Design Middle East September 2020
September issue: https://bit.ly/3m81Wpg
The post Design Middle East September 2020 appeared first on Design Middle East.
September issue: https://bit.ly/3m81Wpg
The post Design Middle East September 2020 appeared first on Design Middle East.
aura presents its Autumn Winter20 collection. Each range has been carefully curated to service both the relaxed and formal forms of home furnishing while adding a layer of Middle Eastern hospitality. Throughout the collection, the curated designs offer a sense of wintertime serenity. Textured neutrals add depth for the cooler months ahead and are accented with gold metal finishes that are desirable for their inherent simplicity. These timeless tactile neutrals dramatically shift to a richer and deeper story of rust and rose with accents of plum, a warm and vibrant aesthetic that is seen from the living and dining space and into the bedroom.
The stripped-back colour palette of textured creams, black and grey tones is further juxtaposed by a collection of aqua, which splashes on the scene with joyous accord. Complemented by sunshine yellow and shimmering gold accents found on plush cushions, draw handles, vases and tableware, the combination welcomes the outside in, to curate a peaceful decor. A nod to the orient is also seen this AW. Modern Asian design is mixed with the likes of high-end formal upholstery and richly textured wood dining tables and storage. Boasting expertly crafted and contemporary pieces, aura tailors its designs to suit the market’s taste with this season adding richness throughout the collection’s stories by the use of different metallic elements and richly textured and patterned fabrics.
Signature pieces include the Rosie occasional tables, though small in scale, they bring maximum impact to any space with curated handmade metal roses and the petal tips dipped in a sparkling pale gold to create highlights and depth to the eye-catching design. Skala’s large sofa is also a tactile affair, smooth and warm to the touch, its rose hue is a feminine and modern addition this season.
Accessories add a sophisticated touch to any living space, be it the bedroom, living room, the lawn, etc. not only are they appealing but are quite practical and useful.
Gamma’s haute accessories are the must-haves that every home needs. The look and feel of every accessory are quite remarkable, from leather to various fabrics, every product has been crafted to perfection.
Here are some assorted accessories from the house of Gamma, recommended by Western Furniture.
The main intention of the Maison Ave Courcelette project, located in the Outremont borough, Canada, was to improve the relationship of the interior spaces with the large exterior courtyard while highlighting elements dating from the original construction.
Designed by Salem Architecture, Jad Salem Architecte, the living space has been generously opened to the outside so that the kitchen can be extended under a new canopy on the rear facade facing south. This canopy has a dual function as it reduces solar gain in summer while allowing occupants to enjoy a covered space. The new openings in the existing walls allow natural light to also diffuse into the central space of the house.
The landscaping, in separate areas, offers owners the opportunity to enjoy the backyard while having a variety of experiences and atmospheres. An exterior sunken living room, covered with a retractable awning, allows the family to enjoy a warm space and offers a different perspective on the courtyard and on the many mature trees around the perimeter of the site.
The architect, Jad Salem, along with the owner, paid particular attention to ensuring that the transformation of the residence is respectful of its original character. Thus, each intervention has been done in such a way as to highlight certain details dating from the initial construction of the house, in 1947. The new arched openings follow the same configurations as the existing ones. The railing of the central staircase has been treated in a minimalist way in order to direct attention to the curves around the staircase as well as the rounded openings in the ceiling. The original wood floor, which incorporated careful details, has been maintained in some rooms and a precise arrangement of the colours of the new floor ensures a harmonisation between the new and the existing finish.
The new cladding, on a portion of the rear facade, is soberly juxtaposed to the original stone of the house, using fine wooden elements laid vertically. These same elements are used to serve as an openwork sidewall to offer privacy from neighbours while allowing light and vegetation to filter through.
The stones of the facade, which were replaced by the new sliding glass doors, were also kept so that they could be installed in a possible extension of the house.
