SPLASH OF COLOUR

Cultural powerhouse Paula Al Askari combines modernity and tradition to awaken the senses in her Abu Dhabi home

- NANA BOTTAZZI

As one of the most influential women on the Middle East's cultural scene, Paula Al Askari leads a life balanced between tradition and modernity. And its backdrop is fitting: a spectacular avant-garde villa in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates' capital, where the rooms overflow with antique treasures and contemporary art, testament to her talents as both collector and patron.

Born in the US to Lebanese parents, Paula is a self-described “citizen of the world” who moved from Beirut to Paris and from London to New York before settling in this cosmopolitan city. Her home here is a dazzling kaleidoscope of East and West.

“This house is a complete reflection of my life, where I’ve managed to bring everything together in harmony and beauty,” she tells us proudly.

Naturally she loves to share it with her grownup children, Basil and Mariam, as well as the glittering international circle who attend her legendary gatherings.

“If there are 14 of us at dinner, you can easily have ten nationalities represented. We’re constantly communicating with people who come from different backgrounds, perspectives and cultures. That's very enriching,” she says.

Paula, when did you move here?

“Six years ago. It's the third house I've lived in, in Abu Dhabi, but the first one we built ourselves.”