The Journal
Notes on water, land & light
Guides and ideas on natural beach pools, landscape, outdoor living and luxury interiors — written by our studio in Abu Dhabi.
Biodesign Beach Pools
Biodesign Beach Pool Dubai: A Complete Guide to Engineered Beach-style Pools
A complete guide to Biodesign Beach Pools in Dubai: what they are, the engineered natural surface, the benefits, who they suit, and how they differ from a normal pool.
5 June 2026 · 8 min read
Swimming Pools
Swimming Pool Construction in Abu Dhabi: A Complete Guide
A complete guide to swimming pool construction in Abu Dhabi, covering the build process, realistic timelines, materials, site and soil checks, approvals and choosing a builder.
4 June 2026 · 8 min read
Biodesign Beach Pools
Biodesign Beach Pool Abu Dhabi: Bring Beach Living to Your Villa
How a Biodesign Beach Pool brings beach living to your Abu Dhabi villa: sandy walk-in entry, natural finishes, family appeal, and what the build process actually involves.
3 June 2026 · 7 min read
Swimming Pools
Swimming Pool Cost in Dubai: What Drives the Price
What really drives swimming pool cost in Dubai, from size and depth to finishes, features and landscaping, with rough AED estimates and ways to budget wisely.
2 June 2026 · 7 min read
Landscape
How to Choose a Landscape Company in Dubai
How to choose a landscape company in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, covering services, the design-build advantage, what to expect and the right questions to ask.
1 June 2026 · 8 min read
Swimming Pools
Swimming Pool Cost in Abu Dhabi: Budgeting Your Build
How to budget swimming pool cost in Abu Dhabi, from the factors that drive price and beach or Bio pool comparisons to running costs and getting an accurate quote.
31 May 2026 · 7 min read
Biodesign Beach Pools
Biodesign Beach Pool UAE Climate: Are Beach-style Pools Suited to the Gulf?
Are Biodesign Beach Pools suited to the UAE climate? How beach-style pools handle heat, evaporation, and water and energy efficiency for year-round use in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
30 May 2026 · 8 min read
Landscape
Villa Landscape Design in Abu Dhabi: Ideas and Cost
A practical guide to villa landscape design in Abu Dhabi, covering zones, materials, climate planting, AED cost ranges as estimates and how to plan the project.
29 May 2026 · 8 min read
Swimming Pools
Pool Permits UAE: Approvals for Villa Pools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
What pool permits and approvals UAE villa owners typically need, how municipality and developer NOCs work, and why a contractor who handles paperwork matters.
28 May 2026 · 7 min read
Interiors
Interior Design Dubai: Luxury Villa Trends
The interior design trends shaping luxury villas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from materials and palettes to indoor-outdoor flow, majlis design and bespoke joinery.
27 May 2026 · 8 min read
Biodesign Beach Pools
Biodesign Beach Pool Maintenance and Running Costs in the UAE
A clear guide to Biodesign Beach Pool maintenance and running costs in the UAE, covering cleaning, water, energy, seasonal care and how upkeep compares to a chlorine pool.
26 May 2026 · 8 min read
Interiors
Choosing an Interior Design Company in Abu Dhabi
How to choose an interior design company in Abu Dhabi, weighing boutique versus large firms, the design-build advantage, scope, process and questions to ask.
25 May 2026 · 8 min read
Landscape
The Best Plants for Dubai Villa Gardens
A guide to the best plants for Dubai villa gardens, from drought-tolerant shade trees and palms to grasses and groundcovers, with irrigation and care advice.
24 May 2026 · 8 min read
Landscape
Outdoor Living UAE: Majlis Design for Villas
How to plan outdoor living and majlis design for UAE villas, from shaded seating and outdoor kitchens to lighting and climate-smart materials in Abu Dhabi.
22 May 2026 · 8 min read
Landscape
Pool Landscaping Ideas for Gulf Villas
Practical pool landscaping ideas for Gulf villas, covering planting, decking, stone, shade, lighting and privacy that suit Abu Dhabi and Dubai gardens.
20 May 2026 · 8 min read
Interiors
Majlis Interior Design Ideas for UAE Homes
Majlis and living room interior ideas for UAE homes, from formal versus family seating to materials, lighting and palettes that blend tradition with modern luxury.
18 May 2026 · 8 min read
Landscape
Creating an Outdoor Living Room in the UAE Climate
How to design an outdoor living room for the UAE climate, with shade, airflow, cooling and materials that keep an Abu Dhabi terrace usable year-round.
18 May 2026 · 7 min read
Interiors
Villa Renovation in Dubai: A Complete Planning Guide
How to plan a villa renovation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from scope and approvals to phasing, budgeting and combining interior and outdoor upgrades with one team.
