dossier - english - november 2010

October 2010 OER DOSSIER 1

Concept and content by Akshay Bhatnagar A. Harikumar Susmita De Mohammed Fahmi Rajab Ghalib Abdullah

Senior Manager - Dossier Business Unit Shivkumar Gaitonde

Senior Media Executive Girija Shankar Mohanty

Senior Art Director Sandesh S. Rangnekar

Art Director Minaal G. Pednekar

Design Shameer Moideen Khoula Rashid Al Wahaibi

Translator Mustafa Kamal

Production Manager Govindraj Ramesh

Photography Rajesh Burman Sathyadas C. Narayanan Motasim Abdullah Othman Al Balushi

CorPorATeChief executive Sandeep Sehgal

executive Vice President Alpana Roy

Vice President Ravi Raman

Senior Business Support executive Radha Kumar Zuwaina Said Al-Rashdi

Published by United Press & Publishing LLC PO Box 3305, Ruwi, Postal Code - 112 Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Tel (968) 24700896 Fax (968) 24707939 Email: [email protected]

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An Presentation

Copyright © 2010 United Press & Publishing LLC Printed by Ruwi Modern Printing Press

PoWer oF BUSINeSS INTeLLIGeNCe

Quality mattersA

fter the property boom and subsequent rationalizing of the market, it is time for quality check in OmanÕ s real estate market. Whilst real estate agents differ in their opinion on the signs of recovery, everyone agrees that quality properties continue to fetch good returns. While the overall trend in the market is that of stability with

rents remaining stable, quality properties in convenient locations are fetching increased rents. At the same time low quality buildings do not have many takers even at lower rents. People consider many aspects like parking space and nearness to important offices while buying or taking residential properties on rent. While unwieldy projects find themselves mired those who revised the projects taking into account current realities are moving ahead.

Property transactions in Oman have gone up during the first half of the year according to official records which means the market is buoyant. Construction works at many of the Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) are on schedule and delivery of properties will not be delayed. Compare this with the situation in neighbouring countries where properties at even some of the high profile buildings have few takers. While the supply of commercial space continues to exceed demand, supply of industrial space like quality warehouses falls short of demand.

A close look at Omani real estate market shows that time is ripe for investors who aim to make long term profits to enter real estate market. The prices are reasonable and future prospects are bright for good quality properties. In the meantime, the interior designing sector in Oman has come of age and there is a professional approach to the sector. Almost all of the major residential and commercial projects have professional interior designers to undertake the designing aspects.

People give more importance while choosing paints. Software which help people to visualize how their homes would look when painted have been introduced in the market.

Interior design has come in a big way to plan kitchens, both domestic and commercial. Professional design consultants help clients in planning the kitchen space to meet their budget and taste. Kitchens which were earlier treated as isolated spaces with negative visual impacts are now well-designed visual delights without compromising on functionality, which altogether is a reflection of changing lifestyle needs.

We have tried to include all these developments in this issue. We hope you would find it informative.

Enjoy reading

A Harikumar Assistant Business Editor

2 OER DOSSIER October 2010

content

Raising the bar Quality in demandPrime properties have many takers in global property market

Italian interior designTuscan style of interior decoration relies on simplicity

Omran is completing projects in record time sticking to international standards

Optimism returnsOmanÕ s property market is showing signs of growth

Life positive Feng Shui can fill your homes with positive energy

30

Living in style Interior designing is coming of age in Oman 54

Colourful homeSensible application of colours can give your home dream looks 34

Kitchen aesthetics Well designed modern kitchens combine looks and functionality 6004

10 14 52

Oman is ever progressing in all aspects.Why stay behind?Experience this progress from your own living room.

Beyond your expectations

At Hamptons International, we redefine developmentand provide a whole new standard of living.Real estate hasn't looked this good.

Hamptons Developments. 24699773


OvERvIEW

Mixed signs, positive outlookReal estate sectoR in oman has witnessed a coRRection and offeRs choice to investoRs. it is not booming but the maRket seems to be the Right choice foR the contRaRian investoR

the real estate sector in oman is showing mixed signs currently. some segments are showing

strong performance and real estate activity increasing remarkably during the first half of the year.

However certain types of properties in the residential segments showed a dull performance with rents decreasing. there seems to be a bit of oversupply in office spaces. But real estate agents say new and good buildings at convenient locations have many takers.

integrated tourism complexes (itC) like the Wave Muscat, and Muscat Hills golf and Country Club and itCs of Muriya tourism development have progressed almost as planned. Many new projects are coming up in the housing sector including those in high end and affordable housing segments.

the omani real estate market is quite distinct and the products on offer are also quite characteristic of the country. the property market in oman has witnessed significant adjustments. the market is well

established and is affordable now. leading real estate agents with whom dossier interacted said clients are showing keen interest in some of the properties. the confidence seems to be back among customers to invest in the property market.

the future outlook for the real estate sector in general is positive. the sound policies being implemented by the government has ensured that the real estate sector in oman fared better compared to other gCC countries. Rentals also came down but people are


still paying reasonable rents and there is healthy return for investors.

tenants now have more properties to select from at affordable levels and perhaps there is more flexibility with regards to the payments. Another positive thing in oman is the rental market is being regulated by authorities which help to avoid many unnecessary disputes. While in many gCC countries such regulations were

implemented only recently, in oman it has been in place for many years now.

Land registry report on reaL estatethe real estate activity has increased remarkably during the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year according to a land registry report. the total real estate transactions at the secretariat and sections of the land Registry in the governorates and regions were more than Ro 992 million compared to the total property transactions during the same period in 2009, which

amounted to more than Ro 617 million. this means an increase of 60.8 per cent.

the total fees collected during the same period this year was more than Ro 19 million compared to the total fees collected during the same period last year, which amounted to more than Ro 13 million, an increase of 43.2 per cent. the number of real estate deals at the level of

governorates and regions of the sultanate during the first six months of the year 2010 were 132,641, of which 29,493 in the governorate of Muscat, 6,193 in dhofar, 39,820 in Al Batinah, 22,753 in Al sharqiya, 15,554 in Al dakhiliya, 12,859 in Al dahira, 3,610 in the governorate of Al Buraimi, 1,638 in Musandam and 721 in Al Wusta Region.

there were about 83,668 property ownership deals issued during the first half of this year compared to the number issued during the same period of last year 2009, which

amounted to 75,584 ownership deals with a rise of 10.7 per cent. gCC citizens were given, according to real estate ownership controls in the sultanate during these months, about 2,299 while the total number during the same period in 2009 was 1,634, an increase of 40.7 per cent.

the number of new property deals recorded from January to June this year amounted to 38,111 plots of

land, compared to the same period last year, which amounted to 39,571 plots of land. the sales contracts that were handled during the first six months amounted to 25,436 with a value of Ro 292 million.

the total fees collected were more than Ro 8 million, compared to the same period last year in sales contracts. swap contracts during the same period were 583 worth more than Ro 2 million.

the fees collected were more than Ro 23,000, compared to the same


period in 2009, which amounted to 490 contracts worth more than Ro2 million. the dealings of mortgage contracts that took place in the land Registry during the first six months stood at 5,784 with a total value exceeding Ro 698 million. the total fees collected were more than Ro 3 million compared to the number of mortgage contracts of the past year which amounted to 5827 contracts. the total monetary value of the mortgage was R0 392 million.

property market Currently the rental market is stable. several real estate agents noted that property prices have come down from the unrealistically high levels in 2008 but continues to be reasonable. there is still good demand in capital area. some of the real estate agents expect the prices to increase slightly in residential sector in the coming days. people now consider location, facilities and age of buildings while purchasing apartments or taking them on rent. older buildings and big villas seem to be suffering but new villas and compounds are getting good response.

A section of real estate agents are of the view that there is a bit of oversupply in the commercial sector,

especially office space. As a result, rates have come down. things like accessibility and parking space matter while determining the price.

the regulations implemented by the government during the peak of rental market have actually helped to bring a reasonable stability to property market. the rents have not fallen dramatically. they still offer healthy returns to landlords and as such it is still attractive to buy properties as an investment. it offers suitable returns and in the medium to long term a healthy capital appreciation.

integrated tourism projectsintegrated tourism projects like the Wave Muscat, Muscat Hills golf Course and Country Club

have handed over a large number of apartments to buyers. A large number of families have moved in at the Wave Muscat. Another round of property sales release is expected at the project by the end of this year. the Muscat Hills project handed over the first apartment to the buyer in April this year and the project has progressed as planned. All the villas built as a part of phase one at the project have been sold.

Muriya tourism is planning to hand over properties at their itC projects next year. Apart from Jebel sifah, Muriya is investing in three major projects in oman namely ‘salalah Beach’ itC project, City Walk in Muscat and an exclusive eco-lodge on As sodah island.

A lot of new affordable housing projects are in planning in the Capital area, Al khodh, seeb and Al Mawelah. Most of the affordable ones will be between 80,000 and 90,000 rials

OvERvIEW


According to tamer shendidy, vice president development and Marketing of Muriya tourism development, the salalah Beach and sodah island projects of Muriya are also progressing. Jebel sifah will have five star hotels a marina and residential apartments, villas and townhouses. each of the itC projects has its own unique features which attract buyers.

Resident visas are being granted to buyers of properties in itCs. the government’s visa policy has a positive impact on the oman Real estate market. it is making oman a more attractive location for expatriates. expatriate homeowners in itC can now obtain a residence visa. Many expatriates homeowners, who have been living in the country for decades, are now able to retire in the country because of available residence visa.

According to real estate agents, many of the itCs are reassessing their model. earlier sizes of apartments, space between buildings etc were large and mostly five star hotels were being planned. But the current trend is to make apartments slightly smaller, but more affordable. Also four star hotels are being planned and efforts are on to make even villas in itCs more affordable.

end users as well as investors are purchasing units in itCs now. some of the apartments sold will be put on for re-sale and some will be available for rent.

salam Yiti, a huge resort project by sama dubai and omran, the oman government-owned tourism developer, has been frozen for some time. However there are discussions about how to move the project forward. Recently sama dubai released a press statement saying it is still committed to this project. According to omran Ceo, talks are in an advanced stage for reviving

the project and capitalising on the infrastructure development that has already taken place on site.

it seems to be just a matter of time before such a great project will be revived. it is a fantastic and unique location with beautiful beach front surrounded by mountains in a picturesque setting of traditional omani villages. A lot of new affordable housing projects are in planning in the Capital area, Al khodh, seeb and Al Mawelah.

Most of the affordable ones will be between 80,000 and 90,000 rials. Al khodh and Al mavelah have quite a few town houses available for prices ranging from rials 75000 to 80000.

Housing LoansBanks are promoting their home loan facilities and it is good to see that all banks are more or less offering the same competitive rates. Apart from attractive interest rates, banks have quick and convenient approval process, specialised mortgage advisory and loan facilitation for properties from all leading developers.

loans are now available for purchase and construction of new homes as well as land for residential use. Home finance is made available for all omanis, gCC nationals and expatriates as well. Banks also offer refinancing of housing loans.

Future prospectsthe positive factors for the development of real estate sector in oman include, a growing young population and a modern, open economy offering an abundance of business opportunities.

the huge government investment in infrastructure projects including development of roads, express highways, airports and ports will eventually help in growth of real estate sector. it is also expected that work of a railway network connecting

different parts of oman and linking it to the proposed gCC railway network will ommence in the coming days. All these are expected to kick off growth in regions also paving way for real estate development there.

in the industrial sector, the country is in great demand of quality warehousing space. there is much scope for development in the sector.

the omani property market is showing strong signs of growth and has bucked regional trends as reflected in ongoing projects across the sultanate. experts believe that this is a very exciting time for the real estate sector with excellent prospects and opportunities for both residential developments and integrated tourism projects. they affirm that oman offers some of the best property options in the gCC at this time.

the positive factors for the development of real estate sector in oman include, a growing young population and a modern, open economy offering an abundance of business opportunities

OvERvIEW


INTERvIEW

WHat are tHe major projects WHicH omran is deveLoping as part oF its eFFort to upgrade tHe quaLity oF tourism and reaL estate inFrastructure in oman? WHat is tHe current status oF deveLopment Works?since our formation in 2005, much of the company’s work has been on the definition, feasibility and design of its many different projects. over the last year, we have started to move beyond those stages on a number of the projects and into construction, development and operation phases.

even though we consider all our projects evenly important, i could say that the most important project which we have put large effort on to deliver on time is the second Asian Beach games site at Musannah, which will be the first major construction project delivered by omran. the second important is the oman Convention and exhibition Centre project. despite the challenges faced when starting a project of this size and complexity, we have made huge progress, which has culminated in Royal approval of the Centre’s architectural design.

We are also finalising our plans for the current intercontinental site and hotels in Muscat, Musandam, and Jabal Akhdar.

setting neW stAndARdsby planning and building some of the majoR pRojects in oman adheRing to inteRnational standaRds, omRan has Raised the baR foR infRastRuctuRe pRojects in the countRy. omRan ceo wael al lawati speaks to a. haRikumaR on omRan’s initiatives

Wael Al Lawati, CEO, Omran


WHat are tHe major acHievements oF omran in tHe current year?We have achieved a number of milestones across a number of projects, but the most important ones were achieved at the Musannah site. After 800 days of work, we have gone beyond 92 per cent completion of the project by August and all elements are on track for our full handover to the Muscat second Asian Beach games organising Committee (MABgoC) by november marking the first major construction project delivery by omran.

that work has been achieved with a remarkable safety record. in August, we passed 10,000,000 man-hours

without a lost time injury. this fantastic achievement has been attributed to the hard efforts of the omran staff, our contractors and more than 2,000 workers on site, all of whom have focused heavily on safety throughout the life of the project.

couLd you pLease expLain tHe progress in tHe deveLopment oF asian beacH games viLLage. WHen is tHe Work expected to be compLete?We have announced recently that

work on the Asian Beach games site had passed the milestone of 92.43 per cent completion, as the project remains well on track for its november final handover. platform construction, marina works and the marina pontoon and access bridge have all been fully completed, with infrastructure (98.13 per cent) and permanent structures (93.14 per cent) almost finished.

We have also started formal handover of the site for the Asian Beach games to the Muscat Asian Beach games organising Committee (MABgoC). the first building handed over was the games Command Centre, from which MABgoC will manage the event, in december 2010.

WHat is tHe progress in tHe deveLopment oF oman convention and exHibition centre and WHen is it expected to be compLete? HoW do you expect it to contribute to tHe deveLopment oF tourism sector in oman?the oman Convention and exhibition Centre continues to see good progress, as we have completed the schematic design stage for the Centre, and appointed all major consultants. site works are planned by the end of the year. We have also appointed the

Centre’s operator and the operator for the 5 star hotel.

the MiCe “Meetings, incentives, Conference and exhibition” sector is considered as one of the most important elements of the travel and tourism industry which is worth billions of dollars across the world. one of omran’s key tasks is to help the future development of oman’s MiCe sector attracting more visitors, which the oCeC will help to achieve.

WHat are tHe steps being taken by omran to protect oman’s environment and naturaL beauty WHiLe deveLoping major projects?omran aims to be one of the most environmentally responsible developers in the region, demonstrating the company’s management commitments towards environmental protection across all its running projects. We have initiated a range of environmental sustainability programmes and made sure that these are run strongly through all elements of our business.

We are also proud to become the first tourism company in oman to achieve iso 14001 accreditation for its environmental Management system, an efficient framework for continual improvement of environmental performance.

couLd you pLease expLain tHe ‘HeaLtH, saFety, security and environment programme’ oF omran?Along with our construction we have stringent health and safety processes in place to ensure the well-being of all employees. this has been highlighted at the second Asian Beach games site where we have successfully achieved more than 10 million man-hours without lost time injury (lti).

in our commitment to become a leader in ecological responsibility, we have developed an environmental Management system to help reduce

“We have also started formal handover of the site for the Asian Beach games to the Muscat Asian Beach games organising Committee (MABgoC). the first building handed over was the games Command Centre, from which MABgoC will manage the event, in december 2010”


our footprint and decrease our pollution and waste output. With guidelines in place that govern everything from actions taken in the construction of projects through to the choice of materials we use, our environmental Management system goes well beyond national and international minimum standards.

WHat is tHe progress in saLam yiti project and WHat are its Future prospects?talks on reviving the project and capitalising on the infrastructure development that has already taken place on site are in an advanced stage.

HoW do you vieW tHe progress oF major reaL estate projects

in oman? do you tHink tHere is a need For re-evaLuating some oF tHe projects in tHe LigHt oF a FeW major projects FaiLing to progress as pLanned?i think re-evaluation is an important step developers need to take on some of their projects, especially after the economic downturn. some developers have already taken these steps. in our joint venture investments, we recognised immediately that some of our partners would wish to re-evaluate the timings of their investments and therefore the timing of the overall projects.

this has been the case with a number of projects and we are working closely with all of our partners in these cases

to ensure that the projects do proceed in a timely yet realistic manner.

