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

 

Happiness in the home//Just add colour

With a focus on serotonin dressing or better known as happy dressing, the home and its interiors have needed more attention. 

Happy dressing has some science behind it, the belief is that dressing in colours, and what you wear makes you feel good, you are more productive, less stressed, and generally happier. With all the positives, why have people been less likely to apply these attributes to their homes? Within the UAE we are surrounded by a beige landscape and warm sunlight tones, a pop of colour could be a welcome addition to an otherwise beige environment. So many are afraid to use colour and struggle with knowing, which is best to use, what works and how to apply it. Colour is a powerful tool and to get it wrong there can be strong implications. You are surrounded by it; cannot be escaped from, and it will be noticed if wrong every time you step into a room. Get it right; well then you will never want to leave. 

Jade and Gallia at shell+core, an Abu Dhabi based interior design firm know that if you get it wrong, it not only looks wrong but can affect moods and attitudes towards things. When they are working on commercial interior design projects it is so important to get the balance ‘just right’ between the client and the customers that will use the space. They suggest starting slow in your home: “We would suggest subtle integrations of colour through items that can be replaced or easily changed; think soft furnishings, art and decorative pieces. That way, your palettes can evolve with your style, and still add a touch of character and personality.” 

DISTRICT 10 ©shell+core

There is a focus on neutral homes, beige, brown and all tones in between, the UAE as a renter’s market often finds that UAE residents fear adding colour, or just do not want to commit. Nada Debs, a Lebanese designer living and working in Beirut and Dubai believes that UAE residents are looking for something timeless. “The neutral colours offer that for them. Colour should be added as accents and gives more freedom to play with the interiors. It also feels safer, and one won’t get tired of a colour overload.”

©Nada Debs

The question should be ‘how best to add colour’; and what key items are worth focusing on?  It could be easy to rush the process and add colourful sofas, bedding, some flowers and think that it is complete. With this haphazard approach, you are more inclined to notice it as a sharp contrast to the neutrals in place in your home. So, asking colour enthusiast and Dubai based interior designer Emilie from Stella and the Stars how best to add colour to a home for maximum effect she has some great advice for newly converted colour lovers that wish to get some happy into their homes: 

 

“Having pops of colour in your interiors adds depth and interest” says Emilie. She understands that some may find it overwhelming or even a scary task to start the process, her advice is to ‘choose one that speaks to your soul!’ A great way of knowing what your ‘soul’ wants is to have a look at your wardrobe. Often you are drawn to certain palettes or tones and that is a great starting point in the home. With the colour confirmed where should you start? “For a living room, it could be a rug, for example, something that will add a focal point to an otherwise neutral colour palette. For a bedroom, it could be as bold as painting the walls or as small as a set of decorative cushions on the bed. If you are feeling like painting the wall in a different colour could be overwhelming, how about painting halfway up the walls?” is Emilie’s advice.

©Stella + the Stars

There are so many ways to have fun with colour that is easily reversible, nothing is forever in your home and in a renter’s market it is often more important for the colour to be temporary. 

 

The key is to go with your gut feeling and not worry about what other people think! Everyone has a different set of colours that makes them happy, that they have an emotional reaction to, those colours are the ones that should be in the home. It is often the case in UAE rental homes that kitchens and bathrooms are not the best, that tiles can be ugly and that staying neutral is the easiest and best option to avoid clashing or drawing attention to the not-so-attractive parts. However, there is a solution to every problem, if the kitchen splashbacks are not the best, apply temporary sticky back tiles, bathrooms are not great then have them wrapped by a professional company that specialises in renters’ homes. It creates a blank canvas to start a not-so-neutral home. Start small, invest wisely and after time the home with a new sprinkling of colour will start to feel like your happy place, and you will not want to leave. 

links:

shell+core

Nada Debs

Stella + the Stars

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

Athath Fellowship Furniture Making for Aspiring Entrepreneurs at MAKE

 ©Fritz Hansen

MAKE launches the second year of a professional programme for aspiring designers 

Due to the success of the first programme in 2021-2022, MAKE in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah launches its second intake which is due to commence 26 August 2022. MAKE invites all those with an ambition to become a furniture designer to take part in this unique professional programme, taking place at the MAKE workshop based in Al Zeina, Abu Dhabi this year. Running from September 2022 – December 2022 the Athath Fellowship is a professional 16-week course aimed at training those that already have a keen interest in furniture design but are looking to expand their expertise and progress their skillset into launching a business model. 

