Downsizing in Dubai: British Stylist Trades Villa for Dh3.4m Rukan Townhouse

When her daughter left home, British stylist and personal shopper Sarah Silsbury and her husband Rob decided it was time to downsize from their rented five-bedroom villa in Dubai's Sustainable City. Having lived in the UAE for nearly six years, the couple had one firm condition for their next move: a large outdoor space. They found exactly what they were looking for in a townhouse located in Rukan, a new development behind Serena in Wadi Al Safa, where they have lived for the past year and a half.

The end-of-row townhouse features an open-plan downstairs layout designed to keep the couple connected. While the home originally had three bedrooms, they converted one into a spacious dressing room for Sarah's work, while keeping the second as a spare room for visiting family. Outdoors, the large plot boasts a swimming pool, a sunken seating area, a renovated pool house, and a gazebo barbecue area.

Drawn to the area due to its convenient location near their previous home and the surrounding desert and green spaces for their two dogs, four cats, and two doves, the couple secured a favorable price by purchasing early in the community's development phase. Alongside the community's gyms, padel courts, swimming pools, and retail area, the location offers easy access around the city.

Inside, Sarah's interior design style is inspired by 1970s Arizona, featuring natural wood and leather elements. Art plays a major role in the home's aesthetic, showcasing pieces from the Connor Brothers, Banksy, Tracey Emin, and custom Keith Haring-inspired panels. The couple plans to stay in the property for the foreseeable future before eventually turning it into a rental as part of their long-term goal to build a property portfolio in the UAE.