A sleek leather sofa and a 15th-century centre table complete with ball and claw feet? Or unruly braided rugs and abstract canvas paintings?
Like to mix-n-match? Why not? After all, the home is a reflection of one’s personality and should be unique.
Yolanda D’souza, Design consultant at MyDesign, the design centre of IDdesign at Mall of the Emirates, says that an increasing number of people in the UAE are mixing influences from different parts of the world to create their own distinctive home environments.
Whether it is carpets, carved wooden furniture, jute sofa sets and dinnerware in Moroccan or Hawaiian style, a vast majority of residents mix different styles and themes to give their homes a modern yet versatile look.
Customers who wish to experiment with styles need a wide variety of items to choose from according to Ajai Dayal, General Manager, Retail and Marketing, Easa Saleh Al Gurg group.
“Without options, customers cannot make an informed decision. IDdesign prides itself on its choice of accessories, soft furnishings, lighting and large furniture items. At the same time, we have experienced designers to guide shoppers every step of the way. This helps them to experiment and identify their own unique style,” added Dayal.
Commenting on furniture trends, D’souza points out: “Fusion furniture is a concept that has been around for quite some time but was never really understood completely. It is only recently that the trend has picked up.”
Hues of turquoise, pink and silver, abstract paintings on large canvases are popular decorative items to brighten walls without exceeding one’s budget.
“Functionality is also key while decorating – no matter what designs and shapes you use, it is important to harmonise between various elements in the room,” she adds.
Braided woollen and jute rugs in earth tones and natural colours together with wood and metal accessories complement the décor of a living space, while sofa-cum-beds in polyester blends and shades of blacks, browns and beige give the flexibility to alter living spaces by day and night.
D’souza adds: “For most people who come to the UAE on a temporary basis, it is also cost-effective to decorate their homes with a mix of colours and furniture styles. “
“This gives people who change homes often or just want a change in look, the option to add or substitute elements easily.”
IDdesign’s products are available at outlets in Dubai on the Dubai-Sharjah Road and at the Mall of the Emirates. The Abu Dhabi showroom is located on 6th Najda Street, behind Abu Dhabi Municipality.
IDdesign is a worldwide franchise operation dealing in Scandinavian furniture and accessories for households and offices. The Al Gurg Group acquired the UAE franchise and its first showroom was opened in Dubai in 1995 and Abu Dhabi in 1997. Its showrooms display a full range of furniture and soft furnishing settings for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, children's rooms and home offices.
