Better Homes Abu Dhabi - November'17

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Abu Dhabi

Complimentary copy

Nov 2017-Jan 2018

In the mIx

Inside interior designer Katherine Wightman’s pattern-rich Al Bateen villa A bAsement with soul ● spice up your style ● Find your home on Al reem islAnd

CONTENTS | Better Homes Magazine

Welcome

I

probably wouldn’t go as far as designer Michael Aram and believe everything can be used as an ashtray, but I do love using things in a different way to their intended purpose. To that end, I’ve recently nabbed a couple of pallet crates from Al-Futtaim Ace to transform into seating for my balcony and framed a gifted silk scarf to hang on the wall. At interior designer Katherine Wightman’s beautiful Al Bateen villa (page 16), we spotted some framed Feuilles De Luxe wallpaper by The Loft & Us on her bedroom wall. She had also salvaged several chairs and reupholstered them in suzanis (embroidered textiles from India that are traditionally used as bedspreads).

While Katherine shows us how to mix and match patterns as long as we stick to a harmonious colour palette, we also give you some on-trend hues, from mustard yellow (page 8) to pastel pink (page 10).

And finally, if you’re looking for a waterfront community that is close to the action, browse our choice of apartments, townhouses and villas for rent and sale on Al Reem Island (page 25).

Managing Director Victoria Thatcher Editorial Director John Thatcher Editor Lucy Land Art Director Kerri Bennett Designer Jamie Pudsey Production Manager Muthu Kumar Advertising Group Manager Sukaina Hussein +971 50 515 9691 To contact any of the above people, email firstname@ hotmediapublishing.com

Better Homes Abu Dhabi is a supplement to Better Homes Dubai. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from HOT Media Publishing is strictly prohibited. HOT Media Publishing does not accept liability for omissions or errors in Better Homes Abu Dhabi Magazine.

Lucy Land lucy@hotmediapublishing.com

Tel: +971 4 364 2876 Fax: +971 4 369 7494

bhomes.com facebook.com/betterhomespage @betterhomesuae @betterhomesuae Cover image by Muthu Kumar

linkedin.com/company/better-homes-llc

contents 8

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Pass me the mustard Spice up your home with a dash of yellow

life is rosy Add a touch of pastel pink for softness and serenity

full of soul A London home has light, comfort and elegance at its heart

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style files Take your cue from those in the know 6 | bhomes.com

mixing it uP Inside the Al Bateen villa of interior designer Katherine Wightman

ProPerties for sale & rent Explore Al Reem Island

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object of desire The statement Diamond sideboard by Boca do Lobo

HOME

We love the sense of movement created by the layering of watercolours on this curtain fabric by Zoffany. The abstracted water iris is shown here in peacock and copper, but is available in five colourways. Water Iris from the Edo Fabrics collection, Dhs372–Dhs1,128 per roll, by Zoffany. Available from Style Library, stylelibrary.com

Home | Better Homes Magazine

Maisons du Monde

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2

4

5

Pass me the mustard

3

Spice up your home with a dash of yellow

1. VW Combi T2 cushion, Dhs82, DrawDeck 2. Yellow ornament, Dhs265, al Huzaifa 3. Luiza chair, Dhs1,153, SanDalyeci 4. Papaver rhoes sculpture, Dhs359, Boconcept 5. Summerland sofa, Dhs19,000, naDa DeBS for comptoir 102

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Better Homes Magazine | HOME

style files

Take your cue from those in the know

aS nature intended

Steal my Style Cornelia Enger Rogstad, decoration manager at THE One

Design DNA

Decorate for yourself.

Use colours and pieces that make you happy, and don’t worry too much about trends or other people’s opinions. We are all different, and that reflects in our home and is what makes our personal space interesting and unique.

Wallpaper or paint?

I would always choose paint over wallpaper.

Firstly, it’s easier and less time consuming to apply, and if you change your mind it’s easy to rectify. It’s also cheaper to buy paint than wallpaper, which gives you the freedom to change the look of your house more often – a big plus for creative interior lovers. Personally, I also like my walls to be fairly neutral and let the furniture and my centrepieces be the main focus.

