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Designing with Intention

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Home Box

Exclusive interview with the CEO of Home Box, Mr. Ajay Antal, on space-smart living, home-proud, and value that lasts in the modern Middle East.

Home Box has rapidly expanded across the GCC market to become 3rd largest home retailer. What core principles have driven this growth, and how do you maintain consistency across diverse markets?

What truly makes a house feel like home? In my opinion, the answer was never just furniture or decor. It was — and remains — about freedom, function, and the emotional fabric of living well. “Our journey is rooted in one profound belief: that every home, no matter the budget, deserves to be a sanctuary of beauty, functionality, and personal pride.” Home Box has been built on the foundation of stylish, smart, value-driven living for all. Yes, we are a go-to for modern apartments, but we’re equally relevant for families upgrading to larger villas, professionals curating home offices, or entrepreneurs setting up Airbnb spaces.

From space-saving essentials to expansive collections for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and even gardens, our assortment is curated to inspire. Whether you’re looking for a minimalist Scandinavian vibe, a modern Majlis-inspired sofa, or smart storage solutions, Home Box provides aspirational style at honest prices. Our regional consistency comes from listening deeply to each market — adapting assortments, price ladders, and instore experiences, while keeping our brand promise universal: affordable style, without promotional gimmicks, 365 days a year.

Your leadership has been crucial in positioning Home Box as a go-to destination for affordable home solutions. How do you balance cost-effectiveness with design innovation and material quality?

We start by throwing away the trade-off. In traditional retail, there’s this outdated assumption: you can either have good design, or a good price. We don’t believe in “either-or.” We ask – why not both? 70% of our collections are designed in-house or in exclusive collaboration with trusted global partners. This gives us control over design, materials, and — importantly — costs. But we never cut corners where it matters. We are in the value segment, yes, but value doesn’t mean compromise. It means clarity. Our storage-rich bedroom sets, genuine marble and sintered stone dining ranges, and water-resistant collections reflect thoughtful value engineering. Products come with warranties of 2 to 10 years, ensuring customers feel secure in their choices.

For short-term rentals or Airbnb hosts, we offer on-trend, high-utility furniture at multiple price points, making Home Box the go-to destination for setting up stylish spaces efficiently. Home Box offers a wide range of mattresses designed to suit different body types and sleep preferences, all backed by warranties ranging from 5 to 15 years. It’s part of our commitment to customers. Better Sleep-Smarter Prices

“We believe in intelligent designs: furniture that bends, flexes, and works harder, like a hydraulic lift-up storage bed or a compact sofa that transforms your living room without overwhelming it.

Ultimately, design isn’t about luxury labels — it’s about life-enhancing solutions. That’s where affordability and aspiration meet.”

Space is fast becoming the new luxury. How is Home Box redefining the concept of ‘smart living spaces’ to meet the demands of modern, space-constrained urban homes?

This is a subject close to my heart, because I’ve lived it. When I moved to Dubai years ago, I remember struggling to fit dreams into rented square feet. I had a foldable dining table, a shoe rack that doubled up as a side table, and cushions that worked harder than furniture. That experience never left me.

Today, as cities grow taller and lives get busier, we are seeing a generational shift. Our customer doesn’t want more—they want meaningful. And that’s exactly where Home Box steps in. Today, many of our customers face similar realities. Urban homes are shrinking, but aspirations aren’t.

That’s why we’ve championed the ‘Compact Living’ movement — offering everything from foldable dining tables, stackable chairs, hidden storage sofas, to kitchen and garden organisers.

In select stores, we’ve created experience zones that simulate 25 sqm apartments — inspiring customers to live large in small spaces. We’re also seeing rising demand for multi-functional homeware — modular shelving, decorative yet practical storage, and space-saving kitchenware. For us, it’s not about selling products. “It’s about selling possibilities of decluttered, meaningful, and joyful living.”

Home Box’s rapid growth in e-commerce, including becoming the highest searched home brand on marketplace, marks significant milestones. How do these developments reflect the brand’s commitment to changing customer behaviour and growth?

Digital has always been part of our DNA — but today, it’s at the heart of how our customers discover, engage, and decide. Becoming UAE’s most-searched home brand on the marketplace reflects two things:

  1. Our agility in meeting modern shopping habits — convenience, speed, and seamless omnichannel experiences.
  2. The trust customers place in us for delivering style and value online.

