Olives & Stones

Located in Jumeirah Islands, this project revolved around continuing the transformation of a fully refurbished villa whose architecture already carried a strong identity unlike anything else within the community. The foundations were there elegant proportions, Mediterranean-inspired arches, and a timeless facade but the outdoor spaces still lacked the atmosphere and scale the property deserved.

We were approached to rethink the landscape experience entirely. The front garden was stripped back and redesigned from scratch, starting with the removal of the existing oversized water features which, despite their scale, felt visually heavy and disconnected from the architecture over time. Instead, a quieter and more discreet approach to water was introduced integrated fountains hidden within the planting, creating movement and sound without exposing large reflective surfaces.

At the entrance, two mature century-old olive trees became the defining focal points of the arrival experience. Carefully selected for their sculptural trunks and presence, they immediately brought depth, soul, and permanence to the villa. The entrance pathway was stretched and elevated to create a subtle bridge-like arrival sequence, reinforcing the architectural rhythm of the property.

The entire driveway was rebuilt using darker porcelain tones with cleaner proportions and wider surfaces, removing unnecessary decorative elements and simplifying the overall composition.

From there, the project became heavily focused on atmosphere layered planting, softer transitions, hidden lighting, and carefully framed views that enhance the architecture rather than compete with it.

In the backyard, the existing swimming pool and outdoor arrangement already had strong foundations, making a full reconstruction unnecessary. Instead, the approach focused on refinement. The paving was extended to create stronger visual continuity, while new planting layers softened the edges and created intimacy throughout the space. Existing elements, including the sunken seating area, were integrated into a more cohesive landscape language through greenery, lighting, and material continuity.

More than a complete reinvention, Olive & Stone was about giving maturity and balance to an already beautiful home — transforming it from a renovated villa into a fully immersive living environment where architecture, planting, water, and light coexist naturally.