However, this should not be taken as a blanket trend, as the long-term nature of many projects being developed means that companies are looking beyond the short term global recession.

HoW do you rate tHe perFormance oF tourism sector in oman in tHe current year and WHat is your opinion on tHe Future prospects oF tHe sector?in 2010 oman has been the Middle east’s fastest and largest growth market and number three globally in the tourism sector, overcoming figures in 2009 which saw oman’s tourism sector shrinking by 8.3 per cent. in the next ten years, oman’s tourism industry is forecast to grow by 7.8 per cent annually.

the original aim was for tourism to represent three percent of gdp by 2020, but this has been achieved and this target will be stretched for the coming years.

WHat are tHe neW initiatives being pLanned by omran to promote investment in tourism and reaL estate sector in tHe suLtanate and ensure groWtH?through our main role in developing, investing and managing a wide range of tourism-related projects, including leisure resorts, conference facilities, resort villas and hotels, we are playing an important role in oman’s long-term vision for its tourism sector, creating businesses that will benefit local communities and the national economy.

We look at being on the supply side of the equation with the Ministry taking on the role of promoting the destination and encouraging further investments. the key for us is to ensure we keep developing projects that fit with oman’s positioning and unique offering.

INTERvIEW


eQuitY feAst AMidst pRoduCt fAMineinvestoR sentiment is positive in the woRld pRopeRty maRket and investoRs aRe likely to move towaRds secondaRy pRopeRty maRket as pRime pRopeRties aRe shoRt of demand

g lobal real estate markets are having a surfeit of equity amidst a product famine according to the

latest global Market perspective from Jones lang lasalle, a global real estate services firm specializing in commercial property management, leasing and investment management.

shortages of prime property for sale are constraining investment volumes and will eventually push investors towards value-added opportunities and secondary stock. for now, investor sentiment is positive and appears to be growing stronger as market fundamentals steadily improve.

InvestOR sentImentAccording to the report, investor sentiment is positive and appears to be growing stronger as market fundamentals steadily improve. A significant weight of equity capital is targeting prime real estate and with the supply of high-quality assets unable to match investors’ requirements, prime yields continue to compress. shortages of prime property for sale are constraining investment volumes and will eventually push investors towards value-added opportunities and secondary stock.

Corporate occupiers are exhibiting greater confidence and are no longer

aggressively cutting costs. Many multinationals are back in expansion mode with a focus on emerging markets. China and india are key targets, and Brazil is increasingly on the radar.

GLObaL eCOnOmy the report says that global economy continues to expand, although the pace of growth is slowing, leading the iMf to lower its projections marginally for the coming year. in the us, the diminishing impact of fiscal stimulus and the end of the inventory bounce have combined with a weak housing market and soft private sector job growth to increase uncertainty

GlOBAl TRENDS


over the staying power of the current recovery. in europe, there is mounting evidence that the relatively strong Q2 bounce has weakened.

news that the tally for rescuing the irish financial sector could run to over 55 per cent of irish gdp (or around €50 billion), combined with recent credit rating downgrades for spain and ireland, have resurrected concerns about european sovereign debt. nonetheless germany, europe’s powerhouse, has shown remarkable resilience, with a sharp fall in unemployment, growth in exports and strengthening domestic demand boosting german business and consumer confidence.

With concerns over renewed economic weakness in some advanced economies, speculation has increased about a return to quantitative easing (Qe2) in the us and the uk. in Japan, plans to pump more than us$60 billion into the economy have been approved and the policy interest rate has been cut to 0.0 per cent, the first drop in

nearly two years, due to concerns about slow growth, deflation and the strengthening yen.

eQuIty taRGetInG ReaL estate despite some signs of slowing global economic growth, real estate investor sentiment is positive and, in most markets, appears to be gaining strength as fundamentals steadily improve. A significant weight of equity capital is targeting prime assets across all sectors and, with the supply of high-quality product unable to match investors’ requirements, prime yields are compressing. substantial rises in prime capital values are being recorded, most notably in many of the world’s high-order office markets – up by around 30-50 per cent over the past year in cities such as london, Washington dC, paris, shanghai and Hong kong.

further downward pressure on prime yields will reflect a continued imbalance between the demand for and supply of prime assets over the short to medium term. it will also push cash-rich investors to seek

value-added opportunities, and eventually to trade in secondary stock, the availability of which is likely to increase as banks start to clarify their strategies on the disposal of non-performing assets.

GLObaL Investment vOLumes COnstRaIned by LaCK Of pROduCt shortages of prime assets for sale are constraining investment volumes. following the sharp improvement in activity during 2009, transaction volumes have remained largely stable during most of 2010. provisional figures indicate that global volumes stood at us$69 billion in Q3, virtually unchanged on Q2 and up by just 8 per cent on a year ago. Among the larger markets, the strongest growth in trading has been witnessed in singapore, Australia, sweden and China, where robust economic conditions and pricing opportunities have translated into an increase in deal velocity.

ResuRGenCe In asIa paCIfIC in Asia pacific, investor confidence has resurged in Q3 on the back of


improving business sentiment and market fundamentals. volumes are up by 12 per cent on the quarter with intra-Asian and domestic investors continuing to fuel activity, though inter-regional investors are also becoming selectively more active. sovereign wealth funds and pension funds remain major players and are increasingly adopting co-investment approaches.

in Japan, a large fall in capital values amid low land prices has raised interest from both foreign investors and funds, despite the appreciating Japanese yen. China has seen volumes up by nearly 40 per cent in Q3, although they are still lower on a year-on-year basis. investment activity is increasing strongly in Australia, where demand is growing from domestic superannuation funds and foreign investors. However, currency appreciation (which is increasing hedging costs) is placing some pressure on Australia’s cross-border activity.

mOmentum In the ameRICas Capital market momentum has continued to build in the Americas with Q3 volumes up by 12 per cent on the quarter. transactions volumes in the us are up by 24 per cent, where investor sentiment is improving on the back of the stabilisation in its leasing markets – office vacancy rates have peaked, positive net absorption has returned and net effective rents have now grown for two consecutive quarters. indeed, this momentum has carried through to october with deals recorded as being ‘under contract’ registering the largest monthly increase in well over a year. this trend bodes well for a comparatively active Q4.

several investor types have substantially boosted their activity in 2010. us publicly-traded real estate investment trusts (Reits), flush with cash after massive equity and debt-raising, have seen their share

of overall buying activity surge by fivefold over the same period in 2009. private equity funds, as well as non-exchange-traded Reits have also been active in Q3.

Cross-border investors are playing an increasing role with a particular focus on new York and Washington dC. in Canada, Q3 investment volumes have pulled back from Q2 as available product has been somewhat limited. Brazil firmly remains the region’s most compelling growth market. despite constrained supply, sales volumes have more than tripled through the first three quarters of 2010 as both cross-border and domestic investors are eager to capitalise on the country’s robust economic expansion.

euROpean vOLumes provisional figures for Q3 suggest that investment volumes in europe are levelling off, having fallen by

12 per cent (in euro terms) during the quarter to total €21 billion (us$27.4 billion). Activity has dropped by around 10 per cent in the uk, europe’s largest market, but nonetheless trading in Central london alone is likely to hit over £10 billion (us$15 billion) in 2010, with very strong interest from a wide range of foreign investors.

volumes in germany have also decreased by around 10 per cent, but whereas uk volumes are levelling off, they are expected to increase further in germany in Q4 with a number of large deals in the pipeline. Both sweden and france have recorded higher volumes and there has been resurgent activity in core Cee markets (e.g. poland). in contrast, southern europe (e.g. spain, portugal and greece) has seen significant falls in investor activity amid continued unease over economic conditions and sovereign debt.

GlOBAl TRENDS


investor sentiment in europe is largely positive, although increasing uncertainty is linked to concerns over future pricing in the face of anaemic european economic growth prospects. sentiment appears to be more upbeat in some continental european markets (notably germany and the nordics) than in the uk, where confidence has softened since the end of

2009 on doubts about the sustainability of capital value growth.

pRIme assets strong investor demand for prime assets has supported the growth in capital values in many high-order business centres across the globe. Most Asia pacific markets have seen capital growth in Q3, with the largest increases recorded in singapore (+11 per cent q-o-q), closely followed by Hong kong and Beijing at 9 per cent each.

europe is dividing into a two-speed market -paris, stockholm, london, frankfurt and Moscow are in the fast lane, while cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and many smaller centres continue to see flat or falling values. this trend also applies in the us, as trophy office assets in the leading markets have witnessed exceptionally strong appreciation over the last year, in some cases, such as Washington dC and san francisco, exceeding 35 per cent. Meanwhile, the majority of investable commercial property in the us, including secondary and tertiary stock, continues to experience flat or muted growth. A steady stream of distressed property sales serves to subdue the potential for momentum to build in average prices.

CORpORate OCCupIeRs Corporate occupiers are exhibiting greater confidence and are no longer aggressively cutting costs. nonetheless, real estate requirements continue to reflect corporate objectives to occupy efficient cost effective properties, driven by consolidation and business

efficiencies with, in particular, utilisation rates and operating densities under the microscope.

fOCus On emeRGInG maRKets Many multinationals are back in expansion mode with a focus on emerging markets, a trend particularly evident in the Asia pacific region, where many corporate occupiers are increasing their footprint. us corporations are looking offshore. China and india are key targets, and Brazil is increasingly on the radar.

suppLy shORtaGes the shortfall of high-quality supply is becoming a mounting challenge for corporate occupiers in some locations in Asia pacific and europe. the return of ‘landlord-favourable’ markets, created by acute shortages of high-quality space, will serve to force the hands of corporate occupiers in many markets as they seek consolidation or expansion space. With rents starting to turn, those that do not act now are likely to face rising costs and inferior product choice.

OutLOOK significant volumes of equity capital will continue to chase prime assets, and further prime yield compression

is likely under the weight of money targeting real estate. However, investment volumes will continue to be constrained over the short term by the lack of prime product. projections made at the beginning of the year, for levels to exceed us$300 billion in 2010, are unlikely to be achieved. We now expect global direct real estate volumes to reach us$280-290 billion in 2010, representing a 35-40 per cent increase on 2009.

With continued shortages of prime product, investors will be increasingly pushed into secondary markets, encouraging growth in the trading of secondary assets, although this will be from a low base and debt will remain a challenge. Banks are starting to clarify their positions on the disposal of distressed assets, the bulk of which comprises secondary properties. the release of this secondary stock could start to dampen yield compression, particularly for non-prime assets, but this is dependent on whether the banks continue to drip feed the market or start to dispose of assets more aggressively. While the banks’ strategies are far from clear, we are not expecting a rush of assets to market, except in a few select cases such as ireland.

GlOBAl TRENDS


deliveRing pRoMisesmuRiya touRism is all set to handoveR pRopeRties to buyeRs in the neaR futuRe. it Recently opened a fish RestauRant at sifah beach as paRt of coRpoRate social Responsibility pRogRamme

C onstruction activities at the integrated tourism Complexes (itCs) of Muriya tourism development at

Jebel sifah and salalah are in full swing and Muriya is planning to handover properties to buyers in the near future. “We are going to handover the units sold by us by the end of this year and the beginning of 2011. of the first phase, 159 units had been sold. the units include both apartments and villas,” said tamer shendidy, vp development and Marketing of Muriya tourism development.

Work is in different stages in all the 18 apartment blocks in Jebel sifah with

most of them nearing completion. of the apartments sold in the phase one, 85 per cent were bought by omanis and 10 per cent by expatriates living in oman, shendidy said.

the marina at Jebel sifah project was flooded in november last year and will be soon ready for berthing boats. the initial 63 villas have been designed in eight different styles of which 41 are nearing completion.

shendidy said Muriya is opening a marina-boutique hotel at Jebel sifah by the end of the year. the 55-room hotel will be operated by Muryia Hotel division. Jebel sifah project will also feature hotels run by well

known brands like Missoni, four seasons and Banyan tree. shendidy noted that the salalah project of the company was also progressing as planned. the construction of golf course at the project is in an advanced stage.

Recently, the Muriya toursim development launched As sammak restaurant at sifah Beach, near to the itC project as a part of its corporate social responsibility programme. the restaurant is established by Muriya in cooperation with the Ministry of tourism. the restaurant which serves only seafood is ideal for those who want to spend their holidays at a pristine beach eating some of

FREEHOlD PROPERTIES


the choicest sea food dishes. the restaurant opens from 12 noon and serves lunch till 5 p.m.

the ambience is traditional. the all-wood restaurant has a seating capacity of only 60. though the comfort of air conditioners will not be available at this open air restaurant the cool winds blowing from the ocean and the quietude of the beach will compensate for it. the launch was attended by dignitaries from the Ministry of tourism, stakeholders from orascom and Muriya, several clients and the press. local people turned up in large numbers also.

the guests who attended the opening were treated to an array of beach activities. Along with their families, they indulged in a game of beach volleyball, went kayaking or rode banana boats while the dJ played foot-tapping music. A dedicated play area for the children which included slides, trampoline and additional games was also readied to keep them entertained and engaged for the entire evening. shendidy said play area would be a permanent facility at the sifah beach.

“Jebel sifah is a scenic coastal destination that is a harmonious blend of oman’s sea faring tradition and natural beauty. our development captures the essence of Jebel sifah at the same time underlining our commitment to preserving the local culture,” said shendidy.

A total of 85,000 square meters of area on the beach surrounding the restaurant has been developed by Muriya tourism development. it includes planting 100 palm trees, setting up of shaded areas, showers, toilets and ample parking space for the public. While the structure has been built by Muriya, the restaurant will be operated and managed by the local community in sifah.

the hotel will be managed by Muryia for the locals. shendidy said Muriya tourism has taken initiative to provide publicity to the restaurant and ensure traffic to the beach. fish for the restaurant is sourced from local fishermen. fishermen can sell handicraft at the beach and as the traffic increases the whole area will benefit, he noted.

Moving on to the local participation in the management of restaurant, shendidy said “in future when the restaurant becomes popular and its turnover grows, the company which runs the restaurant will select people from this small town and offer them small stakes,” he said.

on the issue of recruiting employees locally, shenindy said the intention is to take as many people from the area. locals have already been recruited, he said. the menu at the restaurant will be limited. there would be three or four options, which include the catch of the day. the kitchen is equipped to serve this menu. there would be 60 chairs and kitchen can provide that.

dOwntuRnCommenting on the effects on global financial downturn, shendidy said, Muriya planned well to face the slowdown and did not take risk that would have the company in trouble. “We concentrated our efforts in delivering what we sold. We made sure that what we sold is delivered on time. that is the reason why we are continuing,” he said.


positive signsgRowth Remains positive in oman despite economic challenges

While residential rentals in oman continue to fall in oman rental rates in the industrial

market continue to be stable as supply remains restricted, according to Cluttons’ oman Market Report for Q3, 2010

• landlords are realising the need to be flexible and reduce their rental value expectations in line with market conditions

• Rental rates for industrial and warehousing maintains their value despite ongoing declines in rental values in other property sectors

• government of oman look to major transport infrastructure as route to economic growth

despite the adverse effects of the downturn in the global economy, the outlook on growth for the real estate sector in oman remains positive for 2010 following the recovery of crude oil prices and the expected rise in the volume of world trade, according to a report of leading estate agency Cluttons.

Cluttons, which has a dedicated presence in the Middle east since 1976 recently released its oman market report for Q3 2010.

residentiaL marketthe residential market of oman sees continuing decline in the rental rates as the supply of the residential properties exceeds demand, despite an increase in the volume of transactions in the residential leasing market throughout 2010 in

comparison to 2009. the significant rises in rental values in the two years up until mid-2008 resulted

in extensive development activity as landowners sought to exploit favourable market conditions. the

ASSET MARKET

the residential market of oman sees continuing decline in the rental rates as the supply of the residential properties exceeds demand, despite an increase in the volume of transactions in the residential leasing market throughout 2010 in comparison to 2009.

Source: Cluttons

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results of this development activity are now being introduced into the market and are contributing to an oversupply of rental properties across the capital area.