But it’s not just about transactions — it’s about trust. We’ve invested in rich content, express deliveries, flexible payments, world-class after-sales service and prominent digital-first launches. For compact-home dwellers, busy families, and younger audiences, we’re often their first stop — virtually. That’s why we continue to enhance mobile-first experiences, digital partnerships, and hyper-personalised recommendations. Our strategy is simple: be where the customer is. Whether you shop online or offline, Home Box ensures a cohesive, intuitive, and inspiring journey — blending technology with human warmth.

What excites you most about Home Box’s future in shaping intuitive, space-smart living, and what lasting impact do you hope it leaves on how people emotionally connect with their homes, wellness and work?

The future of Home Box is about empowering people to be ‘Home Proud’ — without breaking the bank. We envision homes that are not only stylish and functional but also emotionally uplifting. Homes that adapt to life’s changes — whether you’re setting up your first home, expanding to accommodate a family, or optimising a rental space.

Our focus is threefold:

  • Expanding curated collections built around modern living & conscious materials.
  • Leveraging AI for smarter product curation & personalised customer journeys.
  • Reimagining store experiences that blend inspiration with practicality.

But more than products, it’s the emotional connection we foster — helping customers feel seen, valued, and empowered in their home-making journey. If Home Box leaves behind a legacy, it will be this: We made the idea of a beautiful, intelligent home not a dream, but a reality, for millions across the region. We proved that affordability and aspiration are not opposites — they’re partners. We want ‘Home’ to feel like more than a place. “We want it to feel like a win for their heart, for their life, and for their wallet.”

Home Integrator

AN EXCLUSIVE UNOPIÙ COLLECTION AT WESTERN FURNITURE: ITALIAN ELEGANCE WITH AN ORIENTAL SPIRIT FOR OUTDOOR SPACES

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Outdoor poolside lounge area featuring modern red cushioned armchairs and a matching sofa set with white metal frames, arranged around a small white coffee table holding a glass pitcher and two glasses. The setting overlooks a clear blue swimming pool, surrounded by additional seating and greenery in the background.

Western Furniture, the UAE’s leading destination for luxury interiors, proudly presents Unopiù, a renowned Italian outdoor furniture brand redefining outdoor living—where design meets nature through timeless materials, sculptural forms, and sustainable innovation.

 Unopiù’s renowned collections embody the philosophy of “Where Luxury Meets Nature”, blending artisanal expertise with contemporary aesthetics to create settings that exude balance, beauty, and tranquility.

Among the most admired creations in the Unopiù world is The Chelsea Collection introduces an oriental-inspired aesthetic through sculptural teak frames, low Japanese-style seating, and soft white cushions that embody serenity and warmth. Its extendable dining table and two-seater sofas are distinguished by compact volumes and clean lines, while the Chelsea Sunlounger showcases refined craftsmanship with adjustable back and leg rests, discreet wheels for easy movement, and the option of a plush cushion for elevated comfort. Completing this panorama of outdoor artistry, the Pevero Island stands as a masterpiece of circular design in smooth teak (Ø160 cm), paired with soft Nuvola-hued cushions to create an inviting centerpiece for terraces, gardens, and poolside retreats. Together, these pieces reflect Unopiù’s vision of outdoor living: spaces that balance modern design with the warmth of natural materials, where every detail evokes Italian refinement and timeless luxury.

A timeless icon of Unopiù style, the Ginger Director’s Chair, features a frame made of premium-quality teak with seat and backrest in Cotone cotton fabric, complemented by either a seat cushion or beige Canatex covers (a sustainable hemp-blend fabric composed of 70% PVC and 30% polyester). Exclusive, versatile, and designed for daily use, this chair is a true protagonist of any environment, capturing a personal interpretation of relaxation and refined simplicity.

Another highlight is the Salò Sofa, part of the prestigious Salò 2025 Collection. This piece symbolizes timeless elegance and advanced functionality in outdoor furniture. Inspired by the enchanting landscapes of northern Italy, particularly the captivating charm of Lake Garda, the collection combines modernist design with premium materials to create outdoor sofas and armchairs that stand out for their sophisticated style and extraordinary comfort.

