At a time when interiors are moving away from fast-changing aesthetics toward more meaningful choices, wood has emerged as one of the defining materials shaping the way we live today. More than a design trend, it represents authenticity, longevity, and a desire to reconnect with spaces that feel calm, natural, and enduring.

This direction resonates particularly during the summer season; a time when homes become a place to slow down, recharge, and spend more meaningful moments indoors. Through lighter palettes, organic textures, and understated sophistication, the collection offers a sense of warmth without heaviness and comfort without compromise.

Designed for customers who appreciate quality and timeless design, the collection embraces what Chattels & More stands for: interiors that evolve with life rather than follow passing moments. “Wood has always been one of the most powerful materials in design. It brings warmth, character, and permanence into a space. With this collection, we wanted to reinterpret it in a way that feels contemporary yet timeless — creating homes that feel elevated, welcoming, and lived in” says Simon Zoghbi, CEO of Chattels & More.

The collection is now available at Chattels & More locations across the UAE, or online at www.chattelsandmore.com.

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The new models include refrigerators, freezers, fridge-freezers and grape climate cabinets. Each appliance is designed to be installed individually or side by side in coordinated alignment. Handleless doors, flush surfaces and precisely structured interiors create visual continuity, allowing the appliances to integrate seamlessly into the overall kitchen concept. With proportions and detailing that recall fine furniture, the appliances are conceived as architectural elements within the space. Conceived to resemble furniture, it allows for countless configuration possibilities, enabling you to curate a cooling ensemble that reflects your personal vision and cultivated taste. Every shelf and door bin can be precisely aligned to create visual continuity between refrigerator and freezer, ensuring a seamless composition when installed side-by-side.

Internally, the material palette is consistent and restrained. Dark brushed stainless steel, anthracite aluminium and glass create a calm, coherent interior. Glare-free, warm white, LED lighting activates gradually and evenly in response to use, providing clear visibility without distraction.

Performance features are designed for precision and longevity. A professional freshness system ensures stable temperature and humidity conditions. Selected models include integrated cameras, and every appliance offers compatibility with Gaggenau Home Connect, enabling remote access and visibility. Interfaces are clear and intuitive, with animated quick guides to support maintenance and everyday use.

Sven Baacke, Gaggenau Head of Design, says: “The latest additions to the Vario cooling Expressive series continue Gaggenau’s approach to cooling as a considered part of kitchen and interior design – architectural in form, exacting in function, and aligned with the values of those who create with intent.” 

Mikkel Brandt Bugge, Industrial Designer, adds: “We approached every detail with purpose – from the alignment of each shelf to the tone of the interior lighting. Our goal was to create a calm, coherent experience where function and materiality work quietly together. The flexibility of the system allows for truly personal configurations, whether through individual appliances or through the creation of a dedicated cooling ensemble.” 

Adriane Wassmandorf Mattos, User Experience Designer, notes: “Our goal was to create an experience that feels immediate and unobtrusive. From the way the lighting responds to your presence to the structure of the interface, everything was designed to support use without calling attention to itself.” 

The new models of the Vario cooling Expressive series will be available from December 2025 in key markets across Europe and from mid-2026 in North America and Asia-Pacific.

For more information about Gaggenau’s Vario cooling Expressive series, please visit the Gaggenau flagship in Dubai at City Walk, Building 10.

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Located in Warehouse 65, the pop-up offers an early expression of Boffi|DePadova’s integrated philosophy, where architecture, interiors and systems converge into a singular, coherent environment. Conceived as both a preview and a platform for engagement, the space invites architects, designers and clients to experience a holistic way of living shaped by precision, materiality and enduring design.

Boffi|DePadova brings together Boffi and De Padova into a cohesive Made in Italy system of indoor and outdoor living. Rooted in a manufacturing heritage dating back to 1934, the group continues to shape contemporary interiors through a refined balance of craftsmanship, innovation and architectural thinking.With a presence across five continents and over 50 countries, Boffi|DePadova operates more than 400 design destinations worldwide, including flagship showrooms in Milan, Paris, London and New York, reinforcing its position within the world’s leading design capitals.

