< PreviousVEL VET Altynay wears: dress and boots, both Stella McCartney; bag, Delvaux. Alek wears: dress and boots, both Stella McCartney; bag, Delvaux. MODEL S : ALEK AND AL T YNA Y A T WILHELMINA MODEL S. HAIR : CHRIS TOPHER GA T T A T FRANK A GENC Y USING ORIBE HAIRC ARE . MAKE-UP : MAR Y- JANE GO TIDOC USING YS L BEA UT Y. MANICURIS T: L OUI-MARIE EBANK S. PHO TOGRAPHY A S SIS TANT : D ANIEL W ALKER. F A SHION A S SIS TANT S : COUR TNEY SMITH ; CHARL O T TE HARNEY 60 Fashion61 Fashion METALLICS Altynay wears: shirt and skirt, both Maje; earrings, Sylvia Toledano at Fenwick; boots, By Far. Alek wears: dress, Annie’s Ibiza; boots, By Far. Real talk: Having a studio apartment in the UAE can get a *biiit* difficult when it comes to space; your closet isn’t too far from the foot of your bed and you’re constantly tripping over those shoes that you’ve taken off at the door. But, worry not, we’ve interviewed 4 IRL girlies in Dubai with studio apts about their tips and trix to make your little home MTV-Cribs-worthy. Your favourite tips to instantly cozy- fying your studio apartment? Candles, ambient lighting such as fairy lights and lamps, and lots of decorative pieces like cushions, throws, plants and rattan. What’s your favorite corner in your studio apartment and why? My sofa that also converts into a sofa-bed. When it’s covered in cushions, it instantly becomes a cozy corner for me to unwind, and is also great if you have guests to stay. How can studio apartments be made to feel more spacious? I use only sheer curtains instead of black-out ones to always have a glow of natural light coming in. Favourite IG accounts to follow for home and decor inspo? @custom_no.9 is a great home-grown brand. I also love @visualpleasuremag for holiday-style interior inspo. Jennifer Moran INTERIOR ARCHITECT & FOUNDER OF @OLFACTION.ME 62 CribsHow do you optimize space for your studio apartment? Reuse your shoe boxes for storage! I used my blue Prada shoebox to hold my vinyl records. Using fabric boxes can be a great use for under-bed space to store your electronics and souvenirs. I also love my clothing rail – it creates more space in my closet and changing my out ts every week is a great way to revive my wardrobe. When it comes to layout, what are your tips on picking the right studio apartment? A horizontal studio layout creates an illusion that the apartment is wide and sunny rather than deep and dark. How can studio apartments be made to feel more spacious? Separate your areas with a rug. I have one under my bed to separate my bedroom space from the living area. Another idea is to place a mirror that re ects your largest area to give the illusion of size and space. What are your top tips when it comes to hosting parties, gatherings, or social events in a studio apartment? I have lots of cushions that I’ve stored in my closet for oor-seating. A multi-functional item in your studio that everyone needs to own? An air-fryer. I can’t stress enough on how useful, clean, and multi-functional that appliance is. Rand Farmawi CURATOR AT @SOFARDXB PHO TOGRAPHY B Y EFRAIM EVIDOR AND BHARGI DE S A I 63 CribsHow do you optimize space for your studio apartment? Multi-functional furniture that also has storage space can help with less clutter – this can be space- saving hangers, storage boxes, and under-bed storage. I also love wall-shelves for keeping surfaces clean. What is your biggest tip to elevating your space? Wall art! Investing in good-quality frames can instantly make your apartment classier. Draw Deck is a great brand that customize pieces to go hand- in-hand with the colour palette of your apartment. Bed linen is also super important. Check out Linen Obsession for all the cozy feels. All-time favourite homeware brand? Home Kode is a startup that I’ve been obsessed with lately. Their minimal but contemporary pieces are great investments for an apartment. Favourite IG accounts to follow for home and decor inspo? I love @imanfawaz’s home content. She provides loads of useful tips and tricks to elevating your space on a budget. @caropeony also has the coziest apartment and often changes her