Average rental values have fallen significantly over the past 12 months, and the market is expected to witness further reductions as the oversupply becomes increasingly evident.

demand remains, however, for smaller, good quality properties in

modern developments and in the established expatriate rental areas such as Madinat Qaboos, shatti Al Qurum and Qurum.

existing tenants are taking advantage of the oversupply, as they are now looking to renew their tenancies on more favourable basis or upgrade to a newer or better property on comparable terms.

landlords are realising that they need to be flexible and have started to

reduce their rental value expectations in line with market conditions or be left with vacant properties.

industriaL marketin the industrial market, rental rates for industrial and warehousing facilities in the capital area have maintained their value despite ongoing declines in rental values in other sectors of the real estate market.

this is due to the fact that the supply of good quality warehousing and light industrial facilities remains restricted and this situation will be exacerbated in the short to medium term by the expected exodus of industrial activity from ghala.

the government of oman is highly investing in major transport infrastructure projects as routes to diversify key areas of growth and economic growth. the scale of investment across the oman’s transport sector is resulting in a high quality internal transport network allied to strong external links.

this will enable enhanced access to both national and international markets for the sultanate. the ever-improving transport links will benefit the industrial, trade and tourism sectors of the economy which have been identified by the government as key areas for growth as the sultanate seeks to reduce its reliance on the hydrocarbon sector.

in the industrial market, rental rates for industrial and warehousing facilities in the capital area have maintained their value despite ongoing declines in rental values in other sectors of the real estate market. this is due to the fact that the supply of good quality warehousing and light industrial facilities remains restricted

ASSET MARKET

Source: Cluttons


FRENCH INTERIOR DESIGN

RoMAnCe WitH fRenfRenfR CHinteRioR designR designRinteRioRs of paRis apaRtments incoRpoRate elements fRom decoRating styles of diffeRent eRas and appeal to ouR sense of glamouR

paris apartments reflect the romance, aesthetics and refined tastes of the european mind at its best.

Rooms have high ceilings with grand architectural details. A small balcony with a wrought iron railing overlooks a picturesque street or the River seine. Windows are tall. pedestrians bustle on the streets below.

paris apartment decorating style ranges through many decorating periods, including baroque (a dynamic style characterized by movement and overt emotion which was popular from

16th to 18 th centuries), rococo (18 th century style which is ornate and florid), and neoclassical. Contemporary parisian apartments incorporate art deco (an electic design style which was popular in 1920s), Mediterranean, old world, and cabaret influences.

Rich jewel colours like emerald green, crimson, and royal blues are accented with black, white, and gold. Burnished gilt touches inflect architectural details and carving on furniture.

furniture and accessories have time-worn elegance and a vintage look.

Chairs, tables, and armoires painted in black or cream bear golden accents. they blend beautifully with dark, carved wood. Rich, shimmering silks and luxurious brocades and velvets enhance upscale interiors.

to finish out a to finish out a t paris style interior, accessories and motifs include vintage posters of french nightspots, french signs, large train station clocks, black wrought iron tables and shelving, and any scenes of france, paris, or the eiffel tower. tower. t

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the paris apartment decorating style to their home, should try to incorporate some of these elements in their homes: Black is the accent color and a unifying element in paris rooms. Bring black into your home without making things look dark. find painted wood furniture, picture frames, fabrics, lampshades and accessories in black or with black trim.

to really bring paris to your room, use large posters of french landmarks, nightspots, and parisian buildings. if you can find paintings, etchings, old black and white postcards, or sepia-toned photos of anything french, all the better.

large clocks are often a focal point in a paris room. find a reproduction clock with lettering in french or that shows a french scene. the older it looks, the better! don’t mind even if it does not work. it just has to look great! toile(linen cloth), roosters, fleurs de lis (flower), chateaux (manor), pastoral scenes, views of the eiffel tower, Monet impressionist paintings, and pictures of riverboats on the seine are popular decorating motifs that are easy to find.

french style does not lay emphasis on matching the elements in rooms. furniture and accessories should look old and used, but not shabby. for light fixtures, select wall sconces with black silk shades, crystal chandeliers, and fringed lampshades on table lamps. A gold foil lining on a black lampshade will help to reflect a romantic glow. Add your own beads, fringe, and cording to simple lampshades if you can’t find any already embellished.

Round tables should have layers of skirts. Add a plush cushion to intricately twisted iron benches. nothing says paris more than a little bistro table and chairs. use a large ottoman covered in rich fabric in place of a coffee table. velvet, damask, brocade, lustrous silks, and traditional toiles (linen cloth) are found in paris

style rooms. toile is often paired with coordinating colour checked fabrics in both large and small scales. Add a luxurious old-world look with tassels, cording, fringes, and other details. textured linen, weathered leather, paisley designs, and bold stripes can be used.

furniture should be upholstered with beautiful fabrics, dressmaker details, and have carved legs. Cushions of down provide the slightly rumpled look of comfort and elegance. Wood furniture pieces of carved, dark tones or stains are often tinged with touches of gilt. Black and ivory paint, distressed and crackled, give wood pieces an aged look. there’s no such thing as matching furniture. pieces should look as though they were found through a lifetime.

every paris style bedroom has a decadent vanity table. Add a luxurious look to a simple table by dressing it with silk, mirrors, and voluminous ruffles. dress it with vintage

accessories, frames, and perfume bottles. use large vintage mirrors, architectural elements (columns, corbels), garden statuary, black wire ware, clocks, hat boxes, luxurious silk pillows, soft throws, vintage candelabra, flowers, plants, china, and delicate porcelain figurines to accessorize a paris style room. find dramatic hats or vintage linens at swap meets and antique shops.

depending on the style of the room and its use, windows can have elaborate, flowing drapery panels topped with swagged valances, ruffles, tassels, silk cording, or bouillon fringes. A simpler room could use linen or toile panels over shutters or wooden blinds. Hardwood flooring is stained dark and covered with old oriental carpets. they add a grounding pattern, colour, and age.

paris apartment interiors appeal to our sense of glamour and european style. By using some of the elements, you can bring the look to your own home.


CHINESE INTERIOR DESIGN

everyone wants a beautifully decorated and peaceful home to live in where we spend a large part of our life. feng

shui, the ancient Chinese system of aesthetics which uses laws of astronomy and geography to improve life can help us attain it.

feng shui aims at creating a positive atmosphere in your home. According to feng shui, home reflects how we think and feel about ourselves. feng shui decoration is more than just hanging curtains, selecting paints or moving a decorative loveseat away from a window. feng shui has quickly evolved from a new age trend to a decorating approach widely practiced by professional decorators and amateurs alike. interior decoration and feng shui principles work well together.

interior decoration using feng shui principles involves the movement of energy and moving blocked areas so that energy moves at a balanced pace around the entire home. feng shui practitioners will use all types of tools to move this energy. this could involve decorating with mirrors,water, plants, colour, sound, scent, and more.

InfLuenCe Of COLOuR the influence of colour is an important aspect in interior decoration through feng shui. We respond to colours subjectively. in China, decorating with the colour red is belived to bring good luck. Red is frequently on the front door. in feng shui, red is not the only colour of good fortune. Yellow and purple are very auspicious to have in interior decoration. in feng shui, yellow has been considered an

imperial colour that many feng shui masters find more beneficial than red.

decorating with green, is considered to bring freshness, peace and growth. darker decorative colours can either be relaxing or depressing, light colours can be uplifting but can be annoying also. extreme colours can be exhilarating or aggravating. if there is a certain room in the home where arguments always occur, check out the colour and the way it is decorated. does the room have aggressive decorative objects? is the coulor irritating?

if you feel good in the home of a friend that is painted with colours you love, use that to paint your own home or apartment. for some reason, the colouring scheme may be working

At HoMe WitH feng sHuiusing feng shui pRinciples in inteRioR designing is believed to geneRate positive eneRgy and make youR home a gReat place to live in

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positively with your sensibilities. Begin to “feel” the room with feng shui in mind.

fundamentaL pRInCIpLesWhen making decorating decisions, consider feng shui and the elements and how they correspond to the bagua. Wealth area and family area are the elements of wood. feng shui, encourages decorating with plants that have broad healthy leaves. silk plants are allowed, but do not use dried plants because they symbolize ill health.

Blue wallpaper and carpet or soft furnishings are good because they represent water and water allows wood to grow. decorating with a mixture of blue and green is great. decorating with fish is considered auspicious in feng shui as fish is symbolic of wealth.

fame and Reputation area has fire as the element so decorating with red is a good idea. decorating with red and fire elements are believed to bring luck and recognition. Walls may be painted in warm peach or maroon. decorative furniture could be green as well because this mixes well with red. Colours can be toned down and they need not be bright. fire is represented by light, so fixtures, floor lamps, ceiling fans and candles are good choices for decorating.

Health, relationship and knowledge areas are earth elements in feng shui. these areas could be decorated with natural crystals, terracotta and tile. decorating with orange, yellow, and brown are great for this area. in feng shui, fire produces earth so bring some red into the mix for extra punch. Harmonize all decorative objects with warm earthy colours.

Children, creativity area and helpful people have metal as the element. decorating with metallic wind chimes are believed to bring in energy. According to feng shui, gold and silver bring good fortune. the best

colours to decorate these areas with would be white or metallic colours. earth tones are also good matches when mixed with white. Have music playing and a radio or tv on.

the career area is represented by the element of water. too much water is like a flooding bank and brings negativity. However, decorating with small amounts of water is excellent. A small water fountain or aquarium is good in this area. Bring in a painting with a water scene. decorating with black and white is excellent and very popular in contemporary homes.

some basic feng shui ideas for decorating and designing rooms and houses include avoiding floor plans with small cramped rooms and

keeping the design free flowing. Avoid long hallways because energy moves too quickly down the hall. Also avoid excessive overhead lighting. Choose warm full spectrum lighting instead. While decorating with feng shui, keep sharp corners to a minimum.

Healthy plants could be placed in a decorative manner throughout the home. Arrange couches and chairs in a way that allows people to see the door and for easy conversation. Be careful of too many knick-knacks. this can mean decorative clutter and it can quickly get out of control. decorating through feng shui principles is not hard, just feel the space and follow a few good feng shui ideas to decorate your home and you will realise that your home has become a great place to live in.

some basic feng shui ideas for decorating and designing rooms and houses include avoiding floor plans with small cramped rooms and keeping the design free flowing


PAINTING

HARMonY of ColouRs with Right infoRmation, sensible selection and intelligent application of colouRs, you can give the peRfect look in youR dReams foR youR home

PAINTING

Choosing a paint to colour your home can be challenging. A surfeit of choices may land you in a

dilemma. Here are some tips which will really help you to make the right choice. Always remember that the paint colour will set the tone for the interiors.

Collect paint chips when planning a room and don’t make your final choices until you’ve developed an overall room scheme. Currently an infinite array of colours is available in the market. Colour is the most versatile element of room decoration and the easiest to change. so make final decision only after rugs, wallpaper, and fabrics are finalised.

When you go shopping, take samples

of fabric, carpet, tile and wallpaper. You don’t know where you might see something wonderful.

study the Colours You’ll find clues about the underlying tones of different shades of a colour on a full sample strip of coordinated colours. even if you’re not even considering using a darker tone, look at all the colours carefully.

if you’re working with a print fabric, you’ll be happier if you select the coordinating wall paint colour from the background of the print. use the deeper or brighter tones for accents throughout the room or adjacent spaces. Many times you may select a shade of white or off-white for the moldings, doors, and windows. if you are bolder, consider the palest shade

of colour to coordinate with the walls. for a really striking look, try lighter walls and dark tones or bright colour for trim.

ChOOsInG paInt fInIshesAlways check which paint finish will best suit your project. Matte or flat finishes hide wall imperfections, but glossier finishes will reflect more light. Colours are often referred to as ‘warm’ and ‘cool.’ orange, red, and pink are considered ‘warm’ colours, while blues, greens, and violet are thought to be ‘cool.’ knowing the theory behind colours can help you select the right tone for your home.

trying to find the perfect colours like white can be a challenge! Beiges and off-whites have subtle colour, so compare paint chips to your fabrics

P.O. Box: 1849, Postal Code: 114, Jibroo Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Tel: +968 24817529 / +968 24814356, Fax: +968 24817587

E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Stylish corporate ambience

P.O. Box: 1849, Postal Code: 114, Jibroo Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Tel: +968 24817529 / +968 24814356, Fax: +968 24817587

E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Stylish corporate ambience


and flooring to determine if a warmer pinkish or yellow-toned white or some other tone will suit you best.

shed a LIttLe LIGhtAlways view a paint colour in many lights to get a truer view of it. take the paint chip outside to see it in natural light. look at in under an incandescent and fluorescent light. if possible, take the paint chip, fabrics, and accessories to the room in which they’ll live and check how it suits.

take your room measurements to the paint store where the professionals will help you determine the right quantity of paint to buy for your home.

or you might use your numbers to consult one of the handy online paint estimators to get an idea of how much paint you’ll need for your project.

for getting advice on painting, check both online and at your local paint store. tell the paint professional about your decorating project. Ask which paint products they recommend, and why. one can also gain information on specialty paints such as low-odour, stain-killing primers, chalkboard paint and washable paint.

COLOuR matChInGCurrently paint stores offer custom colour mixing for those who want to

achieve a perfect match or find a truly unique colour. this makes it possible to bring in a fabric swatch, painting, or other colour reference, and have a paint color created to be a perfect match. light colours are usually most pleasing for a ceiling, because ceilings are seen in shadow.

When you think that you’ve really chosen your perfect color, buy a pint of paint to do a test patch. paint a 12-48” square on a board or directly on your wall. look at it during the day, morning, evening, and night. How does it look with the room’s flooring, wall coverings, and fabric choices? if it isn’t right, get another pint and try again. test three colours at once to save time. You will undoubtedly find the right colour.

for the most accurate colour representation, view paint samples vertically (up against the wall) and view carpet samples set flat on the floor. if you do this, you’ll see how the colors will look when they are applied to your space.

Colour Contamination once you painted your test sample up on the wall, notice whether the colour you’re testing compare it with other colours in the room. to get the best idea of how the room will look place the painted sample up on the wall and place the flooring samples on the floor. test the colour in a room with the same exposure to sunlight. find a room that is neutral.

Wet paint colour often looks different from dry paint. don’t panic when you first see the paint applied to the wall. let it dry, then check it with your other samples to decide if it looks right. paint can also look out of place in an empty room. place some furniture in room to see how it all works together. getting used to a new room colour might take a few days. A new bold colour may seem overwhelming at first but will look perfect when you get acquainted.

PAINTINGPAINTING


MEDITERRANEAN HOME DéCOR

M editerranean style is currently one of the most popular interior decorating styles around

the world right now. Mediterranean style combines elements from italian villa designing, provencal hideaway, or a turkish palace. But often it is costly to find accessories to capture that look. At the same time, there are many ways to get that look without huge spending though; while you may not go for the “big ticket” items like wrought-iron beds or eight-foot

stone fountains, you can still capture the warmth and romance of the Mediterranean basin, no matter what your budget is. Here are some hints to help you bring some italian sunshine, greek warmth, spanish style, turkish opulence, or french fashion into your home!

COLOuRpeople love seeing bright colours but are not bold to experiment it at their homes. Many settle for light colours when it comes to colouring their

homes. one of the most important elements of Mediterranean decoration is the use of strong colours, and of vibrant colour combinations that capture the warmth of the region. deciding what colours to use is actually the easy part, but choosing the right depth of colour is tricky, and really depends on the size of your rooms, the furniture you already have, and the amount of light exposure--as well as your personal taste, of course. Before you start making choices, though,

An AffoRdABle WAY to MediteRRAneAn opulenCeit is possible to give a mediteRRanean touch to the inteRioRs of youR home by intelligent use of colouRs and theReby giving a mediteRRanean look to many of ouR RegulaR household items


head to the library, and check out some travel books, art and design books, and picture books dealing with the Mediterranean region. the photographs and paintings will give you a good idea about what colours “work” together, and will also provide you with a lot of visual images to keep in mind while you are hunting for accessories. don’t be afraid of making bold colour choices, especially when it comes to fabrics and accessories--just restrict yourself to one main colour and no more than two or three accent colours, to avoid overwhelming your room.

if you don’t want to paint your walls any colour other than white, you don’t have to; beautiful, colourful accessories and fabrics can give it all the warmth and brightness you require. You could also consider adding a wallpaper border to a room, or papering the whole room, depending on your budget. But if you do feel like painting, remember that the colour on the paint chip at the hardware store will almost invariably come out darker than it looks on the card--so choose a shade that looks just a touch lighter than the results you are hoping for!

if you like bright, rich colours on your walls, and if your room is large enough to handle a very deep or bright colour, your imagination is your only limit. A dining room coloured deep blue-purple will feel good if it has sunny big windows and light coloured furniture in that room.

if you have a lot of dark wooden furniture deep golden yellows (it makes the room feel sunny) and leafy greens colours will look good. there can be wonderful red rooms, all accessorized with gold and blue, that brings visions of turkish palaces, and bright blue rooms filled with glossy white furniture that makes us yearn for a cruise in the greek islands. or, if you prefer understated elegance to “in your face” colour, you could

go for pale, elegant combinations of cream, gold, tan, and even add touches of navy, to give your room the look and feel of a venetian palazzo or parisian drawing room.

one more thing: whatever style you are trying to capture, be sure to use good quality paint. it may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it is really important. A good quality paint will be easier to work with, throw off fewer noxious fumes, provide you with better coverage (which means you will use less paint anyway!), and last much longer than a cheap brand.