 

The course will be led by Ammar Kalo: Furniture Designer, Architect, Associate Professor at the American University of Sharjah and winner of the silver award at the 2015 Milan Design Week. Kalo will take the Fellows through the history of furniture design, production, and prototyping and ultimately a presentation of their final piece. Guest lecturers and speakers will contribute including those with critically acclaimed Design House Fritz Hansen in Denmark. All the practical skill training will be delivered in the studio with the MAKE team. 

“This programme is focused on developing design and fabrications skills while also looking at the business side of things and how to effectively launch a design start-up: which is a gap in the current market.” Ammar Kalo

 

The 16-week course will be broken down into 3 phases and offers those that participate the chance to develop a concept, create a prototype, explore the areas of production and develop a final business model to launch a new career. This is an intensive and hands-on programme with the majority of the course requiring full in-person attendance at MAKE with a percentage of the theoretical modules being delivered online. 

 

Key outcomes:

·       Developing, designing, and fabricating one key piece of furniture with the goal of it being produced in multiples. 

·       Training in material sourcing and learning new technical skills including digital and manual. 

·       Business and entrepreneurial skills on how to launch and grow a brand and bring the product to market. 

·       Becoming a well-rounded designer and entrepreneur with the skill set to move on from the course and start a business in the local area and the confidence in your brand creation and how to pitch it to clients. 

 

Applications are now open, deadline 22 July 2022 midnight GST

The programme starts 26 August 2022 and concludes 17 December 2022 with a showcase planned for January 2023.

Programme total cost is AED 9,950

For further information visit the website: www.athathfellowship.ae

You will require a portfolio of creative works to apply. The programme is taught in English. 

On a budget or ready to splurge...interiors to lust after.

There is always a trend of high-end designer pieces that are then re-created for the mass market. From chairs to lamps you will see the designer influence trickle down to mainstream shops with a price point that won't break the bank. 

I have collated 5 top picks that are splurge-worthy versus their highstreet counterparts: which do you pick? Well, that's up to you...and your bank balance. 

West Elm v's &Tradition

West Elm has created the Juniper Chair made from a solid acacia wood frame and legs with grey upholstery which has a mid-century feel, much the same at the &Tradition Fly SC1 lounge chair. The Fly chair has a whole range of sofas, armchairs and coffee tables made from solid oiled oak and in a range of fabric choices and designed by SPACE Copenhagen. Which would you chose?

West Elm chair AED 3150

&Tradition Chair starting at AED 8389 from Designitch

Zara Home v's Le Klint

A retractable wall lamp is ideal for reading corners and flexible workspaces. Zara Home has created this retro design with pleated lamp shade for a fraction of the cost of the designer piece by Le Klint. If you are looking for that highend aesthetic but don't have the budget then its a great addition to your home. If you want a style classic, a piece to add to your collection, then the Le Klint SAX 223 lamp is a must have design created in 1952. 

Zara Home lamp £89.99 

Le Klint lamp $770 from The Finnish Design Shop

Pan Emirates V's Bolia.com

A low level modular sofa with exposed seams are often featured in interior editorials, and with sofas being the most expensive item in your home it is easy to get carried away with a high price point. A great budget friendly version is the Hurricane Sectional Sofa from Pan Emirates in grey. If you have the budget to go for designer then the Bolia.com Cosima Sofa in cream has multiple configurations to suit any sized living space. 

