An entrepreneur brings her work home in the relaxed interiors

The generous white linen sofa from Marina Home Interiors is dressed with black-and-white cushions from H&M Home, while the tropical leaf-printed pillows are from Joba Home, a South African brand based in Dubai. The rattan platter, lamp, poufs, stool and mirror are all from the White Moss collection. The white wood-effect flooring, which transforms the space, was found at Dragon Mart.

The small ‘White Moss’ sign by the front door of this regular-looking villa in the leafy Springs neighbourhood may provide a hint, but few visitors are prepared for what’s to come when Leanne Moss welcomes guests into her home.

The light, fresh interior is predominantly white – from the walls and wood-effect floors to the sofa and drapes – which not only provides a cool respite, but immediately sets the scene for her very own creative enterprise. Against this neutral background, an effortless blend of decorative pieces – from vast rattan platters and pendant lamps to textured poufs, wooden stools, mirrors, baskets and more – showcase the natural, beautiful handmade items Leanne and her husband Rob have sourced for their online interiors venture, White Moss. 
Pastel-toned mugs from Emaam Home are combined with tableware from Ikea, and work beautifully in the scheme. Weathered finishes add to the laid-back feel in this home.

‘This is our home, of course, but it’s also a great way to see how the pieces in the collection work so easily in any space,’ explains Leanne, whose passion and enthusiasm for the business is, she says, a complete reflection of her own sense of style and ethos. ‘I love simplicity, natural materials, handcrafted work and traditional craftsmanship,’ she adds. 
Turquoise suede-upholstered benches frame this rustic table: the top is made from an old wooden pallet, and has been gently distressed. The shuttered dresser came from Heritage Touch in Al Quoz.

Describing herself as a bit of a free spirit, Leanne’s love of adventure has seen her travel the world. ‘I’ve always loved going to different places, seeing new things, and meeting interesting, talented people,’ says this 36-year-old entrepreneur, who spent five years living and working in Panama. ‘I wanted to do something that really tapped into that passion.’ Having taken courses in photography and graphics in the past, she was also keen to make the most of her creative energies.

By the time she met up with Rob again – whom she’d known as a friend since university days – and moved to Dubai with him in 2013, her interest in design and style had really begun to evolve. She took several interior design courses and began helping friends to decorate and style their homes, but it was only after being seriously ill in 2016 that the germ of an idea she’d long considered began to grow. ‘We went to Bali so that I could properly recuperate, but the trip quickly became so much more than a holiday,’ she recalls. 
Little displays of lemons, limes and fresh flowers are arranged throughout the house. The botanic-patterned dishes are from Emaam Home. In the couple’s bedroom, a dressing table has been cleverly devised using wooden stepladders as a base for the simple glass top. The basket, pineapple and jewellery holder are all from White Moss.

The couple were fascinated by the Balinese artisans who used traditional methods to produce beautiful homewares and decorative items from locally sourced and sustainable materials. ‘We hired a motorbike and spent our days visiting craftspeople all over the island,’ Leanne recalls. ‘It was so exciting to realise that a business opportunity could not only help them, but make a dream come true in the process.’
Wooden stools from Bali – one of the first items Leanne sourced for White Moss – give the simple white kitchen personality.

And so, the company, White Moss, was born. ‘It seemed a good name for all sorts of reasons,’ says Leanne. ‘A white canvas means a new beginning, which was what we wanted, while Moss, of course, is my family name, though it also means strong and adaptable. As well as that, I’ve always been drawn to touches of turquoise – which I’ve introduced here and there in our home furnishings – as it’s believed to be calming and have a spiritual connection.’