Home Integrator
SHAPING SPACES FOR THE WAY WE LIVE TODAY
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.
Home Integrator
ZARA HOME UNVEILS ITS 2025 WINTER FRAGRANCE STORY
A CELEBRATION OF FESTIVE WINTER AROMAS

Zara Home’s much-loved fragrance offering is refreshed with the 2025 Winter Fragrance Story, a seasonal collection designed to bring the warmth, joy and magic of the holidays into every home. This year, the collection celebrates sweet, food-inspired scents that evoke the comforting rituals of festive winter gatherings, from baking gingerbread to indulging in rich, seasonal treats.
The range caters to every corner of the home, featuring reed diffusers, essential oils and scented candles, alongside novelty decorative candles that double as charming holiday décor. Shaped like baubles, gingerbread houses, nutcrackers and Christmas trees, these playful yet elegant pieces fill the home with signature festive aromas while adding a touch of seasonal style.
The 2025 Winter Fragrance Story highlights three distinct collections: The Gingerbread Collection, The Salted Caramel Collection and The Winter Cypress Collection, each capturing a unique facet of the festive season.
The Gingerbread Collection
The comforting aroma of freshly baked gingerbread biscuits is enriched with soft notes of cinnamon and warm spices, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Perfect for evoking the joy of family gatherings and festive baking traditions.
- Top notes: Cardamom, Citrus
- Heart notes: Ginger, Clove
- Base notes: Cinnamon, Wood
Highlights from the collection:

The Salted Caramel Collection
A deliciously indulgent fragrance that blends creamy caramel with vanilla and nut butter, contrasted by a bold touch of salt. Reminiscent of snowy strolls past Parisian patisseries, this scent evokes the irresistible temptation of seasonal treats and the cosy warmth of returning home on a winter day.
- Top notes: Fruity
- Heart notes: Caramel, Praline
- Base notes: Nut butter, Vanilla
Highlights from the collection:

The Winter Cypress Collection
This fragrance awakens the nostalgia of the Christmas season, inspired by the cherished tradition of decorating the tree. With fresh cypress and pine notes, complemented by eucalyptus and clove, it creates a cosy, inviting atmosphere, while the base of moss and cedarwood adds a touch of earthy elegance.
- Top notes: Cypress, Pine tree
- Heart notes: Eucalyptus, Clove
- Base notes: Moss, Cedar, Wood
Highlights from the collection:

