Location: Murooj Al Furjan East, Dubai
A kitchen that went from an afterthought to the heart of the home.
In this Murooj Al Furjan villa, we transformed a poorly planned developer kitchen into a warm, functional show kitchen designed for family life, baking rituals, and everyday moments, all without making any structural changes.
Rethinking What the Kitchen Could Be
When the family first walked us through their new villa, it was clear the kitchen, the space meant to bring everyone together, didn’t feel like one.
The original developer layout split the area into three disconnected rooms, a laundry, a compact heavy-duty kitchen, and a small show kitchen that looked neat but wasn’t designed to be used. There was no hob, very limited counter space, and an awkward U-shaped counter that floated in the room, creating dead corners and breaking the natural flow of the living area.
For a family that loves baking together, cooking as a group, and spending long stretches of time around the kitchen, this setup simply didn’t support the way they lived.
There was also another layer to consider. The family follows Vaastu principles, and the hob placement in the heavy-duty kitchen didn’t align with those beliefs. Combined with community restrictions that ruled out moving walls or altering the structure, the challenge became very clear.
How do you completely change how a home feels, without changing its bones?
Designing From Daily Life, Not From a Plan
Rather than accepting the idea of a “show kitchen” that’s only meant to be seen, we chose to reimagine it entirely.
Our focus wasn’t on adding more elements. It was about understanding how the family moves through the space. Where conversations naturally happen. Where kids reach for snacks. Where guests instinctively gather.
One insight guided everything that followed.
If the kitchen is meant to bring people together, it needs to anchor the ground floor, not sit quietly at its edge.
Because we were involved from concept all the way through execution, we were able to guide each decision carefully, from layout and materials to factory staging. Seeing the kitchen at full scale before installation allowed the family to refine details in a way that felt personal, thoughtful, and grounded in real use.
A Show Kitchen That Truly Lives
We reclaimed the entire end of the living area and transformed it into a fully functional, generously planned show kitchen.
At the centre is a 2.7-metre island that gives structure to the long open-plan space while naturally inviting people to gather. One side features a waterfall edge, while the window side has a floating cantilevered edge, offset by 40 cm so stools slide in comfortably. On the kitchen side, the island holds generous storage for larger utensils and everyday essentials.
Very quickly, the island became more than a surface.
It’s where Sunday breakfasts happen, homework gets done, and conversations continue long after meals are finished.
The finishes were chosen to feel grounded and timeless. The countertop is clad in Neolith Abu Dhabi White, while the island base is finished in Neolith Calatorao Black, adding weight and contrast without overwhelming the space.
Behind the island, a full-height unit was designed to support how the family actually cooks and entertains. It houses integrated ovens, an integrated mini fridge for the bar area, generous baking counter space, and a discreet pocket for a larger family fridge that’s easily accessible for kids and quick snacks.
A custom-fabricated sink, also clad in Neolith Abu Dhabi White, sits directly in front of the tall window. With bougainvillaea framed just outside, even everyday tasks like washing dishes take on a quiet, almost storybook quality.
Material Choices That Balance Depth and Light
Contrast played a big role in the design, but never at the cost of warmth or brightness.
The lower cabinets feature fluted shutters finished in deep anthracite grey-black PU paint, paired with distinctive brass handles that add a subtle sense of craft. The upper cabinets were intentionally kept smooth and minimal, finished in Benjamin Moore Cloud White OC-130, with push-to-open hardware and no visible handles.
This balance creates depth and richness while keeping the kitchen open, airy, and welcoming, qualities that matter deeply in a family home.
Connecting the Show Kitchen to the Heavy-Duty Kitchen
To make the show kitchen and heavy-duty kitchen feel like parts of the same story, we replaced the original solid wooden door with a fluted glass door. This allowed light to travel between spaces while still giving the option to separate them when needed.
Inside the heavy-duty kitchen, continuity was key. The same colour palette and finishes were carried through, but adapted for durability and ease of maintenance. Fluted shutters were avoided in favour of cleaner surfaces, and the original stainless steel sink was replaced with a large farmhouse sink.
Storage was significantly upgraded with corner pull-outs and internal accessories, and a dedicated zone was created for heavy equipment like grinders and mixers.
We also removed the developer-installed bulkheads, which had visually lowered the ceiling by nearly 40 cm. In their place, full-height cabinetry was introduced, restoring vertical proportion and unlocking much-needed storage.
With limited footprint, every centimetre had to work hard. The final layout includes a full-height pull-out pantry system from Kesseböhmer, a dedicated fridge niche, and highly efficient internal planning that supports daily cooking without clutter.
Giving the Laundry the Same Level of Care
Even the laundry space was thoughtfully reworked. We introduced pull-out laundry baskets, a second sink for handwashing, tall storage for cleaning tools, and a Dyson charging station. A long wall-mounted shelf was added for freshly folded linen.
These are small changes, but together they make everyday routines calmer and more intuitive.
The Outcome
By reimagining the show kitchen, the experience of the entire ground floor changed.
The space now feels balanced, intuitive, and alive. The kitchen naturally leads into a circular dining area and a cosy TV corner, with each zone clearly defined yet seamlessly connected.
One defining moment came during factory staging, when the family chose to raise the island height from 90 cm to 1.1 m, a standard bar height. It was a small adjustment, but one that perfectly suited both their personal preferences and the scale of the space.
This project is a reminder that good design isn’t about adding more features. It’s about understanding how a family lives, and shaping spaces that quietly support those moments, day after day.
