The concept of the “Super Home” is not something new – it was a big thing 20 years ago, with designers in LA and NYC being asked by the UHNW clients to create projects for their homes that were unique and iconic, with details that no one else had seen before and that would be able to ‘wow’ their guests.

This, according to Kate Instone, founder and creative director at Blush International,  a leading interior design company specializing in luxury interiors, super yachts, private jets and boutique commercial projects.  

“However, given a convergence of factors, I feel that the Super Home is set to be the next big trend to infiltrate the Middle Eastern market – and we at Blush International are already creating some jaw-dropping homes for our discerning clients in the Middle East,” Instone said. 

The long lengths of time people have all been spending at home has placed an emphasis on the importance of a sanctuary, she said, adding that among their clients, this has not only brought back this concept of Super Homes but has actually pushed it to a whole new and never-seen level.

“Our home is now more than ever required to be our safe place. As such, interior designers have been busier than ever with a new lifestyle that gravitates around ‘being home’ and not on a plane every two weeks.

The lockdown situation that Coronavirus imposed has accelerated this trend and our client requests are showing us precisely that, Instone said.

“However, we have been seeing a huge shift in the way residential interior design is seen in the region and in the UAE in particular for a few years now. Dubai is no longer a transient place with expats moving out every three or five years. We are here to stay and our home here must provide us the same level of comfort as that of our house back in London for example.

“The market has grown in sophistication and clients don’t want a copy of something they have seen at their friend’s house – they want something that is unique and was created for them. The outstanding hotels that we have in Dubai have also set the bar high and our clients expect that the residential project designed for their homes surpasses the level of detail of their favorite hotel – nothing less.

Instone said that a few years ago, having Versace wallpaper and cushions and a Fendi couch “was valued in a way that now seems out of place.”

“I have nothing against it, if the color scheme, the texture, the shape and its dimensions fit perfectly in the room, but the thing is: everyone can have that. Real luxury is craftsmanship and bespoke furniture created by designers and artisans from scratch, with the dimensions that make sense for that particular room because it was designed precisely for that space,” she said.  

Dubai, UAE: Emirati legal expert Abeer Sharif has launched a convenient app to help UAE residents navigate the law quickly and affordably.

“Ask Legal” will cover areas including civil, commercial, criminal, family and labor law, as well as issues pertaining to intellectual property. Questions will be answered within a maximum of 72 hours at competitive prices to give citizens and residents access to expert advice for a fraction of the price of normal legal fees.

Abeer Sharif, the brains behind the new app, said that in this new digital age, such services are long overdue in the UAE: “We hope that taking this service online and removing some of the prohibitive costs, which can deter people from seeking advice from lawyers, we will not only make legal support more accessible, but also speed up people’s queries.”

The app will not only make legal help more affordable, but in turn, will ensure that citizens and residents needing support have a better understanding of the law in the UAE.

“The vision is to cater for the UAE and then include the DIFC jurisdiction and English law in the future,” said Ms. Sharif, ensuring that all aspects of the UAE’s legal system are covered, from Shariah to civil law.

Ms. Sharif, who has worked in the UAE legal sector since 2016 after studying at the American University in the UAE, is part of a new, young generation of lawyers changing the face of the legal system.

“With all the recent legal reforms announced by the government, the legal system is undergoing major changes and as lawyers, we have to keep up and help spur the change,” she said. “There has been a lot of modernization on paper, but now, we are helping to take this and put legal access into people’s hands.”

The different package options available have been made for both individuals and small businesses, with prices as little as AED 300 for a half hour chat or a Zoom meeting of 45 minutes for just AED500. The app is available on both Android and iOS.

On Bluewaters Island, tucked away under the vast height of the Ain Dubai, sits The Selfish Bull. Dubai’s hidden gem has been busy cranking up the swank on their cuisine, cuts and décor. Bringing a fresh new menu on the table, as well as a facelift on the interiors, the wood-fire grilled steak and seafood restaurant is ready to open its doors to roll out the tastiest meats on the island.

Keeping some old favorites and adding some new additions to the plate, The Selfish Bull’s new menu will welcome you into the weekend, or indulge you in a mid-week treat, with its sizzling steaks, succulent seafood and signature drinks.

Guests will be able to choose from an ample menu of handpicked dishes, but make no mis-steak, the new cuts of meat are the stars of the show. Try the 1.3 kilo tomahawk (AED 740) that is sized to share – but being selfish is encouraged at this Bluewaters eatery. There are also the classics like T enderloin, R ibeye and NY Strip ( from AED 186) and the option to pair your steak with seafood like Canadian lobster, mud crab and jumbo prawns. Distinguished foodies can opt for the Australian Wagyu (AED 294 onwards) sourced from the Carrara Farms or Japanese Wagyu (300g for AED 760) from Hokkaido Prefecture, so delicate it can only be cooked on a brick of pink Himalayan rock salt.

