< PreviousFU N K Y FO LK LOR E Celebrate the heritage of folk art and handcrafted aesthetics inspired by diverse cultures 20 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Spring 2024 The LIST Upholstered headboard, Summer Malachite fabric, ILIV HBI_060_19-25_The List_13189270.indd 2019/03/2024 16:33Heart in Hand gold necklace, Dhs1,106, 1stdibs Fasnacht Anthracite velvet lampshade, Dhs2,602, MINDTHEGAP Folkifunki Grimace vase, Dhs2,800, Micucci Interiors Roots of Transylvania embroidered cushion, Dhs885, MINDTHEGAP Elin red throw blanket, Dhs930, So Cosy Hippie Spirit Transylvania Folk wallpaper, Dhs1022, MINDTHEGAP Badgley Mischka dress, Dhs1,766, The Outnet Jacquard Francais Amour tea towel, Dhs100, Home Landing Hand-woven wall décor, Dhs139, 2XL Home Specchio multi-strap shoes, POA, Christian Louboutin Colourful glass birds, POA, Anna Paola Shanxi Butterfl y sideboard, Dhs8,807, Shimu Coral table-tufted carpet, Dhs799, 2XL Home HBI_060_19-25_The List_13189270.indd 2121/03/2024 12:47 The LIST Christian Dior by John Galliano Green plaid-pleated miniskirt, Dhs9,345, 1stdibs Chartreuse Romy Kite rug, Dhs975, Lime Lace Lime velvet cushion, Dhs371, Lime Lace Swiss station wall clock, Dhs255, Lime Lace Lime plisse ruched dress, Dhs210, River Island Second Wave ottoman in bespoke lime green, Dhs11,153, Trove by Studio Duggan Loupe lime sandals, Dhs465, Dune London Medium cushion vase in lime, Dhs150, Dartington Crystal Bloom easy armchair, Dhs16,500, Kenneth Cobonpue Addison four-seater sofa, Dhs5,445, 2XL Home Harry rocking stool, Dhs5,763, Kenneth Cobonpue Washed cotton duvet set, Dhs280, H&M Home HBI_060_19-25_The List_13189270.indd 2219/03/2024 16:33L U SC IOUS LIM E Add a hint of zest to your style this season with a dash of zingy lime Gaia three-seater sofa, Dhs1,7195, Sofology 23 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Spring 2024 HBI_060_19-25_The List_13189270.indd 2319/03/2024 16:3424 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Summer 2023 24 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture Spring 2022 C HE CK MA TE Make a statement with chequerboard patterns in soothing shades Table runner Dhs70; Everyday 12-piece dinner set, Dhs95; Check picnic platter, Dhs65; Set of four check cereal bowls, Dhs70; Set of four stripe dinner plates, Dhs70. all Marks & Spencer HBI_060_19-25_The List_13189270.indd 2421/03/2024 12:41 The LIST Gustav hand-painted chequered hemp and pistachio bedside table, Dhs8,580, Trove by Studio Duggan Portland Place London, POA, room designed by Sandra Benhamou Ella Chair upholstered in Motown from Margo Selby, Dhs4,200, Gabriella James Chairmakers Charcoal natural chequerboard table lamp, Dhs280, Rockett St George Chequerboard cushion, Dhs140, Jonathan Adler Bakersfi eld check wallpaper, from Dhs385 per roll, Bobbi Beck MAJE Blazer, Dhs1,160, The Outnet 18K Yellow gold 1982 Cummings Lapis earrings, Dhs18,695, Tiff any & Co. Viva chequerboard 024 bench by Houtique, Dhs3,246, 1stdibs Abloh Sac Plat XS, POA, Louis Vuitton Lady armchair, POA, Cassina HBI_060_19-25_The List_13189270.indd 2521/03/2024 14:20CREDIT HERE 26 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Spring 2024 W ITH ...NOUR ALJ AB RI We follow the celebrity interior designer around the clock HBI_060_26-27_24 hours_13223662.indd 2621/03/2024 12:41 24 HOURS A S T OLD T O A YESHA SHEHMIR, IMA GES C OURTES Y OF SUNC O A S T 27 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Spring 2024 6:00AM Th e alarm rings, and after hitting the snooze button a couple of times, I fi nally pull myself out of bed. 6:30AM My day begins with the sweet chaos of preparing my children for school. Th ere’s something both hectic and heart- warming about the fl urry of activity as we rush to get everyone ready and out the door on time. Lunch boxes packed, uniforms straightened, hugs exchanged – it’s a routine that sets the tone for the day ahead. 7:10AM With the kids off to school, I savour a moment for myself to enjoy a quiet breakfast and catch up on my upcoming projects from personal clients to now being the brand ambassador of Suncoast, the premiere destination for outdoor furniture and accessories in the UAE. As the sun fi lters through the window, I sip my coff ee and delve into the day’s tasks. Being the brand ambassador of Suncoast comes with several responsibilities, from scheduling store tours to selecting the most suitable furniture for clients’ needs, all the way to visiting their homes to style their spaces. I have to admit though, it’s quite refreshing with a homegrown brand that also embraces a sustainable lifestyle. Balancing the demands of work and family life is an art form, and these early morning moments provide a chance to centre myself before diving into the day’s adventures. 