For many of us around the world, working from home may have lost its novelty after several months of craning our necks over our tiny laptops.
But for all the challenges facing society right now, perhaps something positive can be taken from the chance to slow down and spend time with our families within the environment we’ve created around us.
It’s never been more important to have a home that reflects who we are, the things we love, the people who we share our lives with. So have a look around. What do you love about your home? What would you like to change? And what can you do to personalise your house or apartment and create the ultimate nest in which to settle until the storm has passed?
Here are five ideas to get you started:
1. Print and frame family photos
The wonderful thing about modern technology is that we all take way more photos now than we used to, before the advent of digital cameras and smartphones. But how many of them do you see regularly? The problem with having thousands of photos on your sim card, hard drive or cloud folder is that they get forgotten.
Nothing personalises a home more than pictures of the people who live there and their loved ones. In fact, if you are selling a property, one of the standard tips is to remove personal photos so that buyers will be able to imagine themselves living there. So print out a good selection and put them in frames all around the house. Another alternative is to buy a digital frame that will scroll through a selection of images on rotation – ideal if you are struggling to pick only a few.
2. Add artwork that tells a story
Art spans so many tastes and styles, which makes it a really effective way to stamp your personality on your home decor. Whether you prefer large, sweeping landscapes or geometric abstracts, striking sculptures or collections of knick-knacks, forget what is in fashion and choose art that makes your heart sing.
For a personalised feel, buy from local artists or, if you know anyone personally, get them to create a bespoke commission for you. And next time you go on holiday – because we will not be at home forever – look out for small works that you can carry back to remind you of your travels.
3. Discover your creative self
If you have a creative side, why not make something for your home? Nothing says personalised like homewares you have crafted yourself. There are plenty of simple projects you can start with, such as scatter cushions for your bedroom or living room. Or, if you are experienced, why not consider making your own curtains?
It is not only about textiles, though. Decoupage a pretty tray or a small piece of furniture. Use fabric paint to transform a plain white blind into something really eye-catching. Knot together macrame hammocks to hang potted plants in. There are so many options out there: take a look at Pinterest for inspiration.
4. Build your personal library
If you are a book lover, you will know how even simply glancing at the cover of your favourite novel can whisk you away to a whole other world. The books you love tell a story about who you are, whether you have got dozens of travel guides, a stack of chick lit titles or every Agatha Christie novel ever written.
Chances are you have probably got more books than you can store, so go through your collection and ditch any that you do not feel a personal attachment to; the ones you did not really enjoy or know you will not get around to reading.
Place the rest on your bookshelf in a way that makes sense to you – alphabetically, by size, genre or colour – then add little extra touches, such as bookends, a small photo frame or statuette, to complete your personalised display.
5. Ditch what does not spark joy
The lovely thing about creating a personalised house – as opposed to a so-called fashionable one – is that it is not about what other people think, it is about what makes you and your family happy. Marie Kondo, the queen of tidying up, advocates keeping only items that "spark joy".
Whether you are using this time at home to do a bit of decluttering, or you are thinking about what new bits you need to buy, keep in mind that personal taste trumps all. Do not worry about sticking strictly to a mid-century modern theme or creating an award-winning French vintage look. Instead, by choosing items you really love, you will create a style all of your own.
Who knows, maybe you will set the next trend among your friend circle.
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SPECS
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The UAE's journey to space
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
More on Quran memorisation:
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Uefa Champions League last 16 draw
Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur
Basel v Manchester City
Sevilla v Manchester United
Porto v Liverpool
Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain
Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma
Chelsea v Barcelona
Bayern Munich v Besiktas
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
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Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
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Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
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Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5