07.12.2018 Views

Betterliving December 2018

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

SHOP | Betterhomes Magazine<br />

DECEMBER <strong>2018</strong><br />

Complimentary copy<br />

The magazine of Betterhomes<br />

HOME RENO<br />

Creating<br />

an underthe-stairs<br />

playroom<br />

12<br />

FESTIVE<br />

DECOR<br />

IDEAS<br />

NEW<br />

LOOK<br />

NEW<br />

FEATURES<br />

ESCAPE<br />

TO A<br />

WILD<br />

GARDEN<br />

MOVE-IN READY<br />

HOMES WITH<br />

DREAMY POOLS<br />

Daring<br />

designs<br />

At home with a self-confessed maximalist<br />

20 | bhomes.com


At the heart of Roman is the desire to<br />

be the best. It is Roman's vision to lead<br />

innovate in the Showering industry.<br />

Bathroom, Kitchens, Building<br />

Products, Plumbing & Drainage<br />

Dubai: +971 4 266 1291<br />

Abu Dhabi: +971 2 674 1171<br />

Al Ain: +971 3 721 1219<br />

E: info@macuae.ae<br />

W: www.algurg.com


When you need to be<br />

cared for in a special way<br />

Bathroom, Kitchens, Building<br />

Products, Plumbing & Drainage<br />

Dubai: +971 4 266 1291<br />

Abu Dhabi: +971 2 674 1171<br />

Al Ain: +971 3 721 1219<br />

E: info@macuae.ae<br />

W: www.algurg.com


SHOP | Betterhomes Magazine<br />

Welcome to the <strong>December</strong> issue<br />

With a new name to go with its stunning new look, we’re really<br />

excited to present the brand new issue of the magazine from<br />

Betterhomes, the UAE’s most recognised property company.<br />

We continue to feature all the things you love, from touring the<br />

home of a very stylish local (page 38), inspiring trends (this<br />

month we focus on blue, page 27) and glean advice from interior<br />

designers. However, we’re now offering more practical, useful<br />

information, and stepping into more UAE homes and stores to<br />

bring you top tips, the latest finds and fantastic, easy ways to<br />

renovate, revamp, decorate and update your own home, whether<br />

you rent or own.<br />

Finally, we’ve also refreshed our property section to give you a<br />

selection of coveted properties on the market. Plus, this month we<br />

explore Jumeirah Golf Estates, which has as much to offer nonplayers<br />

as golf aficionados. Enjoy!<br />

Lucy Land, Editor<br />

lucy@hotmediapublishing.com<br />

14 | 14 bhomes.com |


Editor’s letter | CONTENTS<br />

SHOP<br />

16-26<br />

New finds, homeware news,<br />

a must-shop store focus and<br />

vacuum cleaners we rate<br />

INSPIRE<br />

27-62<br />

A clever renovation, home and<br />

garden tours with stylish residents,<br />

how to incorporate the latest<br />

trends into your home and<br />

bathroom tile inspiration<br />

Managing Director<br />

Victoria Thatcher<br />

Editorial Director<br />

John Thatcher<br />

Managing Editor<br />

Faye Bartle<br />

Editor<br />

Lucy Land<br />

MOVE<br />

64-72<br />

Things to know before you buy,<br />

a guide to Jumeirah Golf Estates<br />

with advice from the agent and the<br />

local’s view of the area, plus mustsee<br />

properties with pools<br />

on the market<br />

Art Director<br />

Kerri Bennett<br />

Senior Designer<br />

Hiral Kapadia<br />

Production Manager<br />

Muthu Kumar<br />

Advertising Group Manager<br />

Sukaina Hussein<br />

+971 50 515 9691<br />

To contact any of the<br />

above people, email<br />

firstname@hotmediapublishing.com<br />

Reproduction in whole or in part<br />

without written permission from<br />

HOT Media Publishing is strictly<br />

prohibited. HOT Media Publishing<br />

does not accept liability for omissions<br />

or errors in Better Living magazine.<br />

Tel: +971 4 364 2876<br />

Fax: +971 4 369 7494<br />

Thank you to Irony<br />

Home, Al-Futtaim Ace<br />

and The Lime Tree Café<br />

& Kitchen for supplying<br />

the festive goodies for<br />

these pages<br />

bhomes.com<br />

facebook.com/betterhomesuae<br />

@betterhomesuae<br />

@betterhomesuae<br />

linkedin.com/company/better-homes-llc<br />

bhomes.com | 15


UPDATES | <strong>December</strong> wish list<br />

Lucy Land, Editor<br />

Editor’s<br />

picks<br />

Five finds on my radar…<br />

1 If, like me, you’re looking to bring local influences into<br />

your home, then check out this chandelier featuring<br />

agaals, the woven headbands used to secure the<br />

traditional headdress worn by Emirati men. Price<br />

on request, FORMA collection for Arte Veneziana,<br />

arteveneziana.com<br />

2 Inspired by a cross section of a piece of wood, this<br />

Ambra bath mat is super soft under foot. Dhs885,<br />

Abyss & Habidecor, available from Amara, amara.com<br />

3 This set of handmade bowls will go with pretty much<br />

anything else in the kitchen so is a foolproof gift idea<br />

for homebodies. Set of four ceramic ’70s bowls, Dhs150,<br />

HKliving at Urban Nest, urbannest.ae<br />

4 With its black textured leather, this statement<br />

chair will add glamour to any space. Dhs12,000,<br />

ANCA, anca-1985.com<br />

5 Classic Swiss brand Vitra now has a home at<br />

department store Le BHV Marais Dubai and I’m<br />

coveting George Nelson’s timeless clock designs.<br />

Ball clock, Dhs1,599, Vitra, available from<br />

Le BHV Marais Dubai, lebhvmarais.ae<br />

16 | bhomes.com


This month’s<br />

Pinboard<br />

Our round-up of the latest in homeware<br />

news, design and interiors trends<br />

Dinnertime<br />

THIS WALL CLOCK,<br />

MADE FROM<br />

MOULDED METAL,<br />

IS PERFECT FOR A<br />

CONTEMPORARY<br />

KITCHEN. WE LOVE<br />

ITS AFFORDABLE<br />

PRICE TAG, TOO.<br />

Gino kitchen wall clock,<br />

Dhs79, Home Centre.<br />

Boxed in<br />

Don’t have space for a festive tree<br />

or just looking for a fun alternative?<br />

A wall tree installation could be<br />

your answer. Simply put a tiny tree<br />

into a display box and let matching<br />

frames create a graphic feel.<br />

Barkhyttan display box, Dhs79, IKEA.<br />

LIVING TRADITIONS<br />

Tiger & Arcadia (tigerandarcadia.com) was among the independent<br />

projects spotted at this year’s Downtown Design. Commited to conserving<br />

craft techniques around the world, founder Andrea de Rossetto has a<br />

unique story for every piece. In Mexico, for example, each Ocumicho mask<br />

(pictured, left) is created as a trophy at the end of an obstacle race.<br />

18 | bhomes.com


Trending | UPDATES<br />

SMART SPACE SAVER<br />

Those of us living in apartments and small spaces can<br />

now have a barbecue<br />

at home thanks to the<br />

award-winning Space<br />

Grill (Dhs3,799, ae.spacegrill.com),<br />

which has<br />

recently arrived in the<br />

Middle East. It’s the<br />

only indoor-approved,<br />

fold-away barbecue and<br />

it only takes 10 seconds<br />

to set up.<br />

TAKE TWO<br />

CRYSTAL<br />

SCULPTURES<br />

Save<br />

SAVE<br />

Agate sculpture, Dhs99,<br />

Home Centre<br />

SPLURGE<br />

Agate sprout, Dhs945<br />

(GBP200),<br />

5MM Design<br />

Splurge<br />

Style star<br />

If you’re looking for<br />

some help to revamp<br />

a room or your entire<br />

home, we recommend<br />

calling on the help of<br />

interior designer Alexandra<br />

Conti. She offers a simple approach and a flat<br />

fee styling service through her newly launched<br />

platform (ayi-designer.com), and if you want to<br />

see more of her style, be sure to check out next<br />

month’s issue of Better Living.<br />

On our radar Intelligent designs for cleaner air and minimal fuss<br />

SAY GOODBYE to an ugly extractor<br />

hood: the cooktop extractor of the<br />

BORA Classic (price on request) draws<br />

vapour directly away from where it<br />

is created.<br />

NEUTRALISE negative energy with a<br />

mini humidifier that has mood lighting<br />

ability. Quartz Aroma Diffuser, Dhs189,<br />

Made By Zen. Available<br />

from Lifestyle.<br />

SAVE COUNTLESS trips to the<br />

hardware store with LG Signature Air<br />

Purifier (Dhs5,249). Its filter system<br />

can be removed, washed and used<br />

again for up to 10 years.<br />

bhomes.com | 19


SHOP | Must-shop<br />

WHAT’S IN<br />

STORE<br />

COMPTOIR<br />

102<br />

THE STORY SO FAR: Launched in<br />

2012 by Parisian Emmanuelle Sawko,<br />

Comptoir 102 shines a light on craft<br />

and design. Its carefully curated<br />

furniture collection includes finds from<br />

around the globe, as well as limited<br />

edition collaborations with artists and<br />

designers – it’s a haven for one-of-akind<br />

pieces.<br />

THE LOOK: Unconventional, bohemian<br />

and full of soul.<br />

WHAT’S NEW? Comptoir 102’s own<br />

home décor line, available exclusively<br />

in store, has grown to include pretty<br />

cushion covers, simple brass pieces<br />

and a kooky tableware collection<br />

featuring the label’s cute bubble motif.<br />

GOOD TO KNOW: The store’s interiors<br />

get a monthly refresh. If you need<br />

some help recreating the look, resident<br />

stylist and designer Mathilde is on<br />

hand to help style your purchases in<br />

your own home (upon request).<br />

DELIVERY DETAILS: If you’re loading<br />

up on buys, take advantage of the free<br />

local delivery service.<br />

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Check out<br />

the edgy fashion, artisan jewellery<br />

and clean beauty collections before<br />

sipping an organic superfood smoothie<br />

(complete with homemade nut milk) in<br />

the healthy café.<br />

102 Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai<br />

04 385 4555, comptoir102.com<br />

FAVOURITE FINDS<br />

Stool with<br />

interchangeable<br />

legs, Dhs950<br />

WHY WE RATE IT<br />

It’s great for one-off fabric designs,<br />

traditional handcrafted pieces and<br />

items by renowned names. Plus, the<br />

designs by the in-house team are<br />

available exclusively in the store.<br />

Cactus<br />

vase,<br />

Dhs310<br />

Orange throw, Dhs500,<br />

zebra throw, Dhs600,<br />

Collection 102<br />

Look out for the Better<br />

Living loves sign in<br />

store, which points you<br />

towards our top buys<br />

20 | bhomes.com


DuraSquare: Now with the new bathroom furniture series XSquare.<br />

The exact and precise edges of the DuraSquare bathroom series blends perfectly with the latest furniture collection<br />

