Don’t treat your doormat as a doormat!

Don’t let the first step into your house be taken on an outdated tedious piece of rug for people to wipe the bottoms of their shoes on (Well they still will, but…) let the mat serve its purpose with a bit of entertainment while guests stand there waiting for you to open that door! Reflect your home spirit to guests from the minute they arrive at your doorway. Your neighbors will be jealous your doormat stands out, or they’ll figure they have people with a good sense of humor next door.

My best friend came over yesterday (Already fashionably late) and still stood by the door taking pictures of my doormat…

I find these hilarious! If you don’t find a doormat that you like online or at stores in Dubai, you can always personalize one online and have it delivered… 

Some websites to help you personalize your doormat:

 http://www.personalizeddoormats.com/c/Residential_Doormats

http://www.mymat.co.uk/

 

My first Secret Revealed – Heart of Al Quoz

I promised to reveal the hidden gems of Dubai, so here’s the first secret! It's a warehouse I visited in Al Quoz...

Heritage Touch located in Al Quoz Area (Behind Gold & Diamond Park @ the fourth interchange - Next to Mall of the Emirates) is home to amazing wooden hand carved furniture inspired by South Asian styles that bring elegance and warmth to each house! If you visit that warehouse, keep below tips In mind:

• Request that the furniture is treated for woodworm 
• Bargain, bargain, then bargain
•  Colors can be changed upon your request
• Showroom Timings 9:30 am - 9:00 pm

 
Coffee Tables

 

Stools & Bars  

 

 

Wardrobes

Mirrors, Doors & Windows

 

 

Scatter Those Cushions

Whether you’re gonna use them to cuddle, sit/sleep comfortably or for decoration, Cushions are essential must-haves in every home. When decorating, adding cushions is a quick and inexpensive way to alter the mood and style of your home (you can change them seasonally as well for a diff. feel)

If your house's main furniture is plain (Let’s say white) and you want to spice it up a little, start by adding colored or patterned cushions and small decorative pieces that complement the colors of the cushion and revitalize the space.        

Obviously if you check furniture shops in Dubai, you’ll catch a collection of cushions in various materials, shapes and colors, But I came across a Chinese website www.aliexpress.com that feature an incredible collection of cushions in retro, vintage, modern and oriental designs and my favorite part was, they’re all priced at a maximum of 26$! That’s less than 200 AED! Some are even at 10$! Below are some of my favorite… Oh, and they ship to the UAE!  

Relax on an unusual chair

I came across a post on facebook highlighting a few armchairs designed by students from the American University of Sharjah during the Student art/design exhibition. They’re so beautiful that I just had to feature them on my blog, so I contacted the Associate Dean who was nice enough to pass me the student’s contact details to know more about the inspiration behind their designs!

Although they knew I’m new in blogging, they were kind enough to feed me the info. needed!

The Black Framed Chair with Purple Fabric by Kanwal Shuaib 

 

Inspired by classis vintage chairs, this design combines a clash of classis with modern art to create a truly unique design.  The carvings on the right side were inspired from classic chiniot Pakistani furniture.

 

                                                              kvl.kreations@gmail.com

 

 

The Skateboard Chair by Bayan Abbassi

 

Skateboard chair? Who would’ve thought this would be possible?  Bayan saw her neighbor’s kids skateboarding and that’s when the idea hit her to create chairs made our of these little kid’s toys!

 

She went to a sports store, bought some skateboards, structured it to form a chair along with the help of a carpenter then hand painted them, and voila! You got yourself a one of its kind skateboard chair!  

 

 

                                                           bayan.abbassi@gmail.com 

 

 

PS: The students are happy to replicate those chairs and tailor it to anyone interested in owning these exclusive designs…

Where i walk barefoot...

Anywhere you can walk barefoot, you can call home! Since this blog started when I was furnishing my own place, I'd love to share with you the fun I had and pieces I've picked...

Here are my favorite things! But the full picture will be shared as soon as I get the wall painted (I know most people paint BEFORE they move into a new place, but I wanted to make sure all the furniture was bought before I paint the walls, to pick a color that brings all the pieces together)...

Searched everywhere for an oriental dining table…Finally found one at ‘Pride of Kashmir’ http://prideofkashmir.com/ in Al Quoz. (a piece of advice – Bargain bargain bargain!)

 

The armchairs to feel superior

The Sofas for a good movie night!

 

Side and Coffee table and most importantly the coasters to keep them clean!  

Found these Moroccan chandeliers at Dragon Mall (Morocco in China? Whatever! They’re beautiful!)

 

Whenever i travel, I bring back home local ethnic accessories, below are a few (Need more traveling!) OR save yourself the ticket and wait for Global Village :-P  

(Cyprus Coasters, Tunisia Serving plate, Spain sword)

Other accessories that make a difference…

Finally, the place I keep daydreaming about every working day! Since the bed is Red, I decided everything surrounding should be white and grey…trendy yet soothing