Hossein Rezvani's Bakhtiar carpet. Ravindranath K / The National
Hossein Rezvani's Bakhtiar carpet. Ravindranath K / The National
Hossein Rezvani's Bakhtiar carpet. Ravindranath K / The National
Hossein Rezvani's Bakhtiar carpet. Ravindranath K / The National

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Get the Look: Contemporary, colourful arts and crafts

Mix rich, traditional patterns with bold statement pieces to achieve a dramatic, artful interior.

Selina Denman
Selina Denman

April 26, 2012

  • English
  • Arabic

Rich

A Persian carpet will add colour and richness to any space. Don't confine yours to the floor - they also make for stunning wall hangings. We love Hossein Rezvani's beautifully crafted creations. Bakhtiar in blue, Dh7,000 per square metre, Caspaiou Dubai or www.hosseinrezvani.com

Patterned

Use colourful crockery to brighten up a white kitchen. The blue and white floral designs on Crate & Barrel's Palmira plate are suitably bold. Dh45, Crate & Barrel, Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre

Strong

A single bold chair will transform a dead space into a lovely spot for reading and reflection. For something that is both comfortable and striking, try the sumptuous Tess chair in deep purple. Dh4,499, Crate & Barrel

Oversized

Make a statement with an oversized vase set on a simple side table and highlighted with spot lighting. Try the 88-centimetre-high black ceramic Giant Ginger Jar by Andrew Martin. Dh3,910, Andrew Martin Dubai

Traditional

The Kilim trunk coffee table - named for the traditional flat, woven carpets produced across central Asia - is brimming with character and bound to become a talking point. Dh17,960, Andrew Martin Dubai

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Whiile you're here
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Tomorrow 2021
How to become a Boglehead

Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.

•   Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.

•   Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.

•   Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.

•   Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.

•   Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.

•   Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.

•   Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.

•   Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.

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