Home Centre turned 15 this year, and as part of our birthday celebrations we gave away complete room makeovers worth AED 10,000 each to 15 lucky winners. In this series, we share five before-and-after experiences.
A cramped, drab studio apartment is no place for a princess. Yavnish Adlakha's 3-year-old daughter is the apple of his eye, but with rising costs he's hard-pressed to give her the kind of royal treatment he'd like. The family sleeps uncomfortably each night on a small double bed in their sparse one-room flat, with no funds to create a homey atmosphere or provide a play-and-study area for a growing girl. Yavnish's touching request to Home Centre moved us into action.
Inspiration
This was one of the most challenging room makeovers yet: to transform a tiny, bare room into a practical, welcoming one in which the whole family could dine, lounge, sleep and relax. The daughter needed her own bed, and the new couple, theirs. Although the room was small, it was light and airy, so we decided to put that to good use.
Before/After
We chose a cheery, calming pistachio green for the walls, which really helped set the mood of the makeover. A compact girly bed and study desk transformed one corner into the daughter's very own "room"; another study desk for the family PC and practical TV unit took care of clutter.
Our magic wand produced bed set furniture that perfectly matched the existing wardrobes, and we threw in a comfortable sofa for the family to lounge on. Overall storage was better, all the family's needs were taken care of, and Yavnish's little princess was so thrilled she couldn't stop leaping for joy. Talk about a fairytale finish!
This wraps up Home Centre's five spotlight room makeovers, but transformations keep happening every day. Do you have a favourite Home Centre product that's changed your space? Share your story with us here!
Home Centre turned 15 this year, and as part of our birthday celebrations we gave away complete room makeovers worth AED 10,000 each to 15 lucky winners. In this series, we share five before-and-after experiences.
"When you wish upon a star," sings Louis Armstrong,
"Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you.
If your heart is in your dreams
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do."
Hanan Mohd Anwar may not know the lyrics to that song, but she certainly captured our hearts when she wrote to us with her dream wish: "My four children mean the world to me. They share a single room with just enough space for four beds - there's no place for them to play or study, and the room looks noisy and unexciting. I hope Home Centre's expertise can help my children have the best possible environment to spend time in."
Inspiration
Hanan's three boys and one girl ranged in age from 5 to 15 years, so we needed to use age-appropriate furniture while creating a cohesive look that catered to their varying personalities and interests. The room in their Sharjah home was drab and cluttered, clearly in need of fun colours and storage solutions. As a regular Home Centre customer, Hanan had always had her eye on the Sergio Bunk Bed, so we used that as the
central inspiration for the makeover.
Before/After
The space-saving Sergio Bunk Bed comes with practical features like under-bed storage drawers, a built-in study desk and a wardrobe, instantly creating space in a small room. Building rules prevented us from painting the walls, so we chose a bright palette of yellow, blue and red for matching furniture and accessories from the Fun Collection - a range of children's furniture that's colourful, functional and safe for kids. Extra storage units, vibrant art and photos of the kids completed the spell.With plenty of space, practical storage and a pop of colour, the children now have a clutter-free room in which to sleep, play, study and even invite friends over - which, Hanan reports happily, they're already doing with great enthusiasm. Who said we didn't believe in magic?
Closing act: A little princess finally gets the royal treatment
Home Centre turned 15 this year, and as part of our birthday celebrations we gave away complete room makeovers worth AED 10,000 each to 15 lucky winners. In this series, we share five before-and-after experiences.
The recession hit hard the very month Kate and Karl Stockenstrom moved into the new Dubai home they'd saved for decades to buy. Their long-time dream faced a severe reality check: Karl found himself working very long hours just to make ends meet, and Kate, a full-time mother of two young children, had little left over after their rising apartment service fees and nursery fees were paid. Tired of raising her family in an uninviting flat furnished with bland second-hand furniture and worn-out hand-me-downs, Kate reached out to Home Centre for a splash of hope.Inspiration
We wanted to give the Stockenstroms a practical, modern family space they could lounge, dine, entertain guests and relax in while the children played safely. Kate's love of blues, beiges and creams and Karl's Scandinavian roots inspired our makeover.
Before/After
The previous tenant was a smoker, so the bulky fabric sofa that was left behind was not only impractical for the family's needs, but smelled of stale smoke, too. All the furniture was mismatched, and although the room was light and airy with a beautiful view, it was a sun trap in the high summer months.