‎ If steak isn’t what you fancy, you can choose from a selection of fresh seafood such as the Grilled Canadian Lobster , served with Old Bay mayo and drizzled with drawn butter. The Emperor Caesar, The Selfish Bull’s take on a Caesar salad topped with Canadian lobster or delicate French Fine De Claire Oysters (available in 6 or 12 pieces).

Group Executive Chef Ahmad Alfakier of The Selfish Bull worked extensively on the menu to create the variety of new show stopping dishes. 

“This menu has been tested, finalized, and re-tested and re-finalised several times , until we were confident that the new dishes would do our ‘steak and seafood’ concept justice. You’ll find steakhouse staples along with fine-dining dishes and a raw bar that serves oysters and tartares, making elevated dining more approachable. Modern day dining has no rules. We played and experiment with food to bring a real focus on both flavor and ambiance that compliments the brand as well as the location.”

The Selfish Bull is now open, reservations are essential www.theselfishbull.com / +971 4 399 3638

Dubai, UAE:  The festival of colors, Holi, is the most vibrant of all Hindu festivities. Masala Bazaar, the casual Indian restaurant at Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, is all set to welcome residents and tourists who will gather to celebrate this colorful festival on March 28 and 29.

The culinary team at Masala Bazaar has created a special Holi dinner, inspired by traditional Indian flavors and dishes, featuring a variety of street food selections for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests. Starting at AED59 per person, diners will have unlimited tasty bites served to their table.

A welcome drink of thandai kesariya, the customary Holi drink, starts the celebration. The feast continues with a range of mouth-watering delicacies to be enjoyed, including Punchranga pulao, medu vedai ki chaat, channa kachori chaa, Paneer diwani hand, Dhal maharani, Aloo gobi and many more. To end on a sweet note is Gujiya, a special sweet which is made in every household in India during Holi. It is a dumpling filled with khoya (a dairy product) and dried fruits. 

Holi signifies the victory of good over evil. It also marks the end of winter in India and welcomes the spring season. On this festive day, people play with colors, meet and greet one another and create new beginnings. The fun-filled festival is usually celebrated ith music, dance and lots of colors.

Celebrating at Masala Bazaar is like enjoying the feast back home. The Indian restaurant offers the perfect setting to gather with family, friends and neighbors.

Available from 7:00pm to 11:00 pm, guests who prefer free-flowing soft beverages can add AED29 to the package or an additional AED49 for two house drinks.For information and bookings, please visit https://www.parkregiskriskin.ae/dining-bars/masala-bazaar/ or call 04 377 1163.

Dubai, UAE: Ibn Battuta Mall, the world’s largest themed mall and architectural wonder by Nakheel Malls, is inviting residents and tourists to walk in the legendary explorer’s footsteps  in a brand new and limited time expedition starting March 18. Accompanied by a tour guide, mall visitors will embark on an experiential journey complete with Augmented Reality (AR) filters waiting to be unlocked on Instagram.

Visitors can head to Ibn Battuta Mall and enjoy free AR walking tours with a real-life avatar of Ibn Battuta who will interact with children and tell tales from the past, as they visit six different country-themed courts to learn more about the Moroccan traveller’s journeys throughout his lifetime. 

An interactive and educational experience for the whole family, the walking tour also includes six AR filters inspired by the world traveller, each representing the courts’ unique features – a roaring lion in Andalusian Court, a phoenix in Egypt Court, an elephant in India Court and a dragon in China Court. Additionally, the mall introduced a Pharaoh make-up face filter and a traditional Indian make-up face filter for families and friends to play with as they shop and dine. 

Visitors can also win exciting prizes when sharing their experience on social media.

The free tours will take place on weekends (Thursdays-Saturdays) starting March 18 until April 3 at 3pm, 5pm and 7pm, and visitors can book their slots online.

Safety regulations will be in place. 

For bookings, visit: https://bit.ly/3bVjyC5

For more information please visit www.ibnbattutamall.com
Instagram: @Ibn Battuta Mall
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IbnBattutaMall/ 

Ibn Battuta Mall, is the world’s largest themed mall, attracting more than 21 million visitors a year. Opened in 2005, the mall highlights the travel experiences of legendary 14th Century Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta thorough six themed travel zones – China Court, India Court, Persia Court, Egypt Court, Tunisia Court and Andalusia Court – reflecting the most influential places he visited during his global journey of discovery and exploration.