Pan Emirates Sofa AED 3995

Bolia.com AED 19980 available from The Bowery Company 

H&M Home V's Hay Design

H&M Home often follow designer trends much like their fashion sector. You cannot get closer to the designer aesthetic than their Metal Lounge Chair in black which is ideal for interior or exterior use. The similarities to the Hay Hee Lounge Chair are evident with the graphic liner design and low frame. All that differs with these two from first glance is the price point. 

H&M Home chair AED 699

HAY Design Chair AED 1450 from The Bowery Company 

JYSK V's Jonathan Adler

One of the biggest bargains I have seen is the JYSK Faces Plant Pot which looks great and is influenced by the Jonathan Adler Muse collection. Designed as a plant pot, but could as easily be used as a candle holder or on your desk to hold pens.  The Muse collection by Jonathan Adler has a large range of decoartive pieces all with the icon multiple faces. 

JYSK pot AED 20

Jonathan Adler AED dependant on item selection and available from Amara




All images © to the designers named. Prices correct at time of publish

Come and Play at Studio Clay, Abu Dhabi

Ceramics is certainly having a ‘moment’. The once crafty art form is having a slick makeover with designer ceramic boutiques arriving in Abu Dhabi. No slicker than that of Studio Clay, perfectly placed at the top of the city and easily reached by all of Abu Dhabi. This designer boutique-style space offers participants a chance to get their hands dirty and learn new skills. 

The art scene in Abu Dhabi is still at a critical growing stage; it's evolving all the time yet the awareness of what the city currently offers is still unknown to so many, often it is word of mouth or found by accident these hidden gems are not known to the wider public. Incredible cultural hotspots have opened over the years such as the Louvre, and with many more in stages of construction. The Abu Dhabi Government has recognised the heritage, artistic and cultural needs within Abu Dhabi and with grand plans in the not-so-distant future for further greatness such as the Guggenheim and the Zayed Museum, however, so many residents still commute to Dubai for a dose of something creative and new.  

 

With that Dubai is beautifully over-saturated with incredible pottery studios, art galleries and talent. Not many places in the capital offer true creative outlets and freedom to experiment and express yourself a gap that owner and founder of Studio Clay Noura Al Dhaheri recognised. 

‘What I hope to achieve in opening my studio within Abu Dhabi is to attract a creative community that grows and supports each other. Throughout my career, I have fond memories of teachers and places that sparked creativity and love for art, my dream and hope is that Studio Clay becomes that for aspiring artists too within the capital and beyond.’

 

A covid project that turned into a business Noura went from running Studio Clay in her spare room in her home meeting clients in nearby coffee shops to opening her own stand-alone store, with employees, members, and workshops.  The serene studio is a pallet of neutral tones, rustic accents and vintage finds from Europe. 

 

“The concept of my studio developed during the pandemic. Covid adjusted our priorities and daily routines in a major way, it gave me a minute to pause and reflect on what's important and how I wanted to spend my time, hence my love for pottery had a chance to bloom. With a curated functional design, I wanted the studio to be an escape, a place where you can really relax, have fun and improve or learn a new skill.”

 

Retail balances out the artist's areas, offering customers the chance to purchase the creations made within Studio Clay. There is a glass room within the space that houses the kilns, and racks of work to be fired. Large benches and pottery wheels fill the space and offer an almost serene calmness the moment you enter. Creating that calm feeling is part of the uniqueness of the studio and was perfectly designed to have that impact upon entry. 

 Art has always had therapeutic benefits, often used in wellbeing, stress and depression treatment, working with clay takes that one step further. Neuroscientists have proven the direct health benefits and often use pottery and ceramics within their treatment plans. There is a joy that strikes once you touch clay and feel it on your skin, the possibilities of creation are endless and a connection to earth and nature help soothe the soul. Many studies have concluded the incredible physical and mental health benefits connected with pottery. It helps increase your focus; exercise imagination and lowers stress levels something that Noura has recognised and championed within Studio Clay:

 

“Art in any form is an important part of self-expression, and it's clear to me at the studio when I see the uniqueness of everyone’s work, I believe there's an artist in everyone and it a totally inclusive activity that helps in many different ways both physically and mentally.”

