Fabrics and delicate prints lend a softer feminine look to the neutral tones of this bedroom.
Fabrics and delicate prints lend a softer feminine look to the neutral tones of this bedroom.

'The new floral' is less flowery, suiting most any space



How can I incorporate the new trend for prettiness into my home which, being made up of stark lines and an overall minimalism, is not exactly pretty, feminine or floral? I'd like to give it a new, modish feel without it looking frilly. What's an easy way to do it?

The pretty trend seems very fashion-driven but in fact harks back to a classic interiors look. The difference now is that "the new floral" is less about flowers and chintz and more about a fresh, pretty appeal based on accessories, which is easier than ever to incorporate into most homes.

After being out of fashion for rather a long while, fabrics look hip again; the key is to be careful how you use them. The great thing about fabric is that it adds a softness - but this can also be its downfall. You want a soft, perhaps homely look, not a messy, cluttered look, so use it judiciously. For example, if you go for sweeping curtains, keep the surrounding area tidy and sleek. If you go for throws in pretty prints, use them on a simple sofa.

When done well, curtains are great but it's all too easy to get them wrong. Take advantage of the easy access to curtain makers in the UAE and have them lined and interlined - both stages are key and will make all the difference to how they fall. Get them the right length: make sure they flow onto the floor by a centimetre or two. The simple rule of thumb is that curtains look much better when gently sitting on the floor, not dangling above it.

Wallpaper is also experiencing a comeback, and offers an easy way to explore any trend. You probably don't want prettiness in too heavy a dose, so why not do a single wall (using a single roll, more or less) and paint or decorate the rest of the room in a co-ordinating colour? It takes less than a morning to do and dramatically revives any room.

At Cabbages and Roses we love nothing more than a room in which the walls, curtains and accessories all match but it's a rather definitive look and perhaps not for everyone. If it seems too bold for you, simply pick two elements that echo each other - a delicate sprig print on a cushion and another on a rug, tablecloth or bedspread, for instance. You don't have to match precisely - it could be the same print in different colours. Matching works well if one element is more disposable or temporary and the other is more permanent, for instance, the combination of napkins with a throw. Interestingly, clashing two patterns is actually easier than matching - and it's less of a bold statement when the patterns are understated.

What makes the new love of prettiness stand out is that it is more about prints, patterns and delicate colour. A toile de jouy print is a classic that's back in favour and always looks fresh, in any home of any style.

Pink is surprisingly versatile and doesn't have to be sugary. Soft, powder pinks are lovely and work well with blues, greys and all neutrals.

The new vogue for pretty has a vintage feel but it's muted and elegant and definitely not the cutesy take on vintage of recent years. Think of something more polished and more subdued, an effect that is apparent most in the colours - soft pastels - interesting textures and quirky detail.

For every feminine piece you have, place something simple and spartan in between. This enables you to explore the trend - and have fun with it - while keeping it modern and easy to live with.

Emily Davies was talking to Christina Strutt, an interior decorator, the author of Homemade Vintage (Cico Books) and the founder of Cabbages and Roses: www.cabbagesandroses.com (international shipping available). www.cabbagesandroses.com

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

THE LIGHT

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Rating: 3/5

The specs

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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.
 
 
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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