“We are pleased to begin our collaboration with Atelio at Alserkal Avenue, one of Dubai’s most distinctive cultural districts,” says Roberto Gavazzi, President and CEO of Boffi|DePadova. “At Boffi|DePadova, we design personalised and bespoke spaces as complete environments, where every element contributes to a way of living. Dubai represents one of the most dynamic design landscapes today, and this space marks an exciting new chapter for the brand in the region ahead of our flagship opening.”

“Partnering with Boffi|DePadova is a natural expression of what Atelio stands for – connecting the world’s finest design culture with a region that increasingly defines it.” adds Elie Khouri, Chairman of Atelio “This is not simply a retail space, but a destination where craftsmanship, architecture and contemporary living converge. It reflects the evolving role of design within the Middle East, and the beginning of a relationship rooted in a shared commitment to excellence.”

“Conceived as a dynamic environment rather than a traditional showroom, the pop-up reflects a shared approach to design, where architecture, furniture and systems come together seamlessly,” says Ruggero Ottogalli, CEO of Atelio. “Activated through conversations, gatherings and discovery, the space takes on a studio-like quality, inviting architects and clients to explore materials, scale and composition within a lived environment.”

The space unfolds as a sequence of interconnected environments where living, dining and kitchen areas flow seamlessly into one another. Sculptural seating, including the Alberese XL and Landscape 25 by Piero Lissoni anchors the living area, while the Tiny Blendy armchair introduces a more relaxed, cinematic presence. A restrained palette of warm neutrals, natural woods and deep charcoals defines the atmosphere, layered with luminous compositions such as Elisa Ossino’s Helium collection and the linear precision Cut Back lighting by David Lopez Quincoce, creating rhythm that guides movement through the space.

At its centre, the kitchen emerges as a defined setting, where monolithic islands and finely detailed cabinetry establish a strong focal point. The dining area extends naturally from this space, with marble surfaces such as the T.T.A. Stone table and the round natural oak Mawari table echoing the material language of the kitchen.

This sense of continuity is articulated through a series of architectural systems that shape how the space is organised and experienced. Tall Units in aluminium dark tabacco and canaletto walnut, alongside melamine graphite grey oak and metal finish introduce a refined, built-in quality rooted in Boffi’s kitchen expertise. The R.I.G. modules by Mikal Harrsen act as open frameworks that define and organise without enclosing, creating a dialogue between kitchen, living and storage within a cohesive spatial narrative.

The Alserkal Avenue space will remain open until the launch of the brand’s permanent UAE flagship by the last quarter of the year.

Visit Boffi|DePadova – Warehouse 65, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai or ateliospaces.com for more information.

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The unique method has been extracted from the path that has enabled the company to define a distinctive, authentic and coherent design language, thanks to a rich and layered heritage of colours, fabrics, rugs, materials and surfaces. More than 40 shades have been identified, all inspired by nature and translated into the company’s textile and material vocabulary.

Each colour family brings together all the materials available for creating Paola Lenti products – fabrics, cords, weaves, lava stone surfaces, concrete and ceramics. Once a chromatic direction has been identified, it is possible to move freely within it, exploring all its possible combinations and shades. This approach makes each designed space exclusive and unmistakable.It took over a year of research to transform this complexity into a functional tool for designers—a definitive guide to navigating an intricate creative universe defined by its profound depth and nuance.

Colour groups can also interact with one another: different chromatic tones blend, creating more complex combinations with contrasts and resonances, hence amplifying the expression of the primary tone. Furnishing elements, such as rugs, side tables or armchairs, become chromatic and material accents capable of giving rhythm and depth to the overall composition. The result is an almost infinite spectrum of possibilities, always unique and personal. The Chromatic Alphabet, thanks to the wide range of colours and materials capable of dialoguing with the landscape without overwhelming it, accompanies the design of outdoor spaces at every stage, from the individual product to the overall atmosphere.