RICh textuResone of the most wonderful elements of Mediterranean style is the universal use of rich textures on walls, fabrics, floors, and accessories. if you have the time and the inclination, consider sponging or “ragging” your walls to get a textured finish. if you would rather not experiment on your walls, a piece of second-hand furniture can be sponged, stippled, or stencilled to add some texture to a room! When you sponge the surface, finish it off with a couple of coats of varnish, just to make sure the finished surface is durable enough.

When choosing fabrics for cushion covers (a great way to spice up a room), window treatments, or table linens, always choose something that feels good as well as looks good. Whether you end up with nubbly raw

cotton, heavy tapestry, or translucent silk, the texture of the fabric will be important to the “feel” of the finished room. You don’t have to spend a lot on fabric. You could lookout for discounted roll-ends and remnants of furnishing fabric that could be used for cushion covers, placemats, and lots of other purposes.

Rugs, kilims, and floor cloths can add a lot of colour and texture to a room; they are not always expensive, either. And, you may find that creating a braided rag rug or a hand painted floor cloth is a wonderful weekend family project.

be dIffeRentif you want Mediterranean decoration avoid perfect symmetry but ensure that everything coordinates to a degree. one of the most beautiful things about Mediterranean décor is its eclectic nature.

When you walk into a villa in italy or france, not much matches, though everything does coordinate to some degree. the furniture and accessories always seem to have been handed down through centuries or bought from local artisans, and everything is combined artfully to create a pleasing overall effect.

But you can capture that “old-world charm” without having a thousand years’ worth of collected heirlooms, in part by avoiding the urge to make everything match. so what if you

if you want Mediterranean decoration, avoid perfect symmetry but ensure that everything coordinates to a degree. one of the most beautiful things about Mediterranean décor is its eclectic nature


have two different end tables, and two different floral cushions? What does it matter if your blue glass collection is punctuated with a green vase? Who cares if you don’t have matching gilded frames on every picture in the living room?

While everything in your home need not be different from everything else you shouldn’t be afraid of variety and asymmetry, at least if you are trying to achieve that classic Mediterranean style. While you probably will want all the drapes in your room to match, the tablecloths and cushion covers don’t have to match the curtains or each other, though they should work well together.

CReatIvIty wIthIn yOuR budGetsome of the best accessories--including those on a Mediterranean or old-world theme--are fairly inexpensive and easy to find. old pillows could be stuffed into home-made cushion covers, with more pretty tassels at the corners, and ancient and dilapidated steamer trunk can be converted to a beautiful window-seat, camouflaged with lots of pillows, and old woven bedspreads.

if you want to buy a couple of pretty things to add Mediterranean flavor to your home, consider glassware and ceramics. Blue glassware is cheap, beautiful, and easy to find; a pretty blue or green pitcher filled with spring flowers, or a blue glass bowl filled with fresh lemons or oranges, makes an amazing table centerpiece!

Buy a couple of pretty imported tiles from a specialty store, and turn them into coasters or trivets; this is a lot cheaper than retiling your whole kitchen, but will give you a similar effect. terracotta pots filled with geraniums and herbs are affordable and easy to care for; they are also the mainstay of practically every patio, balcony, window-box and doorway in spain, italy, and the south of france.

Many cities and towns now have paint-your-own ceramic stores; even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, these stores/workshops provide a great opportunity for you to add affordable accessories to your home, in the colour scheme and theme of your choice. While most of us may not be able to afford to import hand painted ceramics from italy or spain, you may be able to paint a fair imitation on a platter, a pair of candlesticks, or even a switch plate, without spending beyond your budget.

Candles and dried flowers can help you to capture the essence of the Mediterranean, too--beeswax candles are easy and inexpensive to make, and the wax sheets (available at most craft stores) come in just about any colour you could want. Bunches

of dried lavender hanging from the ceiling, or displayed in a vase, will make your room look and smell like provence in the summertime! keep your eyes open for wrought-iron accessories, too--an iron candelabra (stocked with your hand-rolled beeswax candles) can be relatively inexpensive, and very beautiful.

essentially, Mediterranean style is a state of mind, available to anyone who has ever dreamed of sailing through the greek islands, touring italy’s wine country, lounging on the beach in nice or Monaco, or eating tapas and watching flamenco in spain. Whether or not you have ever visited--or plan to visit--any of those places, you can still bring some Mediterranean sunshine into your home without spending a fortune.

MEDITERRANEAN HOME DéCOR


NEWS BRIEF - REAl ESTATE

The Wave, MuscaT esTablishes specialized lease deparTMenT The Wave, Muscat, Oman’s landmark freehold development and first integrated Tourism complex (iTc), has expanded its property management offerings with the formation of a new specialised lease department.

david stafford, vice president of sales and Marketing at The Wave Muscat, stated that the new department was launched in response to increased demand for a hassle free tenancy and landlord service. “in a market categorized by a shift from speculators to end users, there has been increased demand for residential leasing over the last two years, and by leasing directly from the developer, tenants will be assured of the widest selection of premium

properties.” said stafford.

The Wave Muscat has already delivered over 500 villas, townhouses and apartments and the new leasing department is a natural extension of the value added services to help new owners rent their properties and provide an easy and accessible option for those wanting to call The Wave, Muscat home.

headed by a number of highly qualified and experienced senior lease consultants, the department will manage the entire renting process and will be responsible for promoting home owner’s properties to the marketplace. it will also offer key insights into the market and support prospective tenants in assessing the

various home options. according to an Oman property news report issued by residential and commercial sales experts, cluttons Oman, The Wave, Muscat has set the benchmark for quality in the residential market and has proved to be a popular leasing option. cluttons Oman also said that price reductions experienced in the last two years have made properties within iTc’s such as The Wave, Muscat more affordable and attractive while remaining in-line with market realities and expectations.

aTkins helps shape The Wave MuscaT’s gOlf cOursebaader projects, hotels and resorts- a new entrant to Oman’s real estate market recently announced the launch of their signature premium real estate development the al bustan residences – a small gated community close the new Majlis a’shura building , Muscat governorate, and al- bustan palace hotel- in the al bustan area of Muscat.

The project launch was hosted by all three shareholders h.e. sayyid salem Musallam al- bussaidy (silver circle group), uto baader and siegfried lingel at the bait

al zubair Museum and marked the launch of the project and the beginning of the official sales period which will be managed by one of the sultanate’s leading real estate agents, savills Oman.

The exclusive and luxurious new development will consist of a total of 47 villas and linked villas.

it will also feature an exclusive health club that located behind the gates of this unique development allowing residents to relax and unwind in the surroundings of their own home.

project developer baader projects, hotels and resorts is backed by german investors and has been specifically created to develop tourism products and locations in Oman. The company’s vision is to create a series of unique and distinctive projects that also fit with the development objectives set by Oman’s leadership offering some of the best opportunities in the gcc at this time.

Mr. uto baader deputy chairman of baader projects, hotels & resorts l.l.c said: “We are proud to announce the launch of al bustan residences – our first major upscale real estate development in Oman - and to cement the joint venture relationship with our Omani partner silver circle seas, as well as savills Oman.”


baader projects, hotels and resorts- a new entrant to Oman’s real estate market recently announced the launch of their signature premium real estate development the al bustan residences – a small gated community close the new Majlis a’a’a shura building , Muscat governorate, and al- bustan palace hotel- in the al bustan area of Muscat.

The project launch was hosted by all three shareholders h.e. sayyid salem Musallam al- bussaidy (silver circle group), uto baader and siegfried lingel at the bait al zubair Museum and marked the launch of the project and the

beginning of the official sales period which will be managed by one of the sultanate’s leading real estate agents, savills Oman.

The exclusive and luxurious new development will consist of a total of 47 of the most beautifully designed villas and villas and v linked villas villas vall of which will be finished to the highest standards and furnished with the very latest fixtures and fittings.

it will also feature an exclusive health club that located behind the gates of this unique development allowing residents to relax and unwind in the surroundings of their

sadOlin Opens exclusive cOlOur pOinT OuTleTsadolin paints (Oman), has opened another exclusive colour point outlet in honda road-Mustafa ghulam ali stores recently. ali, Mustafa and hassan ghulam ali baqer, who are the proprietors of the outlet, M.M. khan, general Manager and n. balachandran, deputy general Manager of sadolin paints were present on the occasion. “We have been associated with sadolin paints for many years now, and through this exclusive colour point outlet we are happy that we are now taking this relationship to the next level. each and every product from sadolin’s extensive product range has been used as imaginatively as possible in doing up our store; and shade panels of sadolin’s beautiful

range of effect finishes like flair, fashion Metallic, Wood finishes are on display all around the outlet,” said hassan ghulam ali baqer. M. M khan, says, “Our colour point outlets are a pioneering effort in allowing consumers to experiment with colours

so that they can create their own stylish homes using sadolin. We are extremely happy with our association with Mustafa ghulam ali stores and would like to thank them.”

speaking on the occasion of the outlet’s opening, n. balachandran, deputy general Manager, sadolin paints Oman says, “Our unique colour point outlets enable customers to see colours and colour combinations on the wall, so that they can get a first hand feel of how a room will look like once decorated. in keeping with our motto of ‘be safe’, we have used only water based finishes at this outlet. he continues, “The Mustafa ghulam ali stores colour point outlet also has a ‘colouriser’, which is a novel painting software that enables the user to upload photographs of his or her own home and digitally ‘dress the home up’ with different colours.”

al busTan Tan T residences residences rlaunched

own home.

project developer baader projects, hotels and resorts is backed by german investors and has been specifically created to develop tourism products and locations in Oman. The company’s vision is to create a series of unique and distinctive projects that also fit with the development objectives set by Oman’s leadership offering some of the best opportunities in the gcc at this time.

Mr. uto baader deputy chairman of baader projects, hotels & resorts l.l.c said: “We are proud to announce the launch of al bustan residences – our first major upscale real estate development in Oman - and to cement the joint venture relationship with our Omani partner silver circle seas, as well as savills Oman.”



Division of Juman Sons Trading Co LLCIndex Furniture Center: Tel: 24486017 • Fax: 24486018Elite Ofce Furniture: Tel: 24479641• Fax: 24479471PO Box 3484, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Muscat, Sultanate of OmanEmail: [email protected] Timings: Saturday to Thursday 9 am to 9 pm

al balushi investment will soon begin handing over of ‘Mayar al khoud’, a luxury residential project to clients. The project, which was launched in June 2008, with a vision to build contemporary living spaces for people in an exclusive and stylish environment will be composed of 58 stand-alone villas at a strategic location in the al khoudh area in Muscat.

hussain a. habib, group gM, al balushi investments said, “We are delighted to announce the timely delivery of residential units of Mayar al khoud project. We are highly conscious of the buyers’ keenness to move into their new homes that is set to offer a unique experience in community living with its exquisite features and ambience. We are proud to welcome them to our prestigious new developments.”

‘Mayar al khoudh’ will feature four different villa designs each spanning 230 to 347 sq.m. The luxury residences will feature four to five bedrooms, a living room and family

sitting area, five to six bathrooms and toilets, a dining room, kitchen, storage, laundry room, a maid’s room and two parking spaces.

al balushi investement is a company that has been instrumental in providing homes that are very community-like in a safe, secure and service oriented environment and this project is no different. “We have every sought after facility in this

project and i am sure our potential buyers will be more than happy when they see what we have to offer,” Mr. hussain further added.

Mayar al khoud offers its customers comforts such as state-of- the-art swimming pool, gymnasium, recreational spaces, walking tracks, children’s play yards, as well as exclusive shopping and recreational facilities.

‘Mayar al khOud prOperTies’


exclusive furnished hOMes frOM MuriyaMuriya Tourism development recently offered exclusive, spacious villas for a limited period in its two integrated tourism complexes ‘Jebel sifah’ and ‘salalah beach’. ‘Majan’ and ‘Jabrin’ villas in ‘Jebel sifah’ and ‘salalah beach’ respectively come with two to three bedrooms and plots of land starting from 1,500 square metres.

The extensive area covered provides both space and privacy, an exceptional feature available in a limited number of villas. each of the luxuriously designed

two/three bedroom villas are fully furnished with private swimming pools, equipped with the best amenities and state-of-the-art fittings that sets them apart from other properties.

products by renowned international brands and high quality finishing such as modern electrical fittings and audio-visual equipment are included to create an ideal fully functional home. “Our focus has been mainly to think out of the box and present a unique product that exceeds the expectations of our customers — be

it in concept or quality,” said bahaa kareem, Marketing director of Muriya.

both projects ‘Jebel sifah’ and ‘salalah beach’ are quickly taking shape. The portfolio of reputed hotels and 100 per cent free-hold properties have attracted many investors and continue to do so. phase i customers will start receiving their villas and apartments by the first quarter of 2011.

in ‘Jebel sifah’, construction work is in progress over different stages in all 18 apartment blocks, with the majority approaching completion.

The initial 63 villas have been designed in eight different styles, of which 41 approaching completion.

Division of Juman Sons Trading Co LLCIndex Furniture Center: Tel: 24486017 • Fax: 24486018Elite Ofce Furniture: Tel: 24479641• Fax: 24479471PO Box 3484, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Muscat, Sultanate of OmanEmail: [email protected] Timings: Saturday to Thursday 9 am to 9 pm


OFFICE INTERIORS

for past two years, styles in office interiors have changed. Huge couches are replaced by sleek and

modern furniture that not only look good but are also functional. there are huge demands for workstations and all ranges are available in the market. for a total interior, it is becoming an integral part of office furniture. so an office interior is done up around it gadgets and machines. integrating different work areas with new and specific solutions is in vogue now. say, for example, smart board systems for presentations in conference room.

Both government and private sector conform to the new style and trend. since people are health conscious, they demand ergonomic office chairs that would conform to their body shape. Buyers are now checking out on minute details.

Choosing furniture for office is vital for people who will be working there. A person spends most of his time in the office than perhaps at home. so it should be a place where an employee feels comfortable even though he may be up to his neck with paperwork meeting deadlines.

RIGht wORK desKChoosing a desk that would allow you in accomplishing the tasks you would have to before the day ends. You must be comfortable sitting behind it. office desks are that essential furniture in any office set up, without which we can possibly not think about working or production.

there is at least one office desk in every office where some or the other activity is being taken care of. there are different types of office desks, let us have a look at them:

elegAnt CoRpoRAte AMBienCethe many fineR points of inteRioR decoRation in the office can enhance the comfoRt level foR the employees and thus incRease pRoductivity


Budget office desks are those office desks which come at cost effective prices. But these office desks are no less than other expensive desks. they are equally beautiful and as durable as any good piece of furniture. they are great for bulk buying.

systems office desks are great for shared leg system or same bay system. they are also a good option when you need a multipurpose workstation. these kinds of office desks are very popular in uk as more and more offices are using them to create an open work environment.

Modular office desks are stylish and modern way of promoting the open work environment, even while giving individual space to each employee. one gets enough room to oneself, yet these modular office desks use space in the optimum way, without wasting much of it, neither creating a feeling of getting cramped.

office glass desks are beautiful range of office desks that can brighten up any area. it gives a feeling of style and elegance. there are glass desks for front office use as well as for use

in the rooms and cabins of senior officials.

RIGht ChaIRimagine sitting on a chair for nine to ten hours. this may tire your back if it’s a wrong chair. some people who have scoliosis actually get a worse case of the ailment just because they’re sitting on the wrong chair.

Just as you choose the right pair of jeans, you have to choose the right chair. A comfortable team is a productive team.

those who do not complain of being discomforted from the chairs that they’re sitting on (back ache, painful necks) are more focused and concentrate on their tasks at hand. if your team is sitting on uncomfortable chairs, they

wouldn’t be able to concentrate as much. Choose a chair that is not only comfortable but also complements your desk.

for a great many of us our day to day work is conducted in offices at desks. We sit for hours at these desks

sometimes in chairs that hurt our bodies. to help solve this problem there are companies who have developed ergonomic office chairs. these office chairs are designed to provide your entire body with the support that is needed when you are seated for long periods of time. in these ergonomic office chairs the lumbar section or the lower body area is supported naturally.

there is also a good support which follows the natural line of the spine. ergonomic chairs that have this feature are the best you should look for. in some ergonomic office chairs these sections of the body – the lumber section and the spine – are provided with an inflatable cushion. this cushion can be adjusted by the user for maximum comfort.

there are also levers that you can use to control the different sections of the chair so that you can great support for the entire body. the levers will also adjust the height of the chair. this is important as not everyone is of the same height. By choosing the right height of the ergonomic office chairs various people who sit in these


chairs will have the comfort that is needed to work in comfort and minus a backache. some of the ergonomic office chairs have a platform which performs the same function for the feet as the ground of the office does.

the various ergonomic office chairs are based on different types of chairs. You will find ergonomic office chairs in various colors like pine green, dark blue, maroon and other colors. there are also chairs which managers, executives and Ceos can use. You will find chairs which are suitable for different tasks in the office. some of these chairs have the same design that is used in cars. By selecting office chairs like this you will find that it is possible to work for long or short periods of time.

the vast choice of office chairs which can be found will make working in office a pleasure. You should choose the best type of ergonomic office

chairs that you want to use in your office or business. You will then find that your backaches are all a thing of the past.