Colour combo to try

Darker browns are very popular now and, together with creamy whites, they create softness and contrast, which is perfect for autumn. Shades of blues and greens that are inspired by nature also work very well this season – both on walls and on furniture.

Splurge on…

Add a splash of colour to your home

I would recommend splurging on your key pieces, such as your sofa. If you invest in one made with a high-quality material, you can have it for a long time. You can then easily and frequently change the look of it with some new cushions or throws.

Top lighting tip

Group pendant lamps together, either over your coffee table or dining table, to create a focal point and wow factor in your home.

And know your glow – the type of light bulb you choose is as important as the design of the lamp. The quality of light you want to achieve is a personal decision, but has a great impact on your room. Personally, I like a warm atmosphere in my house, and would therefore go for a more yellow shade.

Household essentials

My number one household essential is my super soft and oversized bath towels.

Together with some scented candles, they really create that luxury hotel feeling.

Artificial cherry tree branches, Dhs80, MAISonS du Monde

Hydrangea, Dhs549, SIA

Prized possession

My black, wood and leather armchair from FUSION by THE One. It looks exactly like one my grandmother used to have – it’s fabulous and it really rocks my living room. It also brings a sense of nostalgia and character to my home.

Orchid pot, Dhs99, PAn eMIrAteS

fOllOW NOW…

@abeautifulmesshome

Antiques dealer and interior designer Kymberley Fraser’s Californian store is crammed with oddities, from vellum books to beautifully displayed vignettes, showcasing the beauty of everyday objects, while her Instagram feed is filled with inspiring images of her ever-changing store. “Although it wouldn’t be possible to capture my entire vision in one picture, I try to make each post flow in a thematic, exciting way so that people can see my style,” she reveals.

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Life is rosy

Add a touch of pastel pink for softness and serenity

Flaunting curves

To complement the swivel chair in the same range, US-based design firm Roar and Rabbit (helmed by Wendy Wurtzburger and Mitzie Wong, the former co-president and design director for Anthropologie, respectively) has recently released a loveseat for West Elm. We love its tactile velvet upholstery, pleated details and shapely silhouette. Glamour velvet sofa, Dhs5,250, Roar and Rabbit for West Elm, westelm.com

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shine like a star

Award-winning fashion designer Julien MacDonald OBE is a longterm collaborator with Debenhams. His Star collection features a soft cotton blend, vintage-inspired prints and sequins for a glamourous finish. Empire cushion, Dhs240; boucle sequin cushion, Dhs160; Selena duvet cover, from Dhs330; Selena pillow cases, Dhs170 for two, all Star

by Julien Macdonald for Debenhams, Debenhams.com

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Cosmopolitan living

The modern, luxurious Rosy Posy collection combines faux shagreen furniture with glass surfaces, dusty pastel and metallic accents. Lucite side table, Dhs2,390; Genoa sand L-shape sofa, Dhs14,260; Harmony pink rug, Dhs2,999; Lucite coffee table, Dhs5,290, all by Indigo Living, indigo-living.com

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Mediterranean chic

Inspired by the rich styles of the Mediterranean, the premium collection from Homes R Us combines a pastel-forward palette and graphic prints with a touch of gold. Ambella sofa set, coffee table and two end tables, Dhs19,995, Homes R Us, homesrusgroup.com

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Better Homes Magazine | promotion

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Designed and developed in Europe, the process involved approximately 900 experts across four countries. The results include its most precise products ever, with self-cleaning, minimum consumption and user-friendliness at its core. The electric and gas ovens within Teka’s WISH range boast an

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Available from teka.com

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Mixing it up Interior designer Katherine Wightman’s villa in Al Bateen is a riot of patterns and prints Words: Lucy Land Photographs: Muthu Kumar

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“W

e love the greenery of this neighbourhood,” interior designer Katherine Wightman says, referring to Al Bateen, where she has lived with her husband, Jamie, two children, Harry and Arabella, and their adopted cat, Tom (his brother Jerry decided not to stay), for 18 months. “Although it is a more central location than Khalifa City, where we previously lived, it feels leafier.” She appreciates its established community feel, “I really like the fact that it’s pedestrianised and we can walk to the local shop to buy a pint of milk.”

