One of the advantages of owning your own home is decorating it to suit your taste, Abu Dhabi Week gets some tips on how
As our Through The Keyhole page shows, the residents of Abu Dhabi have eclectic taste when it comes to interior design, with many of our featured properties sporting an impressive flair for style.
But if your own place lacks that bit of character, we have the solution. We went along to meet ID Design’s in-house interior decorator Mei Al Hakim, who advised that to achieve a unified look in whatever room you’re decorating, you need to first define your style and preferences.
“You should know yourself, the space and the style,” she said. “I recommend that you stay away from trends, as they come and go. After all it’s all about doing what you like.”
A designer for six years, she explained some of the most common issues or mistakes customers make when redecorating is trying to incorporate too many ideas or styles. “Many people don’t know how to match colours, fixtures and materials. For example, I always recommend that any set of tables in your house – coffee tables, side tables, dinning tables, etc. – should be related. You shouldn’t mix glass, wood and lacquer together,” she adds. For a cohesive look, stick to related items in the same materials and colours. This helps keep your space unified and on theme.
When revamping your space with existing furniture, the key is to work with what you have. Al Hakim recommends that customers, looking to keep redecorating costs down, should invest in soft furnishings instead. “For a fresh look, without swapping out the heavy furnishings and hardware, simply replace soft furnishings,” she said. Wallpaper, curtains, carpets and accessories can transform your space with minimal effort.
And for residents with the opposite problem, who are starting from scratch with blank canvases and empty spaces, decide on your large hardware items first. Large hardware include sofas, beds and dining tables. It’s always easier to accessorise and match large items afterwards, as typically you’ve got a larger range of options to choose from.
Another important tip to remember when decorating is that you can highlight the unique elements of your property with your furnishings. If you’ve got unique architectural elements you’re proud of, such as high ceilings, mosaic inlaid flooring and large windows, show them off with your decorations and accessories. Bring attention to these special features through the use of colour, window treatments or muted furniture. “If you have dramatic features, let those take centre stage and use simpler items to complement those elements.”
Most importantly however, is knowing your space and deciding what you want from it. Realistic expectations are key to helping you succeed. Guests need to work within the constraints of their space, whether it be too big or too small, to create comfortable and balanced living spaces.
To get help from Al Hakim first hand, drop by ID Design in Al Wahda Mall. For more information visit: www.iddesignuae.com
Numbers drop
The demand for residential units in the city of Abu Dhabi is falling, according to the latest findings of The Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD).
According to SCAD’s report, a total of 1,842 new buildings were completed in the Abu Dhabi Emirate during the first quarter of 2013, which is an increase of 343 on the same time frame last year.
But the number of residential units within that figure was actually 2,461, which represented a 6.2 percent drop from this time last year.
In contrast, Al Ain saw an increase in the number of residential units – a total of 703 units were built, 513 more than last year.
The average amount spent on a new building ranged from AED 3,518 to AED 4,104 per square metre. The cost varied according to the type of interior finish, the gross floor area and the intended use of the finished building.
Online sign-up system proving a huge success
Properties signed up under Abu Dhabi’s online registration system have topped 200 thousand units, the municipality announced this week. The number of tenancy contracts issued from Tawtheeq’s debut in November 2011 to May 2013 has exceeded 121 thousand contracts.
Launched in 2011 with the aim of clarifying the often-confusing Abu Dhabi real estate market, the Tawtheeq system was created to register leasable property details and tenancy contracts in the city by using up-to-date technologies.
Streamlining the market by building stronger communication lines between the lessor and tenant, curbing rental disputes and minimising manipulation and control in the rental market by brokers, the system has been well received by members of the real estate market.
In addition to helping safeguard the rights between all parties involved in the rental process, the scheme has provided the municipality with a consolidated database in terms of residential, commercial and industrial units.
With accurate statistics regarding property in the capital, Tawtheeq has also helped speed up the real estate registration process in respect to rented property units across the city. A new standardised template for tenancy contracts and an automated system for registration has helped property management companies and private owners stay on the same page.
Future benefits of the unified programme is set to improve the marketability of properties in the city, provide an accurate real estate market map for potential investors and maximise benefits for both owners and tenants.
For more information and to find out more about Tawtheeq visit: www.adm.gov.ae
