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SHAPING SPACES FOR THE WAY WE LIVE TODAY

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Exclusive Interview with Carla Klumpenaar, General Manager of Marketing, Communications and Interior Design for IKEA across the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Oman

How does this next phase support the evolution of modern homes, especially in terms of integrated living?

In today’s homes, spaces are no longer confined to one function. They flow into each other and adapt to the needs of the moment. With the launch of ‘Here to be Part of your Story’, this next phase for IKEA builds on that reality, empowering customers to create environments where hosting, working, cooking, playing and relaxing happen seamlessly. Through our seasonal collections, modular solutions and the “Globally Local” initiative, integrated living is at the heart of our design. We want every corner of the home to feel connected to people’s lifestyle, culture and values. Modern living is dynamic and personal, and our role is to make that flexibility possible, beautiful and within reach for the many.

IKEA is showcasing new kitchen innovations this year. How is IKEA preparing kitchens for smarter, more connected living?

While the kitchen is seen as a cooking space, it is also a hub where design, efficiency and human connection meet. Our innovations this year focus on solutions that support sustainability, organisation and function while adapting to daily routines.

Our METOD kitchen system, paired with MAXIMERA drawers, offers a modular design that customers can customise and rearrange to suit their lifestyle. It features smooth‑close drawers, long‑lasting materials and flexible storage that can evolve over time. For a straightforward start, our KNOXHULT series provides a ready‑to‑assemble, pre‑configured kitchen that is ideal for first homes or smaller spaces where installation needs to be simple and fast.

Durable cookware and efficient taps and appliances deliver quality and performance across a variety of cooking styles. Planning tools such as Online Service Booking simplify the journey and give customers confidence by letting them explore solutions digitally and in store, preparing their kitchens to keep pace with the rhythms of modern life.

With the “Here to be part of your story” campaign, how does IKEA see technology contributing to more personal, story-driven homes?

Technology is most powerful when it enhances everyday life rather than overwhelming it. “Here to be part of your story” is about being present where life happens, in shared meals, cultural traditions and routines that define who we are. Technology becomes an enabler in this process, helping customers visualise their ideas, plan their spaces and personalise solutions to reflect their tastes and heritage. Integrated tools such as virtual consultations and interactive planning make the design journey intuitive and inspiring, bridging the gap between vision and reality so people can shape homes that truly feel their own.

IKEA’s new kitchen planning tools use online and in-store interactive experiences. How does this improve customer readiness for integrated solutions?

Planning a kitchen that blends cooking, dining and living is both exciting and complex. Our online booking service gives customers a clear step‑by‑step path, while in‑store workshops allow them to explore products, layouts and styles they can see and touch. This combination provides the confidence to make informed decisions, ensuring the finished kitchen works for their space and lifestyle. By pairing digital convenience with hands‑on experience, we prepare customers to embrace an integrated solution that feels natural from the very first step.

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Home Integrator

‘SOBHA CITY’: ABU DHABI’S NEW NATURE-LED WATERFRONT LIVING COMMUNITY

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Leading luxury property developer Sobha Realty has announced its entry into Abu Dhabi with the unveiling of Sobha City, a master-planned community that reflects a deliberately quiet and serene approach to urban living in the UAE capital.

Marking the developer’s first large-scale residential development in Abu Dhabi, Sobha City represents a significant milestone rooted in a 50-year legacy of craftsmanship and a long-term commitment to shaping environments that prioritise wellbeing, design integrity, and enduring value. Long associated with refined, design-led communities across Dubai and Umm Al Quwain (UAQ), Sobha Realty’s move into the UAE capital aligns with Abu Dhabi’s continued evolution as a global destination defined by stability, cultural depth, and quality of life.

