn't do because it stains so easily, but I wanted something to stand out in the kitchen.
I also created a window in the kitchen. Some people just have one small square window, but I created the arch look. Then that window fully opens up. This entire living room has an open-door concept, which is beautiful. When it rains, it's insane.
I also built a real fireplace. It's an ethanol fireplace, which is super easy to light. When you're watching TV, you've just got the fireplace running, it's really nice and very cosy.
What did you change upstairs?
I extended the bathroom a little bit in the master bedroom. I knocked down a massive wall that was separating the basins from the bath or what was originally a bathtub. I made it a rainfall shower. Again, I use a lot of natural elements: marble countertops, oak wood for the cabinets, and a beautiful herringbone tile for the shower.
I did a lot of cove lighting and beautiful spotlights so I can choose different lighting, depending on my mood.
There was also a huge change in the guest bathroom. Again, there was a wall dividing the sink, the toilet and shower. I broke that down and added a really big bathtub in there. There's also a rainfall shower feature, so you can stand in the bathtub to utilise the rain shower.
What about the garden?
I went for a Bali-esque look in the garden. I painted the walls a very muted beige. I built a little pergola. I designed my own tiles for the barbecue area. They're from Mosaico.
How much did all this cost?
About Dh400,000, although I was initially getting quotes for like Dh700,000 to Dh800,000.
What did you learn while renovating?
Choose a design that's going to appeal to a wider audience versus your own taste. I've walked into Springs villas that were renovated, but it was hideous. Then they'll call it a fully renovated home and try and sell it for an extortionate amount. That makes no sense because nobody is buying it.
Also, continuously go to the site, because you're able to really push your contractors to finish faster, but also make sure the quality of work and craftsmanship is there.
How long do you see yourself living here?
Another two years or three years. I'm very attached to it. I just can't see myself moving out anytime soon.
I've been getting offers left, right and centre on this house. But the more offers I get, the more I don't want to let go of it.
It's the perfect location for me from the office, from everything in Dubai, it is just so central. And I hardly ever face traffic.
There's so much around, like the community malls and then you've got Warehouse gym around the corner.
This is just the perfect space.
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
More on animal trafficking
More on animal trafficking
Zayed Sustainability Prize
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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