Firstly, thank you for an incredible year with Design Diary. Your feedback makes what we do worthwhile and I look forward to hearing more from you in the new year. For the last page from the 2014 journal, I am joined by the Dubai-based, multiple award winning architect and interior designer Agata Kurzela, Head of Interiors at AK Design.
Kurzela re-located to Dubai in 2007 when developments at the London-based architecture firm that she was part of, led her to a bigger role in their projects in the Middle East. She very recently put finishing touches to her Business Bay loft that she purchased shell-and-core. Who better than her to give us key pointers to better home interiors in 2015?
PLANNING
Whether you are buying or remodelling, your house should be planned in a way that all the basic functions work seamlessly and support your lifestyle. It serves well to make a list of your aspirations and actual requirements. “Step back and study your lifestyle,” suggests Kurzela. “Do you like to cook and entertain? Maybe an open plan kitchen is the way forward. Do you have a big family and lots of children? You might invest in built in storage.” Once you have dispassionately studied your family’s requirements, imagine your house as a stage for different scenarios being played out, and analyse how the conflicting functions could be realistically separated. Once this basic planning is complete you can confidently move forward.
Insider tip — look up Pinterest for spatial planning inspirations: they have a plethora of plans that can guide and inspire you.
LIGHTING
Kurzela is of the opinion that general overhead illumination is the least likely needed scenario. “How often are you looking for that hairpin on the floor?” she asks as if cementing her theory. “To put it bluntly, overhead lighting — especially the way it’s provided in most Dubai homes — is an atmosphere killer.” Generally in Dubai, it is rare that you can move the existing ceiling lighting points but you can always add a ceiling-mounted hook to relocate ill-placed luminaries to align them with your dining table or centre of your living room. “If possible, change your standard light switches for dimmers, in particular for the overhead lighting. Focus on accents, table and floor lights and think of the possible ways that you are using your place — lighting should reflect and support your lifestyle.”
Insider tip – From IKEA to Objekts of Design and Superstudio, there are stunning lighting options for every budget.
FLOORING
If you have the comfort of choosing your own flooring in Dubai, first decide the ambiance you would like to create. Whether you are using stone, tiles or timber, more polished finishes will contribute to more formal ambiance. In contrast, for more homely and cosy feel you can try more tactile finishes such as oiled timbers or stone with an antique finish which help to bring out more natural features of the materials. A mix of materials can help to demarcate the space but area rugs do the same for a fraction of the price, allow for flexibility in the future and provide great acoustic relief in shrill rooms. As stone and natural wood require regular care and attention, you may prefer a wide range of full-body porcelain products. There is a myriad of interesting products available in the market — from restrained and minimalist options to amazing modern patterns.
Insider tip – RAK Ceramics and Casamia have some stunning porcelain tile options that could give the luxe of Italian Marble and real stones at a fraction of the price.
COLOUR PLAY
“When it comes to playing with how we perceive the volume or space of a room, colour and patterns are the most cost effective tools I can recommend.” As a general rule, the use of cooler and lighter tones will make the space appear wider wile warmer and darker tones will make the room feel cosier. For a narrower room to appear wider, paint the longer walls in a lighter tone while painting the shortest wall in a darker colour; alternatively this could be an accent colour. “As the lighter colours seem to recede, you should be thus able to correct the proportions of the room.” Key to the perfect accent wall is the choice of neutral colour — could be just white but also a combination of grey, beige or pastel tones works.
Insider tip – Try JOTUN’s new Lady Design Collection for instant designer pick-me-up for your home.
Pratyush Sarup edits the design site www.designcarrot.net. You can follow the site on twitter @DesignCarrot.