RIGht LIGhtInGCommercial office lighting should always unite utility and aesthetics with designs that compliment the décor and artwork that makes the office a comfortable and productive work environment. different areas within a corporation require different lighting techniques, but all lighting designs must follow this basic rule of “attractive practicality”

to bring tangible value to a corporation. the few key points to emphasize in the many office environments that require lighting design and special lighting fixtures:

office lighting in executive workspace should reflect the privacy and fine taste that sets an executive

area apart. Many executives decorate their offices with ornate furniture and priceless works of art that need specialty fixtures and high-end art lighting techniques. task lights must provide glare-free task lighting over highly intensive paperwork and computer activity so managers and directors can concentrate on long-term projects without eyestrain.

Boardrooms tend to be highly focused facilities that sometimes need to point an audience’s attention toward a white board or projection screen at one end of the room. the office lights here must illuminate the table for meetings but avoid distracting viewers from audio/visual presentations and guest speakers.

one thing that often improves a boardroom environment is to replace fluorescent panel lights with recessed ceiling lights tied to user-friendly dimmer switches. When the time comes for a presentation, the meeting facilitator simply has to dim the lights to levels optimal for viewing audio/visual media.

haLLs, fOyeRs, and waItInG aReasthe many finer points of interior decorating can be enhanced by selective use of specialty accent lighting and art lighting fixtures designed to add functionality to task and decorative appeal to art, statuary, and bookcases. in larger rooms with cove ceilings, any number of strip lighting fixtures with bulbs lamps from low-voltage xenon to

led can be installed to add the decorative touch of superior cove lighting at energy efficient levels. By combining all of layers of light in the foyer, lighting designers can set the theme for an entire floor and extend that theme throughout the building, making subtle changes in each office to create individual lighting accents within the overall design reflective of corporate culture and branding.

OFFICE INTERIORS


ITAlIAN INTERIOR DESIGN

t uscan style of interior decoration is inspired by italian country style of home decoration which

makes liberal use of elements of nature. Beautiful italian art and exquisite hand painted ceramics are often used.

Crumbling stone walls, intricate wrought iron accessories, sun-washed hillsides, rustic stone farmhouses, marble flooring and sturdy hardwood furniture are some of the other wonderful elements of this decorating style. using natural elements provide a peaceful setting and it is no wonder that tuscan style decorating is so popular for today’s homes. tuscan style’s appeal lies in its simplicity. By combining comfortable, worn and

cherished pieces, a room becomes warm and inviting. there’s no attempt at deception here.

According to legends, people during ancient Roman times, people moved to the beautiful hills of central italy to remove themselves from city life, escape the intrigue of politics, and embrace the idealised culture of the country.

they enjoyed the beauty of nature and incorporated the elements into their villas. these same elements are what makes tuscan style decorating so appealing for our homes even today.

the look of tuscan style which uses sturdy materials that stand the test of time is rustic, warm, and inviting.

there is nothing shiny and new in tuscan style. in tuscan style, natural materials are sourced from central italy. sandstone or limestone, available in a wide range of hues is used in the construction. Marble is found in abundance in the region and is used for decorative details, flooring, arches, and pillars.

tuscan homes have an enduring quality about them and look solid and substantial. terracotta roof tiles] can be seen everywhere in tuscany, and should be incorporated into any home being designed in the tuscan style.

deep-set windows framed by sandstone are often protected with rustic wooden shutters. outdoor spaces are critically important, and a

AppeAl of siMpliCitYtuscan style of inteRioR decoRation Relies on simplicity and makes use of natuRal elements to cReate a peaceful enviRonment at home


home incorporating tuscan style decorating must include a veranda, terrace, or portico. Walls built of sandstone bricks surround today’s tuscan style hom. in ancient times such walls served as a defense.

Water is a critical element in tuscan style decorating, and many homes have a water fountain in the central courtyard. the fountain will be surrounded by greenery which will allowed to grow wild deliberately. Marble statues grace outdoor spaces. tall, graceful cypress trees sway in the breeze.

Walkways, driveways, and garden paths are set with stone or brick. nature is allowed to take its course and grass grows up between the stones. this gives a charming natural look.

the outdoors is brought into a home decorated in the tuscan style. Woods, stone, and colour are important elements. natural stone walls are left natural. stuccoed walls are colored with venetian plaster, colour washing or faux painting techniques to give a worn, well-loved look.

true old tuscan style rooms can have low ceilings and can be small and dark. Changes have been incorporated in this in accordance with times and currently tuscan rooms use wooden beams, plastered ceilings, and can have an open, airy feeling. Windows

are left uncovered to take advantage of natural light.

Wooden surfaces such as cupboards, door and window frames, shutters or ceiling beams are often left with a natural finish.

Colours in tuscan style decorating come from the earth. terracotta, brick, ochre, greens, and golden yellow are seen everywhere. Blue and green are added to contribute a visual cooling effect in areas with hot weather. surfaces that have been painted add a dash of colour even when the finish wears off.

often walls are painted with a soft white or gray, while accent colors and natural woods and stone provide the interest. Ceilings have dark open timbers. venetian plaster is a technique for adding texture and color to new walls.

Homes incorporating a tuscan style decoration often use flooring of wide wooden planks, timber boards, rough stone, unevenly-coloured terracotta bricks, or clay tiles. Antique rugs are used to add warmth and colour.

the furniture in a tuscan style home is usually of straight, simple lines made from rough-sawn local woods. Accents of tile, wrought iron, and marble are common. to achieve the worn look, new pieces of dark woods or pine are often “distressed” at the factory.

open cupboards and armoires are found in almost all rooms and are used for dishes, linens, and clothes. door fronts are often left open with chicken wire. no tuscan style kitchen is complete without a long, family-style wooden table.

open shelves and free-standing cupboards provide storage in a tuscan style kitchen and a place to display ceramics and pottery. A kitchen sink is made of natural stone or porcelain. Cabinet and sink hardware are often of dark wrought iron. install a copper range hood surrounded by tumbled marble tiles at the stove area.

display copper pots from a wrought iron rack, use terracotta containers as accents and storage, and add colour with majolica (a type of ceramics) dinnerware.

incorporate tuscan themes in accent touches in your kitchen with displays of pasta in glass jars, a braid of onions or garlic, jars of olives, and flowers.

the natural elements of stone, wood, water and color are essential in any tuscan style home. By using all of the elements, you’re sure to achieve this look that feels warm and welcoming.

the natural elements of stone, wood, water and color are essential in any tuscan style home. By using all of the elements, you’re sure to achieve this look that feels warm and welcoming


MAking A stYle stAteMent oman is gRadually inching towaRds a moRe impRoved quality of life foR which inteRioR design segment is emeRging an impoRtant sectoR

i nterior designing in the sultanate has come of age. it does not mean decoration anymore. A large number of people approach

professionals to design interiors and wants to put more emphasis on basic planning and functional design. leading real estate projects including the integrated tourism complexes have their own qualified interior designers to take care of interior design aspects of the project.

different institutions in the capital such as furniture stores, consultancy

offices, are also employing interior designing professionals. there are specialised interior designing firms also. some of them plan to open offices in interiors of the sultanate also, thereby spreading awareness of interior design even in far flung areas. presently there are several qualified omani men and women who graduated as interior designers who are incorporating local influences in interior design.

funCtIOnaL aspeCts professional interior design can

assist special groups like children, physically challenged individuals, or older adults to maintain their independence.

familiar examples of commercial interior design to serve business purpose are evident at fast food restaurants which use warm colours and not so comfortable chairs which make people finish their food quickly. several financial institutions organise space inside their office to help users with efficient circulation. they use diverse colours at different counters

INTERIORS OvERvIEW


Focusing on increased safety for consumers, Berger Paints has

recently introduced a wide range of “Flame Spread Resistant”

products in Oman. In layman’s language, these products offer

increased safety in cases of fire by limiting the spread of sur-

face flames.

The work on formulating these products started over a year

ago. While the products themselves were developed and

internally tested, Berger worked with premier third party-fire

protection laboratories – Warrington Fire from the UK to get

these products independently certified as per international

standards.

Post this Berger Paints applied to Civil Defense –Royal Oman

Police for accreditation. Following rigorous tests carried out by

ROP at Berger Paints factory in early August, the ROP has certi-

fied three product lines, Weathercoat FR (a smooth emulsion,

which is available in 1500+ ready shades from any Berger Col-

ourWorld) & Weathercoat FR Tex (a range of textures).

Rop CeRtifies BeRgeR pAints pRoduCts foR fiRe sAfetY

to differentiate services quickly. it makes people who arrive at the place identify the counter where the service which they need is provided.

interiors of residential buildings in oman maintain traditional space division such as separate Majlis for men and women. the exterior architecture of buildings in Muscat has a unique style due to the standards set by Muscat Municipality. the interior has to somewhat reflect the same style as the exterior.

ChOICe Of COLOuRsinterior design trends in oman currently are influenced by the Asian and south east Asian trends. omani culture is colourful which is influenced by indian and persian trends, noted dr. Mona. presently, the furniture used is mainly imported from Malaysia and China which has dark colors, she said.

the awareness on eco-friendly paint and fabrics which could be used is yet to catch up in the sultanate. people

still use paints to impart color to walls and use of wall paper is not popular, dr. Mona noted. for flooring marble and porcelain tiles are the norm.

interior design involves making any space into an effective setting for the range of human activities taking place there. it is essential to improve the quality of life in residential, commercial, and public settings. it is interesting to note the increasing development of such a field in oman.

new tRendsAlmost all houses in oman look alike. When you enter houses here you don’t feel differences. floorings and ceilings are the same. A majority of houses are painted white. traditionally people used to take whatever available in the market. sometimes they would approach painters and ask what is available.

But trends are changing now and some of the new paint showrooms have software which allows customers to apply different colours

to drawings of their homes and select the paint that best suits them.

Currently wall papers are also becoming popular. there are exclusive wall paper showrooms in Muscat at present. different varieties of wall papers which were not available here are currently available in the market.

there is significant french influence in the interior design of houses here. Window panes and columns are all french. once you enter an omani home there is separate majilis for men and women, corridor, another hall, staircase, three to four rooms scattered and a small family room.

interior designing in some of the big hotels in oman is influenced by omani traditions. the Barr Al Jissah Resort and spa is an example of omani traditions in interior design. However, increasing awareness on interior designing is also resulting in people giving importance to ensure functionality while designing specific areas of their home and offices.


SPONSORED FEATURE - PROPERTY

Homes, Oman is going to open a shop in Qurum City Centre, Muscat shortly.

services portFoLioBetter Homes undertakes sales and leasing in both commercial and

B etter Homes, the foremost real estate agency in the UAE, is all set to emerge on top among Oman’s real estate agents.

Within a short period after launching its operations in March this year, it has become one of the most preferred real estate agents in Oman.

Its quality residential and commercial properties and unmatched services have met the expectations of customers and it has set new standards in the market.

“The driving factors behind our success are transparency in operations, a warm and friendly approach and a structured way of functioning,” said Harry Buitelaar, General Manager, Better Homes, Oman. It is true; one feels at home as one enters Better Homes’ office in Muscat.

“The launch of the Muscat office comes at an interesting time as Oman’s property market opens to freehold foreign ownership opportunities,” said Buitelaar. He also noted that Oman has shown a high degree of resilience, maintaining a steady rate of growth.

Currently, Better Homes is the agent of some of the leading properties like Barr Al Jissah Residences in Oman and has all types of properties including the affordable ones in its inventory. “We are the exclusive agents for Barr Al Jissah Residences and will have a sales office at the site in the near future,” Buitelaar said. Better Homes market properties of other leading ITCs as well.

Better Homes was founded by Linda Mahoney in Dubai in 1986. Started as a one-woman show, Better Homes grew by

leaps and bounds and currently has a workforce of more than 450. It has franchisees in many countries including all GCC countries. Operating under Alkhonji Real Estate LLC, the Master Franchise for the Sultanate, Better

Better Homes for A Better lifeBetter Homes, the UAE’s largest real estate agency, has become one of the leading real estate agents in the Sultanate within a short period of time, says Harry Buitelaar, General Manager, Better Homes, Oman

BETTER HOMES

Harry Buitelaar, General Manager, Better Homes, Oman


Contact: Tel: 24699334

Fax: 2460447

E mail: [email protected]

residential segments. It deals with all types of properties.

“We offer short term leasing also,” said Buitelaar. “We manage properties on behalf of landlords by providing a comprehensive service including entire spectrum of tenant management say maintenance, lease management and legal and financial advice. We also prepare feasibility study for projects,” he explained.

“We are dynamic and have a transparent policy,” noted Buitelaar. “We make very clear what each party’s rights and obligations are. We have a strong relationship with BankMuscat to facilitate home finance for the customers,” he added.

With an extensive network of operations across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, Better Homes has a unique competitive advantage of a large pool of database of prospective buyers and tenants. It has a highly experienced team of professional consultants who can help buyers identify properties best suited to their requirements.

market dynamicsTalking about his assessment of the market in Oman, Buitelaar noted that the rental market in the Sultanate has stabilized. “Rental levels have dropped since the start of the economic downturn. However, stipulations implemented by the government on tenancy agreements and rental hikes have ensured that they did not shoot up or fall dramatically.

They have also helped to avoid many unnecessary disputes. Despite the fall in rentals, investments in properties continue to offer healthy rental returns to the landlords. With an attractive capital appreciation in the medium-to-long term, investments in property continue to be a viable and preferred asset class in the market,” observed Buitelaar.

On the home loans, Buitelaar commented that banks are aggressively promoting their home loan facilities and it is heartening to see them offering competitive rates. “Take BankMuscat’s ‘baituna’ home finance for example. It is offering attractive interest rates, quick and convenient approval process, specialised mortgage advisory and loan facilitation for properties from all leading developers.

‘Baituna’ home finance facilitates purchase and construction of new homes as well as buying land for residential use. The product is available for all Omanis, GCC nationals and expatriates as well. The bank also offers refinancing of housing loans,” he added.

integrated tourism tourism t compLexesMoving on to the current status of Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITC), are well on course, Buitelaar said. “The Wave, Muscat few months ago launched its first sales drive for the year with a high degree of success. Both the end users as well as investors purchased the units.

“Muscat Hills, a collection of luxury

despite the fall in rentals, investments in properties continue to offer healthy rental returns to the landlords. With an attractive capital appreciation in the medium-to-long term, investments in property continue to be a viable and preferred asset class

homes and apartments around a golf course near the Seeb airport, has started handing over the first units. I think many of them will be placed in the market for re-sale and lease.

“Salam Yiti, a joint venture of Sama Dubai and Omran, has been frozen for the time being. But I believe discussions are on to revive the project. Some time back, Sama Dubai issued a statement that it is still committed to the project.

“Muriya, another notable ITC project in Oman, is investing in two integrated tourism complexes in the Sultanate namely ‘Jebel Sifah’ and ‘Salalah Beach’ and both projects are well under way.”

Future prospectsOn the way ahead, Buitelaar reiterated, “We think we started at the right time. The market has already bottomed out. A large number of enquiries are coming up currently. Developers are starting new real estate projects -- small, medium and large.

The growing economy, tax freedom and increasing population are fuelling the demand for homes. We feel that business will pick up. We are confident that Better Homes will optimally utilize the emerging opportunities with the resurgence of the market,” he concluded.


HOME lOANS - PROPERTY

HAssle-fRee HoMe loAns nbo has Revised its home loan scheme Reducing tuRnaRound time significantly

n ational Bank of oman is all set to provide a new experience to home loan seekers which will be

hassle free and tailored to their needs. the bank has reworked its home loans and will soon come out with fast turnaround time.

“We have reworked our home loans. in a month we will come out with very smooth turnaround time,” said saud said Al shidhani, executive Manager and Head-product development and Balance sheet Management of nBo.