Paola Lenti’s local distributor in the UAE is through Purity.

Photography by Maurizio Natta

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In this reconfigured format, the fair will operate as an interconnected landscape in which galleries, installations and live programmes will be integrated into a cohesive spatial composition. Contemporary, modern and digital practices will be brought into dialogue, foregrounding the increasing convergence of art and design, particularly in their shared engagement with material presence, spatial arrangement and the movement of audiences through space.

Extending beyond its physical setting, the programme will unfold across a wider cultural network throughout the UAE, developed in collaboration with Alserkal Avenue, Art Jameel, Barjeel Art Foundation, Dubai Collection and Sharjah Art Foundation. Through exhibitions, performances, screenings and talks, it will establish a layered rhythm of engagement, privileging immersion and interaction over static display. The gallery programme will feature participants from nearly 20 countries, balancing strong regional representation with international perspectives. Across the fair, presentation strategies will increasingly draw from design disciplines, positioning artworks as spatial interventions that respond to scale, context and audience navigation.

Among the key highlights, institutional commissions will include Made Forward by the Dubai Collection, alongside a presentation of modern Arab art from the Barjeel Art Foundation and the 20th edition of the Global Art Forum, Before and After Everything. Collaborations with the National Pavilion UAE – La Biennale di Venezia, the Ministry of Culture and House of Arts will further extend the fair’s curatorial and institutional reach.

As Benedetta Ghione, Executive Director, Art Dubai Group said, “Art Dubai has always been more than a conventional art fair, developing into an international platform for this region’s cultural scene as it matures. This special edition will demonstrate the resilience of the UAE’s cultural scene as well as the power of collaboration, bringing together galleries, artists and institutions at a time when that role of convening feels more important than ever. Art Dubai’s story is Dubai’s story, and producing this special edition would only be possible in Dubai, for an organisation that has grown hand-in-hand with the city, and with the support of our long-term partners. Current circumstances mean that this may not be what we had planned to mark our 20th edition, but the galleries and wider programmes represent what makes Art Dubai both unique and special.”

Alexie Glass-Kantor, Executive Director, Curatorial, Art Dubai Group also added “‘Things we do together’ has been a guiding thread in shaping the programme thinking about how artists, galleries, institutions and audiences come into relationship across the fair. From large-scale installations to talks, performances and more informal moments of gathering, the focus is on creating an experience that feels connected and open. Developed in collaboration with leading cultural institutions across the UAE and the region, the programme brings different forms of practice into dialogue, and invites audiences to spend time, engage, and encounter work in unexpected ways.”

A newly introduced risk-sharing model will reshape the economic framework for galleries, aligning financial structures with curatorial ambition and reflecting broader shifts in cultural production. Complemented by daily talks and public programming, the fair will function as a site of exchange, where ideas, disciplines and audiences intersect. Through this expanded and design-oriented approach, Art Dubai 2026 will position itself as a cultural environment in motion where art and design intersect through shared concerns of space, structure, and experience, and where the fair becomes a continuously evolving framework rather than a fixed event.

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Structured as a progressive spatial journey, AXIS explores the intersection of material innovation, structural expression and sensory experience. Visitors move through a series of environments that transition from sculptural table landscapes to architectural applications and immersive rooms where light, sound and reflection shift the perception of surface and space.

Inside the AXIS Installation

Throughout this week, a programme called AXISTALKS, curated by Album, is taking place at the venue. The creative platform founded by the editors of Apartamento together with architect Paul Cournet brings together eight internationally renowned designers, among others Michael Anastassiades, Sabine Marcelis, Jaime Font and Enrica Cavarzan in conversations moderated by Cournet. The talks are aimed to provide a thoughtful platform for dialogue around design, materiality and contemporary practice.

What is AXIS?