XSquare designed by Kurt Merki Jr. Handle-free fronts, striking chrome profiles and 28 furniture finishes enable an<br />

individual bathroom design. Co-ordinating mirrors feature a touch-free control panel for demisting and light or<br />

dimming functions. Duravit Middle East SAL (Off-Shore), info@lb.duravit.com, Duravit Middle East SAL Off Shore -<br />

UAE Rep Office info@ae.duravit.com, Duravit Saudi Arabia LLC, info@sa.duravit.com. www.duravit.com


Estella green 83-piece dinner set by Dankotuwa, Dhs3,995, Jashanmal Home<br />

Deco assorted set of four gold dinner plates by LSA International, Dhs268. Available at Amara<br />

SHOP | Plates<br />

HOT<br />

PLATES<br />

Bring drama to the tabletop<br />

with these stunning designs<br />

Renaissance gold dinner plate, Dhs198, Wedgwood<br />

Portmeirion set of four cake plates by Sara Miller, Dhs324.45. Available at Indigo Living<br />

Brindille fat plate, Dhs176.19, Villeroy & Boch<br />

Panache presentation plate by Marie Daage, Dhs846.35. Available at White Almonds<br />

22 | bhomes.com<br />

Arris white accent octagonal plate,<br />

Dhs255, Wedgwood


Steam<br />

cleaner<br />

Window<br />

vac<br />

Floor<br />

cleaner<br />

Sweeper<br />

Pressure<br />

washer<br />

Official Sponsor<br />

KARCHER CENTER: YOUR<br />

ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL<br />

CLEANING NEEDS.<br />

Whatever the cleaning task, we have<br />

a solution. We provide the best in<br />

cleaning technology & sustainability.<br />

Visit us to get personalized advice<br />

from our trained professional.<br />

UAE’S CHOICE<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

Kärcher Store<br />

Sedana - Sharjah<br />

+971 6 532 2200<br />

Kärcher Store<br />

Sedana - Dubai<br />

+971 4 289 5666<br />

Kärcher Center<br />

Sedana - Abu Dhabi<br />

+971 2 555 6056<br />

Kärcher Center<br />

Dubai<br />

+971 4 259 1112<br />

www.karcher.ae | Toll Free: 800-5272437 | +971 4 886 0254 | customercare@ae.kaercher.com


Better buys | SHOP<br />

VACUUM<br />

CLEANERS<br />

Whether you’ve got dust or doggy<br />

hair to deal with, we’ve found the<br />

perfect machine for you<br />

THE WASH AND GO<br />

Say goodbye to laborious scrubbing. This<br />

clever machine has two rotating microfibre<br />

rollers, which are continuously moistened<br />

with a detergent solution, while the vacuumed<br />

liquid is drawn into a separate tank that can<br />

be emptied after cleaning. Hard Floor Cleaner<br />

FC 5, Dhs1,100, Kärcher, karcher.com<br />

THE CORDLESS WONDER<br />

It boasts the most powerful suction power of any<br />

cord-free vacuum. Plus, it’s instant-release trigger<br />

means the battery power is only used while it’s cleaning.<br />

Dyson Cyclone V10, Dhs2,939, Dyson, dyson.ae<br />

THE<br />

SENSITIVE ONE<br />

This one’s good for those<br />

with allergies due to its HEPA<br />

hygienic filter. It’s also really<br />

light, easy to operate and is<br />

compact, too. Bagless vacuum<br />

cleaner with sensor control,<br />

Dhs576.45, Bosch, bosch.ae<br />

THE TECHIE WHIZZ<br />

With its onboard cameras to analyse your home,<br />

map its path and efficiently clean your space,<br />

you can leave it to get on with the job. Robotic<br />

vacuum cleaner, Dhs2,414, LG, lg.com<br />

BEFORE YOU BUY...<br />

BEST BUDGET BUY<br />

With its strong performance and extra long cable,<br />

this sturdy number is the most cost-effective in<br />

our selection. Synchropower bag & bagless<br />

vacuum cleaner, Dhs471.45, Siemens. Available<br />

from Better Life, betterlifeuae.com<br />

BEST FOR TILE FLOORS?<br />

Most of us have tile or vinyl flooring with rugs in the UAE so look for a vacuum cleaner that has a good filtration<br />

system as tile flooring accumulates more electrostatic dust. Also, consider a machine that vacuums<br />

and steams at the same time, since tile flooring is resistant to high temperatures and can be easily sanitised.<br />

bhomes.com | 25


Hacker Kitchens Studio<br />

Dubai, Al Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road<br />

+971 (0) 4 3990425<br />

hacker.ae<br />

innerspaceME.com<br />

info@innerspaceME.com


Trends | INSPIRATION<br />

Into<br />

the<br />

blue<br />

From dark and<br />

dreamy to pale<br />

and interesting,<br />

there’s a blue hue<br />

for everyone<br />

Riviera Collection, Lelievere Middle East<br />

bhomes.com | 27


Statement shades<br />

Choose a rich, royal blue for a statement piece, such as a<br />

sofa, and surround it with a toned-down palette. An intense,<br />

vibrant blue adds a summery feeling to your interiors,<br />

while a complementary mix of milky whites, dusky pinks<br />

and greys or pastels are pretty and easy to live with.<br />

Mas Paints<br />

Clockwise from left: Almandine<br />

armchair, Dhs23,200; Jean-Louis<br />

Deniot at Iconic Home; Bullseye side<br />

table, Dhs1,389.15, Indigo Living; Blue<br />

and white throw, Dhs599, Zara Home<br />

“Create a<br />

TIP relaxed luxe<br />

feel with<br />

different<br />

shades and texture,<br />

such as deep blue<br />

velvet seating, soft<br />

throws and accents<br />

of brass throughout<br />

the room,” says<br />

Nisrine El Lababidi<br />

Moghraby, design<br />

director at Harf<br />

Noon Design Studio.<br />

28 | bhomes.com


Trends | INSPIRATION<br />

Calm bedrooms<br />

Set the tone for a place to unwind with some serene<br />

shades. Blue hues transport us to gorgeous landscapes and<br />

seascapes. Combine blue with white for a classic Santoriniinspired<br />

coastal colour scheme for a relaxed holiday vibe.<br />

JYSK<br />

From Top: Classic navy lattice rug, from Dhs960,<br />

From Jaipur With Love; Galley grade striped pillowcase,<br />

Dhs78, Joules at Amara; Candle, Dhs129, Zara Home,<br />

TIP<br />

The secret to a<br />

tranquil vibe in<br />

the bedroom is<br />

in layering and if you<br />

prefer to move away from<br />

a Mediterranean scheme,<br />

combine blue with grey for<br />

a cosy, moody style.<br />

bhomes.com | 29


INSPIRATION | Trends<br />

Walls that wow<br />

If you want to transform a blank wall,<br />

there are an abundance of solutions<br />

beyond just painting it. A wallpaper<br />

with an unexpected motif will liven<br />

up a space in an instant, while tiles<br />

can be used for a fresh, bold look and<br />

artworks add a touch of vibrancy.<br />

Blue has the unique quality of being<br />

simultaneously dynamic and calming.<br />

The Alchemy of Colour collection, Zoffany<br />

“A feature wall gives a room<br />

TIP a more adventurous vibe,” says<br />

Linda Dekkers, interior stylist<br />

and founder of Live Loud Girl.<br />

From Left: Close to Heaven wallpaper, Dhs208.95, Mr Perswall at D.Tales;<br />

Enchanted Wood wallpaper, Dhs282.74 (GBP59.95), Hibou Home;<br />

Albert design tile, Ferruccio Laviani for Bisazza, Jungle Blues printed<br />

canvas with colour gel, Dhs499, Home Centre<br />

30 | bhomes.com


In your heart and home since 1968<br />

Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Sharjah | Al Ain | Ras Al Khaimah<br />