He said, “We will have same day pre-approved housing loans. When customers come and enquire about loans, we can tell them how much they are eligible to get. should they provide all necessary documents, they will be able to get the loan in three or four days,” said Al shidhani. turnaround time is most important and this is the area where we differentiate ourselves from others,” he added.

on the interest rates he said, “We have one of the lowest interest rates on home loans and for selected segments, we offer very competitive rates.”

the Al Manzel home loan scheme of the bank is already popular. “the purpose of Al Manzel is to help young people own homes, especially newly married couples who do not usually have sufficient funds or savings to pay for homes. though many banks have similar products, the difference provided by nBo is in

terms of service and minimum turnaround time.

Answering questions on the current real estate scenario, Al shidhani said property prices and rents have come down. earlier property prices were overestimated even in places where there are no services. now it has drastically dropped in places where no services are available and by 20-30 per cent in places with access to services.

speculators who brought property for high prices hoping to sell it later for a margin suffered. on whether banks have become more cautious, shidhani said banks do not want to load people with more commitments than they can bear. But if somebody with a good income and background applies they will easily get loans. Majority of

banks have reduced the debt burden ratio.

Commenting on the normal challenges faced by banks, he said banks need to be very careful while evaluating the price of a property. Banks should have a very strong risk management system and competent people. they should undertake frequent evaluation of mortgaged property, say once in every two years.

shidhani opined that banks need to play the role of educating customers about repayment and the need to save. Customers should be made aware of their ability to repay. people need to be encouraged to save or otherwise their situation can deteriorate. As a result, the next generation can face social issues, he said.

Saud Said Al Shidhani, Executive Manager and Head-Product Development and Balance Sheet

Management, NBO


Mohamed Ayjaz, General Manager, Hamptons International & Partners LLC

Contact: 24 699 773

Website: www.hamptons-int.com

condition of the market, says “With the overwhelming enquiries on local sales, we are looking into expansion of our sales department with an emphasis of creating 100% Omani sales team. Being the market leader in the high end property leasing, even our property management team has been successful in doubling its property portfolio during the year. We also continue to sell prestigious ITC and non-ITC projects.”

Hamptons International is growing as Oman is going up the growth trajectory as a hub for business and tourism. Hamptons International is renowned as a leading real estate company in the country with its exclusive professional services and strong client base comprising Omani landlords and tenants from European nationalities and South East Asians.

A leading entity in the Sultanate’s real estate market, Hamptons International & Partners LLC was established in Muscat in

early 2000 as a first phase in its Gulf network presence, bringing to the region a full range of residential, commercial and related professional real estate services in partnership with H.E Abdul Alim Al Rakhyoot. Owned and operated as a subsidiary of Emaar Properties, one of the world’s largest real estate companies, Hamptons International continues to expand both locally and internationally, positioning itself as one of the most valuable residential property groups in the world. Positioned strongly in major cities in Europe, Morocco and India, the company has rapidly extended its global network to the Middle East with a regional hub in Dubai.

RepeRtOIRe Of seRvICesWith a team of highly experienced property professionals, Hamptons International’s offices in Muscat and Salalah offer a diverse range of services and enjoy a track record of excellence.

Globally renowned for its professional estate agency services, Hamptons International is on the surveying and valuer’s panel of numerous banks in the Sultanate with particular emphasis on Bank Muscat, Bank Sohar, HSBC, Oman International Bank, National Bank of Oman, Ahli Bank, Oman Development Bank and Oman Arab Bank. Hamptons International strives to achieve excellence in all property related services and assist customers with its unparalleled knowledge and experience in the field.

The company has strengthened its project portfolio and has in place a dedicated research team, with its unparalleled business data for over a decade is able to provide in depth analysis of the country’s realty sector.

OmanIsatIOn bIdIn compliance with the Omanisation target, Hamptons International has been instrumental in training the Omani

future perfectHampton International’s offices in Muscat and Salalah offer a diverse range of services and enjoy a track record of excellence

HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAl & PARTNERS llC Ð OMAN

SPONSORED FEATURE - PROPERTY

valuation team to become the most proficient ones carrying the latest methods of valuation techniques of Royal Institutions of Chartered Surveyors standards. In some departments, the company has achieved 100 per cent Omanisation.

Mohamed Ayjaz, general manager, who is optimistic about the improved

services provided by Hamptons international in oman:• Leasing• Property Sales• Valuations• Property Management• Relocation• New Developments• Research & Feasibility

studies


WHeRe Cooking is puRe pleAsuRe

kitchen is the hub of any household. virtually a production centre, the domestic kitchen is a

source of sustenance and enjoyment for the family. driven by greater purchasing power, more money and energy are now being spent on home décor which includes kitchen as well.

in oman one would find large kitchen spaces. generally there are two kitchens in a large villa. one is the typically regular kitchen handled by hired cooks. then there is the private kitchen where the lady of the house cooks for her guests as a gesture of personal care. Much thought goes into setting up this kitchen, which has all the sophisticated range of appliances from europe or the usA that are both attractive and functional. sometimes customers go for modular kitchens, (which are essentially meant for smaller spaces) in large villas as it has the overall décor.

mOduLaR KItChensModular kitchens are popular with

modern families who try to fit in all their appliances within a small space. societal trends like the population growth and subsequent reduction in per capita space resulting in a rising floor space prices are responsible for this shift.

A modular kitchen is nothing but kitchen layouts consisting of modules (units) of cabinets for effective utilization of space. the floor units or floor cabinets on which a kitchen worktop made of granite, marble, tile or wood is laid, serves the very purpose of creating spaces for varied activities in a kitchen. Wall units or cabinets are effective as storage units.

Apart from wooden cabinets and counter tops, modular kitchen normally constitutes internal accessories, electro domestic gadgets like chimney, hob, built-in-oven, sink with or without drain board and a refrigerator, dishwasher, or other gadgets.

Moreover as families are becoming nuclear or smaller units, automation

and the related functional requirements are becoming crucial for faster and hassle-free cooking. only a designed layout can make the indoor space useful and supportive, making the micro – environment pleasant and comfortable.

the designer normally designs the space using modules of standardized sizes to suit individual spaces. Most kitchen design software that the designer uses has an option where the catalogues can be edited to set the sizes of the kitchen units to the standard sizes one uses. today’s interior design has far greater professionalism, which is transforming the way we look at interiors.

Oman’s taKein oman, the high–end villas, apartments or affordable housing societies, kitchens are done up by the local franchisees, who represent world-class brands of kitchen furniture and appliances and often work on a project basis, offering turnkey solutions to customers.

KITCHEN INTERIOR

kitchen is no longeR an

isolated space in a household,

RatheR a well-designed

visual delight without

compRomising on

functionality, which

altogetheR is a Reflection

of changing lifestyle needs


Right from conceptual design, space planning to implementation, they carry out the project according to customer requirement. in some cases, professional design consultants are trained to assist clients in planning the space to meet their budget and taste. Customers can also pick and choose from the top of the range international brands that specialize in modular and state-of-the-art ‘smart kitchen’ designs large variety of appliances stocked at the showroom. it is noteworthy that in any housing project, modular kitchens are in vogue now.

pOInts tO pOndeRthere are a few basic points that designers in the sultanate consider while planning for kitchen. Room dimensions, windows, doors, electricity, and water connections being some of them. the most important point is how one arranges one’s central work areas in the kitchen for washing, cooking and refrigeration. the established principles call for one or two runs of units that are effective in a small space. l and u shaped kitchens work well in smaller space. island kitchens are good for large open plan spaces.

Another factor is also important, that is, getting the ergonomy right. A right

working height is an important part of the design process. different heights within a run make good ergonomic sense.

All culinary brands that local companies represent take into account all these factors. Whether it is sieMatic, a german premium modular kitchen company, or Aran Cucine, a chic, modern and futuristic modular kitchen from italy, or the reputed Bertolini from Brazil -- all are on the floor to offer expert advice and the latest in design trends, continually renewing their lines to reflect changing lifestyle needs.

in today’s dynamic world, innovation is the key to success. the principals are always spending on innovations and new ideas the benefits of which are passed on to the consumers through local franchisees. new inventions are progressive in outlook and veer towards environmental concerns. it is evident that technology holds great potential for future kitchens, the benefits of which are surely be enjoyed by oman’s residents.

functionally contemporary, much to the convenience of users, many brands have digital touch control panels essential for modern cooking experience. in a combination of

steel and glass, sleek designs are lending contemporary kitchens a neat character. the finest design breakthrough for kitchen appliances and sinks has come with the realisation that the functionality factor that has restricted appliances design could be overcome without compromising the functionality factor. teka’s products that have made a recent entry into oman market, is a pointer in that direction. it should be mentioned that numerous brands are making their foray into oman market, only a few are mentioned here.

One stOp shOpWith the rising demand for modular kitchen brands, the consumer demand for built-in kitchen appliances that get integrated into kitchen is also growing. local companies simplify the very process of the built-in appliance hunt by the consumer by making them available under one roof. one stop shop has become the order of the day.

gaggenau and siemens from germany and indesit from italy along with many other renowned brands offer every conceivable built-in appliance that is used in the modular kitchen such as hobs, hoods, ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, coffee machines, steamers, microwaves, plate warmers and kitchen accessories. this proves convenient for the developer who can negotiate both position and costs comprehensively.

this is convenient for consumers also as not only kitchen appliances, but kitchen sinks, electrical fittings, tiles and specialized flooring for kitchens are often available under the same roof. designers help customers to give expression to their requirements and they can see the finished product of their choice in 3-d design in computer before buying the product. Customer satisfaction comes first for the principals as well as the franchisees.


Contact: Tel: 24498993,24494127

Email: [email protected]

Bought a new house and looking for a one stop shop for setting up a smart kitchen? Visit I Space, part of North Ocean

Enterprises. At I Space you can pick and choose from the large variety of kitchen and bedroom solutions.

I Space is always re–inventing itself and has widened its business interests into different spheres over the years, where only limited space is available and more ideas are needed per square centimeter.

I-Space kitchens are completely customized to space, styling and utility preferences, and can also be offered along with appliances from our global partner ELBA, Italy and Accessories from BLUM. I-Space Kitchens have PVC foiled MDF, solid wood, veneered and lacquered finishes with soft closing and unique Orga-line design and specially developed features, both external and internal, owned only by I-Space.

It also offers the widest range and innovative designs of PVC doors that match your every need and requirement. Thick PVC foiled solid MDF doors, fire rated doors and door frames come in an array of designs and colors.

I-Space Wardrobes come with various finishes - from opaque glass to wood, and three systems of doors – sliding, folding, hinged; key features include soft closing and plenty of internal accessories to make living easier. Our furniture has become more attractive because: we have set new standards in the surface finishing of decorative and high gloss fronts. The products have a long life and the characteristics to endure the weather in Oman. Every individual kitchen has consistent quality features that you can rely on as they have to take most of the rigours of daily use; all PVC foiled MDF shutters are impact resistant and scratch, water, fire resistant. They are treated for anti-termite and against color fading.

A smart kitchen solution is only complete with especially built-in appliances. At I Space, while deciding on their kitchen, customers can choose from the

Beauty in diversityI Space offers exciting new range of kitchen solutions that blend stunning styling and perfect customization with precise appliances

NORTH OCEAN ENTERPRISES LLC

Every individual kitchen has consistent quality features that you can rely on as they have to take most of the rigours of daily use; all PVC foiled MDF shutters are impact resistant and scratch, water, fire resistant

formidable range of built- in appliances from Elba. Elba stands for technological innovation; it stands for aspiration and style. This brand offers hobs, hoods, built in ovens, built in and semi integrated dishwashers, built in microwave and coffee machine. With smart modular kitchens and appliance solutions from Italy, that meet every conceivable culinary need, other elements such as CM kitchen sinks from Italy are also a part of the offering. Any discerning customer will appreciate the unique feature of

these sinks. If the surface is scratched or damaged, the oxide film heals up instantly on contact with oxygen, thus preventing corrosion which enables to retain their long lasting sparkle. With such exciting features it truly is a one stop shop buy for the consumer.

FEATURE - KITCHENS


Scotsman offers unique medium to high production capacities with total hygiene concept and low water content system and the bacterial protection for the models has ensured high production capacities hence reducing operation and maintenance costs.

Invented the world’s first commercial pressure fryer. Found in 1957 and remain the industry leader in category of pressure fryers. Henny Penny has expanded its product line with open fryers, rotisseries, heated merchandisers, warming cabinets and much more.

The Henny Penny has always been about developing new concepts, value-added services and customized solutions for foodservice operators in every corner of the world. It’s about a global network which has the ability to deliver the highest standard of representation and service in the industry.

Cimbali has been producing espresso and cappuccino machines since 1912. The extraordinary passion for quality and a renowned talent for innovation led the company to become an ambassador of the espresso coffee culture in the world.

Today as ever, Cimbali keeps focusing on technological innovation to satisfy local market demands. In fact, today’s machines are designed to prepare much more than traditional espresso and cappuccino. Cimbali equipment is able to deliver an excellent coffee experience wherever you are around the globe, from a small ristretto to a 20 fl oz steaming cappuccino.

M ohsin Haider Darwish LLC has been successful in enriching people’s lives through retailing some of the best international

brands for discerning customers in the Sultanate of Oman.

The Projects & Building Material Division of MHD LLC deals with commercial kitchens and built-in kitchen furniture & allied appliances. The well known brands are manufactured in state of the art plants in Europe and meet superior quality of standards in terms of durability, reliability and aesthetic solutions.

commerciaL kitcHen soLutionsMHD LLC’s commercial kitchen department offers a complete solution to its customers with dedicated team to support detailed design engineering, estimation, supply, installation and commissioning and effectively backed up with an after sales service capability.

The department has a good track record with an array of major installations in Star hotel chains, Industrial cafeterias, chain of fast foods & restaurants,

smart Choice for Creative CuisineThe Projects & Building Material Division of MHD LLC which deals with commercial kitchens and built-in kitchen furniture & allied appliances possesses some of the world renowned brands

MOHSIN HAIDER DARWISH llC

Contact: Sandeep C.P.

Asst manager -- Projects

Tel: 24732300 / 24732358

Fax: 24796743


Web site: www.mhdoman.com

hospitals, aviation, prominent villas and residential complexes.

Invented the first convection oven & The Only Self Cooking Center in the world. With its ability to turn night into day as you may imagine arriving at your kitchen in the morning and finding the roasts already done with the touch of a button. This Self Cooking Centre works for you in the kitchen earning value for money in the most cost effective solutions with the most advanced technology & hygienic needs.

The Smart Choice in Ice. Scotsman has been providing ice for the world since 1950 and pioneered the development of affordable, reliable ice-making machines. Half a century of research, innovation and customer service Scotsman is truly the largest manufacturer of ice maker in the world.


FEATURE - KITCHENS

possibilities whether you have a lot of dishwashing to do or very little and will integrate perfectly with your kitchen thanks to Whirlpool’s high quality finish and clean edged design. Brand new generation of dishwashers run on innovative technology that delivers outstanding performances in terms of energy saving.

The Whirlpool built-in collection is available at Mustafa Sultan Electronics showrooms in Al Khuwair and Ruwi and also in Carrefour, Lulu & Emax.

M ustafa Sultan Electronics Co LLC (MSEC), a leading electronics business house in Oman recently launched

the new range of Whirlpool built-in appliances in the Sultanate.

The new elegant range has been designed keeping in view the modular kitchen concept currently popular all over the world. The intelligent and user friendly appliances blend beautifully with a seamless design aesthetics across the entire range making the kitchen a delightful part of every day living.

These appliances offer versatility and style besides giving you a wide choice to choose from, depending on your needs and cooking styles / preferences. Remember after all its Whirlpool – Sensing the difference.

Whirlpool are the No 1 appliances company in the world today and this was achieved through continuous innovation and development, keeping the customer requirements / needs in mind and developing products suitable for today’s market conditions involving ease of use, environment friendliness etc. No wonder that Whirlpool is the No 1 appliances company in the world today.

product LineThe Whirlpool built-in collection lines have microwave ovens, hobs, hoods, dishwashing with innovative designs. Whirlpool microwave ovens are innovative combinations of microwave and conventional oven technologies, offering the quality cooking performance.

In addition to the wide range of programmes available on multi-function

ovens, Whirlpool has now added the innovative 6th Sense function, offering perfect cooking results.

Available in different configurations, Whirlpool’s Origami cooking system features a series of hobs to suit your space, from very small to extra large, and vastly extend your culinary repertoire. Sheer, flat, easily cleanable surfaces are the basis for grids and pan supports. High-tech burners and sophisticated accessories give you a professional chef’s control. Whirlpool offers an outstanding choice of hoods to fit any kitchen, with perfect design matches for all the other products in the Linear and Progressive built-in ranges.