AXIS is a table collection designed in collaboration with Cosentino and Tom Dixon. This collection has been unveiled for the first time in Milan. These pieces combine bold cross–leg geometries, precise engineering and the integration of advanced ĒCLOS® surfaces.

The structural development has been carried out in collaboration with ACTIU, which has translated Tom Dixon’s sculptural vision into an aluminium base of outstanding technical precision. Its design supports multiple configurations and guarantees stability, visual continuity and an impeccable industrial finish that reinforces the architectural character of the series.

New launch: ĒCLOS, the new in-layered mineral surface

The installation also introduces ĒCLOS, Cosentino’s new in-layered mineral surface developed with INLAYR technology—a layered design technology that, through advanced robotic engineering and integrated decoration techniques, creates a 3-D body integrated design. Unlike superficial designs, ĒCLOS achieves a level of depth, realism and tactile naturality that redefines the expressive possibilities of mineral surfaces. Its pioneering composition contains zero crystalline silica and incorporates more than 50% recycled materials, reaching almost 90% in some colours, while offering outstanding thermal performance with resistance up to 220 ºC. The result is a high-performance indoor surface that combines material innovation, sustainability and a distinctly architectural aesthetic.

Dekton series – Artik Nodes

Complementing this, the installation features Dekton Artik Nodes, part of Cosentino’s ultracompact Dekton surface series —an advanced material created through a high-tech sintering process that replicates the transformation of natural stone. Inspired by the shifting geometry of Arctic ice, Artik Nodes reinterprets its stonelike base into a distinctive structural language of irregular patterns that converge in subtle nodes. The result is a singular sense of visual depth: tones and textures that seem to emerge from within, creating a layered, 3-D effect where. Presented in Milano as a premiere of its first colours, Artik Nodes offers an initial glimpse into the expressive potential of the series.

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Read more in our upcoming May issue of identity.

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A new cultural chapter will unfold in Dubai as Alserkal prepares to launch Alserkal Art Month, a month-long initiative running from 18 April to 18 May. Expanding its annual Art Week into a broader platform, the programme will bring together artists, galleries and multidisciplinary collectives in a shared effort to sustain dialogue and creative exchange across the UAE’s arts ecosystem.

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“Our search for the right architect was guided by a simple principle: we wanted a practice driven by meaning,” said Sultan Al Ghurair, CEO of Al Ghurair Development. “Neri&Hu have built their work around connecting people to place, memory, and one another – an approach that aligns closely with our vision of creating purposeful homes that deliver lasting value for residents and the wider city. Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu bring a truly global perspective, and we are proud to introduce their work to the UAE for the first time.”

Founded in 2006 by Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, Neri&Hu is an interdisciplinary design practice based in Shanghai. The firm has earned international recognition for its concept of “restorative nostalgia,” by creating contemporary spaces that evoke memory and familiarity through materiality and spatial experience, rather than direct historical imitation. Their work seeks to produce architecture and objects that serve as lasting, meaningful reference points for the communities they inhabit.

The forthcoming development represents the studio’s latest exploration of urban living. Neri&Hu will design a residential tower complemented by dedicated amenities, parking, and ground-level retail, with the full concept currently in development. In line with the practice’s ethos, the architecture will explore the interplay of contrasting materials, layered textures, and spatial complexity. Residences will be designed to strengthen the connection between indoor and outdoor living, while the overall scheme aims to establish a distinctive identity for the neighbourhood. At its core, the project will be informed by how residents live, gather, and retreat, by ensuring the architecture performs as beautifully from within as it does externally.

Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, Founding Partners of Neri&Hu, added, “We believe design must be rooted in its time, place, and culture. Dubai, as a city in constant reinvention, presents both a challenge and an extraordinary opportunity. Our process begins with a close reading of context – the quality of light, material textures, and the rhythms of daily life. These elements guide us in shaping architecture that feels inherently connected to its surroundings. Equally important is a commitment to permanence: creating work that endures not only physically but in meaning. With Al Ghurair Development, we share this vision and aim to realise something lasting.”

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