Photo credit: Phil Bernard
In conversation with Joe Tabet, founder of JT+Partners, on lessons learned, chasing dreams, and how to level up yourself with challenges
By Tamara Pupic
Joe Tabet fidgets in his armchair as he recalls a vivid moment in his past when he was sealing envelopes –75 of them, to be precise– in front of an Emirates Post branch in Dubai. The year is 2002, and the 20-something Tabet was sending his professional bio to 75 addresses of architecture and design firms across the UAE. Having just arrived from Lebanon, he remembers having only US$500 to his name. “A local man who worked there told me, ‘Son, I see that you are searching for a job, and that you are eager to find a job, and you will, for sure, get a job with what you have in your hands,’” Tabet says. “Then, I started receiving phone calls, but I said that I didn’t leave my family and my country to get just any experience, but that I needed to get the right experience. I chose an international company with the lowest salary I had ever had, because I was able to see what I needed to start with, in order to fly later on.” And Tabet’s career has certainly taken wing since then- today, Tabet is the founder of JT+Partners, a multi-disciplinary consultancy in architecture, master planning and integrated design practices with three offices –Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Beirut– and projects around the world, from Morocco to Seychelles, from India and Sri Lanka to Portugal, from Greece to the whole of Middle East and many African countries. Tabet looks to be in good spirits when mentioning his 70-person team, who he credits as have the driving force in increasing JT & Partners’s revenue more than six times since launching the company in 2015.
“All this has been created in just five years,” Tabet says, his humility allowing him to showcase only a tiny bit of the pride that he must actually feel. As I sit with Tabet in a conference room at JT+Partners’ office in Dubai, I can only imagine the range of thoughts and emotions that might be coursing through him as he takes me through his career trajectory. His story starts with him spending 12 years at Atkins, a UK-headquartered architectural design, engineering and project management consultancy- that’s the amount of time it took for that young man with 75 envelopes climb to the position of regional director for the Middle East at that company.
“It was a boom in Dubai [in 2002], and we were very lucky at that time because, as architects, we got to experience building a city from scratch,” Tabet remembers. “It was a blank urban fabric, an open desert, and we, architects, came with our creativity (and our ego, which you need to be careful with in case it starts affecting you and others), and got an opportunity to work on many big projects. Then the 2008, financial crisis happened, and that was another type of experience. We lived through a boom, and now we had to live through a recession. The crisis pushed us to go internationally, so we looked at Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, which gave us an understanding of how different cultures look at architecture and design. I am thankful for experiencing these different things, going up, then down, and then up again, which means that I have learnt some valuable lessons. I believe that the recession, merged together with my personality and creativity, allowed me to reach a new level.”
Tabet also radiates an air of honesty in that he is not afraid to share insights other people selfishly keep quiet about. “One of the things that pushed me up quickly at Atkins was getting rid of my position, which simply means delegating your responsibilities to the people below you,” he says. “They will go up, and you will go up. However, in corporations, you will find the opposite. Ask senior people to give their responsibilities to the people below them, and they won’t, because they feel insecure.”
It is this self-conviction and accurate perception that made him sense when a time to move on from Atkins had come. Being 41 at the time, he says, allowed him to make a deal with himselfhe could try building a business for, say, four years, and if it did not work out, he would be 45, and thus still able to go back to the career he had already had. Talking about the day he decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship, Tabet says, “I woke up in the morning and felt that something was wrong. On the way to the office, I called my mum, and she told me on her own, ‘My son, anything that bothers you in life, just shut it out.” That was in November 2014. I went to the office, I was working, and at about noon, I left everything, walked out of my office straight to the CEO’s office, and told him, ‘I believe that today I’m going to resign.’ We had 10 seconds of silence. He asked me about other job offers, but I had none.” Interestingly, Tabet does not shy away from advising his team to follow in his footsteps when it comes to following their personal goals and aspirations. “I always tell them that if you wake up in the morning and you’re not happy with where you’re going, just resign,” he says.
Emerging from the very first phase of starting up a business unscathed is hardly possible for anyone, and Tabet is no exception. “We started working from the lobbies of a couple of hotels, then we got our office, and throughout all that time, I was a tea boy, a PRO, an architect, a lawyer, an accountant, and so on,” he says. “That lasted for six months. I gained a lot of weight and I looked like I hadn’t slept for ages. I was looking at the unforeseen, but there was something from the background driving all this passion and emotions. I was at the age when you can take the risk blindly.”