Whirlpool dishwashers offer versatile

Built-in utilityWhirlpool products are marketed in more than 170 countries and have nearly 60 manufacturing and technology centers worldwide with global sales of nearly $ 19 billion

MUSTAFA SUlTAN ElECTRONICS CO llC

Contact Details: Ruwi 24831135

Al Khuwair: 2448 1670/24636015

Website: www.mustafasultan.com


the Expression sink series. The superbly designed sink enjoys a pride of place in the house along with hygienic and environment-friendly Expression taps.

diFFerent price rangesBahwan Electronics reaches out to large key customers of Teka through kitchen dealers. The company also offers turnkey solution to its customer, if required. One advantage that Teka enjoys is that it caters to the needs of all kinds of customers as it has products in three categories, the basic, middle and the premium ranges.

The clients are segregated into two tiers: Showrooms/kitchen dealers specialised in selling to the individual customers. Also there are real estate developers who buy in bulk for their properties, like The Wave, Muscat. Bahwan Electronics with large

With the rising demand for modular kitchen brands, the consumer demand for built-in kitchen appliances

is also growing. Teka, which has a comprehensive range of products consisting of a range of built-in ovens, hobs, hoods, microwave oven and refrigerators, is introduced in Oman recently by Bahwan Electronics.

Present across all the GCC countries with a regional office in Dubai, Teka is a German industrial group with various business divisions across the globe. The group’s business areas range from domestic and professional equipment to kitchen appliances.

All Teka’s products come in stainless steel, a hard metallic surface which is corrosion and shock resistant, hygienic and easy to clean. Most importantly, it is finger print proof across all categories. The core strength of all Teka products lie in the fact that every product is manufactured by themselves in factories mostly in Germany and Spain, made to European standards, with high energy efficiency rating. Very consistently Teka offers its products with sleek style, longevity and high level of reliability and cavities of ovens and microwave ovens of TEKA are seamless and without any screw. Therein lies its USP.

expression seriesWithin the Teka range come the Expression series appliances, which is a visual delight for their sleek designs. Functionally contemporary, much to the convenience of users, all have digital touch control panels essential for modern cooking experience.

Teka has the largest range of multifunction ovens in its repertoire. Its Compact combi microwaves and accessories like plate warmers are popular with end-users. The combination of induction hobs and chimney hoods lend the kitchen a tranquil and neat character all because of the minimalism of their sleek horizontal lines. The Expression range would not be complete without

seamless beauty The Expression series appliances within the Teka range is a combination of steel and glass, which is a visual delight for their sleek designs. All have digital touch control panels essential for modern cooking

BAHWAN ElECTRONICS llC

infrastructure offers a commenable after sales service to the buyers.

Sums up Parasuram Iyer, Dy General Manager, Bahwan Electronics LLC, says “Teka is a great brand to be associated with. The company is committed to this region by establishing a support office in Dubai. Our company offers unmatched infrastructure for pre and after sales service in Oman market. We expect the business to do well as this is a growing segment. Especially with the rising demand for modular kitchen brands, the demand for built-in kitchen appliances is also growing. People are now aware that kitchen is also a place that can be beautiful.”

Contact: 2479 2977

e-mail:[email protected]

Website:[email protected]


along with swift delivery, installations and with interior design services.

Index provides a hassle free, unique and competitive service that allows the individual to furnish conveniently. The key benefits are convenience and competitiveness, which translates into great value.

expansion pLansIndex Furniture Center is currently located in Al Khuwair having a 800 sq.m. showroom displaying Home Furniture & Décor. The company has already opened another 300 sq.m. showroom for its office furniture range called the Elite Office Furniture. The company has plans to expand to other regions in the Middle East.

Index Furniture Center and Elite Office Furniture are part of the Abu Hani Group, a leading and respected business house with over 30 years of dedicated service to Oman.

Living up to its reputation as the contemporary furniture store, Index Furniture Center brings contemporary stylish

living at its finest via its flagship store at Al Khuwair. Muscat shoppers will feel right at home with many creative home ideas they find at Index Furniture Center. From the outside, shoppers are treated to a panoramic view of the store, with an exciting view of different set-ups featuring a wide and exciting mix of contemporary and functional furniture and set-ups for home.

Index Furniture Center was set up to cater to the retail needs of the local market for residential and office furniture. Index has now grown to meet the needs of real estate developers for bulk furnishing. Index has, over the years, developed the capability to provide interior design services as well.

At Index Furniture Center, there are lifestyle renditions of living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms that could give customers new ideas and perspectives on how to make use or put together the items to create beautiful living spaces for the home. With an

exciting merchandise mix, a well-trained and friendly staff, and helpful services offered, Index Furniture Center has become one of the country’s leading lifestyle stores.

product range range rHome furniture covers all types of furniture that one needs for setting up a home. Office furniture covers a variety of executive and junior level desks, work stations and seating products.

Home décor & accent items includes accessories and accent items that are primarily decorative in nature (art, display pieces, etc) as well as utility items (crockery, cutlery, kitchen and household items).

Index can thus cater to the needs of all customer segments - Omanis and expatriates, both western and Asian, individuals or corporates, local or multinational organizations.

Index provides a range of designs for all forms of living, dining, bedroom and outdoor furniture that can be made available on Retail Purchase or the Easy Finance Scheme (to be launched shortly),

Creative home ideasWith an exciting merchandise mix, a well-trained and friendly staff, and helpful services offered, Index Furniture Center has become one of the countryÕs leading lifestyle stores

INDEX & ElITE FURNITURE CO llC

Contact : 24486017

24479641

SPONSORED FEATURE FURNITURE


Contact: 2481 7529 /2481 4356/

Website: www.multitech.com

Quality speaksMultitech, with quality & timely service, has earned goodwill of customers, making a niche for itself in the market

MUlTITECH CONTRACTING llCM ultitech Contracting LLC is one of the leading interior decorators in Oman with specialized divisions to

ensure craftsmanship and quality. Initially called Karim Baksh Trading & Contracting, the company started off as small scale joinery set up in 1987.

Today it provides interior fit-out solutions, which is a growing need of contemporary times. Whether it is woodworks or soft furnishings, Multitech provides all types of customized solutions. Right from conceptual design, space planning to implementation, it carries out the project according to customer requirement.

Multitech’s full-fledged joinery workshop lies adjacent to its office, along with a showroom for specialized furniture finished product. With a staff-strength of 162, the company has civil and mechanical engineers, architects along with a separate design pool for designing exteriors. This dedicated team is involved in the turnkey solution projects carried out by the company, delivering superior value to its customers and end-users.

According to customer requirement, a presentation based on a draft plan is made for the customer. A lot of creative thinking and meticulous detailing go into making the plan that takes care of space management and MEP among other requirements.

Once the client approves the plan, the execution begins. Multitech is also dealing with most of the prestigious engineering consultants in the Sultanate of Oman.

circLe oF trustMultitech has many prestigious names in its circle of clients. All corporate banks in the Sultanate of Oman, various insurance companies, hotel industries, Airlines offices, hospitals, polyclinics, various prestigious shopping malls and corporate offices in the Sultanate are the major clients of Multitech for whom it has done the interiors.

In Oman, the concept of interior designs has undergone a significant change since the last five years. Today, because of recession, many MNCs in Dubai are shifting their base to Oman.

In this environment, companies and other entities in Oman are opting for a makeover.

Multitech, with its quality and timely service, has earned the goodwill of its customers and has made a niche for itself in the market. “All our designs are exclusive,” affirms Divakar Shetty, MD, Multitech Contracting, LLC.

It is noteworthy that the quality and safety aspects of its projects are regularly monitored by Multitech’s safety officer and quality controller.

gearing up For competitionFor a competitive edge, the company has made substantial investments in plants and machinery. All its workshop, paints and polish shop, upholstery and cane departments are well-equipped with cutting edge tools, devices and sophisticated wood working machines.

Multitech is growing vertically. The next step is to make the company ISO compliant and find a strategic location to build up its own premises, so that all its arms of operation can be brought under one roof.

Divakar Shetty, MD, Multitech Contracting LLC


issues where as the Ecodas solution is exceptionally good for meeting the environmental regulations.

With their diverse range of solutions, Hansen and Singh hope to support various needs of the customers like Ministries, the Military, corporate businesses as well as some of the manufacturing industries in Muscat, Nizwa, Sur, Sohar and all the way to Salalah. OMASCO believes in providing the best solutions through the expertise of their partners and timely quality services. OMASCO, with the strengths of their partners and the goodwill earned over a period with customers, is determined to continue focus assisting the authorities for the best utilization of water in terms of enhanced recovery of water through scarce natural resources along with the improved usages of water, recycling of waste water and improvement in the environment.

E stablished in 1974, Oman Marketing and Services Company (OMASCO) represents some of the leading global brands primarily

in the fields of water treatment and the oil and gas industry. Reputed for bringing some of the best products and solutions into the country, its Industrial Products division within OMASCO is no exception.

reputed principaLs DOW Oil and Gas, DOW Water Solutions, Prominent GmbH, Culligan Pentair’s Everpure and ECODAS are some of the major principals of OMASCO. According to Michael E. Hansen, Managing Director, OMASCO’s main objectives are to listen to customers’ needs, identify opportunities and then bring back appropriate proposals via their principals. “In Oman, there’s a lot of interest in areas of Oil & Gas such as Enhanced Oil Recovery and Dow has a business that is particularly good at enhanced chemical performances. And we work closely with all the major companies in Oman, trying to meet their needs.” For instance, OMASCO with the support of DOW has been successfully supplying Sulpherox to PDO. Dow also has a wide range of formulations for drilling, stimulation, production, Enhanced Oil Recovery, and Acid Gas Removal. Dow’s Filmtech membranes are known for their performance and specialty and the Rom n Hass resins for water softening, demineralization and special applications like Boron removal have been well accepted by the end users.

Prominent GmbH Oman’s unique source for water treatment and process solutions has also been associated with them since 1987 along with their entire product range including fluid transfer pumps, chemical dosing / metering pumps, and

process pumps. Containerized units for drinking water Facility for oilfield camps are the Specialty of Prominent and according to Narottam Singh, National Manager, Industrial Products Division, Prominent is known for many latest equipments and dosing systems including the disinfection systems for swimming pools and chemicals dosing for water treatment plants with absolutely advanced monitoring and control methodologies. He mentioned that many containerized units for drinking water are already functioning at various sites.

OMASCO’s product portfolio also includes Everpure the package water treatment for Food services establishments many filter cartridges for water filtration to keep the taste and of the product like Coffee, Tea, fountain drinks etc. intact. ECODAS, a solution for hygienic removal of medical waste using high pressure steam helping environment. Ecodas provides an environmentally acceptable solution to handle the medical waste more hygienically. The incineration technology which is presently in place can cause some environmental

power of partnershipThe Industrial Products Division at OMASCO offers solutions through continuous innovation along with global involvement and expertise

OMAN MARKETING AND SERvICES COMPANY (OMASCO)

Contact Tel: 24560374/24566148

Fax: 24562813


Left to right: Narottam Singh, National Manager, Industrial Products Division and

Michael E. Hansen, Managing Director, OMASCO

FEATURE - INTERIORS


W ith oman’s gradual progress, its commercial kitchens are also evolving

significantly. Whether setting up a regular kitchen or offering a tailor-made solution to suit individual needs, companies in oman are representing sophisticated brands of kitchen appliances from reputed principals and offering them to the hospitality sector like hotels, restaurants, catering companies, and also to private and government institutions, Ministry of defence, pdo, palace pantries and kitchens for Royal Court Affairs, Royal Air force of oman, Mobile kitchen for Army, Air force and Royal flight and sultan Qaboos university. Camping, and cleaning industries in oman, etc also come within their purview. the product range in their portfolio is very diverse and contains stylish, durable yet essential utility products of superior quality.

today’s restaurants, whether today’s restaurants, whether ttraditional or contemporary, have tiled walls and floors and generally use stainless steel for other surfaces as they are durable and easy to clean. often equipped with gas stoves (good for regulating heat quicker and more finely than electrical stoves), professional kitchens very typically use some special appliances such as large installed deep fryers, steamers, or a bain-marie.

the fast food and convenience food trends have also changed the way restaurant kitchens operate. there is a trend for restaurants to only “finish” delivered convenience food or even just re-heat completely prepared meals, maybe at the most grilling a hamburger or a steak. the microwave oven has made this task much easier. on passenger airliners, the kitchen is a mere pantry, the only function akin to that of a kitchen is the heating of in-flight meals delivered by a

catering company. Camping or outdoor kitchens are also catered by companies who represent different product ranges from different parts of the globe.

aRRay Of pROduCts Catering to this demand, product ranges are as varied as they could be. Cooking ranges with and without oven, combi steamers, convection and microwave ovens, fryers and fry-tops Bainmaries, hot cup-boards, cooking systems, hot buffet and cold buffet, bakery equipment and utensils, coolers, freezers, refrigerators, thermoports and food mobile systems, trolleys, carts and kitchen wagons, bins, containers and canisters, cutlery and crockery, baskets and caddies, laundry equipment mop buckets and housekeeping products, tents and tarpaulines, kitchen furniture and cold rooms. Whether for domestic or commercial kitchen, the company showrooms offer every

SPECIAl FEATURE

foR decades, Reputed bRands fRom the majoR pRincipals fRom

the west and the usa aRe RepResented

by the local fRanchisees in oman to Run

commeRcial kitchens in the

hospitality sectoR

ConteMpoRARYCoMMeRCiAl kitCHens


requirement of theirs – big or small. for last four decades, companies have come up at different points of time, specialized in design, sales, installation, and involved themselves in commissioning and maintenance of a wide range of products and specialties. in commercial catering and laundry equipment, some belong to the old league of family businesses in the sultanate. All of them offer one stop shop for the customers where everything is available under the same roof.

Reputed bRands for decades, reputed brands from the major principals from the West and the usA are represented by the local franchisees. Among them, mention may be made of products from Rieber and Mastro of germany; Aladdin, Hatco, Cambro, greenfield of usA; paderno, olis, desmon, Renzacci, Metaltechnica, scotsman, Moretti-forni, Cofrimell of italy; kt from finland; sammic, zummoval, itv of spain; Caplai, santos, Robot-Coupe of france; Row_and_sons, Burco, eti of uk; ist serv, zanuff of india; iCel of portugal and others.

then there is electrolux food service equipment that offers solution for traditional cooking or cook & chill, with different levels of automation. the electrolux equipment ranges from cooking, dishwashing, oven and food service appliances like cutters, planetary Mixers, vegetable peelers, handheld mixers, turbo liquidizer, fork kneading and spiral kneading machines. falcon uk is another

principal offering complete range of cookers, Bratt pans, Boiling pans, Convection/Combi ovens and Wok Cookers. Cookers from well-known brands like Qualigas and Belling and water coolers from eskimo are also there. the other principals are victor from uk, Bravilor Bonamat, Williams, insect-o-Cutor who are specialist manufacturers of heavy duty gas and electric Bain Marie/Hot cupboards, coffee machines, commercial refrigerators, package and modular coldrooms and insect killers for domestic, commercial and industrial purpose. Convenience and functionality are two major determinants in the making of these products.

Many companies are in a position to deliver high-tech product ranges to its customers within a short period of time, which is a competitive advantage for them and gain for the customers. While the companies bring equipment from across the globe, omani products also give a fillip to company’s presence in the market in a big way. A few of them manufacture a major portion of kitchen appliances locally, and the remaining portion is imported from europe and far east to meet the needs of omani market. Customization of kitchen appliances is commonplace in oman. the local products are in many cases the preferred choice in the market as they are available at affordable prices.

the after sales service that companies provide is worthy of mention as they

are crucial for companies who buy appliances and equipment.together with a strong after sales service team and spares back-up, companies offer Computer Aided design (CAd) proposals and undertakes turnkey projects. kitchen and laundry equipment annual maintenance contracts are also undertaken by the local franchisees who have dedicated support team.

safety COnCeRnto keep up with international developments, many local franchisees have set up a new section for research and development that result in obtaining the iso 9001. Ministry of Health’s seal of approval for food safety appliances is equally important. Companies of gulf origin may have their bases in uAe and have expanded to open up branches in Abu dhabi, sharjah, dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and in oman.

one retail company that caters to the growing hospitality and food and beverage sectors in oman and the region also provide for commercial buffetware and tableservices, tableware and glassware, services and maintenance, housekeeping and cleaning products, ambience and buffet setup to hotels, restaurants, cafés, banquets and catering companies. they represent world-famous brands like ozti kitchen equipment from turkey, Arcoroc and luminar from france, Berjaya, dynamic, paderno- sambonet, Retigo combi ovens, gourmet display, zieher, sunnex, superware, Al-kan – zicco, sAfiCo, Royal porcelain and bone china, imperial pottery crockery and many more. this company was established to fill up the gap in the market where there was a need for offering the full range of services from cutlery, tableware to kitchen equipment doing turnkey projects.