Her previous lifestyle was very islandcentric, comprising mostly of work, school and after-school activities. Although she continues to live close to her children’s school, The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK), her family now spend more time exploring the outdoors on their doorstep. When we meet, bike helmets are on the table in readiness for a cycle with friends. “We often cycle to the beach and the area is also great for running.”

Her standalone villa, surrounded by a lush garden and trees, provides a sanctuary from the bustling city.

Having previously belonged to friends, the home held special memories for the family even before they moved in.

A sun worshipper, Katherine’s favourite spaces include the garden; the living room and its window seat, in particular, which catches the afternoon sunlight. Her garden is an extension of her home, with plenty of seating areas, a barbecue area, and a treehouse and slide for the children.

Indoors, several fans offer a gentler alternative to the air conditioning.

The open-plan layout of the ground floor, however, presented a decorating challenge.

“It was like a gaping hole and quite hard to furnish. I’ve moved things around constantly in an attempt to create different zones.” To break up the area, Katherine installed a wall with double doors at the bottom of the stairs, which created a partition between the entrance and the dining area. It means that she can now close the doors in the evening or for a party, to make the downstairs feel more intimate, while the different living spaces flow easily from one area to another. Beautifully patterned dhurries, bought from regular trips to Jaipur, unify each zone, and although a variety of decor styles, prints and textures are used throughout (many of the cushion fabrics are inspired by design projects that Katherine has worked on), a sense of balance is created by the harmonious colour palette.

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“I adore blues and greys, so they were an easy combination for the interior.”

With a mix of table lamps, floor lamps and a variety of shades for the ceiling lighting, Katherine has created a number of different moods throughout her home. “I think about lighting a lot,” she admits. “I’m not a fan of overhead lighting, which can be unflattering, and it’s particularly nice to have low-level lighting in the evenings.”

Some pieces of furniture were brought over from their previous home in England, including an ornate cabinet that her father bought during his travels to Hong Kong when he was younger, and a couple of vintage chests. Other items, including shelves in the living space, were designed by Katherine and made locally, while several chairs were salvaged and reupholstered with suzanis [embroidered textiles that she had brought back from India] or a fabric that was discovered

on the floor of one of her suppliers. One rustic-style console was made by Dubaibased Sand Interiors, a supplier that she regularly uses for projects. She designed another console and accompanying mirror and had it made in Udaipur.

Upstairs, the bedrooms are colour drenched: Harry’s in blue; the guest room, which Katherine describes as an “ode to India”, also in blue; Katherine and Jamie’s in calming green with a hint of soft pink; while Arabella’s combines soft shades with splashes of cherry and plum.

The children’s bedrooms feature furniture from Home Centre and IKEA, with fabrics from India providing a finishing touch. A Barcelona chair and a sheepskin thrown over the back of a wooden desk chair adds an air of sophistication in Arabella’s room, while Harry’s room features a madeto-measure car rack and an impala skin rug from South Africa. It would

Better Homes Magazine | HOME

I adore blues and greys, so they were an easy combination for the interior

have been easy to have chosen a blue rug for the upstairs landing space to bring together the two floors. However, Katherine designed a colourful rug, with bright pinks and sunshine yellow that makes the gallery-like space pop.

Artworks throughout the home include several by Katherine’s sister-inlaw Anna, such as a large abstract oil painting of a cowboy and one of an island off Cornwall. Others include seascapes

by Cornwall-based artist Matthew Dempster, a print of an elephant picked up in India and a triptypch by British designer Rebecca Loftus.

