Bathrooms seldom get the attention they deserve. While many of us will invest in revamping the other rooms in our home, bathrooms are often left looking sterile and uninspiring. While those living in rented accommodation are unlikely to want to bear the expense of replacing sanitaryware or fixtures and fittings, there are other, less-expensive ways to give your master and guest bathrooms a makeover. Introducing colour, textiles, personal accessories and even artwork will go a long way in creating a more intimate space. Here, Niloufar Bakhtiar-Bakhtiari of NBB Designs offers tips on introducing a more dynamic design aesthetic in your bathroom:
Display artwork
The bathroom is often overlooked as a place to display artwork, despite it being a room that guests use frequently. At home, I placed my favourite sculpture in the downstairs cloakroom, alongside other pieces, where guests can truly appreciate them. The right piece of art can elevate the mood of a room, and because bathrooms are smaller spaces, a single piece of art can make a big difference and set the tone for a room. My top tip is to use a recessed shelving unit on a bathroom wall to create a subtle gallery feel. Not only is it great storage, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing.
Showcase personal accessories
I often suggest that clients select accessories such as necklaces and other costume jewellery to be displayed on one wall in the bathroom. Not only is this a great use of space and storage, but it also means that items are easily accessible and can be appreciated on a daily basis. Remember, you don’t have to be restricted by traditional bathroom storage if you don’t want to be.
Use walls to create statements
Blank and plain walls are banished throughout NBB Design’s portfolio of projects, replaced instead with interesting finishes. Don’t be afraid to use texture and fabrics in the bathroom. Mirrors can also be used in decorative and clever ways to increase the feeling of space and create interesting reflections.
I treat bathrooms as I would any other room. People tend to go for stark, white, clinical looks, but I believe it’s important to keep a design thread in all rooms to ensure a flow throughout the house.
Add bold splashes of colour
Choosing a neutral colour scheme as a base in a bathroom will ensure that the room feels airy and spacious, but to keep the room exciting and modern, introduce bold pops of colour using paint and fabrics.
Adding colour to your bathroom doesn’t necessarily mean painting the walls. I love incorporating colours in different ways, such as using fabrics to upholster the doors, and matching these with the blinds.
Bathrooms are also a great place to experiment if you’re wary about making bold choices in larger rooms. They’re the ideal space to introduce colour as a starting point in the home.
Create a sanctuary
Treat master bedrooms as luxurious living spaces. It’s important to create calming, serene design schemes in master bedrooms to transform the space into a place of retreat and relaxation. In larger bathrooms, add a free-standing bath or shower, along with extra seating, such as a beautiful chair or ottoman, to create an elegant, refined feel.
Adding a combination of lighting solutions, including task lighting with a dimmer option, allows for flexibility, depending on the time of day, function required or mood you wish to create. To emulate the ultimate spa experience, add scented candles for a soft and tranquil ambience.
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Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
Scoreline
Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)
New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)
Youth YouTuber Programme
The programme will be presented over two weeks and will cover the following topics:
- Learning, scripting, storytelling and basic shots
- Master on-camera presence and advanced script writing
- Beating the algorithm and reaching your core audience
Malcolm & Marie
Directed by: Sam Levinson
Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya
Three stars
FIGHT CARD
Sara El Bakkali v Anisha Kadka (Lightweight, female)
Mohammed Adil Al Debi v Moaz Abdelgawad (Bantamweight)
Amir Boureslan v Mahmoud Zanouny (Welterweight)
Abrorbek Madaminbekov v Mohammed Al Katheeri (Featherweight)
Ibrahem Bilal v Emad Arafa (Super featherweight)
Ahmed Abdolaziz v Imad Essassi (Middleweight)
Milena Martinou v Ilham Bourakkadi (Bantamweight, female)
Noureddine El Agouti v Mohamed Mardi (Welterweight)
Nabil Ouach v Ymad Atrous (Middleweight)
Nouredin Samir v Zainalabid Dadachev (Lightweight)
Marlon Ribeiro v Mehdi Oubahammou (Welterweight)
Brad Stanton v Mohamed El Boukhari (Super welterweight
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last 16, first leg
Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight, Wednesday, BeIN Sports
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
