Return to crafts

There is a return to crafts in interiors with roughness and rawness that is prevalent within the design that is not only in the aspirational interiors within magazines but available to purchase for all or create in classes and at home. Here is a guide to three trends that show the crafty creations available for your interior. 

 

Potty Pottery // Ceramics

Ceramics are having a comeback. From creating your own pottery for your home to the vast selection available within stores that have a ‘less polished’ aesthetic. The choice of handmade or bought is up to your time available or personal preference. 

 

If you are looking to take a class yourself Abu Dhabi has studios and spaces available to learn new skills and take home your creation or here is a selection of items that are so on point for this look.

 

Cole & Cinder Candle 380dhs                                 Zara Home Vase: coming soon

Classes available : 

Studio Clay

Studio Coe

 

Fluff and Tuft // Carpet Making

This year at Dubai Design Week there was a vast selection of carpet designs on show from ones to walk on to those to hang. A craft and skill that hasn’t been ‘on trend’ for a while; this return to the handmade has a truly tactile feel and has burst back onto the scene within the last year with class options and store designs that are all fantastic to add that little homemade to your look. Often the classes and designs have a novelty feel or artistic look which only adds to the quirkiness of this reemerging craft. 

OYOY Cherry Rug @ Strawberry Fields 400dhs

Classes available : 

SXILL Lab, Dubai

Knotty Knots // Macrame

Macrame is a trend that has been on Pinterest for years, from simple designs to more complicated knots. A bold statement is often referenced as a more ‘bohemian’ look but in recent times used as a great alternative to a picture or painting. New designs are neutral and rustic or polished and colourful, with online tutorials and guides available there are also local classes to create any macrame design or piece you wish to create and add to your decor.

 

Macrame Wall Hanging Home and Soul 450dhs                  Woven Wall Hanging:  Tribe 220dhs

Classes available: 

MAKE, Abu Dhabi

MAS, Abu Dhabi

Tribe, Dubai

 

New Year// New Home Finds

 

After the decorations are down, the candy has all been eaten and normal life has resumed you may notice that it looks a little 'bare' in your home and it may be the time to have a little refresh.  Starting the year off right sometimes requires new additions and a little update with my top picks to spring into 2023!

Mon for HKLiving: Sedia Moka @ Urban Nest link to buy

Hem Zig Zag High Shelf - Oak, by Studio DeFORM @ The Bowery Company link to buy

Hermano Book Case Danube Home link to buy

Flowerpot VP9 Portable Table Lamp &Tradition @ Designitch  link to buy

Zara Home link to buy

H&M Home link to buy

How to update your kitchen without losing your deposit

published 1st Aug 2021

Available to view online at The National News

Make your home instagram-ready

published 25th July 2021

Available to view online at The National News

Top tips for furnishing a rental home

Use colourful accessories, plants and furnishings you can take with you, say 3 top UAE experts

Published 17th June 2021

Available to view online at The National News

The Kids room Covered

I am a sucker for a well designed and aesthetically pleasing children's room. I am a marketers dream: send me an image of a great looking piece of kit and I am handing over the cash. I thought I would put together what I am coveting right now in one easy mood board with all the links underneath. 

Top left to right:

Wood play gym: Ebarza

Rattan crown: Tribe Dubai

Woven lions head: Martin & Ella

RuPaul book: The Book Depository

Lion Cushion: Nobodinoz @ Smallable

2nd line left to right:

Stripe towel: Liewood @ Marmarland

Magic banner: Seb & Charlie

Pink sheets: Swedish Linens @ Martin & Ella

Shell baseball cap: Liewood @ Marmarland

Hanging swing: Tiipii @ Tribe Dubai

Bottom line left to right:

Pink scooter: Birdie Kids @ Elli Junior

Kids rainbow poster: StudioLoco @Martin & Ella

Wooden mushrooms: Moon Picnic @ The Kids Collection

Wooden market cart: Hearth & Hand @ Target

Bunny lamp: Rose in April @ Bobby Rabbit

Giant octopus stuffed toy: Bigstuffed @ Smallable

Pink bike: Banwood @ Elli Junior

My wishlist mood board part 2

I thought I would do a follow up with my most recent mood board that I am working my way through! Some pieces I have already purchased, others I am working towards. I am always tempted to look at the highstreet for the 'inspired' items that are similar to the high end however, a lot of these pieces are classics, limited editions or re-issued from the 50s,60s and beyond. It is an investment in something that I will keep (hopefully) for a long time. So my mantra is 'buy well, not cheap' - that doesn't mean blow all your money. Just buy the best you can afford. 

