Asma Darwish spends hours poring over sketches and "mood boards" with clients before redecorating and refurbishing their apartments and villas in the UAE. The interior design consultant for Indigo Living discusses a day in her life.
6.30am
I usually wake up by this time. However, as I am currently preparing for a triathlon I sometimes have to be up by 5.30am for my swim training. My morning routine is very important: I shower, prepare my breakfast and head to a coffee shop for a nice and peaceful cup of coffee and to read the papers before my busy day starts.
Between 8.30 and 9am
I arrive to work, check my emails, create a list of what needs to be done, follow up with phone calls and site visits and plan my day.
10am
On Sunday mornings we have our sales meeting to discuss our current clients, new inquiries, challenges, ideas and how can we serve our customers better.
Between 1 and 2pm
Lunch. Home is very close, so sometimes I head home or grab a healthy bite from the closest place. There are days that I plan to go to the gym during my lunch hour. I usually don't arrange lunch meetings as I prefer to always keep the formalities with my clients.
Afternoon
I love designing in the afternoons and early evenings, as I feel most creative during that time. The materials, fabrics and the overall look always depend on the concept and ideas that I communicate with clients through meetings, pictures, mood boards, sketches, etc. And, of course, it always depends on the client's requirements, budget and time. I always try to educate clients to bring in a bit of culture from where they live into their living environments and make sure their homes represent who they are and their personalities. I cannot say that I like or specialise in one style; the real art is mixing and matching different styles and being very creative with it.
Late afternoon
In the afternoons, I also do daily research online and in magazines and books to ensure that I know what is happening in design all around the world. I make sure to respond to all my emails before leaving the office, read through my list of tasks, mark what has been done and plan my next day. [I also] have a quick chat with my colleagues.
Between 6.30 and 7pm
I usually leave work. I can be home in a few minutes so on the way I usually stop by the grocery store or meet my friends to unwind, watch a movie and catch up.
Evening
At home I spend time with my family, have a light dinner, watch TV and then have my "me" time.
By 10pm
I am a curious person and I always have unanswered questions, so just before bed is the perfect time to research them and find the answers. I also read a lot before sleeping.
Between 10.30 and 11.30pm
The usual time for me to end my day.
* Neil Parmar
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
