Get set to celebrate National Day in style, with this array of striking UAE-inspired home accessories.
1 Raising the bar
The Ras Al Khaimah-based Scottish illustrator Gayle Cook (who is also known as The Constant Creative) is behind these fun, barcode-inspired works of art. The 15-centimetre-square prints come mounted, matted and framed. You can choose from a range of existing locations, including Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Glasgow, or you can custom-make your own piece using countries, area codes and co-ordinates of your choice.
• Barcode Art – Dubai, Dh140, www.ideyna.com
2 Making moves
Looking for a little memento of your time in the UAE, but tired of all the camel art? S*uce Gifts has the answer. This limited-edition Dubai chessboard is made of Plexiglas and comes in white-and-gold and black-and-gold versions. The pieces are all inspired by the UAE and its culture – from kandura-clad pawns to camel-shaped knights and a Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab king and queen.
• Dubai chessboard, Dh850, S*uce Gifts, Al Wasl Square, Dubai
3 Hanging out
“Cute and weird – these are two words that would describe my creations,” says Zineddine Messaadia, the self-taught artist, designer and architecture student who is behind Pizo’Products. The Khaliji Local Boy Hanging Plush is certainly cute – and it’s 100 per cent handmade to boot.
• Khaliji Local Boy Hanging Plush, Dh230, www.ideyna.com
4 Calming influence
The “Keep Calm” slogan may have been done to death, but a little bit of cheesiness never hurt anyone. So there’s always a place in our kitchen for these cheery “Keep Calm and Love Dubai” tea towels.
• Keep Calm and Love Dubai tea towels, Dh180 each, O’de Rose, Al Wasl Road, Dubai
5 Burj bench
There’s no better tribute to Dubai’s most iconic building than this brightly coloured bench by the Lebanese design duo Bokja. We love the juxtaposition of Bokja’s signature aesthetic, which celebrates the region’s traditional craftsmanship, with the Burj Khalifa, an emblem of its aspirations.
• Bokja Loves Architecture bench, Dh17,541, Cities, The Galleria Mall, Dubai