Set in Al Bahiya along the prime E10 and E12 corridor, close to Zayed International Airport and Yas Island, Sobha City unfolds as a low-density, nature-led Madinat designed around space, light, and movement. Spanning approximately 38 million square feet, with an initial phase of around 8 million sq. ft. of land area, the development is envisioned as a “city within a city” that will evolve into a fully integrated, self-sustained ecosystem. Designed for family-oriented living, the gated masterplan demonstrates a commitment to crafting complete communities, where everyday living is shaped by balancing privacy, connectivity, and wellbeing.

Designed with nature at its core, ~60% of the masterplan is dedicated to open and green spaces, with more than 50,000 trees, forest-inspired landscapes, and shaded walkways shaping a seamless sense of quiet continuity. An expansive wellness loop spanning over 18 km encourages a slower, more intentional pace of life, while pedestrian-first pathways reinforce a lifestyle centred on movement, health, and ease.

“Abu Dhabi holds a unique position as a city that balances cultural authenticity with forward-looking ambition, and our entry reflects a long-term belief in its evolution not just as a solid real estate market, but as a place where communities can grow with family-oriented intention,” said Ravi Menon, Chairman, Sobha Group. “Sobha City has been envisioned as a living environment that feels calm, enduring, and deeply connected to its surroundings, while being future-ready.”

A defining feature of Sobha City is its two-kilometre waterfront promenade and integrated marina destination, which brings together leisure, retail, and social spaces in a vibrant, yet considered, way. Schools, healthcare facilities, mosques, and an executive Par-3 golf course, masterfully designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design. These are all thoughtfully embedded within the masterplan, ensuring essential elements of daily life remain within easy reach.

Drawing inspiration from Abu Dhabi’s coastal, natural landscapes, the City’s design reflects a contemporary interpretation of place where water, greenery, and architecture create an environment that feels both modern and rooted. The result is a ‘live-connect-restore’ ecosystem that is calm, refined, intuitively connected to its surroundings yet with future-ready infrastructure.

Sobha City will offer a diverse mix of residences, including waterfront apartments, estate and garden villas,  and mansions catering to a wide spectrum of residents, from families seeking a sense of permanence to global investors looking for stability and long-term value.

Each residence will reflect Sobha Realty’s hallmark ‘The Art of Detail’, with high-quality finishes, open layouts, and technology-enabled living environments that prioritise comfort, functionality, and longevity. Globally recognised for its proprietary Backward Integration model, Sobha Realty maintains full control over design, engineering, and construction processes in an approach that has consistently delivered superior quality and above-market performance across its portfolio.

Mr Francis Alfred, Sobha Realty’s Managing Director, added: “As we expand our footprint into Abu Dhabi, Sobha City will be embodiment of our vertically integrated approach to development ensuring not only exceptional quality but also long-term resilience and value. This position us strongly within a market driven by sustained population growth, investor-friendly policies, and projected increased demand for integrated, lifestyle-oriented developments.”

The launch further strengthens Sobha Realty’s presence in the UAE, complementing its portfolio of developments across Dubai and Umm Al Quwain, including destinations such as Sobha Siniya Island and Downtown UAQ| Sobha Realty. Its entry into Abu Dhabi comes as the emirate reaffirms its commitment to economic diversification, infrastructure development, and a renewed focus on liveability and sustainability. The launch aligns with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, which seeks to foster a knowledge-based economy supported by thoughtfully planned, high-quality communities.

As the UAE capital determines to evolve into a globally competitive hub, Sobha Realty’s entry with nature-led master community signals both confidence and commitment, positioning the developer at the forefront of the emirate’s next growth chapter.

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Home Integrator

UAE-BORN HOMEWARE BRAND CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABLE LIVING WITH UNIQUE VINTAGE AND PRE-LOVED PIECES

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For those who love adding personality to their homes with one-of-a-kind pieces, Tangerrine Casa, a UAE-born online homeware brand offers a hand curated selection of vintage and preloved homeware items that are cool, quirky and unique. Featuring character-filled pieces, the small business currently delivers products across Dubai and offers next-day delivery (if ordered before 12pm).

