project reveal: corfu A Home reimagined Through architectural intervention |
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The transformation of this existing Dubai villa located in Sanctuary Falls in Jumeirah Gold Estates. It began with a clear ambition: to create a contemporary family home that feels timeless, welcoming, and deeply connected to the people who live within it. Every intervention was driven by a holistic architectural vision, introducing bespoke design, refined spatial planning, and a carefully curated material palette that elevates everyday living. Conceived as a complete interior architecture and FF&E project, every layer contributes to a single design language. Architecture, craftsmanship, and curated furnishings come together to create spaces that feel elegant, personal, and designed to stand the test of time. |
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Natural light became one of the project's most important design materials. Enlarged openings, expansive glazing, and carefully framed views allow daylight to travel deep into the home, creating brighter interiors and strengthening the relationship between architecture and landscape. As daylight changes throughout the day, it continuously transforms the atmosphere, revealing the richness of natural stone, walnut, glass, and metal. Every space gains warmth, depth, and a sense of calm that reinforces the home's architectural character. |
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The arrival sequence establishes the design narrative from the very first step. Framed perspectives, sculptural materials, and clean architectural lines create a gradual sense of discovery, revealing the home's spaces with intention and reinforcing a strong sense of proportion. At the heart of the composition stands the floating staircase, transformed into the defining architectural feature of the interior. Bespoke cladding, integrated planting, and precision detailing elevate a functional element into a sculptural focal point that anchors the entire home. |
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The layout was carefully reconfigured to improve the way each space connects and functions. Clear circulation paths, uninterrupted sightlines, and generous open areas create a home that feels intuitive, comfortable, and naturally suited to modern family life. Architectural interventions replace visual barriers with framed views, subtle transitions, and material continuity. This approach creates a stronger dialogue between spaces, encouraging interaction without compromising privacy or comfort. |
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Every major architectural element was custom designed specifically for the project, creating a cohesive language that extends throughout the home. The kitchen, feature bar, library, architectural cladding, integrated storage, custom joinery, and decorative details were conceived as permanent architectural features that combine functionality with craftsmanship. A restrained palette of natural stone, walnut veneer, textured plaster, bronze detailing, glass, and soft textiles reinforces this vision. Rich textures and authentic materials introduce warmth and depth, allowing craftsmanship to become the defining expression of luxury. |
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Furniture, lighting, and collectible pieces play an essential role in shaping the identity of the interiors. Carefully curated works by leading Latin American designers introduce sculptural forms, authentic materials, and exceptional craftsmanship that enrich the architectural composition. Each selection contributes to the overall narrative, adding character, texture, and cultural depth without competing with the architecture. The result is a layered interior that celebrates timeless design through thoughtful curation. |
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This vision was brought to life in collaboration with Latina and Alkimista, whose collections reflect a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity, and collectible design. Their carefully curated pieces complement the architectural language, adding individuality and artistic expression to every space. Together, these collaborations demonstrate how architecture and furniture can exist as one cohesive composition, creating interiors that feel refined, expressive, and deeply personal. |
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Every intervention contributes to a home that feels considered from every perspective. Architecture, bespoke detailing, materiality, and furniture come together seamlessly, allowing each space to feel complete without excess or ornamentation. The finished residence balances visual impact with everyday functionality, offering an environment that supports contemporary family life through timeless design, enduring materials, and meticulous craftsmanship. |
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Great design extends beyond aesthetics. It creates spaces that improve daily life, adapt over time, and retain their character for generations. This project stands as a reflection of that philosophy, demonstrating how thoughtful architecture, bespoke craftsmanship, and carefully curated design can transform an existing house into a home with lasting identity, quiet elegance, and enduring value. |
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DESIGNING WITH PURPOSE Celebrating C'EST ICI's recognition in the ID50 Power List |
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Each year, the ID50 Power List celebrates a curated selection of designers, architects, makers, and tastemakers whose work continues to shape the industry. It is a recognition of creativity, innovation, and the individuals whose ideas are influencing the future of design while inspiring the wider creative community. We are truly honored to be included among this year's 50 creatives. To stand alongside such an accomplished group of designers, architects, and industry leaders is a privilege and a source of inspiration. This recognition is a testament to the trust of our clients, the talent of our collaborators, and the dedication of our team, who continue to bring every project to life with passion and purpose. |
