A Stylish Interior Designer Shares Her Little Black Book
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I came into interior design quite organically. I studied a different discipline at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and shortly after graduating, co-founded The Dinner Club by No.57 – a pop-up supper club that appeared in unexpected locations. Each event required us to transform raw spaces from scratch. That experience laid the groundwork for what eventually became my design studio, ANBH Interiors, where I now lead as founder and creative director.
My interior style is intentional, curated and (mostly) minimal. I gravitate toward a refined aesthetic, and I like my home to feel serene. As someone who’s constantly absorbing and analysing design, I sometimes find the visual noise overwhelming, so I prefer spaces that feel calm and curated. That doesn’t mean everything is stark or white. I’m drawn to pieces that are beautifully crafted and can stand on their own. When working with clients, I always take their personal style into account, but I still follow the philosophy of ‘doing the most, by doing the least’.
One of my favourite projects was designing the Dubai home of Dana Hourani. It was the first official ANBH Interiors commission, and a truly special one – not only because Dana is a close friend, which made the process fun and easy, but also because it ended up landing the cover of Vogue Living. Dana has always loved the aesthetic of my own home, so designing her space felt intuitive, almost like creating something for myself. That cover moment was the affirmation I needed to know I was on the right path.
Another standout project was Mohanad AlHattab’s home, for many reasons. His style is quite different from mine, which challenged me to let go and have fun with the space (a fully mustard-yellow kitchen included!). He visited the site just three times and gave me his complete trust to work on it. That project also ended up on the cover of Architectural Digest Middle East, a publication I’ve always admired, so I think I can safely say I earned a slight bragging right there.
When it comes to furniture, I prefer going the custom route. The UAE has incredible local craftsmanship, so I have many pieces made to order. That said, I love WS Living for its beautifully vintage-inspired pieces, and I’ve also discovered some hidden gems on SOL III Home, which carries unique, artisanal designs.
Open my cabinets and you’ll find quite a collection of earthenware bowls. Some of my favourites were a birthday gift years ago from Itsajook, they are beautiful, handmade pieces that I still use regularly. I also have a few from Rina Minardi, which I bought from Boutique 1 (sadly now closed). They were the very first things I purchased for our home after getting married, so they hold a lot of sentimental value.
When it comes to home scents, I love discovering lesser-known brands like plant-based Defrei, or even pieces from Audo Copenhagen, which isn’t necessarily known for candles, but its pieces are beautifully designed and unexpected. And when it comes to books, I do have a little hack – whenever I stay at a beautiful hotel, I always photograph the coffee table books they have in the lobby or in-room. It’s become a great way to discover new titles.
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For a beautiful curation of homeware items, Comptoir 102 in Dubai has one of the best lineups. Globally, I love exploring brands like Studio Mantel in the UK, which offers an incredible collection of vintage finds. The pieces are highly sought after and tend to sell out quickly, so you must check the website regularly. Another favourite is Studio Collectic, which also carries vintage and antique pieces.
For me, the ultimate online store for furniture and decor is Etsy. It’s such a treasure trove for vintage lamps, frames and unique art pieces. Beyond that, I also love browsing Studio Mantel, which I mentioned earlier, as well as Forma from the UAE. For unique artwork I also like to scour the Saatchi Gallery online. They have a wide variety of affordable, as well as more pricey, art. Plus, they always showcase up and coming designers. I’m a big fan of antique stores and vintage finds, though the UAE doesn’t have a huge selection locally, so I mostly shop online. I really like Lostine and 1stDibs for scoring unique vintage pieces. Lostine offers smaller, highly curated collections, which makes it easier to browse.
My interior style reflects my fashion sense. Both are minimal and intentional. I don’t wear much vintage, but I gravitate toward timeless, well-made pieces. My everyday uniform consists of Theory trousers that I bought a few sizes up and had tailored at the waist. They sit low on the hips with a slightly pooled hem, which makes them both versatile and comfortable. I usually pair them with a black knit from 12 Storeez, one of my favourite brands for elevated staples. As for footwear, I am always in flats, most often a simple mule. I love my Piaget ‘Possession’ rings. For sunglasses, my go-to is Vehla, I love the styles and I don’t feel too precious when wearing them. My bag roster is as follows: The Margaux handbag by The Row, a large chocolate brown Bottega Veneta Jodie bag and a navy Khaite suede tote.
My mother is always my source of inspiration. She has the best, most unique style and always keeps it real with me. Her social media handle is @Mama.Hepburn, although she saves her best fashion looks for the family group chat. Instagram also provides great inspiration when doing interior design jobs, it opened up a whole new world of designers and creators to me. I also love travelling to source inspiration – I visit cities just for the hotel. One of my favorites is the Reschio Hotel in Umbria. They made every single piece of furniture in all the rooms, down to the coffee machines. It was an extremely inspirational visit.
If I could have a special collaboration with anyone it would be Axel Vervoordt. He does minimalism so well – not the pristine white minimalist spaces that would typically come to mind – and his spaces carry so much soul and history in them. His designs come with so much warmth and depth and all the furniture feels lived in.
Colour can make or break a space – and Jotun’s Marmarino line in ‘egg white’ or ‘limestone’ is hard to beat. ‘Cashew’ has also become a go-to in my interior projects. For carpets, The Rug Company is a favourite, and I’m currently obsessed with Arvin Olano’s collaboration with Rugs USA. I tend to lean towards solid shades, but an earthy-toned rug will always have my heart.
I’m generally not a fan of overhead lighting – though we recently chose some stunning handmade sculptural pieces for a project. Whether it’s a floor lamp, table lamp or pendant, lighting is the perfect chance to inject personality into a space. Etsy is my go-to for affordable finds, while The Oblist offers beautifully curated pieces. I’m completely obsessed with everything from HENRII, and right now, the French Tripod Table Lamp from Twenty One Tonnes is top of my wish list – a 1950s modernist iron tripod with a soft rattan shade.
I’m definitely team beauty over function when it comes to balancing style and practicality in a family home. Before my son was born, I asked a friend how she protected precious decor around kids. Her advice? “Nothing. You teach them to live around it.” I took that on board – never moved a vase or hidden anything delicate – and my son quickly learned to respect and appreciate the pieces in their place.
I think Coco Chanel once said to take off one piece of jewellery before leaving the house, and that has been my general approach with everything I do. To be intentional, curated and minimal.
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