La Bottega Interiors Use a Muted Palette, Natural Materials, and Artisanal Details to Evoke Timeless Serenity

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a serene hotel design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, La Bottega Interiors.

La Bottega Interiors was commissioned to refurbish the iconic Beit Al Bahar villas at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, preserving their original architecture while reimagining the interiors for today’s luxury traveller. The design blends understated Arabian elegance with a tactile, contemporary language rooted in nature. A muted palette, natural materials, and artisanal details evoke timeless serenity, while custom furnishings and thoughtful spatial planning enhance comfort and flow. Emphasising longevity and sustainability, the project uses FSC-certified wood, low-impact fabrics, and terrazzo with recycled content. The result is a sanctuary that feels both deeply grounded in place and effortlessly modern.

What was the client’s brief?

The design brief was to create an elevated concept that celebrates the unique location — a hidden gem surrounded by lush greenery, with a breathtaking view of the Burj Al Arab. The client requested a renovation that delivers a luxury experience while remaining rooted in the villa’s architectural language and aligned with Jumeirah’s ever-rising brand standards. The vision was to craft a design that feels both luxurious and residential in character, offering guests a relaxed environment with the comfort of home and the refinement of a high-end retreat.

What inspired the design of the project?

As architects, we always begin by understanding the architectural vocabulary of a space. At Beit Al Bahar, we were fascinated by the eclectic dialogue between Arabic and Balinese influences. This inspired us to create a design that carries a subtle twist — artistic enough to leave a lasting memory, but never overly themed. Our focus was on relaxing the interiors, softening transitions, and opening the villas to the outdoors, so that the beautiful views become an integral part of the experience.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The biggest challenge was to create a space that feels both elevated and deeply personal. For us, personalization comes through details — every crafted element reflects a specific cultural background that supports the overall concept. However, such richness in detail naturally carried cost implications. Striking the right balance between maintaining this level of refinement and aligning with the project’s budget was one of the most demanding aspects of the design process, but ultimately it’s what gave the space its unique character.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight for our team was witnessing how the different design layers seamlessly connected into one story. From the mosaic craftsmanship at the minibar to the subtle zellige tiles, the built-in dining nook, and the flowing crazy paving, each element embodied our efforts as a team and the client’s desire for relaxed luxury. What we cherished most was seeing the villa transform into a space that feels elevated yet intimate — a true home away from home with its own cultural soul.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We entered the SBID Awards because they are one of the most prestigious design awards globally, recognized for celebrating excellence in creativity, innovation, and functionality. Being based in London, the heart of international design, the SBID Awards provide a platform that goes far beyond regional recognition — it allows our work to be seen on a global stage. For us, this project embodies a unique design rooted in cultural authenticity yet expressed with modern refinement. Entering SBID not only highlights the project’s values of craftsmanship, detail, and hospitality, but also gives us the opportunity to position our practice within an international community of leading designers.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being an SBID Award Finalist has been an incredible honor and a milestone for our practice. It validates the hard work, creativity, and collaboration that went into this project, while giving us international recognition on one of the most prestigious design platforms. For our business, it has strengthened our visibility globally, positioned us among leading design firms, and reinforced the trust our clients place in us. Most importantly, it motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and delivering designs that are both meaningful and timeless.

Questions answered by Sahar Al Yaseer & Cristina Gallenca, Founders of La Bottega Interiors.