The shop of the new

Aerin Gilmore

• Last Updated: November 20. 2009 10:58PM UAE / November 20. 2009 6:58PM GMT

If staying in is the new going out there are no excuses not to have a beautiful home. A decade ago there were limited choices – once you had your Ikea starter kit and a few finishing touches from The One, you were all set. Nowadays, though, the choice for interior comforts is expanding at an alarming rate and seems to contradict the endless talk of economic gloom.

It takes guts to open in a recession – and, judging by the rash of recent openings, a lot of people have guts. For the rest of us, it means that the decoration options have never been greater.

Here’s our pick of the top new shops.

Ethan Allen

Rumour has it that, since its opening in Dubai Mall, Ethan Allen is now completely out of stock – such has been its success. A strong US brand for more than 75 years, it offers the sort of aspirational looks we associate with that part of the world: Nantucket nauticals, Manhattan minimalism and WASP-ish accents, at prices much more affordable than its high-end cousin, Ralph Lauren. The store has two professional US designers, Karen Moore and Gloria de Filippo, who provide complimentary advice. First Floor, Dubai Mall, 04 330 8871

Laura Ashley

If you’ve been craving a quintessentially English look (what could be a greater antidote to UAE-shiny?) and a return to traditional values, Laura Ashley’s new store will be a must-shop destination. With its 50-year heritage in design and fabrics, what the company still does best are soft furnishings, fabrics, children’s room sets and good value rugs and runners. Laura Ashley didn’t work before when it was in BurJuman – but that was years ago – and, oh, how this country has changed. First floor, Mercato Mall, Jumeirah, 04 344 9238

Under One Roof

The name is a big clue: Under One Roof is designed as a one-stop shop for home improvements – whether landscaping, external painting, structural renovation, a bathroom makeover or a new kitchen. The advice and service by European professionals is of a very high standard and the store has exclusive partnerships with innovative companies such as Roman and PWS from the UK and Permaglaze from the US. The Metris and Second Nature kitchens are selling like hot cakes, as are the Roman shower screens. The store also works with reliable, high quality suppliers of tiles, lighting, kitchen appliances and flooring – including Kahrs and Miele. Al Quoz 3, behind Dubai Garden Centre, 04 323 2722

Iwannagohome!

Vibrant, fashionable and funky, the colourful window displays of iwannagohome! are hard to miss in Dubai Mall. It carries quirky individualistic furniture – and a strong selling point is that the range changes every month. It is to home shopping what is Zara is to fashion. And for that matter, Zara Home is to homes. Launched in Singapore, the company has won the Best New Retail Concept award for 2008, given by Singapore Tourism. And no wonder. First floor, Dubai Mall, 04 339 8952

Storia Moderna

Gruppo Spar, which launched Storia Moderna, has a long and distinguished history in Italy and Europe and groups Spar Mobile, Vuerre, 3M camarette and VV Cucine under one corporate umbrella. Its forte has always been the mid market, with products ranging from kitchens to bedroom accessories and furniture. An in-store interior design service is another draw and the use of on-trend wallpaper makes the showroom a visual feast. Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz 1, 04 338 1131

@home

Following its success in Dubai, a welcome slice of South African style has come to Abu Dhabi with the opening of a new branch in Al Wadha Mall. Specialising in contemporary, fresh and eco-friendly products, one of its big attractions is the @home gift registry, catering for housewarmings, engagements and wedding lists. As well as that, it’s a great source of good quality basics at affordable prices. Abu Dhabi branch, Al Wadha Mall, 02 443 7185

Technogym

The fitness and wellness industry is growing and Technogym is its darling: its sleek, state-of-the-art equipment has become a must in all self-respecting offices – not to mention gyms. Nerio Alessandri, the company’s founder and chief designer, opened the Dubai showroom earlier this month – at the same time unveiling the new Run Personal, designed by Antonio Citterio and Toan Nguyen, who also fashioned the beautiful Kinesis Personal. As they say, if it’s good enough for Barack Obama, it’s good enough for us too. Zabeel Road, Karama, 04 391 2072