While Katherine travels regularly to India for various projects, it’s clear that the family holidays to the Far East, Cornwall and their annual trip home to London also provide plenty of inspiration for her work and home. katherineclareinteriors.com

HOME COMfOrts My personal aesthetic is…

Eclectic, casual and comfortable.

Any pattern works…

Just make sure you stick to the same colour palette.

Greenery is key.

House plants can really liven up an interior.

Home is…

Somewhere I can relax. bhomes.com | 19

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Full oF soul

This London home has light, comfort and elegance at its heart Words: Lucy Land

“T

his home epitomises what design stands for: how to offer the best possible solution for our clients to live better in the most beautifully thought-through and detailed spaces,” enthuses interior architect and designer Marie-Noëlle Swiderski. “It does not have to be complex, but it has to have soul.”

Marie-Noëlle is referring to a fivebedroom, three-bathroom house in Belsize Park, London. She first worked with the homeowners, who have lived in London for 20 years, when they bought the property a decade ago, when it was in need of restructuring, refreshing and redecorating. “This time, the clients approached me to excavate the basement – the whole footprint of the building,” she says.

With a growing family and evolving needs and interests, the couple wanted the basement to become a natural extension of the family home, offering a place for relaxation, exercise, working, and accommodating guests, with a dedicated space for the family’s grand piano. When Marie-Noëlle and the couple saw the initial proposed plans from the basement construction company, they thought there was room for improvement. “We wanted

to prioritise natural light and ease of movement as much as possible, despite being underground.” The final plans included a large family room, a gym, a study/music room, a guest suite (which comprised a bedroom, sitting area and en-suite bathroom), a utility room and a cloakroom.

The project wasn’t without its challenges, however. During excavation of the basement, huge concrete piles were unearthed from the foundations.

These had to be painstakingly demolished, which resulted in a substantial delay.

The staircase also presented design concerns. It had to finish at the correct spot, which was tricky because a variety of different rooms needed to fit around the staircase, while there also needed to be enough space to move with ease and access the adjoining areas. At the same time, the staircase had to be beautiful without dominating the space. MarieNoëlle and the team chose to utilise the same limed oak, wide plank wood flooring on the treads and risers as were present throughout the rest of the house, along with glass balustrading, to create a light and airy effect. The entire team – basement contractor, flooring supplier, joiner, homeowners and Marie-Noëlle bhomes.com | 21

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We wanted to prioritise natural light and ease of movement

– worked together to resolve the issue of fixing the glass to the stairs. Their solution was to create a ‘sandwich’ effect, whereby the glass was affixed to the side of the steps and sat atop a gypsum stringer, which was then covered by a capping of the same wood as the flooring to hide the rivets and other fixings. “It was worth the headache,” Marie-Noëlle says. “You cannot tell it is not actually part of the stairs; it looks as if the glass slices through the steps.”

Positioning the grand piano also presented a challenge. Several options within the basement were considered before a decision was made to truncate the under-utilised ground floor garage at street level before converting the reclaimed space. The team created a stage for the grand piano, which overlooks the living room, in a position away from sunlight. “The grand piano is definitely a highlight and it exceeded everyone’s expectations in terms of the impact on the overall space.”

There is a strong sense of cohesion throughout the basement space. Indeed, a beautiful family feel radiates, with the stairwell acting as a main artery and the various rooms adjoining each other. The large, bright family room greets guests who walk down the stairs; a seating area faces a customdesigned, built-in storage, display and shelving unit that encases the television and surround sound system, as well as housing the children’s toys, games and books. The family room is expansive, so the compact children’s games and reading corner provides a scale better adapted to children. The playful children’s nook is installed with a wraparound, upholstered built-in banquette extending from the wall unit, which is offset by walls photo-papered in a blazing, sunny blue sky image by Photowall. The sunny wallpaper is complemented by a moon-sun pendant and perforated porcelain wall lights, providing a delicate light to the space.

The gym and study – each with access to natural light – flow from the family room. “Each member enjoys being active, so it was important to create a comfortable gym for their home,” says Marie-Noëlle. Consequently, the gym features a mirrored wall and ballet

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Better Homes Magazine | HOME

barre, as well as a TRX suspension training hanging from the woodbeamed ceiling.

