The Abdo Sisters Share Their Little Black Book

NOUR: I’ve lived in Dubai for the past 19 years, and both London and Dubai have shaped who I am. I’ve always been creative and drawn to beautiful things. Today, I’m the co-founder of Project Artcetera, an art advisory business that also curates art and culture trips to destinations around the world. I also work with Aya on private and corporate events and pop-ups, often bringing international brands we genuinely love to Dubai. I’m also a mother of four, two sons and two daughters, and I feel like I’m at a stage in life where I’m coming out of my shell professionally and spending more time doing the things I genuinely love.

HIBA: I’m an artist and designer, raised in London and now living in Dubai, where my husband and I have raised our three boys. For the past few years, I’ve been quietly working on my first collection of collectable objects and wearable art. Working predominantly with brass and bronze, I collaborate with craftsmen and artisans worldwide to create jewellery and sculptural pieces for the home. The collection is very personal and I’ve deliberately taken my time with it. Everything is made in small quantities – I want each piece to feel special and collectable.

AYA: I’m an interior designer –  it will always be my greatest passion. I also work with Nour on events, pop-ups and bringing international brands to Dubai. My children are getting older and becoming more independent, so I’m at a stage in life where I have more freedom to work and travel. I’m really enjoying being able to throw myself back into the things I love.

THE BRAND YOU ALWAYS RETURN TO

NOUR: Toteme. It may not be the most unexpected answer, but I always return to it for great basics. The jeans are brilliant, as are the shirts, tank tops and matching sets. They’re the kind of pieces you wear again and again.

HIBA: Coperni. I love clothes with character and a slightly edgy quality and Coperni always delivers that. I also love Christopher Esber and Reformation for easy, everyday pieces.

AYA: Celine for something classic but still cool. I also love Gucci, but I’m equally happy shopping on ASOS. I’ve never been someone who wants to wear designer from head to toe. For me, personal style is about mixing high-end pieces with great high-street finds.

THE EMERGING NAME TO KNOW

NOUR: My sister Hiba. She’s been working on her collection of wearable and collectable art and I’m very excited for people to finally see it.

THE JEWELLERY BRAND

NOUR: Jessica McCormack. Everything is beautiful, there are so many pieces I’d love to own. The diamond earrings are particularly special.

AYA: Carolina Bucci. Her jewellery is so wearable, lightweight and understated. I love pieces that you can put on and genuinely live in.

THE ACCESSORY

HIBA: A cap. I wear one all the time. It protects my skin from the sun, saves me hair-styling time on busy days and it gives a cool, effortless look.

AYA: Sunglasses, especially living in Dubai. Le Specs is always a favourite because the styles are cool, easy and affordable enough that you don’t panic if you lose them. I’m loving aviator shapes again at the moment.

NOUR: I’m a real accessories person, so choosing one is difficult. I have an over-the-shoulder Jil Sander bag that I use constantly because it’s so practical. For jewellery, I love statement pieces from Julietta and Lizzie Fortunato.

THE SHOPPING DESTINATION

NOUR: Beirut. There are so many brilliant Lebanese designers and so much creativity. I particularly love Gemmayzeh and Saifi Village for discovering independent names. Jessica K is also a brand we’ve hosted several times in Dubai and one we genuinely love.

HIBA: Ibiza. I love exploring the island’s markets, but I also always visit the Loewe store for the Paula’s Ibiza collection. There are often special pieces you won’t find elsewhere.

AYA: Morocco. I love shopping somewhere where you can find clothes, jewellery and art that feel completely different. On my last trip to Tangier, I discovered a great store called Kasbah Collective and came home with two pieces of art.

PERSONAL STYLE 

NOUR: I don’t think I have one particular style. I wear what I love. One day I’ll be in something colourful and floral with statement jewellery, and the next I’ll be very simple and understated. I just genuinely enjoy dressing up.

HIBA: Contemporary with character. My style changes depending on my mood and the time of day. During the day, I’m usually very casual in a T-shirt, trainers and a cap, but I love dressing up at night. I’m not interested in obvious logos. I’m more drawn to interesting shapes and pieces that feel different.

AYA: Colourful, feminine and eclectic. I love colour and print, but I can also be very casual. All three of us dress according to our mood. We can wear the simplest black dress and completely change it with one huge statement accessory.

