![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C66EDTQCZZDRLPIXTDQUR2QYKI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=b582b4bbcd36dc3261bffba3d55508eaeeb65d981552559fd40de0b45f85906a&width=400&height=225)
A more recent image of the staircase in the RAK development. Photo: Lauren Doble
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EHAVOXF5TNDJHLRMZZIVICI4HU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a2d7131ba12d46c5d973c588f2c5754f367340c275e937a797da1e970c38be1f&width=400&height=225)
Dubai resident Sophie Murphy broke down an exterior wall at her Jumeriah Golf Estates home. Photo: Sophie Murphy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ONQFF6FBHNDZDDEK6N2SD636IU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ae81099c595bcc67494a404a58b158c4e1f2332ee5691b691d3b161bd943048d&width=400&height=225)
Murphy replaced the wall with bifold doors. Photo: Sophie Murphy
Sophie Murphy and her husband Darren plan to extend the front of the 5,700-square-foot house further into the 8,600-square-foot plot to create more space in the upstairs bedrooms. Photo: Sophie Murphy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SF3BSJSVAFBT5FM6GGFN7JONSY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=46d5ff011f0555df87ac7f5719a0411c5f9bf1a5935556f92211946642bbdd13&width=400&height=225)
Lauren Doble is building a five-bedroom home in Al Dhait South, Ras Al Khaimah, which she has designed and built from scratch. Photo: Lauren Doble
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Doble and her son Zayed at the construction site. Photo: Lauren Doble
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C66EDTQCZZDRLPIXTDQUR2QYKI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=b582b4bbcd36dc3261bffba3d55508eaeeb65d981552559fd40de0b45f85906a&width=400&height=225)
A more recent image of the staircase in the RAK development. Photo: Lauren Doble
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EHAVOXF5TNDJHLRMZZIVICI4HU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=a2d7131ba12d46c5d973c588f2c5754f367340c275e937a797da1e970c38be1f&width=400&height=225)
Dubai resident Sophie Murphy broke down an exterior wall at her Jumeriah Golf Estates home. Photo: Sophie Murphy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ONQFF6FBHNDZDDEK6N2SD636IU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ae81099c595bcc67494a404a58b158c4e1f2332ee5691b691d3b161bd943048d&width=400&height=225)
Murphy replaced the wall with bifold doors. Photo: Sophie Murphy
Sophie Murphy and her husband Darren plan to extend the front of the 5,700-square-foot house further into the 8,600-square-foot plot to create more space in the upstairs bedrooms. Photo: Sophie Murphy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SF3BSJSVAFBT5FM6GGFN7JONSY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=46d5ff011f0555df87ac7f5719a0411c5f9bf1a5935556f92211946642bbdd13&width=400&height=225)
Lauren Doble is building a five-bedroom home in Al Dhait South, Ras Al Khaimah, which she has designed and built from scratch. Photo: Lauren Doble
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SHGOUJVLD5EV5CTYFXTFJKCBGY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=6d45186bb360370c83db3be7a8918aab34e53eb5ef13c341e89f655e8532699d&width=400&height=225)
Doble and her son Zayed at the construction site. Photo: Lauren Doble
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C66EDTQCZZDRLPIXTDQUR2QYKI.jpeg?smart=true&auth=b582b4bbcd36dc3261bffba3d55508eaeeb65d981552559fd40de0b45f85906a&width=400&height=225)
A more recent image of the staircase in the RAK development. Photo: Lauren Doble
Dubai property for sale: These owners are rebuilding their homes from scratch
Infinity pools, home gyms and water features: some residents are turning into DIY developers for their dream home
Emma Pearson
26 April, 2023
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