For the guest suite, a symphony of deep greens, ivory and gold, shimmering beaded wallpaper by Sahco, antiquemirrored wardrobe doors, a lacquered dressing table, a Japanese composition on the curtain panel by Fabulous Furnishings and a full moon floor lamp are combined to create a rich, ethereal quality. What’s more, the space within the narrow bedroom was maximised: a 30cm deep niche was carved from the under stair to ensure passage at the foot of the bed so a TV could hang on the wall, while a bespoke fitted wardrobe was built by Proline. The adjoining en-suite bathroom, meanwhile, includes a painted glass vanity, while mother of pearl mosaic and oversized, ultrathin porcelain panels, all from Surface Tiles, provide scale and contrast.

At the foot of the stairs, on the other side, there is a dramatic cloakroom setting with a blown-up sepia rose to disrupt the scale and add drama. This space leads onto a very functional, yet stylish utility room, in which everything

has its own place. and there is still plenty of workspace, light and accessibility.

The family’s love of music is highlighted by the grand piano, which is one of the central features of the home, and the study/music room offers a sanctuary, while not being overly removed from the rest of the house. The backdrop to the room is an original Mahler music sheet, which was transformed into wallpaper by Photowall, and the team spent several hours discussing the ideal locations for the speakers before installing them, listening to music in the room for inspiration. The family’s sense of fun is also evident, with a golf putting zone installed in the study.

Marie-Noëlle’s lasting memory of the two-year-long project is of the grand piano. “It exceeded everyone’s expectations in terms of the impact on the overall space,” she says. “When it was delivered, the homeowner sat down to test it out and conjured up a magical melody so effortlessly. It was a moment of pure joy. Everything stopped. The builders stood, silent and I had tears in my eyes. It was perfect.”

HOME COMfOrts to create a rich array of mood and functional lighting…

Layer light installations at various heights, in different areas and in different directions.

My top home décor tip is…

Make sure every millimetre is optimised. For example, we maximised the storage space and options by customising a mix of IKEA kitchen units and wardrobe elements to fit out the utility room.

My interior design philosophy is…

Elegance, but not at the cost of function and vice versa – it is about balance, harmony, contrast and layers. bhomes.com | 23

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RERA Permit No. 16318

AreA Better Homes Magazine | area

Want to be close to the action but enjoy easy living? Located 300 metres off the north-eastern coast of Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island offers the luxury of city life without its hustle and bustle.

Check out our edit of apartments, townhouses, villas and penthouses for rent and sale in this desirable waterfront neighbourhood

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Move to

Al ReeM IslAnd Nuno Barbosa , R esidential Consultant at Better Homes, on the island lifestyle With three bridges connecting Al Reem Island to Downtown Abu Dhabi, the waterfront community’s accessible location makes it one of the most popular places to live in the UAE capital. As well as its close proximity to the city centre, it is also situated near to financial district Al Maryah Island, culture hub Saadiyat Island, all major roadways and is just 25 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is a perfect location for those who want to live close to the city, but in a calm environment with amazing views.

The natural island is divided into four areas: Marina Square, Shams Abu Dhabi, Najmat and City of Lights.

Marina Square offers 3,440 residential properties, ranging from studios to one- to four-bedroom apartments, townhouses and luxury villas with great views of the marina and Abu Dhabi city in landscaped spaces with plenty of facilities. Residential community Shams Abu Dhabi occupies approximately a quarter of the island and will, once complete, feature one of the largest parks in the UAE, covering a million square metres. Often described as the dress circle development, Najmat offers a complete community with amazing views of Abu Dhabi and the Arabian Gulf,

while City of Lights is the most recent residential and commercial development on the island.

