Alicia Xiberras – Defining Dubai

When Sydney designer Alicia Xiberras took on this luxury residential project in Dubai, it marked an exciting evolution for her studio Alicia Xiberras Interiors – an opportunity to bring her signature sense of refinement and material sophistication to one of the world’s most designdriven cities. The project, a $50 million private residence in one of Dubai’s most exclusive enclaves, is beautifully resolved, balancing luxury with restraint in a city renowned for its glamour and grandeur.

Alicia has built a reputation in Australia for creating highly specified, luxurious and impeccably detailed interiors defined by craftsmanship, layered textures and confidence. Her work often combines natural stone, leather, fine timber and metal accents with a sense of balance and composure that feels effortless yet deeply considered. “For me, luxury is about how a space feels as much as how it looks,” she says. “It’s about texture, warmth and restraint.”

This international commission came about via an existing relationship, through clients who had relocated from Australia to Dubai to focus on luxury property development. Alicia had previously worked with them on a high-end residential project in Vaucluse – a project which set the benchmark for the highest selling duplex on record. That collaboration built a foundation of trust and creative alignment, resulting in Alicia being invited to bring a distinctive Western perspective to the project – something fresh and refined that would stand apart in a market often divided between OTT opulence and stark minimalism. “The client’s vision was to capture that in-between – a balance of Australian style luxury with Dubai’s appetite for excess,” Alicia explains.

 

 

Compared to local projects, what stood out most for the team was the pace and possibility in Dubai. “The process was incredibly dynamic compared to Australia,” Alicia explains. “Projects move quickly, construction continues year round, and the teams operate with remarkable efficiency. There’s also an amazing depth of craftsmanship in Dubai – the international workforce there brings so much skill and technical expertise to the table. For us as designers, that freedom was inspiring. It allowed us to be bold, push boundaries and realise ideas exactly as we imagined them, without ever being told it couldn’t be done.”

 

 

The home’s interiors reflect that sense of creative freedom, with expanses of natural marble complemented by ribbed timber panelling, soft leather-wrapped joinery and brushed metal detailing. Hand-finished plaster walls and bespoke lighting create depth and softness, while silk carpets add understated glamour. The result is a home that feels luxurious yet liveable, every finish chosen for its tactile quality and timeless appeal.

 

 

Designing in Dubai, Alicia says, was both inspiring and creatively invigorating. “The city’s ambition and architectural boldness encouraged us to think beyond traditional boundaries,” she says. “There’s an energy in Dubai – a constant push towards innovation, luxury and excellence that challenges you to elevate every design decision. At the same time, it was important to balance that grandeur with authenticity and restraint. While Dubai celebrates opulence, our goal was to create something elegant and contemporary a design language that feels luxurious yet grounded. That contrast made the project truly special.”

Since completion, the project has drawn global attention, even catching the eye of Jessica Alba, who liked an image of the powder room on social media. “That was surreal,” Alicia laughs. “We’re just a small Sydney studio, but it proves how design can connect across the world.”

 

 

For Alicia, the experience reinforced her belief in being bold both creatively and professionally. “Dubai has an energy that pushes you to think big,” she says. “It challenged us to explore new ideas, take risks, while staying true to what defines our work – balance, beauty and authenticity.

 

 

 

 

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