However, it was a few crucial decisions he made that would determine his strategy and consequent business success. “When it comes to hiring, I took a decision that I wanted people who had never been in the GCC before- I brought in new blood,” Tabet says. “Then, one of the main challenges was that clients used to tell me, ‘We know you as Joe Tabet at your previous employer, but not as Joe Tabet at JT+Partners.’ So, from day one, I decided that my portfolio would not include my previous work, so, we even did some free projects, because we had to build our portfolio step by step.” But the most important decision Tabet made was for JT+Partners to focus on international projects from the start. “I believe that’s what makes us strong until this day,” he says. “From day one, we took the UAE as a base, because having the UAE experience has made us and our clients confident, but we have served the world from here. So, our focus has been on the outside, and whatever came from within the country has been a plus.” Today, his company’s roster of clientele includes Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, NCT&H, Al Ghurair, Al Marjan Island LLC, Al Hamra Real Estate, Anwa Group, Giga Group, Shalimar Group, Jumeirah Group, Marriott Group, Hilton Group, EMAAR, Aldar, Pennyroyal, and several others. Many of his clients, Tabet says, cannot believe how much JT+Partners has achieved in just a few years. “It’s all about the team, and it’s not about the number of people that you have, but their mentality, because we eliminated negative energy,” he explains.
“I used to be in a corporate business, and I used to spend 60% of my time managing politics, so here, over the last four and a half years, I’ve let go of people who didn’t fit into this. We are creative people, and we get damaged by negative energy. The environment is very important. That’s why our staff turnover is very low.” The last five years have been challenging but constructive, and now, he says, it’s all about navigating the growth phase of his business carefully. “We have created a company that has gone international, and now competes with international names, and now, the whole challenge is to keep it up,” he says. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world on all aspects – political, social, economic, religious and financial. This troubled and trying time is a huge challenge for any business to overcome. “In order to overcome this challenging period of COVID-19, we need to bring our team on board as part of the decision making across all levels and open communication, clarifying each step. Together, we are stronger. Next, we need to get closer to our existing clients and help them so they can help us in the near future and beyond. Then, we need to have a proper vision and mission for the next two to three years and plan everything around it from business strategy to financial situation.
Lastly, we need to keep chasing work in different geographies. Survival maybe for the fittest, however, I learned through the years that those who are flexible and adaptable to the situation and “think outside of the box” are those who thrive, flourish and succeed,” explains Tabet. Giving back to the community, Tabet tells me firmly, is a must. A moment later, he adds, “It’s not allowed to any successful entrepreneur not to give back to the community in one way or another. You’ve been given, then you have to give back. Then, you get more, and then you need to give even more.” Nothing more to add, nor to ask- I couldn’t have asked Tabet for a better conclusion to our interview than this.
Design firm SAY Studio recently celebrated its second anniversary and the launch of the new offices at The Onyx Tower, Dubai
The interiors of SAY Studio’s new offices is based on their design ethos and practices. The ultimate ambition was to design a space that provided with complete flexibility, whilst offering a dynamic and functional environment for the team that feels less like an office and more like a vibrant café where all of the team members could come together in a combined passion for what they do. Subtle touches in the office draw inspiration from the brand, through colour selections or the prominent black and white floor at the entrance. The concept of a traditional reception area is not used and instead, the designers opted to welcome their guests into a vibrant Café space. This space would also serve as an area for staff to unwind and becomes an extension of their client meeting room on the occasions in case of larger gatherings.
Laila Al-Yousuf, design director and partner added: “As we celebrate our anniversary in the new office, we’re extremely thankful for everything we’ve achieved. At the same time, our vision is focussed on the future – on how we can achieve more for our clients, our community and our industry. There has been a lot of talks about how work and social environments will need to change over the coming months, but the essence of what we do remains the same. Interior spaces have the power to bring people together and influence how they feel, and that’s a responsibility we take seriously. We’re looking forward to the next phase of the business while maintaining the values that brought us together when we launched.” Within the open areas, the office design complements the simplistic approach with a neutral material palette and biophilic elements. It is an environment that serves to support creativity and collaboration.
The integration of technology is something which was given a lot of attention With a 65” touchscreen that rotates from landscape to portrait at the touch of a button, this supports the complete creative interaction. There is a fully functional library, an acoustic seating group for those moments away from the desk, and 16 workstations with thoughtfully designed cable management.
Matthew Sexton, managing director and partner of SAY Studio, said: “Over the last two years we’ve worked with some fantastic clients on incredible projects, and built a team that embraces every challenge to deliver exceptional designs. From a market perspective, demands are changing all the time and we’ve demonstrated our ability to respond. So much of what we do is built on relationships and our stakeholders rely on us for tailored support underpinned by in-depth expertise. The use of technology is an area where we specialise, using the latest innovations to simplify the design process, and striking a balance between technology and creativity.”
