Elie Khouri is a Dubai-based businessman, entrepreneur, and art patron whose work sits at the intersection of culture, and creativity. As Founder and Chairman of Vivium, his family office, Elie has built a reputation for identifying long-term value through design, art, and storytelling: approaching each not as an asset, but as a living language that shapes how we experience spaces and ideas.
With the launch of Atelio, Elie brings together design furniture, art advisory, and collectible design under a single vision. More than a destination, Atelio is conceived as a curatorial platform: one that prioritizes intention over trends, and creates environments that are deeply personal, emotionally resonant, and thought to endure.
For this new chapter, KHAMSA sat down with Elie Khouri to explore what Atelio truly stands for—and how his vision is redefining the way design, art, and living spaces come together today.
١. Atelio in one line, how do you explain it to someone hearing about it for the first time?
Atelio is a design philosophy centered entirely around the client. We understand how they live, what they value, and what inspires them, then craft spaces that are uniquely theirs using a combination of Design Furniture, Collectible Design and Art. It is all about creating distinct home and workspaces that truly fit their personality because ultimately, luxury is about curation – an assemblage of things tailored specifically to the client.
When a space feels unmistakably yours, that is real luxury.
٢. Why rebrand from Vivium Design to Atelio now, and what changes for your clients day-to-day?
The rebrand was a natural evolution. Vivium is our family office, not a consumer-facing, go-to-market brand.
Vivium Design served as a temporary bridge during our early stages as we set up the design group.
Over the last two years the design group has reached a phase where it has now become essential to establish a dedicated identity that reflects our vision and long-term ambition. Atelio gives us that clarity. It allows us to articulate who we are, how we work and where we’re going.
For clients, the experience only becomes more distinct and focused. The philosophy is the same but more distilled and the identity is stronger.
٣. You talk about “DAC”: Design Furniture, Art Advisory, Collectible Design. How do these three meet in a single project?
They come together because everything we do starts with the client. Not all projects will have the three elements in equal measure. Some clients will want a comprehensive solution – furniture, art, collectibles – while others may focus on a single element. Sometimes we also introduce additional layers such as architecture or personal collections that carry emotional value.
Our role is to orchestrate these elements to form a cohesive narrative and create unique spaces.
This approach will be strengthened with the arrival of our Chief Design Officer, who will ensure Atelio’s DNA is consistently reflected across all our solutions delivered through the design and service team.
٤. What does the 2026 roadmap look like and what should we watch for first?
By mid-2026, our mono-brand network will be complete: six in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Saudi Arabia. Each mono-brand will carry the Atelio DNA and be spaces where clients can immerse in the brand universe.
Parallel to that, we’re building the Atelio Experience Centre, which will become the heart of the brand. It’s a place where clients and architects will be able to experience the Atelio philosophy in one place – from curated furniture displays to art and digital experiences of spaces that showcase pieces not physically present. It will make the entire process more inspiring, intuitive, and experiential. It will also facilitate the work of architects and help them connect with their clients, making their job much more seamless.
٥. Who are your ideal collaborators in the region? And what does a great partnership with Atelio look like?
We collaborate with architects, homeowners, hospitality groups, government bodies and cultural institutions. Essentially, anyone who values beauty, craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Working with architects is particularly powerful because we enhance their vision with curated pieces that complete the story of a space.
Great partnership is about sharing the same values and vision. We want to work with people who care about detail, who appreciate the emotional dimension of design, and who are committed to excellence. And we will not shy away from saying no to projects that don’t align with our vision and values.
٦. On a personal note: which piece or designer is on your moodboard right now, and why?
Right now, it’s the Zecca armchair by José Zanine Caldas from the 1950s. I’ve been searching for a pair for nearly two years and recently found an exceptional set in perfect condition, rare for pieces of that era.
What I love is how beautifully they sit alongside a contemporary sofa, creating a refined dialogue between old and new.
As Atelio comes into focus, it feels less like a launch and more like a shift—towards collecting with intention, living with meaning, and choosing pieces that tell a story beyond the moment. It leaves us reflecting on our own relationship with art and design, and wondering: how will we choose to collect and live with beauty next?
And honestly, we’re more than ready for Atelio.