16 May 2026 · 9 min read
Outdoor Living
Turn Your Villa Into a Luxury Private Resort in the UAE
How to turn your villa into a private resort in the UAE by combining pool, landscape and interiors as one design, with zoning, flow and the design-build advantage.
14 May 2026 · 8 min read
Outdoor Living
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi for a Luxury Pool and Garden
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi for building a luxury pool and garden, comparing plots, communities, approvals and climate, plus how to choose a UAE-wide design-build company.
12 May 2026 · 8 min read
Landscape
Outdoor Lighting Design for Pools and Gardens
How thoughtful outdoor lighting design layers pools, planting and paths into a calm evening garden built to survive Abu Dhabi heat and salt.
4 May 2026 · 7 min read
Landscape
Drought-Tolerant Planting for UAE Gardens
How drought-tolerant planting creates a lush, resilient UAE garden, with species, irrigation and design ideas suited to Abu Dhabi's heat and salinity.
20 April 2026 · 7 min read
Landscape
Landscape Design Ideas for Abu Dhabi Villas
Practical landscape design ideas for Abu Dhabi villas, from shaded zones and planting to stone hardscaping and outdoor lighting that suits the climate.
6 April 2026 · 7 min read
Beach Pools
Beach Pool Maintenance: A Practical Guide
What beach pool maintenance really involves in the Gulf, from water balance to caring for stone, pebble and the gradual sandy entry.
23 March 2026 · 7 min read
Studio
In Harmony with Nature: Our Design Philosophy
Our design philosophy in one idea, in harmony with nature, not just in it but part of it, and how it shapes every pool, garden and interior we create.
17 March 2026 · 6 min read
Beach Pools
Natural Stone & Pebble Finishes for Beach Pools
How natural stone and pebble finishes shape the look, feel and longevity of a beach pool, and how to choose the right surface for Abu Dhabi.
9 March 2026 · 7 min read
Studio
How to Choose a Pool & Landscape Company
An honest buyer's guide to choosing a pool and landscape company in Abu Dhabi, the questions to ask and the warning signs to watch for before you commit.
3 March 2026 · 7 min read
Beach Pools
How We Design a Zero-Edge Beach-Entry Pool
Inside the craft of a zero-edge beach-entry pool: how slope, levels, finishes and planting come together so water meets the garden seamlessly.
24 February 2026 · 6 min read
Studio
Our Design Process: From Research to Application
A look inside our four-stage design process, Research, Design, Finalise and Application, and how it keeps every project calm and certain.
17 February 2026 · 6 min read
Beach Pools
How Much Does a Beach Pool Cost in the UAE?
What really drives beach pool cost in the UAE, from size and slope to stone finishes and site access, and how to plan a realistic budget.
10 February 2026 · 6 min read
Interiors
Choosing Materials & Finishes for Luxury Interiors
How to choose luxury interior materials that feel timeless and survive the Gulf climate, from natural stone and timber to plaster and metal.
3 February 2026 · 7 min read
Beach Pools
Beach Pool vs Traditional Pool: Which Fits?
Beach pool vs traditional pool: how they differ in entry, space, finishes, maintenance and feel, and which suits your villa.
28 January 2026 · 6 min read
Beach Pools
What Is a Beach-style Pool? A Complete Guide
A complete guide to the beach-style pool: the gradual sandy entry, stone and pebble finishes, and why it feels like part of the landscape.
14 January 2026 · 6 min read
Interiors
Renovating an Apartment on Al Reem Island
Renovating an apartment on Al Reem Island calls for smart planning around approvals, layout and light. Here is how to do it well.
7 January 2026 · 6 min read
Interiors
How to Design a Home Lighting Plan
Lighting shapes a room more than almost any other decision. Here is how to build a layered home lighting plan that feels warm, flexible and refined.
22 December 2025 · 6 min read
Interiors
Space Planning for Open-Plan Living
Open-plan living looks effortless when it works. Here is how thoughtful space planning defines zones, flow and calm in a single shared room.
10 December 2025 · 6 min read
Interiors
Luxury Interior Design Trends in Abu Dhabi
From warm minimalism to natural stone and biophilic design, here are the luxury interior design trends defining Abu Dhabi homes this year.
26 November 2025 · 6 min read
Landscape
Choosing Outdoor Furniture for the Gulf Climate
How to choose outdoor furniture for the Gulf climate, with frames, fabrics and finishes that survive UV, heat, humidity and salt around Abu Dhabi villas.
26 November 2025 · 6 min read
Landscape
Hardscaping with Natural Stone: A Practical Guide
How to choose and lay natural stone for Gulf gardens, from heat-resistant pavers to coastal salinity, so your hardscaping lasts and looks beautiful.
12 November 2025 · 7 min read
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