9:00AM: It’s important to get my workout in; I always ensure I start the day feeling energised and ready to tackle whatever comes my way. 11:00AM Th is is the time when I head out to visit project sites. From overseeing a renovation, brainstorming design ideas with clients, or discussing projects. Th ere’s something magical about seeing a vision come to life, brick by brick, stitch by stitch. 1:00PM Most days, I turn to the drawing board to cultivate creative ideas for projects, but Wednesdays are special. Wednesdays are a whirlwind as I step into the spotlight for my segment on MBC 1. Hosting Sabah al Khair Ya Arab is both exhilarating and humbling – a chance to share my passion for home styling with a wider audience. From design tips to décor trends, it’s a joy to connect with viewers and hopefully inspire them to transform their living spaces. After the show, I sit down to enjoy lunch; this is probably the calmest part of my day. 2:30PM Th is is usually when we visit our celebrity clients to shortlist furniture that will complement their outdoor space in the most tasteful way. Th is showroom visit is also captured by the content team, adding to the excitement so it’s important to be camera-ready. Afterward, we head to the celebrity’s house where we either start styling their gardens as the furniture is delivered, or we continue brainstorming on their family’s requirements and how we can bring to life a comfortable and functional outdoor haven. Especially during this season, this space is extra special as it transforms into a central point for a lot of gatherings and creating beautiful memories. But beyond this, we ensure that they are left with pieces that can stand the test of time and the unique weather conditions of the region. 4:00PM After reaching home, I get to steal a moment for quiet refl ection. From answering emails for upcoming interior styling, catching up on WhatsApp conversations, and planning for the days ahead. We have some exciting interior styling projects lined up for celebrities in the UAE. I’m super thrilled to see how we can explore their homes. It’s always exciting to collaborate with clients who have unique tastes and personalities. 6:00PM As the sun begins to set, I shift gears and focus on the most important part of my day: Family. Homework help, dinner conversations, and bedtime stories are cherished rituals that ground us in the present moment. I fi nd solace in the simple joys of life – a warm cup of tea, a cosy blanket and snuggles from my little ones. 8:30PM Th is is when my husband and I fi nally carve out precious moments together, from sharing stories from our day, discussing our plans and trips, or simply enjoying each other’s company in comfortable silence. Th is time is invaluable for strengthening our bond. I sometimes like to play the piano, it gives me a sense of peace. 11:30PM With the day done and tomorrow waiting ahead, I cosy up in bed and unwind. Sometimes, it’s Netfl ix with my husband, other times, just fl ipping through a book until I drift off to sleep. From top: Suncoast’s swimming pool furniture off ers relaxation beside the water; Transitional blue-grey tones in the History dining set provide a pleasant neutral base Suncoast’s outdoor décor pieces enliven the space with fl air The Vasca collection is inspired by the cords of a hammock, rousing childhood memories and a restful design With durable materiality comes ease and repose HBI_060_26-27_24 hours_13223662.indd 2721/03/2024 12:42HEA R T O F THE R E G I ON Italian ceramicist Paola Paronetto launches a special collection inspired by the people of the UAE WORDS BY RUE KOTHARI, IMAGES COUR TESY OF P AOLA P ARONETTO HBI_060_28-29_Latest_Poala_13184009.indd 2821/03/2024 12:42 The LATEST 29 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Spring 2024 Paola Paronetto is having her most spectacular year yet. Th e renowned ceramicist has already amassed a signifi cant fan base for her innovative paper clay technique, and isn’t