Interiorsfurniture.com<br />

InteriorsFurnitureUAE<br />

InteriorsUAE<br />

A member of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group


Festive<br />

trimmings<br />

Dress up your home for the<br />

holidays with our sparkling ideas<br />

IF YOU HAVE LITTLE ONES AT HOME,<br />

CREATE A COSY SETTING WITH<br />

WARM JEWEL TONES AND FESTIVE<br />

CHARACTERS THAT ADD A PLAYFUL<br />

VIBE, LIKE THESE DECORATIONS<br />

FROM AL-FUTTAIM ACE. WHEN<br />

STRIVING FOR A CHILD-FRIENDLY<br />

SCHEME, NOT EVERYTHING NEEDS TO<br />

MATCH, SO GET EVERYONE INVOLVED<br />

IN HANGING THE BAUBLES.<br />

32 | bhomes.com


2 3<br />

Style some candles to create an instantly inviting and cosy<br />

atmosphere. “When it comes to the grouping, arrange them<br />

at least two inches apart for proper air flow that allows<br />

them to burn evenly,” advises Carol Sukkar of concept store<br />

Home & Soul (homeandsouldubai.com). “It’s easy to achieve a<br />

harmonious look with different shapes and sizes<br />

by arranging them asymmetrically.”<br />

For a modern take on poinsettia,<br />

opt for some luxurious, longlasting<br />

red roses instead. This<br />

Forever Rose London Vintage<br />

Hat Box can be filled with your<br />

choice of fresh florals. From<br />

Dhs750, myforeverrose.com<br />

Festive touches | INSPIRATION<br />

Mini novelty santa<br />

cushion, Dhs75,<br />

Marks & Spencer<br />

Cushion covers<br />

(far left and left),<br />

Dhs59 each,<br />

4H&M Home<br />

AN EASY WAY TO GIVE YOUR LIVING ROOM A MERRY MAKEOVER<br />

IS TO SWAP YOUR USUAL SOFT FURNISHINGS FOR THOSE WITH A<br />

FESTIVE TOUCH. SEASONAL CUSHIONS AND THROWS ARE A SMALL<br />

WAY TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.<br />

There’s nothing like a festive<br />

wreath on your front door to mark the<br />

holiday season. It’s the first thing your<br />

guests will see,and you can’t go wrong<br />

with a simple,lush evergreen wreath<br />

decorated with pine cones and mistletoe.<br />

Wreath, Dhs185, John Lewis Home Festive collection<br />

available exclusively at Robinsons, Dubai Festival City Mall<br />

5<br />

bhomes.com | 33


6 7<br />

“I LOVE AN ICY-WHITE<br />

COLOUR SCHEME – IT<br />

REFINES A SPACE”<br />

BETTER LIVING<br />

EDITOR LUCY LAND<br />

“It’s easy to create<br />

a festive mood with<br />

lights. Fairy lights are<br />

beautiful on the tree,<br />

wrapped over the<br />

stair banisters or<br />

draped across the<br />

balcony,” says Medy<br />

Navani, CEO of<br />

Design Haus Medy.<br />

Marks & Spencer<br />

IF ONLY A REAL TREE WILL DO, AL-FUTTAIM ACE, DUBAI PLANT<br />

SOUQ (WARSAN PLANT NURSERIES), SPINNEYS AND DUBAI GARDEN<br />

CENTRE ARE AMONG THE PLACES TO GET YOUR HANDS ON THE REAL<br />

8DEAL. WATER IT EVERY DAY TO KEEP IT LOOKING PLUMP AND FULL.<br />

34 | bhomes.com


If you have more baubles than you need for the tree,<br />

get creative by filling glass vases or decorative bowls to<br />

create eye-catching decorative features to place around<br />

the home. Or, group them together with ribbon and hang<br />

around the house, such as from the banister.<br />

10<br />

9<br />

Dove<br />

Festive collection,<br />

Dhs165, John Lewis<br />

at Robinsons<br />

Festive touches | INSPIRATION<br />

ornament,<br />

Dhs123,<br />

Wedgwood<br />

Winter Bakery Delight<br />

Heart bowl, Dhs355,<br />

Villeroy & Boch<br />

Get into the snuggly spirit of the holidays<br />

with a faux fireplace. Pan Emirates has a<br />

good selection, while The Imperfect Parlour can<br />

make you one featuring pretty wooden appliqué,<br />

painted with chalk paint (from Dhs1,150).<br />

“Bring nature into the home with an<br />

imaginative tablescape featuring silver<br />

and white accent pieces layered with<br />

white fine bone china, accentuated with<br />

fresh midwinter foliage,” says Richard<br />

Delaney, design director for Wedgwood.<br />

11<br />

Festive Treats,<br />

The Lime Tree<br />

Café & Kitchen,<br />

Dhs12, available<br />

from Spinneys<br />

12<br />

bhomes.com<br />

Wedgwood Winter White collection<br />

FILL YOUR HOME WITH YOUR FAVOURITE<br />

HOLIDAY SCENTS. WHETHER YOU LIGHT A<br />

SPICE-SCENTED CANDLE, BAKE SOME FRESH<br />

GINGERBREAD OR STRING A GARLAND OF<br />

DRIED ORANGE SLICES, YOU CAN’T BEAT<br />

SOME COSY, WINTERY AROMAS.<br />

| 35


INSPIRATION | home renovation<br />

Emma Hutton at home in Jumeirah 3<br />

36 | bhomes.com


Ask the designer | INSPIRATION<br />

Ask the<br />

DESIGNER<br />

Interior designer Emma Hutton<br />

reveals how to create a welcoming entrance<br />

As your entryway is the first thing<br />

that guests see of your home, it<br />

should give some idea of the style<br />

that the rest of your home has to<br />

offer. I like to start a scheme with<br />

something that I love, such as a piece of<br />

art that I have found on my travels or<br />

something I have been given and is close<br />

to my heart. I think it is important<br />

to have a little bit of your own<br />

personality in each room,<br />

and there should be a natural<br />

progression of style, starting<br />

from the entrance area, to tell the<br />

story of your life that reveals your<br />

personality. In our warm climate, we<br />

are mostly very lucky to have rooms<br />

filled with natural light. Add a little<br />

punch of colour outside, like a citrus<br />

yellow or bright pink flowers. Inside,<br />

keep it fresh with greenery – orchids<br />

and lilies are my favourite, while a<br />

beautiful scented burning candle can<br />

give a lovely feel to any space, day or<br />

night. It can be difficult to keep an<br />

entrance clutter-free, particularly<br />

if you have lots of visitors and for<br />

anyone who has children and dogs,<br />

like me. I have areas and baskets<br />

for everything, from dog leads to<br />

school bags. It’s a great way to store<br />

things and they look stylish even if they<br />

do have everything shoved into them.<br />

Greet guests with a statement<br />

piece as a point of interest. Go<br />

with either a bold rug or a piece<br />

of art. For even more of a wow factor,<br />

choose both if they work well together,<br />

while a mirror placed above a console<br />

table is always a winner. Symmetry<br />

works really well, too – two lamps<br />

placed either side of the mirror on the<br />

console looks smart. Depending on<br />

how much space you have, a chair or a<br />

bench is a great addition for creating<br />

a sense of warmth. Add texture with<br />

either a cushion placed on a bench or<br />

an upholstered chair – it is also an easy<br />

way to add colour, especially if you don’t<br />

have any window treatments.<br />

For reflecting the light<br />

beautifully, I love an old-style<br />

chandelier, although this option<br />

depends on your style. There are<br />

some beautiful modern chandeliers<br />

available for more contemporary homes.<br />

Use flattering, warm white bulbs and a<br />

dimmer. Some ceilings are just not tall<br />

enough for a hanging light. In this case,<br />

go to town on some magnificent lamps.<br />

Create flow by using the same colour scheme<br />

TIP<br />

inside your entrance as is used directly<br />

outside your home. Motifs of nature work<br />

well on wallpaper and soft furnishings, too.<br />

bhomes.com | 37


INSPIRATION | At home with<br />

Interior stylist Ash Young’s<br />

Damac Hills family villa<br />

shows her effortless<br />

approach to maximalism<br />

38 | bhomes.com


homes.com | 39


“I love a space that grabs your attention and draws your eye around the room.<br />

Interiors are such a passion of mine so I have a lot of fun with them,” enthuses<br />

interior stylist Ash Young, whose family villa in Damac Hills epitomises her<br />

style. “I enjoy mixing materials and styles, and I like glamour, detail, metallic and<br />

greenery.” A self-confessed maximalist, Ash’s secret to creating a tough-luxe,<br />

edgy-elegant look is keeping to a restrained colour palette. “I generally use three<br />

main colours, with two accents.”<br />

40 | bhomes.com


At home with | INSPIRATION<br />

“Consider any existing<br />

pieces you already<br />

have, choose a colour<br />

scheme and stick to a<br />

theme while browsing for<br />

additional pieces”<br />

Most of the artworks in her home comprise inexpensive prints, from the likes of<br />