THE BEAUTY PRODUCT

NOUR: Charlotte  Tilbury eyeliner. I always go for brown tones during the day and something more purple in the evening. I love anything you can smudge out for a softer finish.

HIBA: YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in ‘Radical Noir’. It gives my lashes incredible length and definition without looking heavy or as though I’m wearing false lashes.

AYA: SPF is the most important thing for me, especially during summer. I’m using Clarins at the moment. When it comes to fragrance, I love Santa Maria Novella and Hermès Twilly for something easy to spray and go.

THE TREATMENT

NOUR: A facial with Rani Mirza on Beauchamp Place in London. Her treatments are deeply cleansing and rejuvenating, and I always leave feeling completely refreshed.

HIBA: A good lymphatic drainage massage. I always leave feeling lighter, less puffy and much more refreshed. It’s my go-to after travelling or before a night out when I’m feeling bloated.

THE WELLNESS DESTINATION

NOUR: Six Senses Crans-Montana in Switzerland. I recently stayed there with my daughter and it was incredibly relaxing. The setting is beautiful and we had the most amazing holistic full-body massage.

HIBA: Mayrlife Altaussee. I went for a detox retreat and came home feeling completely reset. It’s one of the few places where I’ve genuinely managed to switch off.

AYA: Palace Merano. I did an intensive eight-day detox there a few years ago. It was strict and definitely not sustainable for everyday life, but the combination of treatments, massages and time to reset made it an incredible experience.

THE MOVEMENT 

NOUR: Walking. It’s one of the reasons I love London so much. I travel frequently, so I’m not always consistent with structured workouts, but I also enjoy Pilates.

HIBA: Pilates and Synkro Club. The latter is a Tracy Anderson-inspired class that’s fun, energetic and one of the few workouts I genuinely look forward to.

AYA: Walking, especially first thing in the morning. In Dubai, I love dropping the children at school and heading to Kite Beach at 7am or 8am. It’s the best time of day.

BREAKFAST

NOUR: Café Phillies in Kensington. My late father-in-law used to go there and we would have breakfast with him every week. We still take our children, so it holds a lot of memories for us. 

HIBA: Farm Shop. It’s relaxed, fresh and one of my favourite places to start the day.

AYA: Granger & Co on Pavilion Road. My children love it. I always order scrambled eggs and the boys love the pancakes.

THE RESTAURANT YOU RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE

NOUR: The Fat Badger. It has a great pub downstairs for a drink before dinner, then you head upstairs to the restaurant. The food is excellent.

HIBA: Dorian. It gets everything right: beautiful food, great service and an atmosphere that feels cool without trying too hard. You can’t go wrong with the steaks.

AYA: The Fat Badger for something relaxed and very British. I also love Canteen downstairs for a casual lunch.

DATE NIGHT

NOUR: Nina. It’s dark, romantic and underground, so the atmosphere is perfect for a date night.

HIBA: The River Café. Romantic, understated and consistently exceptional.

AYA: The Bird in Hand, our local pub. My husband and I love going for pizza and a glass of red wine. It’s cosy, relaxed and exactly what we want from a date night.

COFFEE

NOUR: La Bakery in Kensington for a great Americano.

HIBA: Hideaway on Mount Street. I love sitting outside with a coffee and people-watching.

AYA: Carpo. My order is always a cortado.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

NOUR: Dorian is a family favourite, but we also return to old-school classics like Scalini and Zuma.

HIBA: Soho River House at Oakley Court. Sitting by the river with friends and family in beautiful surroundings always makes it feel like an occasion.

AYA: The Arts Club has so many memories for me. I got married there and celebrated my children’s birthdays there before we moved to Dubai, so it will always hold a lot of sentimental value.

THE HOTEL

NOUR: Beaverbrook. The interiors are incredible, and everywhere you look, there's something interesting to see. I also love Estelle Manor.

HIBA: Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa on the Amalfi Coast. It’s one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve stayed in. The views, gardens and peaceful atmosphere make it incredibly special.

AYA: Estelle Manor for a weekend outside London. The countryside setting is beautiful, the pool is amazing and the whole place has a cool, relaxed energy.

THE FAMILY HOLIDAY

NOUR: Ibiza. We all love it and every trip can feel completely different. This summer we’re staying in a hotel because I’ve decided I want to relax and not do anyone’s laundry.

HIBA: Ibiza. There’s a freedom about the island that I love. You can spend the day barefoot on the beach, have an incredible lunch and end the evening somewhere beautiful without it feeling pretentious.

