Design Gourmande

Balance.

I like mixing different shapes balancing sharp corners and rectangular accessories such as books with round objects. I also like combining different elements together such as "metal, wood, earth, fire, etc."

Select items scrupulously.

I didn't break the bank to get these items. You can begin with accessories that already exist in your home. Something dear to you. However, don't over do it or it'll result to clutter.

If you do shop for accessories, select something that reflects what you love and your interests. This meditation bowl for example is a souvenir my husband bought during his trip to Nepal. It's also a conversation starter. Guests are often fascinated with this singing bowl which produces a vibrating sound with the friction of the mallet.

Choose timeless pieces.

Avoid buying something because it's a trend. It may lose its luster after some time unless it's something you know you will always enjoy.

Happy Tablescaping!

I have a design crush on Chinoiserie lately. I once featured stylish wallpaper from Fromental that best illustrates this design. Chinoiserie is a french term for Chinese-esque. A European artistic style reflecting Chinese design influences that started in the 17th Century. To know more about Chinoiserie click here.

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Since January, when I started the De-cluttering Series, I've been simplifying things around the house. This includes the daily skin regimen. I usually feel naked without makeup. However, my aim is to focus more on simplifying what I apply on my face daily.

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.

It's the Dubai Shopping Festival! One word- Sale. Over the top discounts. The best season to buy in Doobie-land. Think Dubai, probably inspired by the words "Do Buy". Annually, this festival falls on January that lasts for a month. From fashion to electronic stores with large red banners screaming our favorite word. It's the best time for tourists to take that Emirates/ Etihad flight stopover and enjoy the 12- 14 Degrees Celsius temperature having lunch outdoors while staring at Burj Khalifa.

The place is "sandy". For the last several days, we had medium to mild sandstorms. Apologies for my long absence. This week I've been home alone, with the husband overseas for work. With that, I kept myself very busy. The sandstorm prompted me to do two indoor things offline: (1) Catch up with friends over food and movies at their place and (2) Organize the house inside out. Coughing due to dust and cold weather prompted me to stay at home most of the time de-cluttering (or maybe all that coughing was brought about by cleaning).

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#2 was motivated by house guests coming over in February. I'll have the entire in-laws from France staying with us for a week. Parents and kids and their babies, a fun bunch of 7. I'm going to convert my studio/office into a temporary guest bedroom. I'm excited, because I love having people over. A house filled with laughter and food and stories.

A visit to the Spanish ancestral town, Vigan , browsing through antique stuff was a treat. Old doors like below greet you, with the smell of old books, leather and wood. As one enters each house, there's a refreshing feeling. It allows one to appreciate how the architects have designed these houses, with the tropical climate in mind, ensuring that humidity should never be allowed inside.

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?

I'm channeling my own wish list and compiling them into a gift guide for the home. Here are some shopping ideas ideal for entertaining this festive season.

1. A Year of Cookie Cutters Crate and Barrel / 2. Metrokane Rabbit Set 4 pcs @Home / 3. Raclette Simply Invents by Tefal / 4. Marquis et Mandarins Chinoiserie Tea Set by Raynaud Limoges / 5. French Oven Cast Iron Cookware by Le Creuset / 6. Aurelia Tray (41cm dia) by Zara Home / 7. Sheylla Coasters by Zara Home / 8. Glass Drink Dispenser by Pottery Barn

With all the baby shower and party planning for my friend, Shela which will be in two weeks, I can't help sharing these unique finds by Little Luxuries. They have the most gorgeous teas sets, stationery, home ware and party accessories.

Little Luxuries recently launched The Bella Cottage offering one of a kind vintage, Shabby Chic, French-style furniture.

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We'll have a Parisian baby shower theme and

I'll write a blog post about it after the event.

Have a lovely week!

XOXO,

Arni

I'd like to play with various textures. Creativity is enhanced and inspired by tranquil colors.

Despite the warm autumn earth tones, I'd like to submerge myself in cool hues this season.

Image Sources: Marie Claire Maison and Milk

(1) Creating an artwork out of carpet poms in gradient colors is pretty innovative don't you think.

(2) Textured geometric wall covering

(3) Bamboo motif - fabric designed by Emma Von Brommsen

(4) Dark grey walls against aqua toned accessories

XOXO,

Arni

Thursday in the gulf is synonymous to the much anticipated 'Friday' in the rest of the world. Thank God it's Thursday. I love the light and sunny mood on Thursdays. Office folks are usually in casuals with a big smile on their faces looking forward to five pm.

I can't help feeling grateful for the wonderful things I love this week. I've decided to decorate the bedroom and convert it to a love nest.

According to Blessed Mommy Hubpages - "101 Ways to Tell Your Husband I Love You"

"MAKE YOUR BEDROOM A LOVER'S PARADISE. Turn your ordinary bedroom into any lover's dream without a lot of expense. Remove clutter and anything that doesn't belong, and replace it with scented candles and fresh flowers. Hang pretty curtains and find some comfy bedding. Place mirrors to reflect candlelight, and misting fountains for a romantic effect."

I was inspired to spice up the love nest by organizing the side tables with aromatic vanilla candles and scented oil in a white decorative diffuser.