Society6, Rockett St George, Etsy and Drawdeck. “I check out Pinterest, Instagram<br />

and magazines for inspiration.”<br />

bhomes.com | 41


INSPIRATION | At home with<br />

As a global nomad (Ash was born in the UAE to<br />

English and Irish parents, moved to the UK aged<br />

nine and moved to Dubai with her family four years<br />

ago), Ash places a lot of importance on her home,<br />

which provides a source of stability. It also means<br />

that she gets her husband, Chris, and children,<br />

10-year-old Lucas, eight-year-old Allegra and sixyear-old<br />

Scarlett involved with the home decorating<br />

decisions. The kids’ bedrooms, in particular, reflect<br />

their personalities. Scarlett chose her lively Extinct<br />

wallpaper by Emma J Shipley for Clarke & Clarke<br />

and her Boss print artwork; Allegra asked for<br />

the rebellious, graffitied portrait artwork (from<br />

Rockett St George; rockettstgeorge.co.uk) that was<br />

originally in her parents’ bedroom; and once both<br />

daughters saw Lucas’ Rock On print by Nickie<br />

Kelly, they wanted their own hand gestures (Peace<br />

Out and Hope). Ash’s rock ‘n’ roll sense of style is<br />

clearly contagious.<br />

GIVING IT A NEW LEASE OF LIFE,<br />

THIS IKEA SOFA HAS BEEN<br />

REUPHOLSTERED IN PINK VELVET<br />

42 | bhomes.com


At home with | INSPIRATION<br />

THE PLAYHOUSE<br />

Handmade by an<br />

Englishman for his<br />

daughters, this playhouse<br />

was located in a huge<br />

villa in Sharjah. “When<br />

the family was planning<br />

to return to the UK, the<br />

father posted an advert<br />

in a mums’ group online.<br />

Two handymen, my<br />

brother-in-law and I drove<br />

to Sharjah to disassemble<br />

it – we had to mark each<br />

piece so we’d know how to<br />

put it back together. It’s<br />

a little bit worse for wear<br />

after its third move from<br />

our previous home in The<br />

Springs but we still love it.”<br />

THE RUG IS BY<br />

LOCAL BRAND FROM<br />

JAIPUR WITH LOVE,<br />

WHICH SUPPORTS<br />

TRADITIONAL<br />

CRAFTSMANSHIP<br />

bhomes.com | 43


THE KITCHEN:<br />

Ash worked closely with<br />

designer Tarek Dawood at<br />

Kaiser to create her dream<br />

kitchen. The doors have a<br />

gorgeous textured finish in<br />

Putty Concrete for an urban<br />

feel, contrasting perfectly<br />

with the grey oak grain<br />

worktop in a cut timber<br />

effect. The unusual Franke<br />

Belfast sink and Miele<br />

appliances complete the<br />

look. “Tarek had the idea<br />

for the L-shaped breakfast<br />

bar, which is genius – it has<br />

seating for five of us and it<br />

has totally changed the way<br />

we use this space.”<br />

THE JUNGLE LIFE<br />

WALL CHART<br />

FROM URBAN NEST<br />

CLEVERLY COVERS<br />

LIGHT SWITCHES<br />

AND THE A/C<br />

CONTROL PANEL<br />

“The finishing<br />

touches give a space<br />

personality<br />

and depth”<br />

Palm Jungle by Cole & Son; Pineapple Royale<br />

by Sanderson; 101 Spots by Paper Pop; Dark<br />

Floral by Mr Perswall; Extinct wallpaper by<br />

Emma J Shipley for Clarke & Clarke<br />

44 | bhomes.com


At home with | INSPIRATION<br />

Premier Hanoi lantern,<br />

Dhs200, Namshi<br />

“I wanted the guest bedroom<br />

to have a calm, welcoming<br />

and friendly vibe”<br />

Monstera plant and vase,<br />

Dhs450, Urban Nest<br />

Misty bowl in pink,<br />

Dhs33, THE One<br />

GET<br />

THE<br />

LOOK<br />

HAVING A PENDANT<br />

HANGING FROM<br />

A HIGH CEILING<br />

BREAKS UP THE<br />

SPACE AND DRAWS<br />

THE EYE UP SLIGHTLY<br />

Pouffe, Dhs699, Zara Home<br />

Love chair in<br />

natural, Dhs895,<br />

White Moss<br />

bhomes.com | 45


INSPIRATION | home renovation<br />

Nuture a little bit of<br />

NATURE<br />

How a garden in Umm Suqeim 2<br />

blossomed into a sanctuary for wildlife<br />

46 | bhomes.com


Outdoor space | INSPIRATION<br />

as soon as we saw the bougainvillea that covers<br />

the bay windows and the greenery climbing<br />

the garden wall, we decided we wanted this<br />

villa,” reveals Shana Sebban Mannarini. She<br />

moved in with her family a month later but<br />

by that time the garden was dry and void of<br />

greenery. Eight years on and it is filled with<br />

mature flowering trees and plants, including<br />

an arbor of bougainvillea that connects the<br />

area originally constructed as a carport to<br />

the bougainvillea that first caught Shana’s<br />

eye, as well as frangipani, laurier rose (“this<br />

can be toxic to children and animals so be<br />

vigilant,” Shana warns), an Eastern redbud<br />

tree that Shana and her husband Gil planted<br />

in celebration of their five-year-old son Ari’s<br />

birth and another tree planted a year ago<br />

when their daughter Ari was born.<br />

“We’re animal lovers so we wanted to create<br />

a safe haven for wildlife in the garden, which<br />

is why we grew lots of trees and shrubs, and<br />

hung bird feeding stations.” The couple run<br />

children’s edutainment concept Pearls of the<br />

Emirates (pearlsoftheemirates.com), with the<br />

aim of educating children about environment<br />

protection and animal welfare and their<br />

passion is evident throughout their outside<br />

space. There’s a cattery for their rescued<br />

street cats, while the air is filled with birdsong.<br />

“Indian parakeets love the Indian nuts we put<br />

out for them, while ground-feeding hoopoes<br />

feed off the fallen scraps,” Shana enthuses.<br />

Other visiting birds include hummingbirds,<br />

common mynas, Indian rollers and doves, while<br />

the couple also often spot lizards, butterflies<br />

and dragonflies. “The wildlife-filled garden<br />

takes us away from the bustle of Dubai.”<br />

bhomes.com | 47


INSPIRATION | Outdoor space<br />

The desert landscapes<br />

of the UAE inspire<br />

the mixed media<br />

artworks by Gil<br />

and add character<br />

to their garden<br />

“Ensure you place feeders<br />

out of the reach of cats,”<br />

says Shana. “I buy seeds<br />

from the pet shop, Indian<br />

nuts from Carrefour and<br />

hang up cuttlefish found on<br />

the shoreline for a calciumrich<br />

dietary supplement”<br />

“It’s important to have<br />

an inspiring view<br />

when I paint.” Shana<br />

likes to paint in the<br />

early mornings<br />

with the birds’<br />

dawn chorus.<br />

48 | bhomes.com


“As we’re both<br />

French, it was<br />

important for us to<br />

create a European<br />

atmosphere with lots<br />

of trees. Plant new<br />

trees at the end of<br />

summer so they’ve<br />

got time to get<br />

established”<br />

bhomes.com | 49


Out on<br />

the tiles<br />

Ramp up your bathroom space with<br />

some vibrant floors and walls<br />

Bisazza<br />

Tiles are one of the first things we notice in a bathroom so when it comes to<br />

a renovation, consider your options carefully. There are myriad colours, sizes<br />

and materials to choose from, while the versatility of the material makes it<br />

easily customisable. Use colour and pattern to create a statement but choose<br />

