Other Women's Jobs // A Day In The Life And Career of Karen Dougall

NAME: Karen Dougall

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @palmlivingae

JOB TITLE: Creative Director of the Palm Living Group

MOVED TO THE UAE IN: 2019

With over 20 years of experience in fashion, marketing, interior design, and business development, Karen has developed a true passion for creativity and perfection. Karen is all about transforming spaces into beautiful, personalized homes that reflect her clients’ unique styles. Whether she's designing bespoke pieces or ensuring her clients are completely satisfied, the details are what really drive her.

When Karen's not busy creating dream homes, you can find her at the gym, indulging in a little retail therapy, or spending quality time with her two kids, pets, and loved ones. Family, friends, and a little fun are what keep her inspired!

Discover a day in the life and career of Karen:

5:30 AM: 

I wake up, head downstairs to feed my cats, listen to morning gratitude manifesting and make myself a coconut milk latte to start the day right!

6:00 AM:

Time to wake my daughter for school, throw on my gym gear, and head to the gym with my fiancé for an hour of weight training and cardio. After our workout, I enjoy a quick 10-minute massage in the chair, catch up on my WhatsApp messages, then hit the sauna and shower. A light makeup touch-up, and I’m off to the factory.

8:00 AM:

Quick Starbucks stop, then it’s off to the Palm Living factory to oversee production. I check in with the design team to see if they need any support, review fabrics and materials, and do a quality check on items ready for dispatch. I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves—sometimes I leave the factory a little dusty!

10:00 AM: Time for the Jumeirah Golf Estates Palm Living showroom. I meet with the Sales Managers and interior designers to review current projects and offer any help they need. I also touch base with the marketing team.

12:00 PM: 

Lunch with my business partner, Nikki. We often head to the golf club near the showroom to review our plans for the week and align our diaries—we share one, so it’s all about staying in sync.

1:00 PM:

Site visits to check on installations, fabrics, and progress. I catch up with the Project Managers to ensure everything is on track.

3:00 PM:

Off to the Al Quoz showroom to catch up with the design team, review current designs, and help with sourcing materials and other support they may need.

6:00 PM:

Head home to meet the family for dinner. We love having family barbecues in the garden with our pets. Afterward, we take the dogs for a walk to get some fresh air and steps in.

8:00 PM:

After showering, I lay out my clothes for the next day, pack my bag, and charge my laptop. Then I tuck my daughter into bed, say goodnight, and jump into bed with my cat, Miss Snowy. I unwind by watching an episode of Designing Miami or Selling Sunset for some interior inspiration before drifting off to sleep.