Situated in the emerald terrain of Meadows – an Emirates Hills locale in Dubai, United Arab Emirates – is a property that beckons those who visit to linger betwixt its luscious greenery. And postured upon that plot within the long-developed residential community is a recently reconstructed home whose contemporary expression is underlined by traditional Arabic stylings. Its updated concept is friendship-borne, conceived by creatives Marina Braginskaya, founder of Braginskaya & Architects, and homeowner Marina Baisel, interior designer and owner of RARARES Gallery.

A minimalist dining room features a dark wooden table, four white chairs, abstract wall art with organic textures reminiscent of Marina Braginskaya's style, and a modern light fixture hanging from the ceiling.

While collaborations are typical to the trade, this project is undoubtedly a joint effort. Braginskaya’s architectural expertise echoes through the structure and programming, with its influence extending into the selection of furniture. And Baisel brought the walls from bare to beautiful with an informed curation of furniture, art, and handcrafted objects including a few of her own original pieces. “We have known each other for quite some time, since design school, where Marina Braginskaya was giving lectures while I was finishing my studies,” Baisel recalls. “When I moved to Dubai, I asked for her help as she already had her own company.”

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Minimalist dining room with a dark wooden table, four white chairs, a modern pendant light, wall art featuring natural elements by Marina Braginskaya, and a stack of black stools in the corner.

Together, with a shared mission and mutual understanding of one another’s practice, the duo reconciled a modern desire for breathier spaces with the family-of-five’s need for technical rooms and storage – all within the 2,500 square feet parsed between two floors. The ground level comprises public areas including a generous living room, modest lounge, kitchen, dining room, guest bedroom, and the supporting utility rooms. Of note are the various passages that allow for easy access to picturesque outdoors where vistas are reflected from the pool’s glistening surface onto the garden enclosure.

Modern kitchen with light-colored cabinets, marble countertops, and a gold-accented kitchen island displaying wooden bowls. The ceiling, reminiscent of a Marina Braginskaya design, features an intricate geometric pattern.

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Minimalist living room featuring light-colored sofas, a wooden coffee table, and stools. Artwork by Marina Braginskaya with "TAKE THE FIRST STEP" text adorns the wall. The space boasts a neutral color palette and offers a view into an adjoining room.

The second floor is reserved for private rituals as family members may retire to their respective bedrooms, of which there are four, for moments of respite. Every liminal space along the way, however, is thoughtfully considered as residents and guests alike are able to appreciate the awe-inspiring, double-height upper hallway that boasts a glass ceiling. This unique feature allows for the construct to tap into the sky’s temporal qualities for walls awash in sunlight as much as they are bathed in moonlight.

A neutral-toned living room features a beige sofa, wooden coffee table, small side tables, and sheer beige curtains. Minimalist decor includes a small wall shelf and a piece of artwork by Marina Braginskaya.

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A minimalist interior featuring two black curved stools, a wooden floor, sheer curtains, and two cone-shaped wall sconces installed vertically on a plain white wall—reminiscent of the refined elegance often seen in Marina Braginskaya's designs.

Baisel also borrows earthen hues from the city’s surrounding sand dunes implemented as calming interior colors and material finishes in an amalgam of stone, wood, linen, silk, and wool – all of which are pleasant to the touch. Complemented by a wealth of natural light, serene room dressings encourage the mind to wander as the body meanders about. Many a nook, niche, and corner regale visitors with the gallerist and homeowner’s artistic narrative. Painting and sculpture, as well as statement lighting and eclectic fixtures, contribute to a shared dialogue with architecture.

A minimalist living room features a light beige sectional sofa, a wooden coffee table with books, and a table lamp on a side table. Cream curtains cover the windows, and a framed artwork by Marina Braginskaya graces the wall.

A staircase made of marble with a black, white, and gray pattern leads up to a landing. On the adjacent white wall, three minimalist clock faces designed by Marina Braginskaya hang prominently.

“We wanted to give the feeling that time slows down and create a desire to contemplate,” Baisel says. Those willing to suspend reality for just a moment are invited to find introspection while gazing upon the handmade, personally selected works. “But we also have some contrast and graphic elements especially in the public areas,” Braginskaya adds. “That energizes the space.”

Modern hallway with a geometric-patterned floor, a Marina Baisel-designed wooden door, circular mirror, black console table, two candles, and a sleek lamp.

A minimalist interior showcasing a contemporary sculpture by Marina Braginskaya on a pedestal, with large glass panels and a monochromatic floor design.

Modern bedroom with a low platform bed adorned with black and white bedding, a bedside table, and sculptural wall art inspired by Marina Braginskaya. Floor-to-ceiling curtains cover a large window overlooking greenery.

A minimalist bedroom featuring a canopy bed with white bedding, a teddy bear on a chair, and a panda pillow on the bed. Natural light filters through windows adorned with beige curtains, reminiscent of a design by Marina Braginskaya.

Modern bedroom with large bed, abstract wall art by Marina Braginskaya, beige curtains, and natural light from tall windows. Adjacent seating area includes a sofa and round table. Neutral color palette and minimalist decor.

A modern living room with beige curtains, a beige sofa, two small marble-topped tables—one with a white lamp and the other with a black vase and candle—and large windows offering a view of palm trees, captures the elegant style reminiscent of Marina Braginskaya.

A stylish living room corner, reminiscent of Marina Baisel's design ethos, features a beige upholstered sofa, a marble-top side table, and a modern white paper lampshade, with natural light streaming through beige curtains.

Modern bathroom with marble accents, a large frameless glass shower, sleek white cabinetry, and a green sculptural element on the counter, reminiscent of Marina Baisel's refined designs.

Room corner with abstract wall art by Marina Braginskaya, black standing lamp, black textured chair, and small black side table. White wall, wooden door on the left, and patterned rug on the floor.

Two women, Marina Baisel and Marina Braginskaya, stand side by side in a minimalist room with light-colored walls and wooden furniture. One wears a white outfit, the other a black one. They both look towards the camera.

Marina Baisel and Marina Braginskaya

To learn more about creatives Marina Braginskaya and Marina Baisel visit braginskaya-architects.com and rararesgallery.com, respectively. 

Photography by Sergey Krasyuk.

With professional degrees in architecture and journalism, New York-based writer Joseph has a desire to make living beautifully accessible. His work seeks to enrich the lives of others with visual communication and storytelling through design. When not writing, he teaches visual communication, theory, and design.

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