I am presently decorating our new home in Cebu, Philippines. One of the most daunting things when moving to a new location is the lack of awareness on where to find the furniture that fits your style and budget. 

I was on the hunt for companies that offer good quality but inexpensive furniture with customization capabilities within a reasonable time frame. 

PROJEKT opened in 2008. It is a home furnishing & accessories store carrying knocked down, easy to assemble furniture, while offering home solutions. I first came across Projekt online, via their facebook page

Curiosity led me to drive to the city the next day. I immediately fell in love with their quaint but stylish shop at the second level of Banilad Town Centre. 

I discussed my requirements with Rhey, their in-house designer during my second visit. I definitely appreciated the prompt responses by phone and email, as well as proactive solutions he had provided for a customized TV cabinet I wanted. I love Teak wood and I am impressed and proud to share that these furniture are made in the Philippines!

The furniture I have ordered are now in production. Stay tuned and let's see the outcome! I'm excited!

Where is it?

Contact:

PROJEKT 

Home Outfitters is a very interesting shop to purchase unique furniture and accessories.  The white washed brick interiors and lovely vignettes stand out and are refreshing to find in Dubai.  Especially if you have grown tired of the usually massive and overly ornamented furniture offered by others. Their furniture proportions vary and they have selections of sofa that would suit small spaces. 

I have always wanted to visit. I see it all the time on my drive home.  The exterior stands out in a subtle and stylish way and you can immediately tell their products will speak the same.  It is the only showroom they have in Dubai so far. If you're coming from Sheikh Zayed Road, it is located along Umm Suqeim Road, Al Barsha-2. It is on your right,just before reaching Al Khail Road.  

Stockists of authentic leather and fabric sofas. The scent of leather drifts in the air inside the showroom. They do not customize, but their furniture are available in multiple colors and fabric selections. Most of their accessories come from Europe. Vibrant artwork and stunning lighting with reasonable prices. So if you're looking for style and quality, this is the perfect destination.   Here are more photos...

Mood Board by travelgourmande featuring an antique lamp

Home Box opened in Dubai last Wednesday. It is a low-priced one-stop contemporary furnishing and home ware store from the Landmark Group.  It is presently located at Level 2 of Oasis Centre along Sheikh Zayed Road. Check out more images..

Summer time! I'm in the mood for creating a contemporary patio design.  I've been working on a pool deck and outdoor dining of a hotel project this week so I came across a lot of interesting outdoor lounge furniture that would be fun to put together. If I were to design an outdoor pool deck for a young single gal, this would be it.

1. Garden Lounge Chair:  Juni by Paola Lenti

2. Tropicalia Day Bed designed by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso
3. Lantern High by Tribu
4. Surf Aqua Lounger by Paola Lenti
5. Teak wood block :  Lui by Tribu
6. Mirth Party Table and Chairs by Paola Lenti
7. Accessories Serving Tray by Tribu

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SwingRest Standing Lounger in Natural Color {Source}

I'm so excited to share this news with you! I have perused the  West Elm U.S. website so many times always wishing they'd open a store in the United Arab Emirates. When I found out West Elm indeed opened their first stylish furniture store in Dubai, I was ecstatic, that I immediately dressed up and literally drove 40 km away to Dubai Mall to check out the store for myself.  

One of my favorite things to do that never fails to cheer me up when I'm down, is browsing through furniture shops.  Being surrounded by home ware, furniture and accessories always light up my spirits and give me a shot of enthusiasm.  Energy levels elevate with or without a shopping bag upon leaving the store. 

In an apartment lifestyle demanded by big cities like Dubai with rising rents and limited floor space, dominated by sand and sometimes the lack of balconies, where we crave greenery. Why don't we bring in the garden indoors?

Hello everyone!  The New Year inspires us to get  hands on in organizing our homes. For the most part, I'm wondering how this design blog will evolve.  A part of me wonders whether I should give it up, but my resolve to continue triumphed over that thought.Since I have left my 8-5 er, I have spent many months traveling and exploring, that paved the way to a lot more inspirations on its twin blog, Travel Gourmande.   I suppose it's also my way of avoiding what's next in my career.  I was about to start working for a hospitality interior design firm last year. However due to bad timing, that didn't fall through.  As I  travel light this year, my objective is to narrow down career choices by being absolutely sure what I would like to specialize in. (If you have any clue, please be so kind to tell me :)) I think the hardest was figuring out between what I should be doing and what I want to do. While I'm in that phase, this blog will be a chronicle of that search. My aim for this blog is to be with you as you design your home. If this blog can contribute in any way, then I have achieved my goal.  And it starts now..

1. Laurent Dining Chair by Freedom (Australia)  / 2. Tolix Cafe Chair by Pottery Barn  / 3.  Lyle Side Chair by Crate and Barrel / 4. Redsmith Dining Chair by Anthropologie  / 5. Tolix.fr colors 

6. DIY recycled glass bottles with baby's breath / 7. Victoria Pendant Lamp by CB2 handcrafted iron with galvanized finish / 8. Farmhouse Recycled Timber Extension Dining table from  French Dressing / 9. Kährs Nordic Homeworx Rugged Collection Fossil Oak

THE One recently launched THE One Junior , their brand new children's furniture concept.  Small -scale versions of adult furniture and accessories for little ones aged 3-16.   Sophisticated junior sized upholstered beds, mini dining tables and chairs perfectly proportioned to little princes and princesses with a hint of old soul.

This one does!  

Oh lovely chairs, I'll come back for ya! In need of extra dining chairs at home.

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO,

Arni

More mood boards to come weekly.

XOXO,

Arni

#2  Ross Lovegrove Louis Poulsen Aeros Pendant

# 3  Balance Chandelier by Wind Fall

# 5  Anthologie QUARTETT Light Colors Pendant Lamp

Available in various colors

Image via Style Park

# 7 TULSA by Michael Anastassiades from the Swarovski Crystal Palace Collection

Image via

# 8  "ALTAR" by Kevin Reilly
Candlelight.  The designer's patented candle wax doesn't melt under extreme heat temperatures.

Image via World Luxury Guide

# 9  Wine Chandelier by Pottery Barn

I love innovative use of material so I'm including this on my list.  Though I can't find this product anymore on the Pottery Barn site. Perhaps a discontinued product. I love it nonetheless.

# 10 Fiela Feather Pendant Designed by Haldane Martin


This pendant makes me think about the brilliant Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz.

Image via Ixtro