layouts depending on the season. Twinkle Stanly CONTENT PRODUCER 64 CribsA multi-functional item in your studio that everyone needs to own? The IKEA foldable wall-mounted table is one of my favourites. I use it as a small dining table and also as my workspace. And when it’s not being used, I can easily fold it so it’s not taking up space in the apartment. Top tips to utilize kitchen space? When purchasing electronics, make sure they are multi-functional, like a smart-pot or an air-fryer. This can save you money and space, as you no longer have to purchase different utensils or appliances. What are your favourite homeware brands for pocket-friendly shopping? OC Home, Homes R US, and IKEA. They’re all super affordable. Tamara Abu Sharkh VIDEO EDITOR 65 Cribsof things that Major Fan Who knew finding makeshift furniture could be such a breeze? (See what I did there?) Joodo Decor fan, from Dhs330, joododecor.com Just a bunch or Fan o knew makeshift re could be a breeze? what I did ere?) Decor fan, Dhs330, decor.com Puff Piece You’re going to want to touch it all the time, and that’s okay. No one’s judging. The Citizenry wall hanging, Dhs5,320, the-citizenry.com Screen Time The world is already divided enough. Pop this behind your bed instead. BD Studio screen, Dhs1,650, burkedecor.com Mirror Image Tricking the eye into thinking your room is bigger? Yes. The perfect place for a pajama selfie? Also yes. The Citizenry mirror, from Dhs1,280, the-citizenry.com Statement Art “I feel like I have a wing of the MoMA in my bedroom!” —you, probably, after hanging this Hayley Sheldon frame, price upon request, hayleysheldon.com. A Rug Above Kick your shoes off elsewhere. A design this gorgeous shouldn’t get stepped on. ProbaHome rug, from Dhs3,545, probahome.com Wallpaper Layer Peel and stick your way to greatness, you Joanna Gaines, you. So easy! So sleek! The Inside by Havenly peel-and-stick wallpaper, Dhs217, theinside.com Screen Time Statement Art “I feel like I have a wing of the MoMA in my bedroom!” —you, probably, after hanging this Hayley Sheldon frame, price upon request, hayleysheldon.com. Neon Dream Dive bar signage, but make it snoozy. (The next best thing to sleeping under actual stars.) Yellowpop light, Dhs1,060 (top), Dhs1,720 (bottom), yellowpop.com 66 Cribs could be your headboard Hello to this simple but super-impactful way to transform your bedroom. Isn’t it amazing what you can do with a paintbrush? (And, if we’re being honest, some stencils.) @ XOC ARRIEJ ANE 67 CribsBITES *adds cute skewers to shopping list* Food tastes better on a stick And these appetizers are proof BY H A N N A H C H U B B PHOT O G R APH BY CO DY GU I LFOY LE 68Sweet Peach Grill a few fresh slices of Georgia’s finest, then stack them with creamy burrata cheese, a ripe cherry tomato, and a single basil leaf to help bring this salty- sweet caprese full circle. Breakfast bite Think of this treat as the best mini breakfast sandwich of your life minus the bagel. All you need is a bit of smoked salmon, cucumber, tomato, cream cheese, and a teensy little caper. Cake Pop Prep the ripest fruit you can find—strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are welcome here—and spear with a frozen chunk of cheesecake (psst, store-bought is fine). Choco churro Scour the frozen-food section until you procure a pack of churros. Pop ’em in the oven, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and drizzle your new fave with chocolate sauce. Saucy Snack Alternate mini meatballs, mozzarella, and basil leaves, then top with a plop of marinara for a mini meal that tastes just as good as your go- to Italian takeout order. Sweet and salty Oh, this? The one that’s cut out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Pair cantaloupe or honeydew with prosciutto, cheddar, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. You heard it here first 2022 is the year of the ü nger food. And lucky for you, these two-bite beauts are beyond easy to assemble, allowing you to oþ cially claim your title as Host of the Friend Group. PROP S T YLIS T: GÖ ZDE EKER. F OOD S T YLIS T: HAD A S SMIRNOFF . 69 BitesNext >