AYA: The South of France, particularly Antibes. We spent summers there growing up, as did my husband with his family, so it holds so many memories. We’ve continued that tradition with our own children.

THE CITY YOU RETURN TO

NOUR: Paris. It has everything: food, fashion, art and incredible architecture. It’s beautiful and romantic.

HIBA: Paris. We visit regularly because of my husband’s work, but I genuinely love it. The architecture, galleries, cafés and tiny details always leave me feeling creatively inspired.

AYA: London. I grew up and studied here, and our parents still live here, so I’m constantly travelling back and forth between Dubai and here. It will always feel like home.

THE WISHLIST DESTINATION

NOUR: There are so many: Japan, Peru and Brazil are all high on the list.

HIBA: Japan. I’m fascinated by the culture, craftsmanship, food and architecture, and by the way beauty seems to exist even in the smallest details. It feels like somewhere that would completely inspire me.

AYA: Japan and South America. There are far too many places I still want to see.

THE DESIGN NAME

HIBA: Cassina. The furniture feels like functional art. Every piece is beautifully crafted and timeless without following trends.

AYA: Kit Kemp. Her use of colour, print and pattern is completely my style. For something more classic, I also love Ralph Lauren Home.

THE INVESTMENT PIECE

HIBA: A curved sofa with character. I love the way it naturally brings people together. It feels more conversational and inviting and can become the heart of a room.

AYA: A timeless piece from Ralph Lauren Home. I have pieces that are no longer produced but still look completely relevant. That, to me, is a sign of good design.

THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

NOUR: Travel. I’m more interested in finding art and objects with a story than in buying everything from one interiors brand. I want someone to walk into a home and ask where something came from. Art is particularly important to me. I love Samia Halaby’s work, and I’m proud to own one of her pieces. I’m also very interested in contemporary African art and will be travelling to Ghana for Accra Cultural Week.

HIBA: Sight Unseen. I love the mix of contemporary interiors with colourful, sculptural and slightly unexpected furniture. It always feels creative rather than overly styled.

AYA: Travel. I’m inspired by seeing different countries, colours, textures and approaches to living. I’m less interested in following one particular brand or aesthetic.

THE DESIGN RULE

HIBA: Always get the lighting right – it’s the first thing I notice in a space. Good lighting completely changes the atmosphere and the way a room makes you feel, so I always use warm, dimmable lighting whenever possible.

AYA: There shouldn’t be rules. Design your home with your heart rather than thinking about what’s fashionable or what everyone else has. If you genuinely love something, find a place for it.

THE NON-NEGOTIABLE VALUE

NOUR: Being there for each other. I want my children to support their siblings through the big moments and the difficult ones. That’s what our parents instilled in us as sisters and it’s something I want to pass on.

HIBA: Treat everyone with the same respect. Whether it’s the CEO of a company or the person opening the door, everyone deserves the same kindness, manners and respect.

AYA: Brotherhood and sticking together. I always remind my sons that their relationship with each other is incredibly important and that they should always look out for one another.

THE FAMILY TRADITION

NOUR: One holiday every year with just the six of us. As the children get older and life becomes busier, having that uninterrupted time together feels even more important.

HIBA: Travelling together. No matter how busy life gets, we’ve always prioritised one or two trips a year with just the five of us. That’s when we really reconnect and make our best memories.

AYA: Travelling together and making time for the important celebrations. We celebrate Eid and Christmas as a family, and we always try to have at least one holiday a year when everyone comes together.

THE PARENTING ADVICE

NOUR: Be true to yourself and don't be afraid to try. I encourage my children to pursue what they love, make mistakes and keep moving forward rather than dwelling on things.

HIBA: Lead with a good heart. I always remind my boys that if their intentions are genuine and they treat people with kindness and respect, they’re already on the right path. Your intentions and the way you make others feel are what really matter.

AYA: Mutual respect. Treat each other with kindness, love and respect, and always look out for one another.

THE LESSON FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO CARRY WITH THEM

NOUR: Honesty will take you far in life. Be truthful and people will respect you for it.

HIBA: Dream big and work hard. Amazing things happen when you believe in yourself.

AYA: Independence and hard work. I want my boys to know that we will always be there to support them, but if they want something in life, they have to work for it. I want them to build lives they genuinely want for themselves.