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French connection
Another treasured piece is the 19th Century wooden bread baking cabinet, which Julie found at an auction. It was used to put dough inside to rise.
Now the cabinet makes an attractive display table for her various collectibles, which include a set of vintage tins, many of which have been passed down through the family, and a large assortment of various old glass jars and receptacles (including her grandmother's cake display and some antique egg poachers and measuring jugs).
Julie admits that she has a habit of falling in love with anything old, worn out or antique. Her favourite pastime is trawling round the second hand shops and flea markets or 'brocantes' in France seeking out a new treasure to add to her collection.
"My most treasured items are my old things, as you can never replace them. I would never throw out my old glasses or my old furniture. For me it would be like crossing out a part of my history, or personality, which is so important. All the new things, the things I bought myself, I really like but it's not a big deal if I don't have them tomorrow," explains Julie.
"It's one of the things I miss most here in Dubai, I don't know how many hours I've spent in a market at the weekends and just come back with an old box, but it's so much fun to do."
But, while Dubai may be lacking in second hand shops and flea markets, Julie insists that this doesn't mean you have to resort to generic department stores to find furniture.
"You get a lot of arts and crafts coming in from different countries here, you just have to find them. I've searched through warehouses in al Quoz and Sharjah and found some very special things and some very old pieces from India, Sri Lanka, Syria, Oman..."
Julie's bed for example is originally from India. Added to these pieces is an eclectic array of finds that Julie has brought back from her many travels.
After a manic year spent putting all her energy into getting her new guesthouse successfully up and running, Julie finally feels that she now has some time to relax and unwind in her home. Her favourite space in the house is the living room where she designed the low seating area herself.
After searching high and low for a huge coffee table and being unable to find one, she eventually found a dining table that was the right size and chopped the legs off - it's become the perfect place for the family to gather, eat, drink and play.
The word above the sofa says it all, says Julie: "Ouf! It means Phew! It's a French expression meaning this is the place where you relax. I hung that word up there just to say, here's my corner and this is my space to sit and enjoy my time being at home."
What type of property is it?
It's a 4-bedroom town house, part of a compound in Umm Suqueim 1.
Who lives there?
My husband and me with our 3 boys.
How long have you lived there?
5 years.
Where did you live prior to being here?
In Paris.
What attracted you to the property?
The spaciousness, the facilities in the compound for our 3 kids and the location.
What is your profession?
I run the French Guest House called La Maison d'Hôtes with my partner Claude and with the help of both of our husbands.
How would you describe the design scheme?
It's a natural, warm, French style with a touch of my travels. A real house to live in for a family, much more than a nice looking design space without a heart.
Is there anything you would do differently?
If I had time I would create in the garden a mini oasis full of plants and trees mixed with wood. To have a space outside to breath is a priority for me.
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