Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette In our house of dreams there are somethings that we don't want to change with time such as beauty, elegance, comfort, privacy, among others. Families these days, while decorating their homes, are also opting for something bold, edgy, fresh, and eco-friendly at the same time. The concept of greener schools, buildings, and greener cities has even revolutionized the world of home décor. The recent Deco Fair held in Jeddah, which ended last weekend, revealed the latest trends in interior design, home décor and accessories that are not only appealing but also eco-friendly. Did you know that windows contribute to around 30 percent of a home's heat gain and loss through direct conduction via glass and through air leakage of your windows? When purchasing windows, look for energy efficient glass that keeps the space warmer in winter and cooler in summer so that you consume less electricity to heat or cool your home or office. Although these windows are 10 percent more expensive than regular windows, they are worth the money because they can reduce your loss of energy by up to 50 percent and not to mention the electricity bills. Windows with double panes can keep out heat all throughout the year which will result in a cut in air-conditioning costs. Insulate windows by making sure that all gaps and cracks are sealed around the window panes to prevent exchange of heat and cold. A new era in the materials used for countertops and other surface areas is storming the Kingdom and impressing home and business owners alike. BioGlass is the latest revolution in manufacturing materials used for spaces ranging from your kitchen counter top to bathroom sink, wall fixtures to office desk, tables in a cafe you are planning to open. It is attractive, reflects light in the room, colorful, durable, convenient (because it is so easy to clean), and the best part is that it is made from 100 percent recycled glass. Using recycled products lessens the amount of waste dumped in landfills and using just one slab of BioGlass to make an average kitchen countertop saves one cubic yard of landfill and reduces 35 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. There are different colors to choose from such as white, green, blue, brown, and more. Another advantage is that years from now if you get tired of your kitchen and you decide to remodel it, the BioGlass countertops are 100 percent recyclable! A lovely variation in home décor technology can impart a relaxed, tranquil, and natural environment in your favorite room. You can select natural materials such as thinly sliced bamboo, dried leaves and flowers, or hand-dyed silk fibers which are then encapsulated in pressed glass tiles in order to bring an earthy and a uniquely created atmosphere to your home. You can choose a field of flowers or jungle leaves to decorate your home. Other changing trends that have been gaining popularity in Saudi homes are the use of wallpaper instead of wall paint and the use of wooden parquet flooring rather than rugs and carpets. “A recent design trend that I have implemented in a number of homes and has elicited much positive feedback from my clients is painting a contrasting wall. “Painting one wall a darker shade of the same color as the adjacent walls may make the room appear longer. Also, painting one wall slightly darker than the rest gives the room more depth, interest, and personality,” said Nusaibah Daher, an interior decorator. “The fourth annual Deco Fair Exhibition this year in Jeddah was an exceptional success. “It drew an unprecedented number of investors, interior designers, furniture manufacturers, businessmen and women, and regular admirers from the general public, with over 15,000 registered visitors on only the third day of the exhibition,” said Talaat M. Abdulrahman, Décor Fair Project Manager. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest furniture markets in the Middle East, with sales valued at more than SR5.5 annually and they are expected to rise upto SR9 billion by the end of 2015. Deco Fair is also a yearly platform that helps discover and support young, creative interior designers. “The younger generation has great potential; the youth are ambitious and are eager to work and achieve. “They race against time and try to succeed on all fronts. “This exhibition gives the youth the opportunity to unleash their potential, gain experience and expertise, boost their self-confidence, promote and market their products and services, and also set up their own projects,” said Haya Al-Sunaidi, CEO of Reed Sunaidi Exhibitions and the organizer of the event.