August issue: https://bit.ly/3amMDnv
The post Design Middle East August 2020 appeared first on Design Middle East.
This calls for a big round of applause! To connect the world and bring communities together during the global health crisis, a unique social design project called Distant Neighbours has been launched on Instagram, backed by Dubai Design District (d3) in collaboration with its business partner, Serviceplan Middle East.
It reflects urban society in an age of social distancing and aims to address the loneliness and isolation experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic by inviting everyone to provide a snapshot of their homes which becomes part of an ever-evolving virtual residential tower.
Distant Neighbours uses the Instagram grid to create the impression of a skyscraper façade, with each window offering a glimpse into the individuality of every abode. Silhouetted illustrations are drawn by Argentina-based, Dubai-educated artist Michelle Peric, who uses them as cover pictures, bringing to life the concept of living under the same roof.
Instagram followers of @Distant.Neighbours are invited to share pictures showing distinctive features of their home and provide insight about themselves and their community. Each submission receives a personalised illustrated cover created in real-time. Once featured, the person is tagged with their own apartment number and they become part of this virtual residence. There has been great camaraderie between the neighbours since the project went live.
Khadija Al Bastaki, executive director of d3, said: “We continue to witness exceptional circumstances every day and taking a step back to reflect, appreciate one another and share experiences is important as we gradually return to a new normal. Distant Neighbours is an exciting, Dubai-based creative platform that brings people together to connect, collaborate and co-create at a time when socially responsible design has never been so important. With social distancing measures still in place around the world, our community will embrace the opportunity to express itself and join this ever-evolving virtual residential tower to showcase local talent.
Distant Neighbours is a special project for illustrator Michelle Peric, since quarantine has affected every person in the world, and being able to capture intimate, personal moments and moods is something she aspires to capture. These stories will be relevant throughout our times, as the experiences illustrated resonates within each of us that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has shaped our way of living under quarantine.
Through this project, Serviceplan Middle East and d3 hope to empathise, reconnect, and reflect with a sense of wonder and sympathy during such a strange time for humanity.
Check out this cool video:
In the time of pandemic, it’s important to divert your mind and get creative. If you’re an art enthusiast, do not miss out on these art galleries in the UAE
ELMARSA GALLERY
Elmarsa was founded in 1994, in Tunis and expanded to Dubai in 2015. Specialised in both modern and contemporary North African art, it represents recognised 20th-century artists as well as mid-career artists. Elmarsa participates in several international art fairs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Paris, London, Marrakech, Miami, and New York.
LATEST EXHIBITIONS
Elmarsa Gallery Dubai is pleased to present Nuances of black and white, an exhibition presenting a group of artists using black and white and the nuanced shades in between. On view at the gallery in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, a selection of artworks by Abdelkader Guermaz, Abdulaziz Ashour, Ali Tnani, Aly Ben Salem, Atef Maatallah, Charles Hussein Zenderoudi, Gouider Triki, Halim Karabibene, Khaled Ben Slimane, Mahjoub Ben Bella, Mouna Karray, Nabil Saouabi, Nja Mahdaoui, Omar Bey, Rachid Koraichi and Raeda Ashour. Nuances of black and white juxtapose works that range from realism to abstraction to modern art, comprising a range of media including painting, drawing, engraving, ceramic, mosaic and photography, shining a light on the unique aesthetics of each artist. Though many of these artists are known for their bold utilisation of colour, their focus on the line, texture, and shadow shapes a more nuanced understanding of their work. In highlighting each artist’s individualized style, this exhibition encourages a conversation across Contemporary and Modern, formal and spiritual movements. Exhibiting artists include Abdelkader Guermaz, Abdulaziz Ashour, Ali Tnani, Aly Ben Salem, Atef Maatallah, Charles Hussein Zenderoudi, Gouider Triki, Halim Karabibene, Khaled Ben Slimane, Mahjoub Ben Bella, Mouna Karray, Nabil Saouabi, Nja Mahdaoui, Omar Bey, Rachid Koraichi, and Raeda Ash.