The Home Centre team began the transformation by painting opposite walls a Scandinavian-inspired Tiffany blue. Coffee and brown-coloured drapes were added to shade the sun and complement the new blue walls. We repositioned existing furniture more strategically, and replaced the old sofa with a new kid-friendly, wipe-clean, L-shaped sofa with matching cushions. A faux-leather storage box was added for easy stowing of the children's toys, and a new dining set completed the picture. We decorated the walls with Kate's favourite family and wedding photographs for a personal touch.
Kate and her family were overcome with emotion when they saw the new space. "This is amazing!" she exclaimed. "Every little spot has something new!" Karl, too, was thrilled with having a space that reflected their essence, one he would enjoy coming home to after a long day. "I didn't believe a room could change like this," he grinned. The kids have a safe, cool place to play, and Kate hasn't stopped inviting guests home since the makeover, including her family who visited from the U.K. How's that for a happy ending?
After this: A mother's wish for her four children
Home Centre turned 15 this year, and as part of our birthday celebrations we gave away complete room makeovers worth AED 10,000 each to 15 lucky winners. In this series, we share five before-and-after experiences.
Khaled Hezam Ali Othman is a grateful son. In their family home in Corniche, Sharjah, his parents occupy a bedroom that is now 9 years old. They bought it used, so by now the furniture was in bad shape and the decor long outdated.
Khaled wrote to Home Centre with this request: "After all that our parents have done, are doing, and will continue to do for us, I think they deserve a surprise room makeover. Please help me to say 'Thank You' to them." How could we refuse?
Inspiration
The room was large enough, but presented several challenges: a curved wall, a cold white ceramic-tiled floor, and a limited budget within which to select an entire bedroom suite and accessories. Based on Khaled's input and an appraisal of the rest of the house, Vincent Subeldia, our Visual Merchandise Manager, decided to go with a look that was classic and elegant but not over the top.
Before/After
To break the monochrome look, we started by painting the walls a deep rust colour. The Charleston Bedroom Set fit the furniture bill: a dark walnut king-sized bed complete with tufted headboard, two night stands, a dresser with mirror and a 6-door wardrobe. A red rug helped reduce the whiteness of the floor, and red cushions accented a bed cover in plain, dark beige with black trim (patterns would have overpowered the room).
The window was dressed with a sheer inner curtain for privacy, and a silk outer one to block the light when needed. We even added a Louie Arm Chair for them to relax by the window.
Khaled's parents couldn't believe their eyes, and burst out into spontaneous applause. "This is a big surprise! Well done! It's really amazing!" Khaled, too, was bowled over: "We got everything we expected, and more!" And seeing this close-knit family so happy, so did we.
Coming soon: A splash of hope for a family hit hard by the recession
Home Centre turned 15 this year, and as part of our birthday celebrations we gave away complete room makeovers worth AED 10,000 each to 15 lucky winners. In this series, we share five before-and-after experiences.
Jesika and Aswin Menon are typical of young couples in Dubai: they're recently married, both work full-time and enjoy entertaining at home. They also enjoy living in a space that reflects their essence and lifestyle, but didn't have a clue of how to furnish or accessorize their new Oud Metha flat - so it was a dream come true for them to win a Home Centre room makeover as part of our 15th anniversary celebration giveaways.
Inspiration
As an artist, Aswin spends a lot of time at home in his studio above the lounge. Jesika conducts classes and hosts regular poetry and drama sessions in their apartment as well. Both of them love natural woods and earthy colours, and neither have owned a TV for the past several years. Seeing that they spent a lot of time at home, we wanted to create a relaxing, comfortable and functional space for them to lounge, dine and unwind in.
Before/After
Since we completed the makeover, the couple has shared their new space with several visitors, all of whom have been bowled over by the transformation. Jesika and Aswin themselves love the look so much that this room has become their favourite - they even considered sleeping on the sofa instead of in their bedroom!
Next up: a grateful son surprises his parents with a much-needed bedroom makeover!
Olfaction is perhaps the most underrated - and yet most powerful - of our senses, stirring up everything from forgotten memories to pangs of hunger. This season at Lifestyle, we've got a nose for festive fragrances that put us in a merry mood.
Smells for smilesOur exclusive snowflake-accented Colony scented candles and Santa- or Snowman-shaped diffusers are a great way to spread a bit of warm-and-fuzzy through your home. If you're having a tough time choosing between our popular Hollyberry, Winter Berries, Sparkling Snowflake and Gold or Frankincense & Myrrh scents, why not pick up a few of each - you can alternate between scents on different days (how about Winter Berries on Wednesdays? Frankincense Fridays?), or assign them to various parts of the house, creating specific scent profiles for every room. They make great holiday gifts and stocking stuffers, too.