GET THE LOOK

1. Silver Large Tea light candle holder by Rocha.John Rocha @ Debenhams

2. Dark grey slim photo frame Betty Jackson Black @ Debenhams

3. Wooden Sticks Decorative Diffuser Set by Fruits & Passion

4. 30 x 50cm Vintage Love Cushion in Taupe by @Home The Homeware Store

The above images of cactii were my personal shots of cactus we found on Isla del Pescado in the largest salt desert,Salar del Uyuni in Bolivia. I used IKEA frames and had the images printed at Portfolio Printers.

Lastly, I can't help sharing this beautiful bouquet of flowers that my husband surprised me with last night. There wasn't any occasion. He came home from work with this. I was incredibly thankful and happy.

What are your plans this weekend?

Have a great one!

XOXO,

Arni

I'm halfway through a fun decorating project for Shela, a dear friend. We're doing the purchasing slowly. The large initial expenditure went to curtains, large furniture and the most recent one is the bed. We also found an interesting shop for 700 thread counts linen at a great price :) I must say, she's a sharp bargain hunter herself!

During our trips, I took snapshots of some interesting pieces that caught our eye.

1. Gallery Wall from The One Planet

We are going to transform one side of her dining area into a picture wall. The husband and wife are professional photographers so it would be ideal to showcase some of their works which could be great conversation starters during their dinner parties.

2. For her currently purchased comfy bed with upholstered headboard equipped with memory foam mattress. To finish off the bedroom suite, I found this beautiful mirrored night table at Q Home Decor on sale!

3. We also found this gorgeous clock from @Home.

Et pour moi, below is a photo of a classic typewriter from The One Planet , it is a nostalgic piece that I fancy.

That's all for now. Hope you have a fruitful Tuesday despite the never ending tasks during this bustling work week.

Just thought of re-arranging the coffee table. I have received two books about Coco Chanel from a very dear friend as a gift. The Design Hotels Book was also a present during a conference and The New Secrets of Style by InStyle is such a very useful fashion reference. The tray is an old purchase from The One Planet furniture shop in Dubai. Lots of candles! When entertaining, I never use the ceiling surface mounted luminaire ( ha! such a technical term that comes out from someone who worked in the field of lighting-just kidding). A lighting consultant friend, Carlos, mentioned to me that we should take advantage of indirect lighting coming out from floor lamps, table lamps positioned in very strategic areas that bring out the best within the space. It adds a soothing warm glow that washes out on the walls and furniture. Additionally, the candles make the experience much more memorable.

Here are more ideas and images on coffee table decorating from HGTV.com :

According to HGTV, key tips in decorating the centerpieces would be :

to keep it personal
to choose a theme
to consider scale and proportion
to add surprising accessories
to stick to odd numbers - it doesn't necessarily have to be one coffee table.
less is more
to choose containers

Have a lovely Thursday!
Happy decorating!

XOXO,
Arni

Make your room industrial | 5 clever ideas for home offices | home office ideas | decorating inspiration | housetohome

I have resigned from my 8-5 job in order to start pursuing Arts and design. It has been four days since. After this big leap while I'm on a transition, I'm organizing our spare guest bedroom / future nursery into a home office.

I'm drawn by the color scheme of this rustic office space. I've always preferred a table standing at the center of the room or a desk that is not facing the wall, preferably with a view outdoors. I love the stimulation of the red artwork, pendant and accessories bring within this space neutralized by the greys and wood tones.

XOXO,

Arni

via Livingetc

Long week, yet it felt rapidly short. I'm not sure if that made sense, but this week had been like that. I've always been fascinated by Paravents. I like the way it fits into a space as an interesting feature behind a lounge chair subtly separating two areas of a studio apartment. It creates more functions in a room for that little bit of privacy.

6 ft. Tall Classic Louvered Slat Venetian Room Divider mediterranean screens and wall dividers

Mediterranean screens and wall dividers design by roomdividerstore.com

Charleston Yellow Three Panel Screen traditional screens and wall dividers

Traditional screens and wall dividers design by rubyplaza.com

Vange ABV: Swell Paravent via Bati Produits Maison

Skyline Screen from Yellow Goat

Illuminated Paravent : Superieur PRV via Style Park

Zanotta 9211 Fiore via Style Park
Design by Fabrizio Bertero, Andrea Panto, S. Marzoli

Poltrona Frau Mouchabarieh Paravent via Style Park

Going green..

Wishing you all a fabulous Friday!

How are you all doing today? It's a holiday tomorrow in our part of the world so we're blessed to having a longer weekend. I can't believe I'm celebrating my birthday next week. It was just last year when the hubby took me to a surprise weekend getaway. Gosh, it seems we're chasing after time yet our age is definitely catching up with us in full speed especially by the time we hit the 30s.

It's very timely that I share this...

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com

Speaking of cheese, (this is making my mouth water now) I am in dire need of a lovely cheese tray perfect for entertaining after the main course.

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Organized and pretty...

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Unique Slate cheese board!

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Ahhh! Camembert!

I love it when it melts.....

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I'm off to the nearest supermarket to buy des fromages now.

Sheer goodness with a glass of red...

Let's now throw a wine and cheese party!

I have no intention of writing a smelly post today. :) I'm currently on the hunt for a perfect magazine rack in the bathroom. Quite tricky because it needs to be low maintenance. Much as I love the sophisticated racks perfect for the living area, practicality is essential in the bathroom. Keeping everything off the ground that is prone to moisture and humidity.

This is a total must have!