Design House: One Palm Penthouse

A vast 30,000 square-foot penthouse, perched atop the One Palm complex, has undergone a remarkable transformation, reimagined as a striking and distinctly masculine residence. Sweeping volumes and a harmonious blend of material elements - glass, wood, metals, marble, and muted plaster - contribute to an aesthetic that exudes playful sophistication. This space serves as both an entertainment hub and a cocoon from the outside world, featuring a dedicated games room, breathtaking vistas, and a dynamic approach to design that infuses the home with urban allure. Architectural interior designer Charu Ghandi of Elicyon masterminded the project, introducing an open-plan layout, clean geometric lines, and a sumptuous palette of soft pewter elevated with clementine accents. Now, Charu invites us on a tour of this remarkable residence, a home that effortlessly balances both work and play.

Charu: Set within the acclaimed One Palm residences in Palm Jumeirah, this apartment boasts an enviable position overlooking the waterfront, with a sweeping terrace that offers incredible sea views. 

Our client was looking for sleek, contemporary, and masculine interiors. A space that would facilitate entertaining friends, family, and guests while providing a comfortable home environment to retreat to. 

The material palette for this project consists of cool dark brown timbers, highly veined deep grey marbles, specialist polished plasters, and deep bronze metals. 

We always work very closely with our clients to gain an understanding of their hopes, personal style, and aspirations for the space we are going to create. When the client told us that their favourite colour is orange, the colour of their sports car collection, we decided to introduce pops of this citrus hue throughout the apartment in statement pieces, adding vibrancy and personality to the space. One prominent example is the bespoke billiards table we introduced which has become a real focal point in the games area. Overall, the materials and colour palette that we used offer a sense of luxury and sophistication while providing a cohesive and harmonious visual aesthetic throughout.

When entering the apartment, we wanted the owner and their guests to feel a sense of relaxed sophistication, warmth, and modernity from the space. The chosen materials, colour palette, and layout work together to cultivate a visually striking and inviting home that exudes a sense of refinement and style and optimises the outside environment. 

We created flow between rooms by opting for an open-plan layout in the double-height main reception room. This allows for a seamless transition between the kitchen, dining space, games area, and the main reception room. The use of a decorative floor-to-ceiling screen maintains a sense of intimacy while still allowing for a connection between the spaces, while individual fins of the screen can be turned and rotated to make it more or less porous, adding a sense of intrigue and play to the room. 

Our client told us that they love to entertain, something we sought to reflect in our approach to the design. As a result, we embraced an open-plan layout, strategically positioning furniture to allow for seamless hosting of gatherings and events. We also integrated bespoke pieces into the home that offer flexibility, personality and a sense of playfulness. We installed a games table in the main entertaining space, for instance, that also doubles as a bar, meaning that guests can enjoy a drink while playing a game of billiards. 

 We introduced a large L-shaped sofa in the main reception area and created an open and inviting environment that includes a large bespoke unit housing the television and other decorative items from the client's private collection. It's a space that's both perfect for welcoming guests into; and for cosy movie nights. Additionally, statement joinery throughout the apartment, including a bespoke storage unit and a display area for the owner's collectable items, prioritises both comfort and visual appeal, aligning with the client's desire to establish a sophisticated and inviting space.

Property images courtesy: Natelee Cocks