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MODERN DESIGN WITHOUT THE LUXURY PRICE TAG

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3 months ago

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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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Home Integrator

SOBHA REALTY’S CREST GRANDE RECEIVES BUILDING COMPLETION CERTIFICATE; HANDOVER TO COMMENCE WITHIN RERA TIMELINE

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11 hours ago

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March 27, 2026

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Sobha Realty, a leading global luxury real estate developer, has announced that Sobha Crest Grande has received its Building Completion Certificate (BCC), with customer handovers scheduled to commence shortly.

Located in the waterfront district of Sobha Hartland, Crest Grande, comprising 985 units, offers proximity to key Dubai landmarks, including the Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai International Airport. The development features waterfront views, fully fitted kitchens, covered car parking, and amenities including an indoor and outdoor gymnasium, sauna room, adult and kids’ swimming pool, kids’ playing area, barbecue zone, as well as retail and restaurant offerings.

Importantly, the project is scheduled for delivery with the timeline committed on RERA, underlining Sobha Realty’s continued focus on execution discipline and delivery certainty, a hallmark of the brand’s Backward Integration model.

Francis Alfred, Managing Director, Sobha Realty, said; “At a time when people value certainty and reassurance more than ever, milestones like the Building Completion Certificate carry even greater meaning. Dubai continues to demonstrate the resilience, confidence, and long-term vision that makes it one of the world’s most trusted places to live and invest. For us, the receipt of the Building Completion Certificate for Sobha Crest Grande is not just a development milestone; it is a reflection of the trust families place in us when they invest their savings, aspirations, and vision of a dream home in the UAE. Achieving and being able to deliver within the timeline committed on RERA reaffirms our commitment to honour that trust through disciplined execution, timely delivery, and the consistent quality we promise every customer.”

Sobha Crest Grande has been designed to offer elevated waterfront living within one of Dubai’s most sought-after residential destinations. Its location within Sobha Hartland places residents within minutes of central Dubai, while offering a more serene lifestyle setting shaped by open views, green surroundings, and curated amenities.

The receipt of the BCC and the commencement of delivery shortly further strengthen Sobha Realty’s track record of translating vision into reality through disciplined planning, in-house capabilities, and a long-term commitment to customer confidence.

For homeowners, this milestone signals the transition from anticipation to ownership, as Crest Grande moves into its final stage before residents begin experiencing the development as a completed address.

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ICONIC RESIDENCES REACHES KEY CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES, MERED HIGHLIGHTS MARKET CONFIDENCE

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11 hours ago

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March 27, 2026

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MERED, the award-winning real estate developer, has reported significant progress on ICONIC Residences Design by Pininfarina, one of Dubai’s most ambitious premium projects. Construction is advancing steadily across multiple phases, with fully mobilised teams achieving key milestones in structural works, MEP systems, interior fit-outs, and material coordination. The update underscores the resilience of Dubai’s off-plan property market, supported by government measures that safeguard the industry and ensure large-scale developments remain on schedule.

ICONIC Residences is a G+66 floor ultra-luxury residential tower set to become an architectural landmark in Dubai. Designed by the legendary Italian firm Pininfarina, the tower draws inspiration from the city’s sand dunes and flowing ocean waves. The development will house 310 premium apartments and a signature two-level penthouse, offering residents world-class amenities, including infinity pools, wellness and spa facilities, padel court, lounges, family areas, luxury retail spaces, and air-conditioned parking spaces. Its strategic location provides breathtaking views of Dubai’s landmarks and direct access to Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Harbour, Downtown, Bluewaters Island, Emirates Golf Club, and Sheikh Zayed Road.

As of March 2026, the tower has reached approximately 125 metres, with work advancing steadily on Level 22. On the first technical floor, MEP systems are being installed, forming the backbone of the building’s technical infrastructure. Across the residential component, apartment works are progressing in parallel, with teams of engineers, technicians, and skilled tradespeople actively coordinating each phase on site. Deliveries of finishing materials for all units have been scheduled to ensure a smooth transition to the next stages of fit-out. Mered’s in-house quality control department monitors excellence at every stage of the work.