JAMEEL ARTS CENTRE
Jameel Arts Centre presents curated solo and group exhibitions, drawn both from the Art Jameel Collection and through regional and international collaborations. The centre is a 10,000sqm, three-storey, multidisciplinary space designed by UK-based practice Serie Architects. It also includes dedicated projects and events spaces; a rooftop terrace designed for installations, film screenings and events; and a restaurant and shop, and espresso bar. Located by the creek in Jaddaf Waterfront, one of Dubai Holding’s mixeduse destinations, the Centre’s galleries are complemented by the Jameel Library, an open-access research centre dedicated to JAMEEL ARTS CENTRE CONTACT DETAILS +971 4 873 9800 [email protected] artists and cultural movements in the Gulf states and beyond. The Centre serves as a hub for educational and research initiatives for diverse audiences. Its wider programming embraces partnerships with local, regional and international artists, curators and organisations.
LATEST EXHIBITIONS
• Artist’s Rooms: June 10, 2020 – January 3, 2021, series marks its return with three new solo exhibitions by influential artists, including the Middle East premiere of a twochannel film installation by Larissa Sansour that debuted at the Venice Biennale; a set of 60 etchings by Taysir Batniji; and an audiovisual installation by multi-award-winning Lawrence Abu Hamdan.
• Michael Rakowitz: March 11 – November 22, 2020. Renowned Iraqi-American artist Michael Rakowitz’s first major solo exhibition in Asia and the Middle East.
• Metropolis by Lubna Chowdhary: Until October 1, 2020, a 1000-object installation from the Art Jameel Collection, is on display in the Jameel’s Lobby.
• Jaddaf Aloud Online: continues to engage audiences at home with a programme of interactive, artist-led workshops for all ages; music performances; a directory featuring local artisans; and a ‘guided tour’ of diverse Dubai-based eateries that can fulfil home deliveries.
LEILA HELLER GALLERY
Leila Heller Gallery was established over three decades ago in New York by Leila Taghiania-Milani Heller, as one of the first galleries highlighting Middle Eastern artists. In November 2015, Leila Heller Gallery opened its first international location in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue. At 14,000sqft, the state-of-the-art gallery features three exhibition spaces, making it the largest gallery in the UAE. Forte Leila Heller Gallery has gained worldwide recognition as a pioneer in promoting creative dialogue and exchange between Western artists and Middle Eastern, Central and Southeast Asian artists. It has garnered a reputation for identifying and cultivating the careers of artists leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art and culture. The gallery showcases leading regional and international artists, many of whom will be presenting their work in the Middle East for the first time, and is dedicated to supporting the evolving practise of established artists. Currently representing a diverse roster of Western and Middle Eastern artists, the gallery is also active in the American, European and Middle Eastern secondary art markets.
LATEST EXHIBITIONS
Currently, the gallery is hosting three solo exhibitions. In “Habitat,” Melis Buyruk’s debut solo show in the UAE, large-scale porcelain masterworks create a ceramic topography of intricate flora and fauna encased in lit-up wooden boxes. The traditionally feminized and overlooked art form associated with domestic life is reinterpreted and points to bio-futurist tensions. Italian Sculptor Francesca Pasquali creates wall reliefs and site-specific installations using manufactured plastic materials such as straws and neoprene in “Material Anatomy,” prompting a dialogue with the LEILA HELLER GALLERY region’s unique and nuanced relationship to petrochemicals. Tightly bound or folded together, the often monochrome structures follow rhythmic configurations, and recalls coral and microscopic anatomies. Reza Derakshani’s “Emanations”, is a semiretrospective of his work, and recalls forgotten tales and symbols of Iran’s cultural heritage through a rich iconography drawing from medieval Persian poetry, literature, miniature painting, and sacred architectural sites laden with meaning. Celebrating both ornamentation and colour fields, the work finds space for figural representation in abstract aesthetics.
THE THIRD LINE
Founded in 2005, by the gallery’s current directors—Sunny Rahbar and Claudia Cellini—and businessman and UAE’s diplomat Omar Ghobash, The Third Line promotes contemporary Middle Eastern art and artist sat the local, regional, and international level. With a unique artist roster mainly comprised of Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian artists, The Third Line has fast become a distinct platform for established and emerging talent of the region and its diaspora. Alongside its usual business, the gallery hosts programmes showcasing alternative art to foster interest, discourse, and artistic development around contemporary art, film, music, and literature in the region. Pushing boundaries, the gallery is first in Dubai to show video installations. TheThird Line’s library publishes yearly books and monographs by and about the artists its rosters. The Third Line represents over 25 artists working in a broad range of disciplines from across the Middle East. Included on the gallery’s roster of established and emerging artists are prominent Emiratis such as Farah Al Qasimi, as well as internationally acclaimed- Iranian artistS such as Monir Shahroudy Farman farmaian and Farhad Moshiri, the Egyptian photographer Youssef Nabil, and Lebanese photographer and filmmaker Fouad Elkoury. Also represented by the gallery are established artists connected to the region such as the London-based Bangladeshi sculptor Rana Begum, Iranian-American artist Pouran Jinchi, and the Eurasian art collective Slavs and Tatars.