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INSPIRATION OF THE MONTH CURATED IDEAS SHAPING OUR DESIGN VISION |
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The New Classic explores the meeting point between Parisian refinement and Moroccan craftsmanship. Rooted in timeless architectural principles, the palette embraces elegant paneling, sculptural lighting, geometric flooring, and balanced proportions. These structured elements establish a sense of order and permanence, creating interiors that feel composed, sophisticated, and enduring. The warmth emerges through the materials. Handcrafted zellige, textured plaster, rich walnut, brushed brass, and tactile textiles introduce depth, character, and subtle imperfections that celebrate the human touch. Deep burgundy, olive green, and hints of cobalt add richness without overwhelming the palette, proving that timeless interiors are shaped by thoughtful contrasts where precision meets artistry, and classic elegance is elevated by authentic craftsmanship. |
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CURATORS OF LATIN AMERICAN DESIGN Bringing authentic stories to contemporary interiors |
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Great design is shaped as much by those who create as by those who curate. Through a thoughtful selection of furniture, objects, and collectible pieces, these brands celebrate craftsmanship, preserve cultural traditions, and connect contemporary interiors with generations of artisanal expertise. |
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At the heart of LATINA lies the spirit of the hands that create. It celebrates Latin American craftsmanship, bringing cultural richness and excellence into modern spaces. Conceived and curated by Maria Paulina Gallo, LATINA is the first Latin American platform for collectible design, art, and bespoke furniture in the Middle East. As the exclusive representative of leading Latin American brands and artists, it offers a carefully curated portfolio of bespoke solutions for interior architecture. Guided by a refined design culture, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and true artisan savoir-faire, every project is tailored to the highest standards of customization, with a strong emphasis on quality, exclusivity, and sustainability. |
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Every piece begins as an idea rooted in generations of tradition, where the colors of our lands and the stories of our cultures come to life. Through a rigorous exploration of innovative materials and cutting-edge technologies, each detail is thoughtfully elevated, serving as a reminder that true beauty lies in what is made with soul. It is a journey that bridges past and present, connecting artisans with dreamers around the world, and weaving unique stories into contemporary lifestyles through a seamless blend of legacy and timeless design. |
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Mexico is the origin, inspiration, and soul of ALKIMISTA. Founded in 2025 by Carlos Martínez and María Eugenia Serdán, the brand celebrates the richness of Mexican craftsmanship through a carefully curated collection of collectible design, sculptural objects, and ceramics. Every piece reflects the country's cultural heritage, bringing stories, traditions, and artistry into contemporary interiors. |
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Working closely with master artisans across Mexico, the collections preserve generations of knowledge through a refined contemporary lens. Traditional techniques are thoughtfully reinterpreted with an emphasis on material authenticity, artistic expression, and exceptional craftsmanship, creating timeless objects that honor the people, places, and cultural legacy behind every creation. |
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Every object begins with a story, shaped by the spirit of magical realism and the enduring beauty of handmade design. Rooted in heritage and elevated through contemporary design, each piece becomes a lasting expression of culture, connecting artisans with collectors and bringing authenticity, character, and soul into spaces around the world. |
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Behind every meaningful collection are visionaries who believe that design is a way of preserving culture, celebrating craftsmanship, and sharing stories that transcend borders. |
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FROM VISION TO REALITY INSIDE THE MAKING OF VICARELLO |
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The Brief Listening before designing Every project begins with understanding the people who will live within it. Through conversations, references, and a deep exploration of our clients' aspirations, we uncover the values, routines, and emotions that shape the foundation of every design. Before the first sketch is drawn, a clear vision begins to emerge. |
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Shaping the Design Narrative Where ideas find their direction Concepts evolve through hand sketches, moodboards, spatial planning, and early visualizations. Each layer refines the architectural language, testing ideas, proportions, and relationships until a cohesive narrative begins to take shape. This is where inspiration transforms into a clear design vision. |
