“There’s no place like home.” Unknown
The third edition of Yas Mall’s Home Fashion event kicked off last week, and will run until 5th October, giving those in the market for new furniture and accessories innovative ideas, offers and interior design tips.
As expats the majority of us live in rented accommodation that we want to make into homes. Painting a wall, hanging some art, laying rugs, displaying family photos, trinkets and memories can all add up to feeling more at home in a different country. Home is where the heart is as they say, so my advice would be to make your house a home, it helps you to settle and can help with homesickness if you create a relaxing, homely environment to live in with those all important creature comforts.
Some people ship their belongings overseas while others like ourselves set up another home, with expat life being such a transient existence shops such as Swedish flat pack giant IKEA are a godsend for basic needs and more high end brands like West Elm and Pottery Barn are perfect to add that statement piece and touch of luxury. The secondhand market is also buoyant in the UAE, with so many people coming and going it’s easy to pick up a bargain on community sites and reseller Dubizzle.
With such a good selection of home stores, Yas Mall offers shoppers popular retailers such as West Elm and Pottery Barn alongside The One, Home Centre, Zara Home, Muji, Madame Coco and newly opened Kuwaiti favourite Al Maadan all under one roof. The large Carrefour hypermarket on the lower ground floor also sells home accessories, kitchenware and appliances. Next to the the mall, there’s the aforementioned giant IKEA superstore (who have just launched their 2020 catalogue and lots of new products) and neighbouring Ace Hardware with its selection of homeware, outdoor furniture and plants as well as DIY essentials.
Interior designers and in-store experts are offering customers a series of free workshops in some of the participating home stores. Two workshops have already taken place, the first saw the in-house IKEA creative team demonstrate how they plan and style their bedroom set ups with mood boards, colour coordination and pattern.
At Pottery Barn, Emirati interior designer Azza Al Nuaimi from Adorned Touches talked seasonal table arrangements and next month British designer Tara Sampson from T Inspires will be styling bookcases, consoles and coffee tables. Look out for more upcoming workshops at West Elm, Pottery Barn Kids and Home Centre. Take further inspiration from the creative home styling pop ups dotted around the mall showcasing traditional, classic, luxury and contemporary styles.
Yas Mall is also running a Spend & Win promotion that offers all shoppers a chance to win an AED 100,000 home makeover when you spend AED 200. If you are currently redecorating your home or just looking for interior styling inspiration pop down to Yas Mall to peruse the Home Stores and look out the upcoming workshops for some professional tips from interiors experts.
Yas Mall Home Fashion Event
Location: Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. UAE
When: Home Fashion Event 19th September – 5th October 2019
Mall Opening Hours: 10:00am – 1:00am
Home Store information: www.yasmall.ae/en/shop-category/home-furnishing-and-accessories
I was invited to attend the Yas Mall Home Fashion workshops. The views in this post are all my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2019. All rights reserved. Additional photos used with courtesy of Yas Mall and T.Inspires