no more than three different tiles to ensure a cohesive look.<br />

50 | bhomes.com


Bathrooms | INSPIRATION<br />

Pretty<br />

patterns<br />

Fantini mosaici<br />

Upgrade your space to spalevel<br />

luxury with beautiful<br />

mosaic, which is the perfect<br />

choice for a feature wall. Go<br />

for clear glass shower doors so<br />

you don’t obscure them and<br />

keep the grout lines slim to<br />

reduce the painstaking task of<br />

scrubbing them clean.<br />

Bisazza<br />

Bisazza<br />

Villeroy & Boch<br />

SERENE<br />

TOUCHES<br />

Clockwise from left:<br />

Small skittle hanging pot,<br />

Dhs40, Present Time at Namshi;<br />

Memphis print vase, Dhs35,<br />

Sass & Belle at Namshi; Black oudh<br />

fragrance sticks, Dhs255, Rituals,<br />

The Ritual of Ayurveda scented<br />

candle, Dhs125, Rituals<br />

bhomes.com | 51


INSPIRATION | Bathrooms<br />

Bold<br />

floors<br />

Statement bathroom floors are not for the<br />

faint-hearted, but they are definitely worth<br />

the risk. Combine with a timeless herringbone<br />

patterned wall for a smart look. For suppliers,<br />

we rate Mosaico (pictured, mosaico.ae), which<br />

handmakes cement tiles in Ras Al-Khaimah;<br />

Graniti (granitibuildingmaterials.com),<br />

known for kitting out plenty of local high-end<br />

villas in porcelain tiles; and RAK Ceramics<br />

(rakceramics.com), one of the biggest ceramics’<br />

brands in the world.<br />

Mosaico<br />

Tip<br />

LARGE-SCALE<br />

TILES CAN HELP<br />

SMALLER ROOMS<br />

APPEAR MORE<br />

SPACIOUS<br />

Monsaraz tile, Mosaico<br />

Supernova tile, Mosaico<br />

52 | bhomes.com


Modern<br />

monochrome<br />

Don’t be afraid to go dark. Team black and white for<br />

a moody, masculine look that gives a lasting impact.<br />

“A monochrome palette ensures a classic look, so you<br />

can go all out in your choice of patterns,” says interior<br />

designer Alexandra Conti.<br />

IT WON’T GO OUT OF STYLE<br />

Black and white is a timeless combination that<br />

won’t date, which means you won’t need to<br />

update it in a few seasons when colour trends<br />

change or when you want to resell your property.<br />

IT’S VERSATILE<br />

Because of its timeless quality, you can choose<br />

different patterns and sizes, from geometric<br />

shapes to stripes, chevrons and subway tiles.<br />

It’s easy to mix with playful patterns and colours,<br />

such as florals and spots, too.<br />

IT’S AN AFFORDABLE OPTION<br />

Plain white or black tiles tend to be cheaper than<br />

coloured or patterned options, plus you’re likely<br />

to be halfway there already as the starting point<br />

is usually a white bathroom suite.<br />

GROUT<br />

COLOURS<br />

A SANDY-<br />

TONED<br />

GROUT PAIRS<br />

WELL WITH<br />

DARK OR<br />

NEUTRAL<br />

TILES<br />

Tip<br />

CHOOSE<br />

ELEGANT<br />

SHAPES, SUCH<br />

AS THESE, FOR<br />

A GLAMOROUS<br />

LOOK<br />

The Hayon Collection, Bisazza Bagno. Photo by Anson Smart<br />

A LIGHT<br />

GREY<br />

WORKS<br />

WELL FOR<br />

WHITE TILES<br />

Grohe<br />

bhomes.com | 53


INSPIRATION | home renovation<br />

More<br />

room<br />

to play<br />

Carving out an under-the-stairs<br />

nook at this family home in Mira<br />

created an extra five square<br />

metres of play space<br />

When the Prexus family, from<br />

Denmark, moved into their<br />

brand-new home in Mira in<br />

Dubailand two years ago,<br />

finding clever ways to build in more<br />

storage was at the top of the agenda.<br />

“While we loved our new home, the layout<br />

and design of the property meant there<br />

wasn’t a huge amount of space to stash<br />

our belongings. Plus, it lacked a dedicated<br />

play room for our daughter Emily,” says<br />

Emmett Prexus, a software engineer<br />

who has lived in Dubai with his family<br />

for five years. “It’s common for houses<br />

to have under-the-stairs storage and,<br />

although ours was blocked off, I wondered<br />

if it would be possible to excavate it.”<br />

Emmett called upon Bjorn Fagerlind,<br />

co-owner of Handy Scandy (+971<br />

52 167 5464, handyscandy.com)<br />

who, after assessing the internal<br />

structure of the property, confirmed<br />

that he was onto something.<br />

“At first I thought it was a crazy idea,”<br />

jokes Bjorn. “But after looking at the<br />

CAD drawings, I realised that we could<br />

happily go ahead. The process was fairly<br />

straightforward: we drew an opening in<br />

the wall and used a hi-tech saw with a<br />

built-in HEPA filter that sucks up dust<br />

as it goes, to start digging it out. The only<br />

unknown to the project was what we’d<br />

find on the other side. We had predicted<br />

that we’d get sufficient usable space,<br />

but there was a danger that there’d be<br />

something inside blocking the way. When<br />

we broke through, however, we were<br />

pleasantly surprised by what we found.”<br />

Underneath the stairs was five<br />

square metres of floor space, cluttered<br />

only by some stacks of breeze blocks,<br />

which were easily removed.<br />

“Once the space was cleared, we set<br />

about wiring in an electrical socket, tiling<br />

the floor, plastering the walls and giving<br />

them a lick of paint,” says Bjorn. “It was<br />

then ready to be styled as Emmett and<br />

his wife Esmée wished. We’ve since had<br />

lots of enquiries from homeowners in<br />

Mira. The project seems to have sparked<br />

a trend for under-the-stairs storage.”<br />

54 | bhomes.com


Home renovation | INSPIRATION<br />

TIME<br />

TAKEN:<br />

5 DAYS<br />

FINISHING<br />

TOUCHES<br />

The walls were painted with<br />

the washable Valspar Ultra<br />

Interior Paint (to guard against<br />

scuffs and marks) in Weathervane<br />

for a touch of drama<br />

THE VERDICT<br />

“We’re so pleased with<br />

the end result. It’s bigger<br />

than we thought – we can<br />

even stand up in it. Emily<br />

is delighted with her play<br />

nook and spends a few<br />

hours a day in there. We’ve<br />

even used the space as a<br />

cosy guest bedroom”<br />

– the Prexus family<br />

Turn the page to read our tops tips on planning a similar renovation in your home ➤<br />

bhomes.com | 55


INSPIRATION | Home renovation<br />

A handy how-to<br />

Want your very own under-stairs<br />

cubby? Handy Scandy’s<br />

Bjorn Fagerlind has these top tips<br />

“Make sure you plan your<br />

electrical sockets in advance,<br />

as it would be a pain (and an<br />

additional expense) to add<br />

them afterwards”<br />

STYLING THE SPACE<br />

Esmée Prexus, a photographer, took<br />

charge of styling the space, drawing<br />

on some easy and affordable fixes<br />

to transform it into a cosy nook…<br />

1 The shelving is from IKEA (ikea.<br />

com). Flisat wall storage, Dhs69, and<br />

Flisat doll’s house/wall shelf, Dhs125.<br />

MAKE A PLAN: When planning<br />

a renovation project, it helps<br />

to compile a mini dossier that<br />

details what you are hoping<br />

to achieve, to hand to your<br />

contractor. Pinterest pictures or<br />

sketches are always helpful in<br />

communicating your vision.<br />

CHECK YOUR CONTRACTOR’S<br />

CREDENTIALS: Before employing<br />

a contractor, you should always<br />

check out their previous work and<br />

whether they’ve carried out any<br />

similar projects. It’s important that<br />

they have the correct licence to<br />

carry out the work – if in doubt,<br />

ask to see their trade licence.<br />

Any reputable contractor will<br />

be happy to show you. This will<br />

also confirm that they have the<br />

required insurance in the event<br />

that anyone is injured on the job.<br />

ENSURE YOU HAVE PERMISSION:<br />

In the planning stages, you’ll need<br />

to check with your developer if<br />

a No Objection Certificate (NOC)<br />

is required. Removing internal<br />

walls is usually straightforward,<br />

as long as the surrounding area<br />

affected is structurally sound.<br />

CHECK THE PROJECT PLAN: This<br />

should detail the timeline and<br />

payment terms so you know exactly<br />

what to expect at every stage.<br />

COMMUNICATE: Start a WhatsApp<br />

group between you and your<br />

contractor so you can easily stay<br />

up to speed on what’s happening,<br />

as well as flag and respond to<br />

issues quickly and easily.<br />

NAIL THE FLOORING: For many<br />

residences in Dubai, you can request<br />

the details for the exact floor tiles<br />

that have been used throughout<br />

simply by contacting your<br />

developer. It should be mentioned<br />

in the homeowner’s handbook. In<br />

more established developments,<br />

like Arabian Ranches, you may<br />

find that the standard tiles used<br />

have been discontinued. If this<br />

is the case, ask your contractor<br />

for advice on finding something<br />

similar – RAK Ceramics<br />

(rakceramics.com) is your best<br />

bet – or simply opt for a different<br />

shade for a point of difference.<br />

INVEST IN GOOD MATERIALS:<br />

Further to the above, it’s important<br />

to buy the best materials your<br />

budget will allow. We have refused<br />

to work with materials that are<br />

substandard before as it can<br />

significantly affect the end result.<br />

2 The stylish grey ball pit is from<br />

Scandinavian brand Misioo, brought over<br />

from Denmark. You can find a similar style<br />

at Mumzworld (mumzworld.com): the<br />

Meow Ball Pit in bright pink, Dhs341.25<br />

3 The play kitchen was also bought<br />

from IKEA and fitted with wireless<br />

LED lights to help illuminate the space.<br />

IKEA Duktig play kitchen, Dhs395.<br />

.<br />

56 | bhomes.com


What difference is one set of<br />

water filters going to make?<br />

- SAID 8 BILLION PEOPLE<br />

For a better home and a better planet<br />

choose filtered drinking water.<br />

At Liquid of Life we work with providing a range of drinking water filtration solutions that help to<br />

eliminate/reduce plastic bottled water. Enjoy fresh filtered drinking water directly from your tap or from<br />

one of our bottle-free drinking water dispensers. Contact us to learn more and schedule an installation.<br />

MAKE YOUR HOME<br />

PLASTIC BOTTLE FREE!<br />

The filters are tested and accredited by NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and meet Municipality<br />

and World Health Organisation Standards for drinking water. Filters are genuinely manufactured in the US.<br />

