Inside Mariam Aboud’s Home, Shaped by Mind, Motherhood, and Play

Mariam Aboud is the co-founder of Tuguy Design Studios, a practice known for narrative-led designs shaped around the people who inhabit them. In her own home, that approach remains consistent. The space is treated as an extension of the same design logic - personal, adaptive, and deeply rooted in her daily life.

“At Tuguy, we always design for the person that’s living in the home,” Mariam explains. “So since this is my house, you’re going to see all the little facets of my personality.” Those facets surface gradually as the home moves between function and introspection, balancing playfulness and restraint without forcing a single reading.

From the entrance, the cues are deliberate. A mirror by Alain Gilles sits at the threshold, paired with a scented candle that shapes an understated transition from the turmoil of city life to the calm of being welcomed into one’s home through all the senses. Nearby, a playful Tom and Jerry artwork sets a lighter tone, acknowledging the presence of children, noise, and the reality of a family home.

The plan opens directly into the main living area, placing visitors immediately at the centre of the house. The salon was designed to feel casual and unforced, anchored by a Pixel sofa by Saba Italia. It’s sized for real use, allowing a family of four to settle in comfortably for movie nights, hosting friends, and shared routines. The television remains movable, keeping the living area adaptable and visually open when not in use.

Across the room, a modern fireplace in Romano stone introduces a contrasting texture. Its subtle crystal details catch the light, leaving a celestial impression. Above it hangs a Jisbar reinterpretation of Klimt’s The Kiss, offering a pop-inflected commentary on materialism and contemporary love. The piece brings colour and sharpness to the space, keeping the room from settling into softness alone.

The dining area is organised around an organically shaped table that defines the design direction of the entire zone, with the view beyond becoming part of the composition. An organic carpet from Kahhal 1871 mirrors the table’s form and completes the setting. “I was jumping in happiness when I found this carpet, it brought the whole place together,” Mariam says.

Adjacent to the dining area, a custom-made bar crafted from blue agate by Marmonil introduces a sculptural moment. Designed with asymmetric, crystal-like forms, it sits comfortably at the threshold between the open living space and the kitchen.

The kitchen, designed by Amr Helmy, shifts the atmosphere. Darker travertine, textured walls, and concealed functions give it a more introspective tone than the rest of the house. Every element is considered, from hidden ventilation to storage designed for both display and hosting. Mariam is an avid tea drinker, and the kitchen’s open displays make that immediately apparent.

The final anchor of the open space is a small courtyard that acts as a quiet transition towards the more private areas of the home. At its centre is a bonsai tree Mariam considers essential. “It’s not a finished, static thing,” she says. “It continues to grow and breathe in the same way the house does.”

Moving further inside, the family living room reveals two structural columns that were transformed into a study table for the children, a simple intervention that turned an obstacle into a daily-use surface without dramatising it.

The master suite offers a more personal reflection of Mariam’s inner world. Artworks, furniture, and light are chosen to reflect her philosophical side. One ceiling detail - often mistaken for a crack - carries particular meaning. “It reminds me of a Sufi quote,” Mariam explains: “The break in your heart is where the light gets in.” For her, it serves as a reminder of daily growth.

The suite includes a hidden desk that allows work to disappear when needed, and a master bathroom organised around a freestanding tub. The palette remains minimal - white with black detailing - quiet, balanced, and easy to occupy.

In closing, Mariam describes her home as “a space built for light, for a love of life, and for deep connection.”