Palmonade

If a company needs kudos, Palmonade has it in spades: its opening was attended by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chairman of Dubai World, and it was responsible for the kitchens in the prestigious Al Barari villa development. One of the most recent openings, it’s Dubai’s largest kitchen emporium and it’s impressive, with 13 kitchen set-ups in which you can get a feel for how they might look in your own home. Indeed, a psychometric test to determine what style suits your character is almost a prerequisite of choosing a kitchen here: classic country style, contemporary or futuristic. Whichever, you can be sure of getting materials and appliances (Sub Zero, Gaggenau and Miele) in matching colour palettes. Valcucine and Ernestomeda are the Italian show-ponies: each the epitome of chic design and promoting the idea of Bioforest (an organisation that implements reforestation). Beach Road, Jumeirah, 04 881 7000

Bagno Design Showroom

While Bagno is already an established name, its parent company, Sanipex Group, recently opened this flagship store. It’s as much a meeting room where designers and architects can bring their clients as it is a consumer-friendly bathroom showroom. Brands such as Bati Bali, Bossini, Fantini and Zucchetti are all there, as are several feature areas such as Wellness and Zen – which are obviously a response to the vogue for spa-style bathrooms. Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz 1, 04 330 7770

Molteni&C Dada

Less is more chez FINASI in Dubai, which has the enviable task of hosting the Molteni&C Dada home collection. Think haute couture and you’re almost on the right track, for their furnishings are designed by Jean Nouvel, Foster+Partners, Patricia Urquiola, Arik Levy, Luca Meda, Rodolfo Dordoni and Hannes Wettstein, while the kitchen ranges include Tivali, Hi-Line by Ferruccio Laviani and Banco by Luca Meda. Another large part of the showroom is dedicated to office spaces created by Antonio Citterio. We can only dream of working in such wonderful surroundings. FINASI showroom, Al Ittihad Road, Deira, 04 297 1777

Versace Home

Just in time for Eid and Christmas gifts, Versace Home offers die-hard fans of bling all of the touches for which the house is known. Back on trend with a revival of Eighties style, you’ll find evergreen Christmas plates, votive candles and classical Christmas balls to add a touch of opulence. Dubai Mall, First Floor, 04 330 8697

Home Design

This is a new concept in that it houses 13 different furnishing brands under one roof – each with its own space. In pole position is Philipp Selva Home – and in fact Selva himself came to open the store in October. Worthy of a visit, it saves on the mileage to other locations. We particularly like the casual chic of Cape Couch Company and Indigo Living, which are among the brands housed here. First Floor, Mall of the Emirates, 04 323 3370

The White Company

For those who love beautiful household linens, the opening of a branch in Abu Dhabi has come not a moment too soon. Founded in the UK by Chrissie Rucker, a former magazine stylist, it has captured the hearts of the stylish middle classes, with its high quality and high style at sensible prices – in everything from crib covers for babies to silk-satin dressing gowns for their mothers. (Abu Dhabi branch), Abu Dhabi Mall, 02 681 5560

Purity

Only two weeks old, this newest (for now) kid on the block gives some great high-end Italian brands their first serious retail outing in the UAE: furniture from Porro and Living Divani; furniture and flooring from Paola Lenti, tableware and accessories from Paola C and lighting from Artemide. Umm Hurair Road, Oud Metha, 04 334 9943

Roche Bobois

It’s not new to Dubai but a sleek new showroom opening any day now in “new Dubai” (Al Barsha to be precise) promises to be a better showcase than ever for Roche-Bobois. With designers including René Bouchara, Hans Hopfer (love, love his Mah Jong seating) and Paola Navone, think contemporary style with a quintessentially French accent. Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1, 04 336 6172

Crate and Barrel

Well travelled residents of the UAE will be familiar with this US home furnishings giant, and news that it will open in Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre early next year has already created a ripple of excitement. Founded in 1962 by Gordon and Carole Segal it’s loved for its contemporary tableware and kitchenware, as well as its bridal registry and famous catalogue.