Although The Galleria mall is located nearby, Al Reem Island currently has one of biggest malls in the UAE under construction. It is expected to be completed before 2020 and will boast 2.8 million sq. ft. of retail, with a large focus on family entertainment. It will include about 450 stores and the world’s largest indoor snow park. The island is also a five-minute drive to Louvre Abu Dhabi and close to other major landmarks.

The community has a great mix of apartments and villas. Arguably, Shams Abu Dhabi offers the most popular residential towers, including Gate Towers, The Arc, Sun Tower, Sky Tower, Beach Towers and Amaya Towers, offering a variety of layouts and views of the city or sea, as well as gyms, swimming pools and outdoor space. Marina Square offers a variety of residential options, with a large number of one- and two-bedroom apartments.

City of Lights has many studios, oneand two-bedroom properties at very affordable prices, plus a commercial tower (Addax Tower) and another that is expected to be completed in early 2018. For villas, Najmat has plenty of beachfront properties with beautiful views at attractive prices, while the 42 three-, four- and five-bedroom villas in the recently launched Nalaya development come with beach access, a private clubhouse and swimming pool.

Currently home to Repton School Abu Dhabi, which follows a British education curriculum, and the first French higher education institution to open in the Gulf, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, 10 more schools are expected to open in the area in the near future, while other schools in Abu Dhabi are nearby.

There are plenty of amenities in the residential and commercial towers and an abundance of parking for tenants, while taxis and buses are available across the island. With its easy accessibility and everything within easy reach, it’s perhaps not surprising that Al Reem Island is one of the fastest growing communities in Abu Dhabi.

To rent One-bedroom apartment Two-bedroom apartment/townhouse Three-bedroom villa

Approximate price Dhs70,000 to 95,000 Dhs90,000 to 130,000 Dhs120,000 to 170,000

To buy One-bed room apartment Two-bedroom apartment/townhouse Three-bedroom villa

Approximate price Dhs850,000 to 1.1 million Dhs1.1 million to 1.7 million Dhs1.7 million to 2.7 million

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ShoRtEN thE School RUN

Three homes within 15 minutes’ drive of Blooming Buds Nursery

Beach Towers Al Reem Island Wissam Al Hamoud Ref No. AP351743

AED 3,045,690

3 BR 3,361 sq. ft.

which NURSERY? Blooming Buds Nursery manager Jasmin Rahman on offering children the best start in life

What sets your nursery apart?

Amaya Towers Al Reem Island Nuno Barbosa Ref No. AP351243

AED 2,150,000

3 BR 2,190 sq. ft.

Blooming Buds Nursery is a spacious nursery in Al Bateen, located 10 minutes from the city centre. We follow the UK National Curriculum for the Early Years that includes a theme-based curriculum, using key documents from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as its framework. Our philosophy is that every child deserves the best possible start in life and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future.

Tell us about your team…

We see continued professional development (CPD) as very important, so we have allocated training hours for all our staff. A well-trained team understands that each child’s needs are different by recording milestones and planning the next steps to expand the children’s development. Our practitioners are all highly qualified with plenty of experience in Early Education.

Anything else parents should know?

Sky Tower Al Reem Island Gareth Lewis Ref No. AP300239

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AED 139,000 per year 2 BR 1,461 sq. ft.

We have exceptional standards, with a strict door policy and a CCTV system to support our staff’s vigilance.

Qualified first aiders and a fulltime nurse are present at all times and we have a fully equipped clinic. Our

domestic team and teaching teams are trained in proper hygiene procedures.

We provide the children with Arabic and French lessons and also extend children’s learning opportunities through the provision of extracurricular activities with external agencies. Short settling in sessions are offered to ensure that each child is completely happy in their new surroundings before attending a full session. When a child joins us, they are allocated a key person (along with the lead practitioner), who becomes their primary carer and with whom the parents can build a relationship.

What do your key facilities include?

The children’s play areas can be found indoors and outdoors. Indoors, we have an open (dramatic) play area on each floor, as well as a fully equipped gym for our little athletes. Outdoors, we have a magnificent space that has been developed to promote learning in various ways. We have designed seven different areas (music station, mud kitchen, water splash area, and many more) that allow children to explore, experiment and to move within the garden, in full view of staff at all times. bloomingbudsnursery.com

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Shorten the School run

Three homes within 15 minutes’ drive of Diyafah International School

which School?