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From Concept to Detail Refining every element As the vision becomes more defined, every corner of the project is carefully developed. Material palettes, bespoke joinery, FF&E selections, architectural details, and renderings are brought together, allowing every decision to be evaluated as part of a complete and harmonious composition before construction begins. |
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Bringing the Vision to Life Design meets craftsmanship With the design resolved, the project moves to site, where collaboration with skilled craftsmen and contractors transforms drawings into reality. Careful coordination, bespoke fabrication, and meticulous attention to detail ensure the integrity of the original vision is preserved at every stage of execution. |
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The Result A vision realized The completed residence is the culmination of a journey defined by collaboration, creativity, and craftsmanship. Every space reflects the original vision, thoughtfully translated into a home where architecture, materiality, and bespoke design come together to create an environment that is timeless, personal, and enduring. |
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AATI FAVORITES An edit of timeless pieces inspiring us this month |
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Home to some of the world's most celebrated furniture and lifestyle brands, AATI has become a leading destination for contemporary design in the UAE. This month's selection highlights a few of the pieces inspiring our studio, chosen for their craftsmanship, timeless character, and enduring design. |
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ELIE SAAB Maison | Lobster Armchair The Lobster Armchair is a study in sculptural elegance. Its flowing silhouette introduces movement and softness to a space, transforming a functional seat into an architectural focal point. We love how it balances bold expression with refined restraint, creating interiors that feel curated, layered, and effortlessly sophisticated. |
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Minotti | andrée Coffee Table This Coffee Table celebrates the beauty of materiality. Its reflective glazed surface catches natural light throughout the day, creating subtle shifts in depth and tone that bring richness to even the most minimal interiors. Paired with its precise geometric form, the result is unmistakably Minotti, understated, elegant, and quietly commanding without overwhelming the space. |
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Frigerio | Linda Armchair The Linda Armchair is a reminder that softness has its own presence. Its gentle curves and balanced proportions introduce warmth and visual comfort, allowing it to anchor a room without competing for attention. We are drawn to pieces like this that elevate an interior through harmony, proportion, and timeless simplicity. |
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Roberto Cavalli Home | Aldabra Side Table The Aldabra Side Table demonstrates how a single sculptural object can transform the rhythm of an interior. Its organic form introduces contrast against clean architectural lines, creating moments of visual curiosity without disrupting the overall composition. We appreciate pieces that quietly enrich a space, proving that even the smallest elements can leave a lasting impression. |
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Roberto Cavalli Home | Boswellia Aura Dining Table Every interior benefits from a defining moment, and the Boswellia Aura Dining Table achieves exactly that. The expressive stone transforms the dining area into a sculptural composition, where natural veining becomes part of the architecture itself. It is a piece that celebrates materiality in its purest form, adding depth, character, and an unmistakable sense of permanence to a space. |
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TRAVEL DIARIES a collection of places that inspired us |
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Every trip adds something to our shared library of inspiration. Throughout the summer, our team has been exchanging the moments that catch our attention along the way: a material with character, an unexpected façade, a memorable meal, a colour palette, the rhythm of a street, or even the name of a city that might inspire the title of a future project. Each image becomes another reference in the visual library we continue to build as a studio, quietly influencing the way we approach future projects. |
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Amsterdam's layered architectural heritage and thriving design scene offer a constant dialogue between history and contemporary expression. In Mexico City, inspiration unfolds through vibrant materiality, culinary culture, handcrafted traditions, and the richness of everyday life, where colour, texture, and atmosphere shape every experience. |
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Hong Kong is a constant exercise in observing scale, density, and the relationship between architecture and the city. Beirut offers inspiration through its material culture, Mediterranean landscape, and enduring appreciation for craft, where intricate textiles, natural textures, and everyday details become lasting design references. |
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Every issue becomes another layer in our creative process. From the projects we develop and the partnerships we build to the places we explore and the details we collect, each experience contributes to the way we approach design. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. |
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Behind a design there is a story, behind the story there is C'est ici DESIGN |
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Kia Flagship Building, Al Quoz 1, Office M14 Dubai , UAE 0000, UAE |
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