“Every milestone at ICONIC Residences reflects the resilience of the UAE property market,” comments Michael Belton, CEO of MERED. “We will continue to drive the project steadily, upholding the highest standards of quality. We are grateful for the UAE government’s proactive approach in supporting a stable and resilient market, which enables developments like ICONIC Residences to progress with confidence. This tower will stand as a symbol of innovative design, architectural excellence, and the enduring strength of Dubai’s real estate sector.”

The development’s impressive construction progress is supported by the broader stability of the UAE real estate market. Recent steps by the Central Bank of the UAE, designed to strengthen liquidity and safeguard the banking sector, help maintain a stable environment for lending and economic activity. This stability enables banks to continue providing financing to buyers, investors, and developers, contributing to smoother cash flow in the property industry.

ICONIC Residences is backed by a team of world-class experts, including Pininfarina, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), SERA Group, Currie & Brown, Bond Interiors, and more, ensuring meticulous coordination across every aspect of the development. Combined with MERED’s expertise and the stability of the UAE property market, ICONIC Residences is well-positioned to achieve its delivery and performance goals by Q3 2027.

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NATUZZI ITALIA ILLUMINATES THE SOUL OF THE HOME WITH THE POETRY OF LIGHT

Published

2 days ago

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March 25, 2026

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Natuzzi Italia, the global ambassador of Italian lifestyle, invites the world to see the home in a new light. In a masterclass of craftsmanship and atmospheric design, the brand unveils its latest lighting ensemble—a collection where functional illumination evolves into pure, radiant sculpture.

These pieces represent more than just a new product line; they are a dialogue between the heritage of Italian artisanal mastery and the avant-garde of modern luxury.

The Collection: Sculptures of Luminosity

Aura Suspension:

 Architectural Harmony Aura embraces space with ethereal grace, spreading a soft, diffused glow that envelopes a room in a harmonious atmosphere. Its refined, essential shapes interact seamlessly with architecture, creating a perfect equilibrium between raw matter and weightless light. Available in various compositions, Aura enriches grand spaces with a timeless allure, transforming surroundings into pure emotion.

Elsa Table Lamp:

A Timeless Embrace Elegance and purity find their form in Elsa. This masterpiece features a charm carved from artisan glass, playing against the natural, sophisticated veins of Calacatta marble. Topped with a decorative accessory in brushed light gold, Elsa is not merely a lamp, but a precious jewel for the contemporary interior.

Tea Floor Lamp:

Floral Grandeur: Standing with the poise of a curated bouquet, the Tea lamp features three slender stems rising in a rhythmic interplay of heights. Each stem culminates in a satinated blown-glass sphere, casting a soft, encompassing glow that mimics the gentle transition of dusk.

Rosé:

The Icon of Grace Inspired by the delicate silhouette of an inverted chalice, Rosé pays homage to the warm, shimmering hues of a desert sunset. With its refined finish and iconic silhouette, it transforms light into a radiant expression of Mediterranean beauty.

Solene:

The Luminous Secret of Solene is where tradition meets innovation. Featuring a hand-carved crystal heart nestled within blown glass, it filters light to create a sanctuary of intimacy. It is a quiet masterpiece, a secret whispered in the language of light.

Nola:

Ethereal Weightlessness Suspended with the quiet dignity of a bell, Nola brings a brilliant yet delicate presence to any room. Its minimalist form serves as a statement of lightness, proving that true refinement often speaks in a whisper.

Bossanova:

 The Rhythm of Reflection Dynamic and fluid, Bossanova appears to dance within the air. Its vibrant transparency and undulating lines create a play of reflections that evoke joy and movement, capturing the timeless spirit of Italian celebration.

Experience the Glow

Discover the collection at Natuzzi Italia showrooms across the UAE, where the poetry of light meets the art of living.

Natuzzi store are located near you in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, visit the website.

•        Natuzzi, Sheikh Zayed Road between 2nd and 3rd interchange, Dubai

•        Natuzzi, near Al Maktoum Bridge, Umm Hurair Road, Dubai

•        Natuzzi, The Galleria, Abu Dhabi

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