ME Villa Mohammed Bin Zayed City

AED 450,000 per year

Better Homes Abu Dhabi Ref No. VI345626

13 BR 13,000 sq. ft.

Gardenia Villa Golf Gardens

AED 250,000 per year

Bruno Grandini Ref No. VI353438

4 BR + Maid’s Room 3,584 sq. ft.

Bartholomew Canon, principal of Diyafah International School, on ensuring children reach their full potential

What sets your school apart?

Diyafah International School belongs to a family of schools in the UAE with a proud history and rich tradition of more than 30 years of ensuring every child reaches his or her full potential.

Students follow the English National Curriculum, which devotes much time to developing literacy and numeracy skills.

The Read Write Inc Phonics programme is a key component of our Early Years and Primary curriculum.

Key Stage 3 students follow the Cambridge Programmes of study, providing solid foundations upon which to build in Key Stage 4. Our students’ progress is tracked vary carefully through internal assessments and the well-respected UK CAT4 tests and GL Assessments in English, maths and science. All students follow Arabic language study.

Tell us about your team…

With more than 15 years’ experience leading three outstanding schools in London, I am supported by highly experienced school leaders from New Zealand, the US and Europe. All senior staff are very accessible and regularly meet with parents at coffee mornings, parent council meetings and other school events. There is a very well-planned parent orientation programme that ensures key information is passed on to parents.

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Is there anything else parents should know about?

The school offers Spanish, history, geography, physical education, music, drama, information and technology communication (ICT) suites and science as well as moral education to all students from Y2 upwards. In Early Years, the school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Seven Areas of Learning as developed in the UK. Our Foundation Stage students are very well equipped to progress to Year 1 at the end of FS2. All our students wear uniforms to create a sense of belonging and we insist on the highest standards.

The school is now open to Year 10 students, offering a range of GCSE and iGCSE courses, recognised worldwide.

What do your key facilities include?

Our excellent and spacious specialist facilities include dedicated science labs, multi-purpose PE and activity areas, as well as an AstroTurf playing field and basketball courts. There are dedicated ICT suites, music and drama studios. There is an ambitious building programme planned for 2018, which will see further enhancement of the school facilities, including a swimming pool, sports hall and other specialist design technology areas. The Early Years area is extremely well resourced. diyafahinternationalschool.com

JA Compound Mohammed Bin Zayed City Wissam Al Hamoud Ref No. VIM354120

AED 210,000 per year 5 BR 6,954 sq. ft.

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FOR SALE

I f y o u l i k e w h a t y o u s e e a nd wa nt t o v ie w m o re , v i s i t b h o m e s . c o m o r ca l l 0 4 4 0 9 0 9 9 8

Tala Tower Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP265895 Thomas Peter Williams

Marina Heights II Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP320486 Thomas Peter Williams

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AED 1,049,500 1 BR 904 sq. ft.

AED 1,090,000 1 BR 872 sq. ft.

Marina Heights II Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP350662 Nuno Barbosa

Oceanscape Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP320986 Thomas Peter Williams

AED 980,000 1 BR 890 sq. ft.

AED 1, 399,999 2 BR + Maid’s Room 1,564 sq. ft.

Better Homes Magazine | AREA

FOR SALE

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Hydra Avenue Towers Al Reem Island

Ref No. APM94948 Thomas Peter Williams

Oceanscape Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP320989 Thomas Peter Williams

AED 1,165,000 2 BR 1,372 sq. ft.

AED 899,999 1 BR 970 sq. ft.