With over four decades of design excellence, Unopiù continues to champion sustainable living through the use of ethically sourced teak, durable weather-resistant materials, and an eco-conscious production ethos. Its collections embody the meeting of tradition and innovation, an approach that resonates with Dubai’s commitment to design-led sustainability and creative excellence.

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MODERN DESIGN WITHOUT THE LUXURY PRICE TAG

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A person wearing a dark blazer over a white dress shirt and jeans, seated on a light-colored sofa with hands clasped together, showcasing a large wristwatch.

Exclusive interview Hussein Khalil El Batal the chairman and CEO of Batal Design Group

Your journey started with a single humble store that evolved into a multi-market design powerhouse. Looking back, which core values have driven BD Holding’s transformation over the past 30 years?

When I look back, what carried us from one humble store to a regional group is quite simple: family, integrity, and obsession with design. We never treated furniture as a product; we treated it as a way of living. Over seventy years, BD Holding built deep relationships with suppliers across the world, always insisting on quality, fair pricing, and long-term partnerships. This mindset created trust. Trust from our teams, our partners, and our customers, and it is that trust which allowed us to grow into a multi country design group rather than remain a single showroom.

The Group has expanded its portfolio with brands such as DAZE, B Design, Intercasa, B Interiors, B Closets, and B Office. How do these brands reflect the region’s evolving lifestyle and design expectations?

Each brand in BD Holding answers a different need in our customers’ lives. DAZE speaks to the new generation that wants modern design, comfort, and accessibility without compromising on quality. B Design and Intercasa focus on craftsmanship, customization, and full interior solutions for homes and projects. B Interiors, B Closets, and B Office answer the growing demand for tailored storage, workspaces, and smart living. Together they reflect a region where people are more design aware, more digitally connected, and more demanding. They expect international standards with a local heartbeat, and this is exactly what our portfolio delivers.

Your philanthropic work and community commitments are widely recognized. How does this personal mission shape the culture, values, and long-term vision of BD Holding?

I grew up in a country that has seen many challenges. For me, success without responsibility has no meaning. Our philanthropic initiatives, whether in education, craftsmanship training, or community support, are not separate from the business. They are part of our identity. Within BD Holding, this translates into a culture of respect, loyalty, and opportunity. A place where people grow, stay, and contribute to something larger than a business. Many of our employees have grown with us for decades. Externally, it means we design and build with the belief that better homes can contribute to stronger communities. When we talk about expansion, we are not only speaking about showrooms; we are speaking about impact and legacy.

DAZE is one of your latest brand concepts. What design gap or unmet customer behavior inspired its creation, and how does it differentiate itself from the Group’s other brands in terms of materials, colour palettes, and price positioning?

DAZE was born because we saw a clear gap. Customers wanted contemporary, trend conscious furniture with a refined look, but at a price that felt realistic for everyday life. With DAZE we combined the heritage and purchasing power of BD Holding with a fresh, youthful design language. The brand plays with bouclé, micro leather, warm woods, marble and metal details, soft neutrals, and rich accent tones that speak to today’s interiors. The collections are carefully engineered to be accessible in price, yet aspirational in mood. It sits alongside our other brands as the most approachable, fashion forward expression of our design philosophy.

DAZE has quickly emerged as a strong franchise model. In your view, what makes it a compelling investment opportunity compared to other concepts in the market?

What makes DAZE powerful as a franchise is that partners are not starting from zero. They step into a concept that is already tested in multiple countries, supported by more than seventy years of sourcing experience and thousands of supplier relationships worldwide. This gives DAZE a strong advantage in price, quality, and design. In addition, we offer a full support structure: operations, R and D, purchasing, and marketing specialists, all focused on the success of our partners. The model is designed to deliver attractive returns, with an accessible initial investment and a clear path to profitability, which is why investors see it as a serious, results driven opportunity.

Looking ahead, what is the expansion roadmap for DAZE? Where do you envision the brand in the next five years, and what strategies will drive that growth?

DAZE started in Lebanon and has grown into key cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Buraydah, Dubai, Erbil, Baghdad, and Africa with a new location underway in Baghdad and an upcoming international opening in Milano. Our current footprint spans more than twelve showrooms, and our ambition is to cross fifty by the end of 2030. The strategy is clear: work with committed partners, secure prime locations, and maintain a strong pipeline of collections that respond to local tastes while staying globally relevant. We will continue to build DAZE as a trend-setting yet accessible brand, ready for multi-continent expansion.