Click the pink link below to take you directly to the item:

Top left to right:

Grey & black chair: Trento chair available at Soul & Tables

Pedestal side table: Lato from &Tradition - available at Designitch

Palm Beach book: Assouline available at The Bowery Company

Black dining table: Fritz Hansen 'Caramite' (limited edition re-issue)

Brown portable lamp: &tradition available at Finnish Design Shop

Middle left to right:

Square coffee table: from &Tradition - Fly table available at Designitch

large floor mirror: 'Sienna' Custom No.9

Small black portable lamp: Hay design available at Finnish Design Shop

Curved desk lamp:  Fritz Hansen 'Kaiser Idell' available at Designitch

Wooden vases: Bound No.82

Black large bowl: Pottery Barn

Black Bird: Norman Copenhagen 'shorebird' available at Skandium

Painting:  Aure available at The Poster Club

Bottom left to right:

Lady statue: Vera at Abigail Adhern

Sand bowl: 101CPH available at The Bowery Company

Black and wicker chair: Wood Culture

Gourd baskets: Bound No.82

Wall Light: DCW éditions - Mantis wall light available at Finnish Design Shop

This is my round up of all the lovely things I am LOVING right now. Some pieces I am lucky enough to own, others I have clients whom adore this style and I get to work with them and others I am working towards owning! 

All Images copyright to the designer. Other stores stock these items, these are just who I would choose to buy them through. 

Designer Focus: Ferm Living

A brand that started with just one wallpaper and now caters to your entire home and all your children's needs: ferm LIVING was established in 2005 in Denmark. Created by Trine Andersen after being unable to find a wallpaper that she liked for her child's room, she designed 10 styles booked a trade show and the rest is history! Ferm Living was born and is now stocked around the world. 

"Our biggest ambition is, and has always been, to inspire people to create the kind of space that makes them feel comfortable, that allows them to be themselves in their own home."

With the new Boutique and Showroom in the centre of Copenhagen you can see all the products for yourself, book appointments and have one-on-ones with the creative staff.  You can take it one step further in their Material Library where you can see all the samples and a 3D printed model of what your items would look like. Even though based in Copenhagen they are truly global, creating jobs for artisans around the world while fusing in that Scandinavian design and colour palette. 

"With in depth knowledge and skill, every single ferm LIVING product is made by the dedicated craftsmen with whom we work closely."

Sustainability is at the core of everything ferm LIVING does, with a conscious effort to be green and limit waste while not compromising on aesthetics and design. 20% of the products produced are made with sustainable products, with an ambition to grow this % year on year. 

"We believe that investing in sustainable, responsible practices should also be good business. We’re designing not only for today, but for the future, where sustainable action will become even more vital."

A high end Scandinavian brand with an ethical conscious that produces some of the most iconic interior pieces in homes today. Ferm LIVING and ferm KIDS produce stylish, design orientated items to enhance your space and 'balance the contrasts of life'.

My Top picks:

Ceramic Basket - Medium  

Meridian Table Lamp

  Plant Box Two-Tier

You can buy Ferm LIVING from the following retailers in the UAE:

The Bowery Company

Marmarland

Design-itch

You can follow Ferm LIVING, Ferm LIVING boutique and Ferm LIVING KIDS on instagram

All images are ©ferm LIVING

Destination Decor

Published March. 22nd 2021

Available to view online at The National News

A lust worthy work space

Pinterest

With the option of working from home continuing and the majority of us resigned to working in the corner of a spare room or at the kitchen table it's time to make out office space' happy' and reflect the mood we wish to set will getting down to business. 

I decided to reclaim what we used as our store room...or as they are called here in the UAE maids room - as it is designed for live in help with an ensuite. I wanted to create a room that aided my writing and design work, so it had to look great, inspire me as well as serve a function. 