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area | Better Homes Magazine

FOR SALE

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OceAnscApe

2-Bedroom Apartment, Al Reem Island

iDEAL FAMiLY LiViNG Oceanscape is a luxury development by Damac Properties. This two-bedroom apartment boasts wonderful views, an excellent finish, fitted wardrobes and a guest bathroom, plus the kitchen has a cooker. The property includes a car park, kids’ play area and other facilities, such as a swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna and Jacuzzi. Abu Dhabi is a modern, cosmopolitan city with stunning beaches, five-star hotels, restaurants and a flourishing art scene. Beautiful parks can be found across the city, with palm trees, shaded playgrounds, fountains, food kiosks and footbridges; and shopping malls are conveniently located, offering the latest international retail brands.

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AED 1,100,000 T h E D E TA i L S Approx size: 1,454 sq. ft.

Reference No: AP326303

Listed by Wissam Al Hamoud

Better Homes Magazine | AREA

FOR SALE

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Marina Blue Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP284306 Maria Joao Beires

ARc Tower Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP351413 Maria Joao Beires

AED 995,500 1 BR 807 sq. ft.

AED 800,000 Studio 613 sq. ft.

The Wave Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP351567 Wissam Al Hamoud

Marina Heights II Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP318836 Better Homes Abu Dhabi

AED 2,650,000 3 BR 1,929 sq. ft.

AED 748,000 Studio 517 sq. ft.

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area | Better Homes Magazine

FOR RENT

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Marina Heights II Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP304349 Better Homes Abu Dhabi

Oceanscape Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP353550 Bruno Grandini

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AED 1 10,000

sun Tower

AED 75,000

2 BR 1,119 sq. ft.

Ref No. AP288340 Wissam Al Hamoud

1 BR 807 sq. ft.

AED 100,000 2 BR + Maid’s Room 1,378 sq. ft.

Al Reem Island

Amaya Towers Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP353535 Bruno Grandini

AED 120,000 2 BR + Maid’s Room 1,510 sq. ft.

Better Homes Magazine | AREA

FOR RENT

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OceAnscApe

2-Bedroom Apartment + Maid’s Room, Al Reem Island

MANGROVE ViEw 2 BED wiTh MAiDS iN OcEANScApE Oceanscape consists of two 27-storey residential buildings in one of the most exclusive spots in Shams Abu Dhabi. Situated on the tip of the island, the tower stands adjacent to a canal and overlooks the waters of the Arabian sea towards Saadiyat Island. Within the impressive façade, this two-bedroom plus maid’s room apartment boasts luxurious interiors, smart functionality and amazing views.

The towers are equipped with fitness and leisure facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool and large gymnasiums. The property also has 24-hour security.

AED 100,000

T h E D E TA i L S Approx size: 1,378 sq. ft.

Reference No: 353550

Listed by Bruno Grandini

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area | Better Homes Magazine

FOR RENT

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Mangrove place Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP353331 Bruno Grandini

The Wave Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP354070 Gareth Lewis

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AED 75,000 1 BR 764 sq. ft.

AED 1 17,500 2 BR 1,521 sq. ft.

Better Homes Magazine | AREA

FOR RENT

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Marina Heights I Al Reem Island

Ref No. APM309750 Better Homes Abu Dhabi

Marina Bay by Damac Al Reem Island

Ref No. APM243781 Better Homes Abu Dhabi

AED 150,000 3 BR 1,744 sq. ft.

AED 90,000 2 BR 1,211 sq. ft.

The Gate Tower 1 Al Reem Island

Ref No. APM326674 Wissam Al Hamoud

Marina Bay by Damac Al Reem Island

Ref No. AP317546 Better Homes Abu Dhabi

AED 70,000 1 BR 703 sq. ft.

AED 90,000 2 BR 1,151 sq. ft.

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home | Better Homes Magazine

Object Of Desire

Reminiscent of a precious jewel, the statement Diamond sideboard

by Portuguese design company Boca do Lobo is shown here in a translucent green emerald finish. It features three highly sculptured doors leading to a gold leaf interior with shelving and two drawers, while the base is made from mahogany lined with a bronze mirror.

Diamond sideboard, Dhs91,316 (EUR21,120), Boca do Lobo, bocadolobo.com

image credit: Covet House

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