How do you balance trend driven collections with timeless pieces that retain value over the years?

For me, this balance is the art of what we do. Our R and D team spends the year studying exhibitions, global fairs, and digital inspiration to identify what is coming next. At the same time, we design with longevity in mind. The new direction in furniture is not fast fashion; it is collections that feel current today but still beautiful ten years from now. We achieve this by anchoring each season in solid proportions, comfortable silhouettes, and materials that age well, then layering in trend elements through fabrics, colours, and details that can be refreshed over time.

What operational systems make DAZE a scalable franchise model for multi market expansion?

Behind the aesthetics, DAZE is a very disciplined system. Our partners benefit from a complete toolkit: showroom design, visual merchandising, staff training, project support, and access to integrated software, systems, and e commerce. A dedicated franchise team follows up daily to ensure consistency and growth. Because sourcing, R and D, marketing, and logistics are centralized and managed by experienced teams, each new franchise can focus on execution and customer relationships rather than building an entire infrastructure from scratch. This is what allows DAZE to replicate success from one country to another while respecting the specifics of each market.

What differentiates DAZE from other contemporary furniture brands in the region?

DAZE stands at the intersection of Lebanese creativity and European refinement. It carries the heritage and credibility of BD Holding, yet speaks with a young, confident voice. The brand combines design research, material innovation, and careful pricing in a way that few regional brands can match. Most importantly, DAZE is not only a showroom concept; it is a partnership model with proven results, from Lebanon to UAE, KSA, Iraq, and soon in Milano and Africa. When you choose DAZE, whether as a customer or a franchisee, you are joining a story that is already successful and still full of possibilities.

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EXCLUSIVE SEASONAL OFFERS: NATUZZI ITALIA SHINES AT DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL

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Modern white leather sectional sofa with integrated side tray, decorative cushions, and a beige rug, paired with two light wood coffee tables featuring books and dried floral accents, set in a contemporary living room with green potted plants in the background."

Step into Natuzzi Italia’s Seasonal Showcase during the Dubai Shopping Festival, where iconic craftsmanship meets contemporary style. Running until January 29, this limited-time event features exceptional offers on select pieces that blend timeless elegance with modern functionality. Don’t miss the opportunity to bring home a true Natuzzi Italia masterpiece.

Featured Highlights of the Best Buys:

The DSF collection highlights Natuzzi Italia’s mastery of comfort and contemporary elegance, led by signature modular sofas such as KULT, designed in fine Bianco Ottico leather, and the sculptural BORGHESE, offering adaptable configurations for modern living spaces. Complementing the sofa range are the refined silhouettes of MILANO, BOTANIC, and LEVANTE, each expressing the brand’s balance of ergonomics and style.

Bedroom offerings are elevated through the DOLCEVITA bed, blending warm textiles with Natuzzi’s signature refinement.

Oblo Sofa:

The Oblò sofa by Maurizio Manzoni captures the comfort of a warm embrace with its soft, organic lines and sleek metal frame. Its modular design offers flexible configurations, whether used as a complete setup or as standalone pieces, making it easy to adapt to different spaces.

Natuzzi Italia also extends its DSF showcase into dining and accessories. The architectural VOYAGE, a fixed dining table featuring an elliptic glass top and gold metal base for a refined dining statement,and AMBER dining tables combine glass, metal, and walnut in contemporary geometries. Completing the lifestyle collection are accent pieces such as the MONDRIAN bedside tables and the Y008 smoked oak mirror, designed to complement modern interiors.

Deep Sofa

Designed by Nika Zupanc, the Deep Sofa captures the flow of sea waves with its modular, customizable configurations and enveloping lines—perfect for unwinding in style.

Simple Sofa

Perfect for compact spaces, the Simple Sofa transforms into a sofa bed with a single gesture. Its sleek, essential lines make it a modern problem solver designed by the Natuzzi Design Center.

The collection also features advanced comfort innovations such as the SEAGULL powered reclining seats and the ultra-functional EASY sofa — a practical design offering a seamless “ready-to-bed” mechanism without compromising on comfort. Its rounded lines create a harmonious blend of style and function, reinforcing Natuzzi Italia’s commitment to intelligent, design-led living.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your home with Natuzzi Italia’s iconic designs at unmatched prices.

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