www.liquidoflife.net | imthirsty@liquidoflife.net<br />

@liquidoflifedxb | 04 441 9236 / 055 235 3518


INSPIRATION | home renovation<br />

A cute kids’ party set-up by Party Camel<br />

58 | bhomes.com


Family life | INSPIRATION<br />

Hip hip<br />

hooray!<br />

Make sure your kids’ birthday party<br />

goes with a bang with our top tips on organising<br />

a fun and stress-free at-home bash…<br />

While we’re spoilt for<br />

choice when it comes to<br />

kids’ party venues in<br />

Dubai, staging a party at<br />

home adds a personal touch. Plus,<br />

it’s easier than you may think.<br />

Whether your child has a guest list<br />

as long as your arm and you want to<br />

keep your budget in check, you need<br />

to cater to a variety of age groups, or<br />

simply want to make happy memories<br />

on home turf, staging the celebration at<br />

home offers you the flexibility you need<br />

to make it work. We spoke to some of<br />

the UAE’s leading kids’ party experts<br />

for some top tips on throwing the gettogether<br />

of your little one’s dreams…<br />

CHOOSE A THEME<br />

So you have a date in the diary,<br />

the invites are out and the RSVPs<br />

are rolling in – the first thing<br />

to decide upon is the theme.<br />

“Hosting your child’s birthday party<br />

at home is a great way for them to<br />

have fun with their friends in their<br />

element and choosing a theme for<br />

the party automatically makes the<br />

planning process so much easier,”<br />

says Fatima Hamou, co-owner<br />

and operations director of event<br />

management company The Big Moo<br />

Events (+971 4 341 9935, thebigmoouae.<br />

com). “For younger kids, having a<br />

unicorn theme is hugely popular at<br />

the moment while, for tweens and<br />

teens, glo (glow-in-the-dark) discos<br />

with neon decorations and glow sticks<br />

are becoming increasingly popular.”<br />

If you’ve quizzed your child for<br />

ideas and are still none the wiser,<br />

think about the size of your group.<br />

“If you’re only inviting a few<br />

close friends, for instance, hone<br />

in on something that’s suited to<br />

smaller gatherings, such as a teddy<br />

bear’s picnic,” says Fatima. “With<br />

that in mind, we find that kids can<br />

become overwhelmed when parties<br />

are too over the top. So although<br />

we have so many options at our<br />

fingertips, which makes it tempting<br />

to organise a big celebration, try<br />

to avoid getting carried away.”<br />

ROLL OUT THE ENTERTAINMENT<br />

Next comes the activities and the<br />

entertainment. “If your budget<br />

is limited, entertainment and<br />

activities are the biggest areas to<br />

focus on, as kids will get the most<br />

enjoyment from them,” says Fatima.<br />

Of course, what you choose<br />

will depend on the time of year,<br />

the size of your group and the<br />

space you have available.<br />

“For smaller apartments and villas,<br />

select activities that are more ‘on<br />

bhomes.com | 59


Family life | INSPIRATION<br />

the spot’ and require less moving<br />

around, such as dance competitions,<br />

circle-based games and stationed<br />

activities, such as a face painting or<br />

having a glam station,” says Natalie<br />

Goodson of Kiducation Parties (+971<br />

56 138 5357, kiducationparties.com).<br />

The most popular party entertainers<br />

in Dubai can get booked up quickly,<br />

so be sure to make contact with<br />

those at the top of your list at<br />

least four weeks in advance.<br />

“Arrange an activity that engages<br />

kids one by one as soon as they arrive,<br />

then select something else that<br />

encourages all the guests to come<br />

together mid-party,’” says Natalie.<br />

“For the former, a balloon artist, face<br />

painter or arts and crafts station<br />

will do the trick nicely, distracting<br />

the kids for just enough time for<br />

parents to catch up with each other.<br />

For the mid-party show, aim for a<br />

high-energy entertainer, with a lot<br />

of interaction. For kids who are shy,<br />

a comedy magic show is often a hit<br />

as they can watch a series of tricks,<br />

with lots of laughs along the way.”<br />

If you have a garden, a bouncy<br />

castle or slip and slide never fails<br />

to impress. Among the places you<br />

can hire them is Tumble Time<br />

(+971 4 348 8542, tumbletimedubai.<br />

com), which has everything from a<br />

fire engine themed bouncy house<br />

to a baby bug slide for little ones.<br />

“The most important thing to<br />

consider when booking a bouncy castle<br />

or slide is to ask if it holds a safety<br />

certificate,” says Nory Ann, senior<br />

events coordinator, Tumble Time<br />

(+971 4 348 8542, tumbletimedubai.<br />

com). “European-made inflatables<br />

should hold the PIPA Safety Certificate.<br />

The material is strong, and it can<br />

cope with the force of air from the<br />

British-made Gibbons fans. This<br />

means that it does not collapse with<br />

the weight of a lot of children jumping<br />

at the same time. All our inflatables<br />

hold the PIPA certification.”<br />

If you have different age groups<br />

at your party, consider hiring<br />

separate bouncers, or only allowing<br />

similar age groups on at one time.<br />

“Having 12-year-olds and threeyear-olds<br />

bouncing at the same time is<br />

not a good idea,” says Nory. “Plus, in the<br />

Dubai climate, bouncy castles can get<br />

hot so always book one with a sun cover.<br />

“Turn the<br />

largest area<br />

in your<br />

home into<br />

the dining<br />

area”<br />

Safety is common sense but make sure<br />

you follow any additional guidelines<br />

given to you by the hire company.”<br />

Got a swimming pool? Splash n<br />

Bounce (+971 4 813 5785, splashnbounce.<br />

com) is known for its cool pool parties<br />

has a great selection of inflatables,<br />

such as the Shark Attached Slide<br />

(from Dhs750 for two hours, to the<br />

Aqua Slide with Pool, Dhs1,650). If<br />

you’re nervous about having too many<br />

kids in the pool, you can even hire a<br />

qualified lifeguard through them.<br />

FEEDING THE MASSES<br />

If you want to keep costs down, there’s<br />

nothing like a spread of home-cooked<br />

nibbles to please a crowd. There are<br />

lots of blogs that offer suggestions, as<br />

well as plenty of ideas on Pinterest<br />

and you can cut down on prep time<br />

by picking up some pre-made fresh<br />

fruit and vegetable platters offered<br />

by supermarkets such as Spinneys.<br />

If you need some extra support, we<br />

rate The Lime Tree Café & Kitchen<br />

(+971 4 325 6325, thelimetreecafe.<br />

com), which offers curated kids’ party<br />

menus featuring tasty little nibbles<br />

such as crumbed mac ‘n’ cheese bites,<br />

New Zealand beef sausage rolls and<br />

miniature pineapple and strawberry<br />

fruit skewers. Plus, they don’t shy<br />

away from last-minute orders. You<br />

can order online up until 6pm the<br />

night before simply click and collect.<br />

SETTING THE SCENE<br />

On the big day, making sure your<br />

guests have enough space to enjoy<br />

themselves may require a bit of creative<br />

thinking. “Turn the largest area<br />

in your home into the dining area,”<br />

advises Natalie. “For most people,<br />

the living room works best, so you<br />

may need to consider shuffling some<br />

bhomes.com | 61


INSPIRATION | Family life<br />

furniture around in order to make<br />

space.” Easytruck’s mobile storage<br />

pods (+971 4 321 8532, easytruck.ae)<br />

are ideal if you need to make large<br />

pieces of furniture disappear for<br />

just a short time. Of course, if you<br />

have valuable art, or sentimental<br />

ornaments, then best move them<br />

somewhere safe to avoid any damage.<br />

“If you haven’t the space for a sitdown<br />

meal, go buffet style and set up<br />

one large table for food with stacked<br />

plates and cutlery so people can simply<br />

help themselves,” says Natalie.<br />

Alternatively, there are many<br />

companies that rent children’s furniture<br />

and dress it up to suit your chosen<br />

theme. Polka Dot Party Hire’s (+971<br />

55 437 4000, polkadotpartyhire.com)<br />

cute furniture, for instance, costs from<br />

Dhs10 per table or stool. Parents of older<br />

children will like their dreamy canopy<br />

tent beds for sleepovers. From Dhs900<br />

for four beds (requiring self set-up).<br />

If you’re decorating yourself,<br />

we rate Party Camel (+971 4 321<br />

5156, partycamel.com), for its<br />

extensive range of party goodies,<br />

from balloons and bunting to<br />

tablewear, party bags and favours.<br />

When setting up activity stations, you<br />

can draw upon some handy strategies<br />

to help direct the flow of guests. Place<br />

a colouring station just outside the<br />

garden doors to encourage children<br />

outside, for instance, and stack gifts at<br />

the bottom of the stairs to discourage<br />

little ones from scampering up. Close<br />

doors to any rooms that aren’t part<br />

of the party space. Lastly, set up a<br />

seperate drinks station to avoid a<br />

bottleneck around the food station.<br />

THE BIG CLEAR UP<br />

If the party has drained you of all<br />

your energy, there are lots of cleaning<br />

companies out there that can do a postparty<br />

sweep and restore your home to its<br />

former glory. Spectrum Services (+971 4<br />

431 0113, spectrumservices.ae) offers a<br />

before and after party cleaning services,<br />

including making sure the kitchen is<br />

spotless, all dishes and glasses are put<br />

away, the rubbish is taken out and the<br />

furniture is back in order. Freshly Maids<br />

(+971 4 368 1199, freshlymaids.ae) has<br />

a similar, dedicated service so you can<br />

steal a few moments of calm to enjoy a<br />

well-earned second helping of cake.<br />

Bake off<br />

Blow out the candles on<br />

these beauties…<br />

Off the shelf<br />

Marks & Spencer’s Colin the<br />

Caterpillar cake has arrived in<br />

Dubai! The popular chocolate<br />

sponge roll is a guaranteed<br />

crowd pleaser (if it’s good<br />

enough for David Beckham’s<br />

41 st birthday…). Dhs79,<br />

marksandspencerme.com<br />

From the bakery<br />

Magnolia Bakery has<br />

a delicious range of<br />

birthday cakes starting<br />

from Dhs134. Available<br />

at Bloomingdale’s,<br />

The Dubai Mall; Dubai<br />

Festival City Mall;<br />

and The Galleria on<br />

Al Maryah Island,<br />

magnoliabakery.com<br />

Bespoke bake<br />

House of Cakes can<br />

whip you up an on-trend<br />

design, from a vibrant<br />

unicorn sponge to an<br />

Angry Birds or Paw Patrol<br />

themed delight. Prices<br />

start at Dhs200 for an<br />

eight-portion cake, while<br />

more elaborate designs<br />

cost from Dhs25-35 per<br />

person/portion. It’s best<br />

to place your order at<br />

least four to five days in<br />

advance. +971 4 420 6973,<br />

houseofcakesdubai.com<br />

62 | bhomes.com


UNCOVER EVEN MORE FUN AND THRILLS!<br />

Add more rides with more time spent in the water, subtract waiting in line<br />

and multiply it all by the perfect location. Now that’s what we call the ultimate<br />

formula for fun! Hurry and come out to Wild Wadi for a day of unbeatable fun<br />