Pinterest 

With most of us the home office was deemed as a temporary situation at the start of the pandemic but as it continues and the offer of working from home is still there to most employees: why don't we take more care in where we spend the majority of our day? Is it because we are so conditioned to sitting in cubicles or grey boxes, shared offices, bland corporate rooms that we forgot that a home office is something that we should be curating and designing to make us happy in the workplace? We don't need a potted plant and a picture of the kids with a couple of holiday trinkets to decorate the space like we do when in the corporate world. What about a redesign, a zoned area that makes you think, you enjoy going to and the most important factor: inspires productivity!

HKliving pillar table

The Desk:

I have had my desk made - the ultimate goal would have been the HKliving pillar table, alas I don't have that sort of cash! I found a great tutorial from Lust Living and adapted it slightly to be smaller and slot together better rather than the need for brackets. A great option is a table top and separate legs: IKEA always have a great selection or like I did, have legs made or buy them from Pretty Pegs. If you want something that blends in with your existing space, or has the option to be repurposed should you return to the workplace the West Elm mid-century mini range is a fantastic choice. 

Muuto Fiber armchair

The Chair:

Comfort is key! You want something that you can sit in for 8 plus hours a day without your bum going numb or pins and needles shooting down your legs! Office chairs are not he prettiest: and you often have to spend big bucks to get that designer look and feel. My chair is from Daals in the UK and I had it sprayed black to fit the room. My next purchase will be a stunner from The Attic, Dubai - all solid wood and rattan goodness. If money was no object then I would opt for the Muuto fibre armchair. One thing I have done is add a sheepskin to the chair so its comfortable while I work, while still looking good! 

H&M Home

Storage:

I have seen some great storage solutions from H&M: black wire and ideal for papers, pens ant all those annoying bits that clutter up the desk space or shelves. I invested in some Ferm Living paper pulp mini boxes, they look amazing in my cabinet and serve their purpose of keeping things neat and tidy! If you are looking for some low cost but style efficient options then IKEA has a great range of plywood magazine storage boxes and trays. 

Ferm Living

Task Lamp:

Some people are 'chair people' I am very much a 'lamp person'. I actually have a wish list that I tick off as I buy them! A task lamp is an essential for your desk or work space. Not only does it allow you to work under a lamp but it looks lovely! I invested in the Ferm Living beauty that is the 'Meridian'. It is USB chargeable so you can move it about your home without the need for a plug point. Ideal if you have taken over a shelf or small nook to conduct business. If you need something a little more affordable then Homecentre have some great modern pieces while Pottery Barn hits that mid market price point. 

Lisa Wirenfelt @ The Poster Club

Artwork:

Art has been proven to reduce stress, improve mental health and promote wellbeing in recent studies. Why would you not hang a couple of pictures that release those happy hormones and help you get through the day. The Poster club have an amazing range of prints from abstract to figurative and everything in between. They are affordable, ship internationally and fit in most IKEA frames OR purchase from The Bowery Company who stock a small selection online in the UAE. If you want something a little bit more expensive and feel like you wish to invest then online galleries such as Print Club London give you the opportunity to buy original or limited runs from artists. 

Decor for every budget

 Published Feb. 10th 2021

Available to view online at The National News

Interior design trends 2021

Published Jan. 26th 2021

Available to view online at Better Living Magazine

Totally Terrazzo

Whether real or the effect Terrazzo is totally taking over! The shops are flooded with terrazzo treats for your home. Terrazzo is a composite that has chips of granite, glass, stone and anything else that would help create this hard stone like material. I have selected 5 great retailers that have got the goods to help your home whether custom made or off the peg these picks are terrific for terrazzo treats.

                  

Custom No9

Dubai based Custom No9 allows you to design your own furniture and accessorise with terrazzo. Choose for a large range of items all featuring this great material. Every month Custom No9 have an off cut available : whether it be a mobile phone holder, candle sticks or chopping boards and all at amazing price points. If you want to invest in something larger then there are tables, desks and tables. 

