A Quietly Sculptural Home That Redefines Calm

In Dubai Hills, D’Ora Tokai crafts a minimalist family home that feels both serene and soulful; a masterclass in texture, light, and quiet luxury.

Form follows feeling in this serene Dubai Hills home designed by D’Ora Tokai Designs. Translating minimalist principles into layered interiors, the space celebrates tactility, balance, and quiet refinement. Warm neutrals, soft geometry, and sculptural contrasts set the tone for a home envisioned as an invitation to a slower rhythm of life.

The Designer

Founded by D’Ora Tokai, the Dubai-based studio works across interior architecture, product design, and fashion. Having collaborated with the homeowners on two previous residences, Tokai approached this third project with creative freedom and trust. “The brief was effortless: timeless, elegant, a touch industrial,” she explains. “Our goal was to rebuild with intention, to create a family home defined by calm, functionality, and aesthetic integrity.”

The Location

Set in Dubai Hills Estate, one of the city’s most sought-after communities, the home enjoys a balance of landscaped greenery and urban convenience. The villa’s clean-lined modern architecture, part of Emaar’s Sidra collection, was reimagined through full-scale renovation and extensions, softening its linearity and introducing richer architectural language.

A Grounded Palette

A serene base of off-white and oak provides warmth and continuity, contrasted by Calacatta Vagli marble, brushed stainless steel, and warm-tinted glass. Colour appears sparingly but purposefully — from the eggplant and blush tones in the main bedroom to the soft pinks in the children’s rooms. Accents of greenery and floral detail add ephemeral depth without disrupting the calm.

Texture and Materiality

Materiality lies at the heart of the project. Oak herringbone floors ground each room, while marble, steel, and microcement finishes lend sculptural clarity. Warm glass, Caesarstone quartz, and brushed metal accents create subtle rhythm and light play throughout, balancing practicality with poetry.

The Design Vision

“This home is a quiet study in layered restraint,” says Tokai. “Every touchpoint is deliberate, subdued yet expressive. We believe in homes that restore, reconnect, and evolve with their inhabitants.” The result is a deeply intentional space that prioritises comfort, flow, and longevity.

A Personal Touch

One of the project’s most rewarding details is the eight-metre handwoven rug in the living area, designed by DOT Objects, Tokai’s in-house furniture and product line. Crafted in India in tonal shades of beige and brown with a soft yellow accent, it anchors the space in quiet warmth.

Layout and Flow

The layout was restructured for contemporary family life: a courtyard transformed into a kitchen, the dining area extended toward the garden, and the main suite expanded to include dual walk-in wardrobes. Across 250 square metres, the home now unfolds with clarity and balance, every corner speaking the same language of intentional design. doratokai.com

Credits: 

Interior design: @doratokaidesigns

Photos: Mia Interior Photography | @mia_interior_ph

Production: Karine Monié |  @karinemonie