Clear glass candle-holders of varying heights are a great way to present your scent - you could arrange them on the mantelpiece or side table along with holiday cards and family photographs. For a bit of dining room pizzazz, try our silver or crystal candle holders atop a purple or maroon Adore table runner, with placemats to match.
DIY scents
Add a few drops of a natural essential oil (sweet orange, vanilla bean and cinnamon are traditional) to a misting bottle with water, and spray it around the house for a quick pick-me-up. Stud whole oranges with cloves as a fragrant addition to your table centrepiece, or add them to an aromatic holiday gift basket. Homemade potpourri is another wonderful way to create a warm and welcoming mood.
Fresh for the family
The smell of freshly-baked cookies is another scent that's traditionally associated with the holiday season. Throw a batch in the oven (kids most willingly help lick the batter bowl clean) and serve the results with milk and a read-out-loud session of Christmas stories.
What's your favourite scent this holiday season?
From the cheerful to the contemplative, thoughtful lighting instantly invokes the festive spirit. 
Here are some simple pointers:
- Liven up dark corners with Q Home Décor's stylish Designo chandeliers, metallic silver Hollywood floor lamps and dark-pink Vestavia table lamps, which give the room a mood makeover at the flip of a switch.
- Small changes in light bulbs make a big difference - save the bright ones for shaving in the bathroom, and try soft yellow or warm white lights in the bedroom for a cosy atmosphere.
- Use seasonal candles to create customized centrepieces: arrange pillar candles of different heights together for a traditional tabletop look, or place single tall floor candles sparsely around the house for a more minimalist display.
- Strings of twinkly lights draped around the house are the easiest way to bring holiday cheer. Colour-coordinate them to match your Christmas tree ornaments, and loosely wrap rainbow-coloured ones around banisters and patio railings for a burst of festivity. Power-saving LEDs are a smart choice - they create dazzling displays that don't drain energy or generate much heat, making them much less of a fire hazard.
Safety First
Make your holiday a safe one for the whole family: place candles clear of obstructions and out of the reach of children; be sure to turn them off before you leave the house. Check holiday lights for frayed wires and gaps in the insulation, and don't overload electrical sockets. Loose cords can be tripped over - use masking tape to secure them without damaging the paint on your walls.
A spot of glimmer
Strategically-placed decorative mirrors make the most of natural sunlight, adding a festive sparkle in the daytime. Lace curtains help make small spaces look bigger, keeping out glare while letting in light. And we love how our elegant silver and copper statues and metallic candle-holders lend holiday shimmer with a touch of old-world class.
What are you doing this holiday season to bring a bit of shine into your home?
December heralds festive cheer - and here at Home Centre, we love finding easy ways of expressing it. If you enjoy having a Christmas tree, choose one that's in keeping with the style of your home. Pick from real or synthetic, upside-down or miniature, traditional green, red and gold, or an über-cool all-black.
A tree decorated entirely in glass - or even metal - may well suit a minimalist interior; we also recommend blue and silver as a contemporary colour scheme. For an old-fashioned family Christmas, look to red, burgundy, purple, chartreuse and gold. Hand-made ornaments - especially when the kids get involved - add an extra-special touch.
Dining-room decor
Colourful Christmas-themed disposable napkins brighten up the dining
table for children. For more formal holiday meals, jingle all the way
with a coordinated theme or colour scheme. Add festive touches to place
settings with a small Christmas party favour or elegant napkin rings
from Home Centre.
A vase of flowers in festive colours, potted poinsettias or a miniature conifer make joyful and easy table centrepieces. For a more elaborate display, lay a wreath flat and intersperse it with our pillar candles or tealights.
If your chandelier can hold the weight, use satin ribbon to hang pretty baubles or delicate snowflake cut-outs at different heights. This adds festive flair, and eliminates the need for a centrepiece.
Seasonal suggestions
Transform your house into a holiday home with these simple ideas:
- Give ordinary candles a holiday makeover with red ribbon and a dash of glitter.
- Attach silk flowers, like poinsettias, to existing flower arrangements or house plants. Decorate big indoor plants with a shower of lights or colourful (and energy-saving) LED lighting.
- Dress up your patio table with a themed table cloth or table runner.
- Swap everyday throw pillows on your sofa or bed with seasonally-themed cushions; our Christmas bedspread and curtains will keep visions of sugarplums dancing in your head.
- As a Yuletide treat, decorate windows with garlands dressed up with shiny baubles or Christmas trinkets. Kids will love making cut-outs of snowflakes or stars to add to the windows.
What are you doing this season to decorate your home? Share your ideas with us here!
