Art of Living management team during the opening ceremony in Dubai.

Sajjad Ahmad, Deputy Business Editor

GCC's interior design market is expected to reach $5.2 billion by 2025, according to recent forecast. The region's increasing population, rising urbanization, thriving construction and real estate sectors and rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly designs are driving innovation in this field.

“We have noticed a significant increase in demand on luxury furniture in the region, with Dubai gradually becoming the home of luxury real estate and the UAE being the largest market for interior design in the GCC region, followed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar”, said Dr Al Omari at the opening ceremony of new mall 'Art of Living'.

The first-ever shopping mall specialising in innovative interior design solutions and high-end home furniture in the United Arab Emirates and the MENA region has opened its doors on Thursday. Keeping up with the growing demand on luxurious furnished properties, Art of Living is introducing a unique and exclusive concept in the interior design and furniture industry with a promise to dazzle shoppers.

The new shopping mall is nestled in the heart of Dubai, in Barsha 2 – Umm Suqeim Road, spanning a total area of 50,000sqm spread across three levels and featuring a prestigious line-up of local, regional and international brands that include new comers to the regional market. In terms of products, Art of Living boasts a stunning selection of high-quality home décor and furniture pieces, in addition to kids’ furniture, outdoor furniture and a wide range of décor accessories, inspired by both, classical and modern trends.

Shoppers will get the chance to explore exceptional pieces that join innovative design and intricate details to durable materials and creative execution. Striving to provide customers with a truly distinguished shopping experience that caters to their different tastes and meets their specific needs, the new mall is offering unprecedented services, including access to a Shopping Consultant who will accompany customers on a guided tour across the mall, answering all their questions and giving them valuable insights about items of interest.

Art of Living has also assembled a dedicated team of top-notch interior design professionals who will assist shoppers in envisioning their dream home in the tiniest details, reflecting their personal style and transforming their ideas into an inspiring reality. In addition to the innovative luxury products and exclusive bespoke services, Art of Living promises to elevate customers’ shopping experience by enabling them to indulge in the finest Cafés and Restaurants, while having access to exclusive facilities such as free parking, a Cigar Lounge and a Kids’ play area, among other complementary offerings that will turn every visit into an enjoyable journey. Dr Samer Al Omari, Art of Living’s CEO and Partner, commented the mall’s opening, said: “We pride on championing this innovative and unique décor and furniture concept in the Middle East and North Africa, and look forward to offering a truly remarkable experience to shoppers, on all levels”.

He added: “Our mall is built around the one-stop shop concept, and our mission is to offer individuals and interior designers everything they need under one roof, whether they’re seeking the latest luxury home décor trends or conceptualizing and executing a dream home for a client. We are poised to be the go-to destination for innovative designs and high-quality furniture and décor solutions, and we will spare no effort into achieving our full potential.”

Al Omari continued: “Shoppers’ experience at Art of Living is, first and foremost, luxuriant. They will experience quality and innovation with all their senses, whether through our products’ selection or through our outstanding services and first-class facilities. Our sole commitment is to elevate our shoppers’ experience with every visit to our one-of-a-kind mall”.

Taking a closer look at the interior design industry in the region, the outlook reveals a bullish forecast for the “Art of Living aims to build solid strategic partnerships with key developers in the region. Our unique offering enables us to position our mall as the ultimate destination for luxury home décor, design and furniture in the MENA region, which will allow us to acquire a market share of at least 30% of the furnished properties market”, concluded Al Omari.

During the soft opening, several key retailers will open their doors at the Art of Living shopping mall, including Dimora, Storia, Kids Avenue, ID Vision, Secret Garden, Elve Luxury, Kaas, Garda Décor, Aroma 24/7, Yellow Korner and Caffeine Coffee Roaster, noting that another twenty stores are expected to open in the next few months.