Home beautifying is one of the more positive offshoots of spending so much extra time indoors during the pandemic. However, whether you have no budget or a tight one, it can become tricky to identify which interior accessories to splash your hard-earned dirhams on. Here are our top pieces that are so similar, you will be hard-pressed to tell them apart, except from the price you pay.
Shell vases
A shell vase has been an Instagram staple for some time now: filled with pampas grass or a dried arrangement, it has featured on many a social media account – and looks fantastic to boot. Savers and spenders alike can pick one up, either Jysk’s white version (Dh25) or HKliving’s gorgeous terracotta-toned one (Dh150).
Brown rug
The colours, textures and imagery from Ferm Living’s new collection are swoon-worthy, and one of the standout pieces is its brown shag Meadows rug, ideal for bringing that 1970s vibe back. If your budget cannot stretch to accommodate its Dh4,500 price tag, Ikea has its own style that is just as plush at a fraction of the cost, at Dh175. Ideal if you like to swap out your trends season on season or have rambunctious children.
Rattan cabinets
Sometimes referred to as cane or wicker, the rattan trend has been seen season after season and adds a touch of textural charm to your home. Having a statement cabinet as a sideboard in your dining space, or as storage in your hall or beside a cupboard can spruce up any space. When other elements are kept clean and simple, rattan can stand out and be modern. Not just reserved for boho looks anymore, rattan is being added to minimalist and mod-con spaces for finesse as well as functionality. Invest in the Nordal cabinet from Amara (Dh4,010) or shop local with the Sofia rattan cabinet from The Attic in Dubai (Dh1,450), to add oomph to an otherwise simple space.
Statement lights
A statement light fitting can dramatically change a room, adding focus and detail to a plain canvas. Over a dining table, it can add drama, while in a bedroom it offers clean lines to the soft furnishings. The two picked out here are great for the minimalists out there who like a structured, geometric light fitting. The eye-catching H&M pendants (Dh399) provide a wide light source for any space, and we recommend using these as multiples over a large dining table at different heights to add some artistic flair. The Vertigo light fitting from La Petite Friture (Dh5,720), meanwhile, is all about graphic lines, drama and style while it wraps around you in a style that will never go out of fashion.
Handy storage
Who doesn’t need a storage solution for all the little items that seem to pile up in the house, whether it is for keeping things tidy and in their place, or to add some fun colour to a space? Look to colour-coded crates, whether to sort out the Lego blocks and other myriad toys, or to organise the pantry. Crates are a great addition to keep your home clutter-free and super-organised. If you want to keep things categorised, add a label to the front of each so everyone can see what is stored inside. Both the options listed here are available in a range of shades, are attractive good to display and hide all the essentials. Invest in the classic Hay design from Smallable at Dh130, or keep the price well down with Aykasa crates, for Dh49.
Earthy accessories
Wooden elements are great for adding interest to your home. Placed on a console or in a shelving unit, these statues look fantastic and serve to soften your interiors with their natural look-feel and anchor the room with their organic form. Whatever your style - whether you add an element of midcentury with a more polished approach or layer your shelves with books, vases and this statue to add depth – choose from the petrified wood piece from West Elm (Dh399) for a rugged look or the ones from Home Centre (Dh89) for clean lines and a 1950s appeal.
All international brands mentioned here deliver to the UAE, with shipping and tax costs added at checkout
The view from The National
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008
Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
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