short of acclaim from collectors and interior designers globally. But this year, her profi le was projected through a collaboration with La Grande Dame, who commissioned her for a unique creative project that has been met with an incredible response. Following in the footsteps of Yayoi Kusama, the brand’s previous creative muse, this collection has been travelling the world and is due to land in Dubai for the fi rst time during Art Week at Alserkal Avenue. Paola had long been curious about the Middle East, and the UAE in particular. It seemed the perfect moment then to launch a very special collection inspired by the energy and spirit of the place. “I’ve always had a love of the natural world, people and diff erent cultures,” she enthuses. “Th e Emirates is a part of the world that I didn’t know much about and that piqued my interest. Discovering how vibrant and rich the aesthetic is in the region, has been very stimulating.” At her studio, in the grounds of her home in Pordenone in northern Italy, Paola has meticulously crafted every piece for this new collection by hand, selecting colours that evoke joy and express the region’s love of luxury. It’s a process that she’s refi ned over years of practice, exploring diff erent clay-working techniques; and when she discovered how paper pulp fi bres make clay more fl uid and malleable, it became the start of her real journey. Th is material blend allowed her to sculpt the paper clay and push it beyond its boundaries to create dynamic, fl uid pieces that are sturdy but appear delicate and fragile. She’s mastered this unlike any other artisan, and since then she’s never looked back. “I enjoy improving and refi ning my work on a daily basis,” she says from her studio that is set against the Italian mountains, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. “I like to take advantage of new experiences that come my way. It enriches my life and as a result, quite naturally, my art.” For Paola there is little separation between her daily family life and her artistry. Th ey are one and the same. She is fi ercely dedicated to her work, and on the rare occasion that she has a moment to relax, it’s always with her family – these are the times she truly cherishes. While much of her time is spent in Italy, she continues to refi ne the eloquence of her forms and colours, exploring more than 100 diff erent shades to date. “I can say that over the years my approach has remained the same, but as I evolve as a person, this is refl ected in my work. Recently I’ve been exploring more bold forms in terms of size and you’ll note this in the large sculptures that you see in the Emirates Collection.” It’s this distinctive aesthetic identity that has led multiple brands including Veuve Clicquot to reach out for possible collaborations, all honours she is grateful for, along with the opportunity to continue to tell the story of craftsmanship in life and art. Post Dubai, Paola will be heading to Milan for Salone del Mobile, the yearly fi xture for every Italian brand. As she prepares for what is her biggest week of the year, made even bigger by this larger lens on her work, she gives us a snippet of what is in store: “At Salone del Mobile I’ll be presenting some new collections along with the classics, but I am most excited about how we will be displaying them,” she says, wanting to retain a little mystery ahead of the unveiling. “I don’t want to give too many details away but our presentation will not only display my collections, but will tell a story and create an intimate experience that will give my clients a glimpse into my world.” As for the upcoming exclusive Emirates Collection, this will be on show at the Jaipur Rugs Showroom in Alserkal Avenue, and Paola is excited to see how the people of Dubai will receive it. “I simply hope that this gesture is received well by the people of the UAE and that the connections I have made here will continue to infl uence my work in some way and hopefully touch the heart of the region.” Right and below: The pieces embody distinct forms with grooves and lines accentuating textural dimensions which capture the eye Clay made more pliable through added paper pulp fi bres contours into intricate curves Left: Soft tones of blush and ivory enhance the appeared fragility of the paper clay creations HBI_060_28-29_Latest_Poala_13184009.indd 2921/03/2024 12:42Next >