Perhaps because of Aladdin’s famous magic carpet ride, rugs can conjure up images of exotic places and romantic Arabian nights. For many of us, there is something almost fantastical about an old carpet, particularly if it is an antique hand-tufted Persian silk rug. It is no surprise that the Persian carpet is viewed globally as an embodiment of timeless beauty.
Stylish and versatile, rugs offer an easy way to add colour and comfort to any space. The Persian carpet stands out because of the variety and intricacy of its manifold designs, which can tell 1,001 tales. The richness in colour, pattern, texture and material creates something incredibly special.
Today, we find a large variety of carpets and rugs in homes, hotels, restaurants and offices. Whether in huge lofty areas or smaller nooks, you can find rugs of every shape, size, pattern and colour, and with the right selection, they can maximise the potential of any room. I believe every space deserves its own carpet or rug. It can be the first touch in the morning when you wake up and swing your feet out of bed, or a place you lay down on in the evening to read a book. Rugs create order and gently define borders in a room.
I am a big fan of using rugs to create contrast, such as a bright washed-out Persian carpet laid on light oak wood flooring, under a minimalistic leather sofa. Or perhaps a shiny maritime blue rug on white with grey-veined Carrara marble in a master bathroom. If you’re a fan of patterns and contrast, the latest Ralph Lauren home collection shows us how different colours, patterns and material can be combined in the same space and look fantastic.
The most luxurious carpets are always hand-tufted ones, as they require many man-hours, sometimes even years, to create. The type of fibre will reflect in the price of your carpet. Generally, natural ones, such as wool and silk, are the most special. The carpet knot count will also contribute to the price (it defines how finely the carpet is woven), as will its age. A good carpet is like good grape, it develops and ripens with age, particularly if it is a vintage Persian carpet from Isfahan.
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When well-picked, a rug will visually anchor your space. It should connect to its surroundings, be just large enough to accommodate your furniture, and create a showstopping effect. For bedrooms, I recommend silk carpets. There is no other material quite like it. Colours glow and the feel of it is just priceless. Silk rugs are perfect as a show piece. The only downside is their sensitivity (you need to keep them out of direct sunlight and not place heavy furniture on them), and of course, their high price.
Getting office carpets right can be a bit tricky. Offices are high-traffic areas, and need to perform accordingly, while being easy to maintain. Nylon carpet rolls are therefore the best option. Nylon is a synthetic fibre that outperforms all others. It wears exceptionally well, is very resilient, resists abrasion, resists stains and is easy to clean. Nylon carpets come in many vibrant colours as well.
Ultimately, carpets are meant to make a statement and create a bit of drama. They should be treated as a piece of art.
Medy Navani is creative director and founder of Design Haus Medy, www.dhmuae.com; Instagram: @designhausmedy
Do you have any design dilemmas? Email homes@thenational.ae and we will have them answered by an expert
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Players Selected for La Liga Trials
U18 Age Group
Name: Ahmed Salam (Malaga)
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