with family and friends.<br />

*Terms and conditions apply.<br />

Buy your ticket online today on wildwadi.com<br />

or call us on +971 4 348 4444


Why not buy?<br />

Here for the long haul? Then perhaps<br />

it’s time to put down some Dubai roots<br />

No-one likes to throw money away on rent,<br />

but switching from tenant to homeowner is a<br />

big step and a major financial consideration.<br />

Betterhomes has been on the ground helping<br />

Dubai residents for over 30 years, and we think it’s a<br />

great place to invest. Let’s start with some facts...<br />

A high achiever in every respect it’s not often that<br />

Dubai wants to drop its global rankings, but in the<br />

Mercer <strong>2018</strong> Cost of Living survey, which compares cities<br />

around the world, the emirate was ranked 26 t h in the<br />

region (down from 19 th place in 2017).<br />

Dubai also bagged 18 th spot in a Deutsche Bank<br />

quality of life index of 50 top global cities and was also<br />

recently named the second safest city in the world.<br />

Residents spend at least 40% of their income on<br />

paying rent. If you’re a ‘Dubai lifer’, do the maths!<br />

64 | bhomes.com


Moving in | PROPERTY<br />

ASK THE INSIDER<br />

Richard Waind, Director of Brokerage, Betterhomes<br />

IS IT A GOOD TIME TO INVEST?<br />

We are seeing more and more<br />

expats choosing to own rather<br />

than rent. There are great<br />

opportunities for residents to<br />

buy a home in Dubai and prices<br />

have come down considerably<br />

since the 2014 peak. There is<br />

now real value to be found in the<br />

secondary market, in particular.<br />

Lower prices and low interest<br />

rates mean that for many people<br />

monthly mortgage payments<br />

would be lower than their rent<br />

on a comparable property.<br />

WHAT ARE THE OTHER BENEFITS?<br />

The main benefit of owning is<br />

that, upon selling, you will have<br />

some equity in the property<br />

through mortgage repayment,<br />

and hopefully some capital<br />

growth. While not all property<br />

investments see capital returns,<br />

buyers in today’s market might<br />

be more positive about prices in<br />

the next five years than the last<br />

five years. Even if prices remain<br />

flat or slightly soften further, a<br />

buyer who bought today and paid<br />

down their mortgage is likely<br />

to have a nice amount of equity<br />

in five years. Anybody renting<br />

a property over the same time<br />

will likely have paid out more<br />

on a monthly/yearly basis and<br />

will have nothing to show for it.<br />

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE THE<br />

25% DOWN PAYMENT?<br />

For those who can afford the<br />

25% deposit, buying makes a lot<br />

of financial sense. For those who<br />

don’t have the 25%, the off-plan<br />

market has some fantastic offers<br />

and deals from developers.<br />

BEFORE YOU BUY<br />

Grab a clean sheet of paper, sharpen a pencil and ask yourself the<br />

following questions:<br />

HOW LONG DO I PLAN ON STAYING HERE?<br />

If it’s only a couple of years or there’s a strong possibility that your company<br />

might relocate you, and the thought of renting your home out down the line<br />

sounds like too much hassle, stick to renting.<br />

CAN I REALLY AFFORD IT?<br />

How stable is your job? If you have a regular income and your company is<br />

doing well, it’s potentially less risky. Word of warning: your mortgage is<br />

linked to your residency, so if you do end up having to leave Dubai, your<br />

mortgage will either need to be paid off (cash or house sale) or you’ll need to<br />

renegotiate the terms with the bank (if you want to rent it out, for example).<br />

CAN I AFFORD THE DOWN PAYMENT?<br />

The first hurdle is the average 25% up-front down payment (a significant<br />

amount for any investor in any market) as well as the mortgage repayments.<br />

It’s worth noting, however, that personal loans cannot be used to finance<br />

down payments for property investments in the UAE.<br />

COST IT OUT<br />

A hefty down payment<br />

isn’t the only financial<br />

outlay, with a number<br />

of up-front fees and<br />

related home purchase<br />

costs to build into your<br />

budget. These add up<br />

to around 7% of the<br />

total purchase price<br />

and include:<br />

4% Dubai Land<br />

Department (DLD)<br />

transfer fee (based<br />

on total property<br />

purchase price)<br />

0.25% DLD mortgage<br />

registration fee<br />

(% of total agreed<br />

home loan) + Dhs290<br />

admin fee<br />

Dhs2,000-4,000<br />

property registration<br />

fee (dependent on<br />

value of property)<br />

Dhs2,500-3,000<br />

property valuation fee<br />

Bank mortgage set-up<br />

fee (could be zero, or<br />

anywhere up to 1% of<br />

total loan amount)<br />

2% real estate broker<br />

fee, plus 5% VAT for<br />

agency fees<br />

4% Oqood fee for<br />

off-plan sales only<br />

Plus, once you’ve<br />

bought, there are<br />

annual community<br />

service/maintenance<br />

fees to consider, too<br />

MAKE ME AN OFFER<br />

Home loans are capped at 75%, which means that your monthly<br />

mortgage payment covers 75% of the property value plus interest.<br />

Valid for a period of up to 25 years, fixed rate mortgage products,<br />

which usually run for a maximum of five years before switching to a<br />

variable interest rate), currently range from 3-4%.<br />

bhomes.com | 65


VILLAS WITH<br />

POOLS<br />

Six<br />

of the<br />

best<br />

Dive into this pick of our<br />

dreamiest homes for sale<br />

and rent this month<br />

FOR SALE<br />

AED8.7 million<br />

1PALM JUMEIRAH<br />

This stunning Garden Homes villa – which stands on Frond A and faces<br />

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai – has recently had its price reduced from<br />

AED9 million and is mortgage free, making any prospective purchase a<br />

relatively straightforward process. Privacy is a standout feature of this<br />

villa, with the private pool and garden area not overlooked by neighbours.<br />

Another factor in its favour is that it’s only ever been occupied by its owner,<br />

who has maintained the property to a high standard. All of the villa’s four<br />

bedrooms are en-suite, with a maid’s room offering additional space.<br />

Beds: 4<br />

Bath: 5.5<br />

Parking: 2<br />

For further details call 04 409 0998 and quote REF: VI326206, RERA Permit No.<br />

1429138081. Nearby school and nursery: GEMS Wellington; Asya’s Nursery.<br />

FOR RENT<br />

AED265k annually<br />

2THE VILLA<br />

This custom-built villa features five spacious bedrooms, and a<br />

separate study that’s fitted with wooden bookshelves. One of the<br />

en-suite bedrooms is on the ground floor, with the rest an elevator-ride away<br />

on the villa’s first floor, which is also home to a dedicated family room and<br />

small pantry. Back on the ground floor, the fully-fitted kitchen leads out to a<br />

landscaped garden in which the large pool has been beautifully upgraded.<br />

For further details call 04 409 0998 and quote REF: VI348173, RERA Permit<br />

No. 0488215564. Nearby school and nursery: GEMS FirstPoint School; Kids<br />

Zone Nursery.<br />

Beds: 5<br />

Bath: 6<br />

Parking: 2<br />

66 | bhomes.com


View more listings at bhomes.com<br />

Beds: 5<br />

Bath: 5.5<br />

Parking: 2<br />

FOR RENT<br />

AED300k annually<br />

3THE VILLA<br />

This unique property has been fully upgraded and features numerous<br />

examples of bespoke wall finishes throughout, many of which are a<br />

mix of stone and wood imported from the Far East. All five bedrooms are ensuite<br />

and, in some cases, feature large balconies that have been enclosed<br />

in glass to serve as an extension of the bedroom – good to use as walk-in<br />

wardrobe, gym, or games room. The pool area is secluded and shaded<br />

thanks to ample foliage, while some of the villa’s current furniture is included.<br />

For further details call 04 409 0998 and quote REF: VI333300, RERA Permit<br />

No. 1931352169. Nearby school and nursery: Repton School Dubai; Chubby<br />

Cheeks Nursery.<br />

bhomes.com | 67


SHOP | Betterhomes Magazine<br />

FOR SALE<br />

AED49 million<br />

4PALM JUMEIRAH<br />

Situated right on the beach, this<br />

luxurious villa offers stunning<br />

views that include Atlantis The Palm,<br />

Dubai. Located on a plot size of more<br />

than 13,000 sq. ft., it features six en-suite<br />

bedrooms on the upper floor, with the<br />

master bedroom boasting a Jacuzzi. The<br />

ground floor, meanwhile, is an entertainer’s<br />

dream – the smart kitchen extends to the<br />

breakfast area and private dining room,<br />

while the living room opens out onto the<br />

entertainment area with a swimming<br />

pool and the landscaped gardens lending<br />

a tropical feel in keeping with the<br />

beautiful surroundings.<br />

For further details call 04 409 0998<br />

and quote REF: VI349311, RERA Permit<br />

No. 1778036270. Nearby school and<br />

nursery: Dubai College; Babilou<br />

Palm Jumeirah.<br />

Beds: 6<br />

Bath: 8<br />

Parking: 4<br />

68 | bhomes.com


View more listings at bhomes.com<br />

FOR SALE<br />

AED4.499 million<br />

5ARABIAN RANCHES<br />

This spacious five-bedroom, independent villa in Saheel is located on a plot<br />

size of approximately 10,000 sq. ft., providing ample room for its stylish pool and<br />

gazebo. This desirable outdoor space, in which mature planting is a feature, is the<br />

highlight of a well-maintained home that has one of its bedrooms downstairs, along<br />

with the living/dining area, kitchen and a maid’s room. The other four bedrooms are<br />

upstairs, where you’ll also find a TV room.<br />

For further details call 04 409 0998 and quote REF: VI359106, RERA Permit No. 0109507575.<br />

Nearby school and nursery: Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS); Building<br />