The 2025 Winter Fragrance Story by Zara Home is designed to transform the home into a haven of festive spirit, where each scent tells a story and awakens cherished memories of the season. The collection invites customers to celebrate traditions, create new moments and indulge in the irresistible aromas that make Christmas truly unforgettable.
Zara Home, operated by Azadea Group, has stores across Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and Algeria. Shop in stores, online or through the Zara Home application.
Home Integrator
ELEVATE AND ENNISMORE HOST RAK’S BIGGEST EVENT OF THE SEASON TO UNVEIL THE AED 1.8 BILLION MONDRIAN AL MARJAN ISLAND BEACH RESIDENCES
ELEVATE, the visionary lifestyle real estate brand from One Group, together with Ennismore, the world’s fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, officially unveiled the Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences with an unforgettable one-night immersive launch event at Atlantis The Royal, Dubai. Valued at AED 1.8 billion, the project marks a defining milestone for Ras Al Khaimah, introducing the region’s first-ever Mondrian-branded beachfront residences and reinforcing ELEVATE’s USD 1 billion UAE development pipeline.
Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, Group CEO of Marjan, commented, “We are glad to see the excitement around Mondrian Al Marjan Beach Residences, which is a fitting inclusion to our island’s ever-growing portfolio of branded residences. This development truly echoes our vision of creating premium, lifestyle-led destinations and is sure to offer global residents and investors a new benchmark for branded beachfront living.”
Zeeshaan Shah, Founder & Chairman of ELEVATE, stated, “Tonight’s celebration marks a remarkable milestone for ELEVATE. Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences is more than a development—it is a new expression of what beachfront luxury can be. We have created a space where art, culture, wellness, and community converge in ways never seen before in the UAE. We are proud to present our flagship project and continue elevating the standards of residential living in the region.”
Set on Al Marjan Island, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing luxury and entertainment destinations, the project has witnessed extraordinary demand. With 343 residences rapidly selling out, investor interest continues to surge due to the community’s proximity to Wynn Al Marjan Island, pristine beachfront access, and world-class hospitality offerings by Ennismore. Designed by San Francisco-based architectural firm Gensler, with interiors by London’s Bergman Design House, the development blends bold design with sensory storytelling.
The crown jewel of the project, the 10,000-square-foot Sky Mansion, features 28-foot ceiling heights, a private rooftop garden, and an infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Listed at USD 10 million, it stands as one of the most exclusive homes in Ras Al Khaimah.
Ras Al Khaimah’s most anticipated real estate launch of the season drew remarkable excitement, with guests filling the entrance of Atlantis The Royal in lively anticipation. A packed turnout gathered to witness the spectacular reveal, reflecting the overwhelming interest in Elevate’s newest landmark.
The star-studded launch, emceed by fashion icon Jessica Kahawaty, also drew notable regional personalities including Youmna Khoury and Zeynab, adding to the event’s fashion-forward energy. More than a project debut, the celebration framed Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences as the emirate’s new destination where design, lifestyle, and coastal glamour come together.
The immersive journey began as attendees passed through a kinetic tunnel of fabric, projection, and light, creating a surreal transition into Mondrian’s world of expressive luxury. The dramatic reveal of the architectural model unfolded beneath a choreographed lift of illuminated drapery, drawing applause as the full vision of the development was unveiled.
Throughout the event, custom-built design-led spaces immersed guests in Mondrian’s art-driven identity, from editorial portrait studios to a stage backdrop brought to life with kinetic projection mapping. Experiential activations spanned mixology, performance, and live artistry, including a neon-lit sculptural bar and a captivating live artwork creation by celebrated UAE artist Diaa Allam, who painted a piece inspired by Ras Al Khaimah’s cultural spirit. Setting the tempo for the night, DJ Tala Samman infused the space with her signature sounds, lifting the mood, energising the crowd, and giving the celebration its unmistakable pulse.
Louis Abboud, Regional Head of Lifestyle Collective IMEAT at Ennismore, added,
“Mondrian has always been about pushing boundaries and creating spaces that inspire. Launching this project on Al Marjan Island is a natural evolution of our brand’s creative ethos. This is not just a residence, it’s a living gallery, a social hub, and a sanctuary of style.”
RESIDENCE TYPES
- The Residences: 1–3 bedroom apartments starting from AED 2.55 million
- The Front Row Collection: 3–5 bedroom beachfront townhouses with direct beach access starting from AED 8.54 million
- The Sky Collection: 3–5 bedroom duplex and triplex sky villas with private pools and panoramic Gulf views starting from AED 8.53 million
Residents will enjoy over 60,000 sq. ft. of curated amenities, including the Mondrian Sky Club, Fi’lia Beach, championship fitness facilities, infinity pools, concierge services, and Accor Platinum Status benefits across 5,600 hotels worldwide.A flexible 60:40 payment plan is available, with project completion scheduled for Q4 2028.
Home Integrator
DAZE EXPANDS IN DUBAI WITH THE LAUNCH OF ITS SECOND SHOWROOM
Daze, the contemporary furniture brand celebrated for its refined modernity and inventive design, has officially opened its second showroom in Dubai. Situated in the city’s dynamic Sheikh Zayed Road, the 550-square-meter space debuts the brand’s newest collections, uniting timeless forms with innovative materials to capture the evolving language of modern living.
The launch of Daze Dubai, the brand’s second showroom, marks a significant step in its regional expansion, further establishing its distinctive design philosophy within a city celebrated for its cultural diversity, architectural ambition, and global design influence. Conceived as an immersive experience, the showroom balances contemporary functionality with quiet elegance, inviting visitors to explore thoughtfully curated pieces that champion comfort, individuality, and elevated everyday living.
“Design is at the heart of everything we do at Daze,” said Mrs. Zeina Batal – General Manager at Daze. She added “With this new showroom in Dubai, a city that mirrors our values of creativity, design excellence, and forward-thinking vision, we wanted to create a space that reflects our passion for form, texture, and harmony.”
Building on the success of its flagship showroom in Lebanon, Daze continues to strengthen its presence across the region, with additional openings planned in the GCC and soon in Africa, reinforcing its position as a rising leader in modern furniture and interior design.
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