LATEST EXHIBITIONS
In 2020, The Third Line will be participating in Art Dubai with a solo presentation by the acclaimed photographer, Hassan Hajjaj. Meanwhile, the gallery will also be opening two shows: a group exhibition titled ‘There Is Fiction In The Space Between’ with a selection of works by a few of the gallery’s represented artists as well as a solo show by Emirati photographer, Lamya Gargash, featuring her new series of work ‘Sahwa’ which was recently shown as part of the group exhibition at Abu Dhabi Art’s ‘Gateway: Fragments, Yesterday and Today’.
Dominic Frank, founder of Captain Planet DXB, shares his experience of urban gardening and what inspired his passion for growing flowers and edibles in pots
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF URBAN GARDENING?
Urban gardening is the process of growing plants – both floral and vegetative in an urban environment. Given the current condition and the dire climate change situation already at hand, now is the time to reduce our own carbon footprint.
IT’S INTERESTING TO KNOW THAT YOU MAKE ALL THE HERBICIDES AND FERTILIZERS ON YOUR OWN FROM THE ORGANIC WASTE. COULD YOU SHARE SOME WAYS OF DOING IT?
MY TOP TIPS FOR HERBICIDES ARE:
• Orange peel brew (Where you boil the orange peels and cool the water for 24hrs. Fill a spray can with that and go crazy on your plants that are insect-infested. The citrus immediately attacks the unwelcome guests)
• Neem leaves – Blitz the leaves in your mixer, soak the mixture in room temperature water for three days in a plastic container lightly covered – and put it in the spray bottle! You can add a few squirts of dishwashing liquid so that the solution holds onto the leaves longer.
MY TOP TIPS FOR FERTILIZERS ARE:
• Eggshells- These fertilize your garden, keep away unwanted insects, create the best plant food for tomato plants especially and are a great source of calcium and other minerals. Crush by hand or a mixer blitz and you can dust them atop the soil. Viola! You’re set!
• The humble Banana peel – Chop the peels, soak in water for three days, use the water for spraying on the leaves and use the soggy peels under the top layer of soil for a further potassium boost.
WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR GARDEN?
I’ve been gardening for over six decades and yet each day, I learn a new lesson from nature Our gardens at Dubai’s Desert Springs Village have had everything from a friend’s pregnancy photoshoot to Modeling photoshoots for friend’s who have local businesses. We recently had a special bloom of the Sasa Yuri Japanese Lillies which in japan itself is a rare sighting. My kids live right next door so we have two huge plots to play around in. Our current harvest includes, eggplants, capsicums, and sweet potatoes, A variety of chillies from India, purple Tanzania chillies and yellow Sri Lankan chillies also grow here. Lettuce, radish, beetroots, bitter gourds, okra, beans, and a variety of spinach as well. We recently harvested mustard seeds and drumsticks last week. We also every five weeks consistently harvest bottle gourds that weigh around 3.5-4 kgs. We’ve not bought store tomatoes for over 2.5 years and our garden’s crowning glory is watermelons. We’ve just two weeks ago cut a 4.7kgs watermelon.
DO YOU WANT TO TURN THIS PASSION INTO A BUSINESS?
No, some things are for the soul. I am happy to help and assist with the many questions that people write to me with from all over the world. I also go over to friend’s gardens in the UAE when they reach out for help with setting up, planning and maintaining but I don’t charge.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
Our goal is to start a garden club in Dubai where like-minded gardening enthusiasts can meet and socialise, share tips and seeds, and saplings as it develops. Due to the current social distancing rule, we virtually meet people in their gardens under the hashtag already set up and being contributed to #GardenClubWithCaptainPlanet and once we have the current situation behind us- we will plan to have a garden tea party soon where we will have plant swaps, seeds giveaways and most of all a chance to catch up with gardening aficionados.
You can reach out to Dominic on Instagram and Facebook @Captain_PlanetDXB