 

Coming from an arts education background, Noura was conscious that she wanted to target an audience like her: artists. The space is designed to be fully equipped for both the public and an artist’s studio. 

 

“My inspiration for starting Studio Clay is simple: Where would I (an artist) like to spend my day? Since it didn't exist to my full criteria, I decided to take a leap and develop it myself.”

 

There are options on how to use the space: whether it is a one-off class, a chance to build a project over several weeks or as a member, all surrounded by friendly similar minded people. Studio Clay is part of the artist's revolution happening within Abu Dhabi and takes references from artists’ studios in Europe, the slickness of Dubai and looks like something from a magazine but is a woman-owned and operated business that is raising the standards and the possibilities within the artist field. 

 

To enjoy the full range of what Studio Clay can offer you can visit their website: https://studioclay.ae

and follow them on social media: @studioclay.ae

Final Showcase from the Athath Fellowship at MiZa HQ

The Athath Fellowship: Furniture Making for Aspiring Entrepreneurs programme in partnership with MAKE and the American University of Sharjah is having a programme end showcase this March at MiZa HQ, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi. 

The Athath Fellowship is a professional 15-week course aimed at training those that already have a keen interest in furniture design but were looking to expand their expertise and to progress their skillset into launching a business model. The course launched in October 2021 with 10 Fellows and led by Ammar Kalo: Furniture Designer, Architect, Associate Professor at the American University of Sharjah and winner of the silver award at the 2015 Milan Design Week.

 

With a mixture of practical fabrication time in the Makerspace studios in Al Zeina Abu Dhabi, field trips to local production sites, lectures with critically acclaimed designers and studio sessions with Ammar Kalo, the fellows are well on their way to a new career path in furniture making. 

 

This is an intensive and hands-on programme with the majority of the course requiring full in-person attendance at Makerspace Al Zeina. Makerspace has a range of tools, machinery and technology that allowed the Fellows to gain invaluable experience in professional-grade workshop equipment with the instruction and guidance from the staff. 

 

Online lectures were provided by a variety of industry professionals including Christian Andresen from Fritz Hansen, Nada Debs, Design by ROAR, Jakob Vermehren from JYSK and Farah Nasri from Irthi Council. 

 

Athath Fellowship was created to act as a creative and practical bridge to the furniture making world. The focus on providing business and entrepreneurial skills for the creative industries within the UAE was at the forefront of the Athath Fellowship’s mission. Cultivating and growing the maker community and offering Fellows the chance to develop a co-op and community they can work with, learn from, and provide support to one another. Each of the 10 Fellows has developed, designed, and created a final piece to be shown along with sketches, maquettes, and renderings. From this showcase, they will be able to take all the practical and business knowledge into launching their brand or developing their art form further. 

 “The fellowship programme is a stepping stone for young and creative individuals, like myself, who desire initial guidance and knowledge to tap into the design business community, especially within the UAE.”

Rawan Alaydaroos: Athath Fellow 2021-2022

 

The final showcase is open to the public on 6th and 7th March 2022 at MiZa HQ, Mina Zayed,  Abu Dhabi 9am-9pm and requires a 96hr PCR test.

 

You can register interest in the next Athath Fellowship programme by completing the online form via the website. For further information visit the website: www.athathfellowship.ae

 

About MiZa:

MiZa is an emerging neighbourhood tucked in the heart of Mina Zayed warehouses. An urban regeneration project that aims to curate entrepreneurial, innovative and creative output by acting as a starting point for the people of Abu Dhabi in establishing new concepts, ideas and businesses. Its inclusive and non-disciplinary approach encourages cross-pollination between businesses with an intentional juxtaposition between varying industries which, will shape the future of Mina Zayed and Abu Dhabi collectively.