A women-led brand, Tangerrine Casa was founded by Amy Armitage, a freelance stylist, who launched the brand in February 2025. Amy had a passion for hunting for vintage pieces during her travels but after struggling to find cool preloved homeware pieces locally in Dubai, she decided to fill the gap and elevate the preloved market in the region by bringing a carefully curated edit of unique vintage and preloved homeware, that was also easily accessible and affordable.

The curation features everything from abstract fruit bowls and chrome plated pieces to intricate glass dishes, fun porcelain plates and bowls of Italian and Portuguese design, egg cups, vases, toast racks, trinket trays, candle holders, and more, offering something fun, bold and rare for every space.

Rooted in sustainability and circular living, the brand promotes mindful consumption while also encouraging individuality in home styling, inviting the community to embrace preloved pieces to create spaces that feel more personal, purposeful, and full of character.

I’ve always loved hunting for unique preloved pieces during my travels that I can bring back to my home in Dubai. But I didn’t feel like there were many places here locally with a cool preloved homeware curation that was unique, easily accessible and affordable, so I decided to create one. I’m passionate about keeping things in circulation for as long as possible and I believe more people would shop preloved if the stigma was removed and items looked more aspirational. I want to bring joy to homes in a more sustainable way and that’s exactly what Tangerrine Casa is all about.”, comments Amy Armitage, founder of Tangerrine Casa.

In addition, Tangerrine Casa connects with their community through its signature hosting concept ‘Tangerrine Table’. Hosted by Amy and her husband Ed, this concept creates a space to connect, share stories across cultures, explore different cuisines and celebrate the joy of gathering around a table.

A go-to destination for unique preloved homeware pieces, Tangerine Casa invites the community to discover the charm of objects that have already lived and see how cool shopping preloved can be.

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Home Integrator

WESTERN FURNITURE Highlights Tomasella’s Sustainable Italian Design for UAE Homes

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As the world turns its attention to the preservation of our planet on Earth Day, Western Furniture is proud to highlight Tomasella—a brand that has spent 70 years proving that luxury design and environmental responsibility are inseparable. With roots firmly in the past and a clear vision for the future, Tomasella balances a rich history with a tireless vocation for technological and creative innovation.

For Tomasella, sustainability is a philosophy rooted in social and ethical solidarity .This harmony between ethical codes and material analysis ensures meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. This is the profound commitment to quality and earth-conscious living you embrace when you choose Tomasella for your home.

Explore a wide range of models at Western Furniture that can be fully customized through an extensive choice of materials, colors, and textures, allowing for a personal touch in every sustainable space.

The Porticello Collection: Designed by Massimiliano Minuti, this set combines modern elegance with classic Italian design. Finished in Rovere Moka with Materico Basalto Lucido accents, the King Bed and matching dresser exude a high-end, serene atmosphere.

The Porticello Dining Table: A striking example of architectural design, blending organic shapes with minimalist proportions. The thick pedestal base features an asymmetrical oval cutout, giving the monolithic structure a sense of “lightness.” Its warm taupe matte finish perfectly complements natural textures like jute and velvet.

The Clio Bed: Featuring a natural oak wood finish and pure lines, the Clio focuses on minimalism. Its gracefully curved headboard is fitted on an airy frame, creating a pleasant feeling of relaxation that makes it easy to concentrate on dreams and slumber.

The Morfeo Bed: This designer solution expands the traditional concept of a bed by integrating a shelf and bedside tables into one clever, practical piece. With reclinable headboard cushions for reading or watching TV, it pairs functional versatility with a harmonious silhouette.

Eros Bed: The Eros bed features a unique design with a rounded frame that wraps the mattress, offering supreme comfort and wellbeing. The delicate stitching along the headboard and bed frame accentuates its contemporary elegance.

The Lunato Bed: Sleek comfort and modern elegance – The Lunato Bed brings a refined touch to your bedroom with its minimalist design and plush upholstery. We invite you to experience the intersection of Italian heritage and environmental stewardship. Discover how Tomasella’s commitment to “people-first” sustainability can transform your living space into a sanctuary for the future.

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