Home and Soul Dubai

This is one of my favourite tables from Home & Soul Dubai. Available in 2 colour ways and as a coffee or side table it is perfect for adding a splash of the terrazzo trend. With its metal legs it has a luxe industrial feel and you can draw any colour from its top to compliment your room.

 
Namshi

The UAE equivalent of ASOS, Namshi stocks fashion and interiors that are on trend and super fun. When researching this trend I came across this amazing terrazzo style bedding. If you cant afford the stone material then go for the print! It will add a statement to your bedroom and is bang on trend for the terrazzo look! They have a great range of terrazzo style items for your bathroom, bedroom and beyond. 

Amara

Amara offer a great range of terrazzo to tantalise. From light fittings, napkin rings and accessories right up to larger scale tables. They ship internationally so you can have all the treats sent to you here in the UAE. Now, which do you choose?!

Home Centre

Want terrazzo for a great price? Who doesn't! Then Home Centre have some really inexpensive terrazzo finds to tempt you. My fave is the dinner service in terrazzo print - and its currently on promotion! If you cant afford a terrazzo table, then you can have the plates to add the print. 

A Christmas dinner date

The festive period is upon us and 2020 if FINALLY coming to an end: that is reason enough to celebrate and plan a Christmas dinner table that is a treat to behold. Whether you like traditional reds and greens, glitz and glam or a colourful collection of baubles here is a little something to help create the foundations to your dream festive dining setup. 

Top Left: Tribe Dubai Top Right: JYSK Bottom: West Elm 

Take your seat

If you have a small studio or a vast castle (lucky you), just for two or a whole clan you need a table and chairs to dine upon.  Think about the versatility of your dining area, will you be working there when the festivities end? Do you need a crafty area for the kids? 

Benches are great for tucking under and giving you more space while keeping your eye line clear just add in some contrast chairs and you have a stylish place to eat. You may need to have a table that extends to give you that extra room when required, think about how many you need to fit round and if its a concealed leaf or additional ends that add in. What about a table that is durable and won't mark easily - a metal or conrete table top is just the ticket. A round table is sociable and great for a small space. Whatever you choose, you will hopefully enjoy lots of fun times dining with friends and family (obviously when COVID disappears) 

Top Left: Zara Home Right: Bound No.82 Plates: H&M Home

Set the table

This season I am all about natural woods, stoneware and some crisp china adding in some clean lines with the roughness of wood to add contrast to your table. A tartan table cloth, cotton or linen napkins will add softness to your tablescape. I like using plants and flowers in the centre, springs of rosemary tucked into napkins rings, they add aroma. If you want to keep it festive think about mistletoe or holly. 

Top Left: Home Centre Top Right: Ikea Bottom: HKliving @ Urban Nest

Cheers

You need a selection of good looking glassware that matches, a water glass, a wine glass and a hot drink cup. These festive mugs just bring joy and a splash of colour to the table. You could use them to serve your deserts if you so desire. Make sure you have the correct glassware for each drink, water glasses, red wine, white wine, champagne there is a lot to think about. Plan your drinks with your courses and have them ready to roll. You do not have to invest lots of money, nobody is expecting crystal! 

Top: Wood Culture Bottom Left: Home Centre Centre: Carrefour Bottom Right: Pan Emirates

Boozy 

If it's for the booze to be rolled out, to use as a food trolley to trundle out the turkey and trimmings, or just to stack your glasses on and look cute: a drinks trolley is a must. Rattan for the boho vibe, white for a minimalist feel, black mental and wood for an industrial interior and gold to add the glitz. These four fulfil all interiors, and would look great while you play hostess. (even if its just for your immediate family this year) If you only need it to transport food for dinners you can stack stunning books, vases, plants and other trinkets when not in use to make it work for you. 

Meri Meri

Go out with a bang

Crackers are fun, colourful and a great addition to the table. They get everyone chatting, telling jokes (albeit bad ones) and wearing dorky hats. My go to for party crackers, kids decor and all things fun and colourful is Meri Meri. Available directly or from a number of retailers including Ace Hardware and Mumzworld in the UAE. Their crackers and paper napkins are always on the kitsch side adding that festive fun that is required, no more so than in 2020!