Some people just have the natural touch when it comes to interiors – and that’s certainly true of Rebecca de Courcy-Ireland, founder of Art Consultancy and Gallery Rebecca Hobson Designs. Rebecca’s Jumeirah villa is home to her beautiful family, a few chickens and a whole load of amazing pieces of art plus an eclectic mix of furnishings and accessories collected over the years that all together make for a wonderfully creative space. Want to know more? Come inside mamas!…

How did you decorate your own home? Was it very planned out or impulsive?

It sounds cliché but there is very little ‘planning’, the house has evolved around us. Both Edward and I love art and design. I take great joy in trying to achieving a ‘look’ by combining different and suprising components.

How would you describe your interior design style?

Eclectic and mostly on a budget.

What are your best places to pick up home furniture in Dubai?

We only really bought in the early days when we arrived 8 years ago. Pinkys was a favourite, but not being a fan of dark wood it usually ended up being painted.

I am a big fan of ikonhouse on Sheikh Zayed Road for design classics.

Do you gravitate to a certain colour palette or design style?

I find it difficult to stay away from the’ sludge’ colours. I find grey very peaceful and a good back drop for most artworks, particularly my collection of fashion illustration sketches.

As a mum how do you balance functioning design and a pretty home?

Forget ‘pretty’, we lost the huge low table with beautiful coffee table books a long time ago. I was brought up amongst wonderful art and antiques and feel strongly that our children will come to appreciate the same if we surround them with beauty. They have had to learn to respect the furniture whilst living and playing amongst it. Only yesterday, my kids had my linen cupboard open and were setting up camp with the French antique linen cloth as part of the bedding arrangement. Having said that I do have to bite my lip sometimes.

What did you splurge and save on when decorating your house?

We have just had a big splurge on 6 wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen from ikonhouse. A simple classic design that look good anywhere I put them.

When it came to saving, we painted furniture. You really can breathe new life into a piece by finding the right shade of ‘sludge’.

Did you use any websites or interior design apps to brainstorm ideas?

To be honest no. As with clothes shopping , I do it alone!

What’s your favourite room/area in your home and why?

I love the view from the sitting room out on to the garden. I recently removed the curtains and pelmet from the huge window and now the garden view is very much part of the interior. I don’t know why I didn’t do it ages ago!

If you had unlimited space (and budget) and could turn one room in your house into whatever you wanted, what would it be?

We have started to use the garage as an ‘art area’. A huge table with chairs, and all my children’s creative bits and pieces in the centre. Now, there’s no ‘drama’ about arts and crafts mess and the space is there whenever they want it. I’d love to do more of the same.

Playroom or bedroom and playroom in one?

If I had unlimited space, I’d separate them. I think that the children’s rooms should be peaceful and at most have a reading corner. I’m sure it’s more sleep inducing to not have all the toys around!

Do you have any tips for easy ways to update décor without breaking the bank?

I have always been a fan of some sort of ‘blackboard’ for notes and lists.

I painted a cheap, white and pretty ugly fridge with blackboard paint and it is much admired and used almost daily by someone in the family for something creative even if its just a shopping list.

Get the look

 

1. Antique Finished Set of 6 Mirror Frames, AED 1390, available at The Bowery Company
2. Wells Extending Dining Table, AED 5874, available at Pottery Barn
3. Engraved Lantern, AED 285, available at Zara Home
4. Gianna Recycled Yarn Kilim Indoor/Outdoor Rug, AED 217-2935, available at Pottery Barn
5. Palmetto All-Weather Wicker Armchair – Honey, AED 2568, available at Pottery Barn

1. Hirsch Marble Pendant Light, AED 392, available at Crate & Barrel
2. Parrot Print, AED 2018, available at Indigo Living
3. Leslie Persian Style Rug, AED 731 – 4772, available at Pottery Barn
4. Rochelle Display Cabinet, AED 5490, available at Indigo Living
5. Open Plaited Basket, AED 329, available at Zara Home

These beautiful images of Rebecca’s home were taken by the amazing Stephanie Hamilton of Nektar Photography.