Blocks Nursery.<br />

Beds: 5<br />

Bath: 4.5<br />

Parking: 2<br />

FOR RENT<br />

AED290k annually<br />

6JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES<br />

This Tuscan type villa in Orange Lakes overlooks the golf course and boasts<br />

five bedrooms, one of which is housed on the ground floor and is en-suite,<br />

making it perfect for visiting family. The top floor, which can be accessed by an<br />

internal elevator, houses the master and three other bedrooms. The kitchen and<br />

laundry area come with in-built Miele appliances, while tenants also benefit from<br />

having membership of JGE’s country club.<br />

For further details call 04 409 0998 and quote REF: VI357387, RERA Permit No. 0607769500.<br />

Nearby school and nursery: Victory Heights Primary School; The Wonder<br />

Years Nursery.<br />

Beds: 5<br />

Bath: 5.5<br />

Parking: 2<br />

bhomes.com | 69


THE PLACE TO MOVE TO<br />

Jumeirah Golf Estates<br />

This peaceful golf community may<br />

have been developed around two 18-<br />

hole golf courses, but it has much to<br />

offer non-players, too<br />

WHY MOVE THERE?<br />

Jumeirah Golf Estates, or JGE in its<br />

slimmer form, has its own distinctive<br />

character, with abundant greenery,<br />

swooping parakeets, and actual<br />

gradients – the villas are plotted at<br />

different levels, making for an attractive<br />

landscape. If you like the idea of being<br />

woken by birdsong instead of car horns,<br />

this is the place for you.<br />

THE COMMUNITY<br />

A country club, which all property<br />

owners have to be paid-up members<br />

of, is home to a pool, gym, and daily<br />

exercise classes, while communal<br />

events are fairly common and well<br />

attended. The lively Sports Bar here<br />

trumps the main clubhouse restaurant,<br />

Flame Tree Restaurant & Grill, and<br />

there are multiple active Facebook<br />

groups devoted to residents and<br />

a recently introduced community<br />

concierge service – a first for a<br />

community in Dubai. Enhancements<br />

to the development as a whole are<br />

made on an on-going basis.<br />

TRANSPORT<br />

With quick and easy access to Sheikh<br />

Mohammed bin Zayed Road or the<br />

E44 (Al Khail Road), JGE is well<br />

connected, if you drive. If not, you’ll<br />

have to wait for the opening of the<br />

planned metro station.<br />

SCHOOLS<br />

There is no school within the<br />

development, but in the adjacent<br />

Victory Heights you’ll find Victory<br />

Heights Primary School, while a<br />

10-minute drive away (if you time it<br />

just right) is Nord Anglia International<br />

School, which caters for foundation<br />

through to secondary.<br />

SHOPPING<br />

Within the community itself is The<br />

Fairways, home to a decent little<br />

Choithrams supermarket and handy<br />

services like a tailor, pharmacy,<br />

dry cleaning and both men and<br />

women’s hair and beauty salons.<br />

A five-minute drive away is City<br />

Centre Me’aisem, which is anchored<br />

by a large Carrefour.<br />

Meet the neighbours<br />

Elisha Tyler and family rent a villa in Whispering Pines<br />

We moved to Jumeirah Golf Estates four years ago, originally to a large villa in Sienna Lakes, but<br />

after a couple of years there we decided to downsize a little to free up some more disposable income.<br />

We initially considered Silicon Oasis which would have been closer to our kids’ schools, but opted to<br />

stay in Jumeirah Golf Estates as we loved the community so much – it suits us perfectly. It’s safe for<br />

our 12-year-old son to cycle to other communities within JGE to meet his friends, and my husband<br />

and I enjoy a great social life with our neighbours and make full use of the country club facilities.<br />

70 | bhomes.com


Area guide | PROPERTY<br />

Ask the Agent<br />

Omar Mohammed is the resident<br />

JGE expert at Betterhomes.<br />

If you’d like to contact him to<br />

arrange a showing or to learn<br />

of any ‘open house’ dates in the<br />

JGE development, call +971 58<br />

206 4911<br />

Launched in 2005, Jumeirah Golf Estates has 15<br />

different communities in total, five of which are<br />

under construction. Jumeirah Golf Estates is the<br />

‘master’ developer and they have designed five of<br />

the communities: Flame Tree Ridge, Redwood Park,<br />

Redwood Avenue, Whispering Pines, Olive Point, and<br />

Alandalus. The others each have a different developer.<br />

Owners of Whispering Pines properties in particular<br />

will tell you of their superior build quality.<br />

Golf buggies are given to owners of properties within<br />

three of the communities: Flame Tree Ridge, Redwood<br />

Park, and Whispering Pines.<br />

The size of the properties range from 1BR-4BR<br />

apartments; 2BR-4BR townhouses; and 4BR-7BR villas.<br />

The prices of properties are wide ranging, with<br />

Alandalus apartments starting at Dhs749,000,<br />

townhouses from Dhs3 million, and villas in the wider<br />

community going all the way up to Dhs24 million.<br />

There has been a lot of demand in the rental market,<br />

where prices have remained steady over the past<br />

12 months.<br />

Sales transactions have been slower as the entry<br />

price for villas is still higher than in neighbouring<br />

communities, such as Victory Heights.<br />

There has been a lot of interest recently from people<br />

who currently live in Al Barari and Emirates Hills but are<br />

are looking to move to Jumeirah Golf Estates.<br />

Small families and couples who want to live in JGE<br />

should take a look at the apartments and townhouses<br />

in the soon-to-be-completed Alandalus development,<br />

or the already complete townhouses at Redwood Park.<br />

For Sale<br />

AED9,400,000<br />

Wildflower, 5-bed, furnished<br />

PROPERTIES IN JGE<br />

3The<br />

number of<br />

communities<br />

within JGE<br />

where<br />

homeowners<br />

are given<br />

their own<br />

golf buggies<br />

For Rent<br />

AED210,000 per year<br />

Redwood Park, 4-bed<br />

OFF-PLAN PROPERTY<br />

FOCUS<br />

EMAAR Expo Golf Villas<br />

WHAT ARE THEY?<br />

As the city gears up for Expo 2020<br />

Dubai, more and more projects are<br />

being announced, with this just the<br />

latest. Expo Golf Villas – so named<br />

because they will encircle a new 18-<br />

hole golf course – are available with<br />

three or four bedrooms.<br />

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?<br />

In Emaar South, a huge underconstruction<br />

development that’s close<br />

to the Expo 2020 site and Al Maktoum<br />

international Airport. It will eventually<br />

comprise over 20,000 houses and<br />

a further 15,000 apartments, dotted<br />

throughout a proposed 25 parks.<br />

WHAT ARE THE MAIN FEATURES?<br />

Greenery is a key driver of Emaar’s<br />

Expo Golf Villas, with the promise of<br />

two landscaped parks to go along<br />

with that aforementioned golf course<br />

and all its necessary foliage. Aimed<br />

very much at families, an on-site<br />

community centre will house an<br />

outdoor pool and dedicated children’s<br />

play area, plus a gym. Furthermore,<br />

a clubhouse at the golf course and<br />

separate hotel will boast additional<br />

facilities, complementing the many<br />

retail and F&B outlets planned for<br />

Emaar South boulevard.<br />

WHAT IS THE STARTING PRICE OF<br />

THE VILLAS?<br />

The three-bedroom villas begin<br />

at AED999,888.<br />

WHAT’S THE EXPECTED COMPLETION<br />

DATE FOR EXPO GOLF VILLAS?<br />

August 2021.<br />

IS THERE A PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE?<br />

There is. Spread over five years,<br />

payments are scheduled as follows:<br />

5% down payment; 5% within 30 days<br />

of booking; 1.25% per month for 60<br />

months; 15% final instalment.<br />

RERA Permit No. 0607769500<br />

For further information, call<br />

Betterhomes 800 52 2233<br />

bhomes.com | 71


BACK PAGE | Search for a home<br />

home<br />

COULD YOUR<br />

cover<br />

BE OUR<br />

star?<br />

To celebrate our<br />

newly revamped<br />

magazine, we’re<br />

searching for the UAE’s<br />

most beautiful homes<br />

SHOP | Betterhomes Magazine<br />

DECEMBER <strong>2018</strong><br />

AED5<br />

The magazine of Betterhomes<br />

HOME RENO<br />

Creating<br />

an underthe-stairs<br />

playroom<br />

ESCAPE<br />

TO A<br />

WILD<br />

GARDEN<br />

MOVE-IN READY<br />

HOMES WITH<br />

DREAMY POOLS<br />

19 | bhomes.com<br />

12<br />

FESTIVE<br />

DECOR<br />

IDEAS<br />

NEW<br />

LOOK<br />

NEW<br />

FEATURES<br />

Daring<br />

designs<br />

At home with a self-confessed maximalist<br />

ARE YOU OBSESSED WITH INTERIORS?<br />

Do you find yourself spending ages hunting down that perfect<br />

accessory or returning from your travels with fab finds for your home?<br />

Do friends always comment on how gorgeous your home is and ask<br />

for advice on how to style their own space?<br />

We’re looking to feature homes belonging to our design savvy<br />

readers, whether it’s a palatial Emirates Hills villa that has been<br />

furnished with the help of a professional interior designer or a rented<br />

apartment complete with DIY hacks and easy fixes. If your property is<br />

stylish and individual, we want to hear from you.<br />

If we choose your home, our professional team will photograph you<br />

at your home, to appear in an issue of Better Living in 2019.<br />

GET IN TOUCH<br />

To be in with a chance of being featured,<br />

send us a selection of snaps of the main<br />

rooms or areas of your home, such as living<br />

area, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms,<br />

bathrooms, garden or balcony. Send the<br />

photos to lucy@hotmediapublishing.com<br />

and include ‘My Home’ in the subject line.<br />

We look forward to hearing from you!<br />

72 | bhomes.com

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!