As part of practical wisdom, diversification is another way which helps the existing players in the market to cope with competition.

to keep up with international developments, many local franchisees have set up a new section for research and development that result in obtaining the iso 9001


FEATURE - COMMERCIAl KITCHEN

Contact Details:

00968 24703392/24797904/24703590

E-mail: [email protected]

website: www.najwani.biz

F rom a modest beginning in 1956 as a retailer of household items, Abdul Khalik Abdullah Habib Najwani & Partners LLC, has

established itself as a pioneer in bringing sophisticated kitchen appliances to the catering, camping, and cleaning industries in Oman. Founded by Abdul Khalik Abdullah Najwani, the company is a survivor and a winner in its chosen field of business. Oman progressed, so also the company, catering to the needs of its industries. Gradually, the focus shifted to kitchen equipment from household objects.

For decades, Abdul Khalik has been representing reputed brands from the major principals from the West and the USA. Among them, mention may be made of products from Rieber and Mastro of Germany; Aladdin, Hatco, Cambro, Greenfield of USA; Paderno, Olis, Desmon, Renzacci, MetalTechnica, Scotsman, Moretti-Forni, Cofrimell of Italy; KT from Finland; Sammic, Zummoval, ITV of Spain; Caplai, Santos, Robot-Coupe of France; Row_and_Sons, Burco, ETI of UK; Ist Serv, Zanuff of India; Paramount of Pakistan; ICEL of Portugal and others. While the company brings equipment from across the globe, Omani products also give a fillip to company’s presence in the market in a big way. The product range is very diverse and has over 4000 stylish, durable yet essential utility products of superior quality.

The company showroom, sprawling across 800 sq mt, is located in Darsait which is a “One Stop Shopping Centre” for chefs in the city. Whether for domestic or commercial kitchen, the showroom offers every requirement of kitchen – big or small. Today A.K.A.H. Najwani and

kitchen & laundry equipment marketThe product range of the company is very diverse and has over 4000 stylish, durable yet essential utility products of superior quality

ABDUl KHAlIK ABDUllAH HABIB NAJWANI & PARTNERS llC

Partners LLC, is in a position to deliver high-tech product ranges to its customers within a short period of time. It is a competitive advantage for the company and gain for the customers. More so, because the after sales service that the company provides is mention-worthy. “The equipment that we supply are of high quality and importantly very hygienic. We take care in ensuring that the customer gets the best choice possible without compromising on the quality. Our equipment adhere to the HACCP regulations and the European standards for

major productsCooking ranges with and without oven

Combi steamers, convection & microwave ovens

Fryers & fry-tops

Bainmaries, Hot cup-boards Front Cook–VARITHEK–air circulatory and cooking systems Hot buffet & cold buffet

Bakery equipment & utensils

Coolers, freezers, refrigerators

Thermoports and food mobile systems

Trolleys, carts and kitchen wagons

Bins, containers and canisters Cutlery & Crockery Baskets & Caddies Laundry equipment Mop buckets & housekeeping products Tents & Tarpaulines Kitchen furniture Cold rooms

food hygiene. Moreover our showroom is a market place for all kitchen and laundry needs from a small teaspoon to the large Varithek systems and from a laundry basket to the large dry-cleaners,” says Abdul Munim Najwani, managing director, Abdul Khalik Abdullah Habib Najwani & Partners LLC, with lot of self-assurance.


Contact: Saad Bin Masood

Sr Marketing Executive

(Kitchens Department)

Tel: 24793387

GSM: 97748433


Nobilia is the largest built-in kitchen manufacturer in Germany with two factories count among the most modern

and productive manufacturing sites for kitchen furniture in Europe. Almost every third kitchen sold in Germany is a Nobilia kitchen with an export quota of 35 per cent.

Nobilia sets the highest standards in quality as it takes pride in producing kitchens in Germany for more than 60 years. Each Nobilia kitchen is unique - individually planned and produced on highly automated machines. The high degree of automation guarantees a consistently high quality level at attractive prices.

The Nobilia range offers a wide spectrum - from modern to trendy, classical and timeless through to the Mediterranean cottages style. Important success factors for Nobilia are product range to suit individualized design solutions, tailor made to fit the kitchen floor plan, delivery quality of kitchens, delivery on time requirements allowing flexible response to customer requests and special wishes to satisfy the customer needs.

Free design support soLutionsThe Darsiat showroom of MHD LLC has a kitchen design studio where customers can view the designed kitchen along with walk about which simulates the actual kitchen before buying the products. A designer is on hand to help customize every individual kitchen.

ideaL appL appL Liances For perFect kitcHensMHD LLC also represent leading Spanish brand FAGOR built in appliances for Nobilia kitchen furniture. FAGOR - one of the largest European appliances manufacturers with presence in millions of homes all around the world is an appliance market leader in Spain and France. FAGOR has 16 production plants around the world with its products marketed in over 100 countries and has the widest range of electrical appliances and household equipment with

dream kitchen MHD LLC Introduces Nobilia to Oman market, truly a world class German kitchen furniture manufacturer


experience. The visitor will also experience Nobilia presenting with some of its traditional & trendy designs of kitchen furniture in the showroom.

Also in display are other quality brands such as Winter Halter – Dishwashing Machines, Modular - Cooking line, FAGOR-Cooking Line, La Cimbali - Coffee Machines, Hupfer - Kitchen Shelving and many other quality brands proving its self-reliance.

innovative designs for kitchen furniture with products ranging from refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, induction cooking hobs, Hoods, etc.

FAGOR offers products with a high degree of technological development - easy to use and especially environment-friendly with wide range of electrical appliances marketing its products in all five continents with variety of choices meeting customer demands and necessities.

state-oF-tHe-art kitcHen sHoWroomCustomers who visit the state of the art showroom in Darsait can schedule demonstration through live cooking events with Rational Cooking experience and also coming soon with Demo Kitchen experience with Henny Penny pressure fryers technology for customers to explore the innovative way of cooking

nobilia is the first manufacturer to claim quality seal of the world’s largest forest protection organization, pefC


cookings and produce better results.

summing upSHARE was established to fill up the gap in the market where there was a need for offering the full range of services from cutlery, tableware to kitchen equipment doing turnkey projects. Just within a span of one year, this new division of Salman Corporation has achieved a good presence in the hospitality industry.

With a dedicated and motivated sales team and engineers, along with a well-stocked warehouse, the going is great for Salman Hotel and Restaurant Equipment.

Salman Hotel & Restaurant Equipment Company (SHARE), a part of Salman Corporation, started off with the objective of

becoming the one stop shop for all the requirements of kitchen equipment and tableware for hotels and restaurants, catering to the growing hospitality and food and beverage sectors in Oman and the region.

product portFoLio SHARE offers a wide range of products and choices are infinite. It has reached to the level of supplying most of the requirements for kitchens, banquets, restaurants, bars, laundry and room service.

It enjoys a competitive edge as SHARE offers solutions, right from the kitchen to the table. Customers can choose from various leading kitchen equipment brands from Asia, Europe, and the US. A wide range of crockery, cutlery, buffetware and display solutions from Asia, USA and Germany are also represented by the company.

turnkey soLutionsSHARE offers turnkey solutions. In fact, it offers choices to its customers in different price levels and allows them to choose the type of equipment they want depending on their budget and requirements.

Design and functionwise, SHARE’s products are appropriate for contemporary lifestyle, facilitating the effective usage of spaces in a kitchen. Designing completely depends on the type of cuisine prepared in the kitchen, budget of the client and space availability. Customers usually approach SHARE with their own ideas on their

requirements; the SHARE team gives expression to the ideas and improvises on the same through drawings to project how the kitchen will look after completion. They also offer more meaningful solutions. To sum up the company takes up turnkey projects right from design stage to final handover to the clients.

cLientsAlthough a new company, SHARE has reached out to clients in almost all the major segments, which include leading hotel chains, catering companies, fast food joints, restaurants and small coffee shops, clubs and ministries, and also made kitchens for personal villas and palaces.

The team explains to the customers the technical aspect of new products like the Combi Oven which is used as a part of any major kitchen. As compared to earlier ovens, the new ovens can do faster

An early success storySalman Hotel and Restaurant Equipment company is the latest venture of Salman Corporation Ð a leading supplier and a well known name for household items

SAlMAN HOTEl & RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT COMPANY

Contact Details: Tel: 247 96925

E-mail: [email protected]

www.salmancorporation.com

Nabeel Abdul Munem Sulaiman, Director, Salman Corporation

FEATURE - COMMERCIAl KITCHEN


One of the oldest trading companies in Oman, Shah Nagardas Manji & Co. LLC (SNM) deals in a wide range of

products starting from digital cameras to medical imaging equipment, from art materials to office stationery, and from crockery and cutlery to industrial kitchen and laundry equipment.

Established over 75 years ago in Muscat, the company has come a long way from a single-store operation to multi-store outlets. The family owned company presently employs over 140 employees in Oman.

The Industrial Kitchen Equipment Division (projects & retails) is among the latest spin-off of the group as a result of the local market’s demand for a professional service-oriented dealer. “We are doing reasonably good business. There is a gradual increase of sale in annual turnover every year.

one stop shopShah Nagardas Manji & Co. LLC represents many leading brands from Europe and Far East and has been appointed as a distributor for the complete range of products of FAGOR IndustrialÕ s Coop and Sammic S.L (Spain) and BLANCO Catering System Gmbh

SHAH NAGARDAS MANJI & CO. llC

We are also in retail sales for all products range and that helps us in big way,” says a company official. The company’s existing clientele consist of government bodies, catering firms, contracting and oil companies, as well as hotels and restaurants.

product portFoLio SNM represents many leading brands from Europe and Far East and has been appointed as a distributor for Angelo PO Italy, Sagi Italy, Renzacci Italy since last year for their complete range of products.

one stop sHop:• Commercial kitchen equipment and

food distribution equipment

• Food preparation equipment

• Refrigeration equipment

• Beverage service equipment

• Crockery, Cutlery, Pots & Pans

• Kitchen Accessories

• Laundry equipment

• Catering service equipment (Specialized in hospital catering flight catering service)

• Walk-In cold rooms/chiller rooms

• Ice machines

SNM has a team of expertise in the field with more than 25 years of experience who can execute projects on turn-key basis from designing the layout, preparing service drawings, making BOQ and detailed specifications, site co-ordination with other contractors and service providers, and finally supervising the Installation and commissioning the equipment as per the layout. The technical support team is trained by the manufacturer to handle the after sales service.

Mehul Shah, Sales Manager

Contact: Tel:24702772/24703803

GSM: 99432246, Fax: 24797227

[email protected]

Web site: www.shahnagardas.com

prestigious brands represented by sHaH nagardas manji & co. LLc

o FAGOR, Spain

o Edesa, Spain,

o Scotsman, Italy

o SIMAG, Italy

o Blanco, Germany

o Angelo PO, Italy

o Sagi, Italy

o IMC, UK

o Salva, Spain

o Sammic, Spain (ENODIS group)

o Santos, France

o Berjaya, Malaysia

o Sunnex, Hong Kong

o Bravilor Bonamate, Netherlands

o Renzacci, Italy


OFFICE FURNITURE

Contact: Tel: 24704400, Fax: 24700934

Website: www,sfomuscat.com

E mail: [email protected]

give a brieF description oF Fursysbrand oF Furniture?Established in 1983, FURSYS is the trendsetter and highest selling brand of office furniture in the Korean Market. Alongside the comprehensive range of office furniture, the company also offers home, school and custom furniture.

FURSYS is among the most popular office furniture brands in Oman also. Sharikah Fanniyah Omaniyah (Muscat) is the authorised representative of the brand here for more than 20 years.

trendsetting office furnitureSharikah Fanniyah Omaniyah offers a comprehensive range of world renowned furniture brand, FURSYS which can cater to the needs of all levels of employees

SHARIKAH FANNIYAH OMANIYAH (MUSCAT) llC

WHat are tHe main Fursysproducts oFFered by sFo?We offer a complete range of office furniture suitable for all levels of employees ranging from top management to junior executives. The FURSYS products offered also include conference systems, training room furniture and accessories like project stand and soft seating systems. We have modular furniture suited for different requirements, foldable tables, ultra-violet coated premium furniture and partition systems.

We have FURSYS furniture of low, medium and high price range which suits all customer needs.

WHat are tHe advantages oFFered by Fursys Furniture?FURSYS modular furniture is easy to configure to requirements and it can cater to all types of requirements. Its premium furniture range has one key system which offers users to operate all office furniture using a single key. Our UV coated furniture ensures that the finishing of furniture lasts for a very long period. Our executive cabinets have soft closing doors. We have eight different ranges of furniture from which one could select to suit the office ambience.

Our partition systems have capability to conceal wiring so that all wires can run inside the partition and could be retrieved easily. We have a range of free standing desks and complimenting furniture. We offer different colour options and combinations of furniture could be made to provide unique looks to the office.

Similarly furniture colours could be combined to be in sync with the corporate identity.

WHat about tHe durabiLity oFFursys Furniture and WHat are tHe quaLity acknoWLedgements received by Fursys Furniture?They are made of very high quality raw material under the strictest quality control. We directly import it from Korea. All FURSYS products come with a 5 year warranty.

FURSYS furniture is BIFMA certified for being environment friendly. This certification is awarded by Korean Government. It also has certifications from the Korean Designers’ Association and Industrie Forum Design, Hannover. All FURSYS furniture are designed with safety and comfort in mind.

our executive cabinets have soft closing doors. We have eight different ranges of furniture from which one could select to suit the office ambience


INNOvATIvE COATINGS

B erger Paints, which was started in the United Kingdom in 1760, is an industry leader in high quality paints. Committed in

its vision to providing consumers with the highest quality of products, Berger has recently launched an aggressive campaign throughout GCC to alert residents to the harmful effects caused by presence of lead and other heavy metals like mercury, chromium and arsenic in cheap low quality paints.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. M Sudhir, General Manager, Berger Paints Oman, described how studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) and US Consumer Product Safety Commission (USPSC) have shown how lead-based paints are a major source of lead poisoning. Especially at risk are growing children. In children, lead poisoning has been found to cause irreversible brain damage and retard mental and physical development, while among adults it can cause poor muscle coordination, increase hypertension, and damage to cardiovascular, renal, reproductive and gastrointestinal systems.

To eliminate any possible chances of contamination, Berger conducted a comprehensive and rigorous audit for lead, mercury, chrome and arsenic. Today, all decorative products offered by Berger Paints in Oman are completely free from added lead and all cans bear the green lead free logo.

fAQs

WHat is Lead poisoning?Lead poisoning (also known as plumbism, colica pictonium, saturnism,Devon colic, or painter’s colic) is a medical condition caused by increased levels of lead in the blood.

are tHere any potentiaL HeaLtH probLems For aduLts due to Lead poisoning? Independent reports by both the World Health Organization and the United States Product Safety Commission (USPSC) have both concluded that

lead interferes with the nervous system development. Several body systems such as cardiovascular, reproductive, renal and gastrointestinal systems get affected.

WHat can you caLL as dangerous LeveLs oF Lead in paints?Internationally accepted lowest limit by various bodies including the US Green Seal and other several standards is 100ppm (0.01%).

once paint is appLied on tHe WaLL WHicH Has Lead content in it, HoW can it enter tHe body?Breathing the paint dust generated during renovation, eating of paint chips (especially by children), eating food with soiled hands (covered with lead dust) are some of the common sources.

WHat precautions sHouLd i take to prevent my FamiLy From Lead poisoning due to paints?

Do paint your home only with those paints which do not contain any added lead. Look for the “No added Lead” logo sticker on the container. When buying paint, insist only on lead-free paints that come with the manufacturer’s guarantee.

Ensure the articles you buy like toys, furniture etc are not painted with lead based paints. Wash your hands frequently, especially before you eat, as a matter of general hygiene.

WHat categories oF paints (in generaL) are more LikeLy to contain Lead and otHer Heavy metaLs?Solvent based paints are more likely to contain lead. But Berger Paints has removed lead and other heavy metals from all decorative paints including solvent based paints

safeguarding consumer health All decorative products offered by Berger Paints in Oman are completely free from added lead and all cans bear the green lead-free logo

BERGER PAINTS

M Sudhir, General Manager, Berger Paints Oman


K DK is the brand name of Panasonic Ecology Systems Limited, which designs and manufactures products,

systems and services concerning the environment. Founded in Japan in 1909, KDK started the mass production of electric fans in 1913 and continues to strengthen its relationship with the community by producing high quality products. In Oman, the name KDK remains synonymous with high quality, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly ceiling and ventilation fans.

There is increasing evidence that the quality of indoor air has profound effects on the health of the residents of any building. With the need to limit cooling losses, homes are nowadays tightly sealed with aluminum/upvc frame windows and doors. Along with the increased use of synthetic materials and chemicals in the furnishing and maintenance of a home, this leads to very poor indoor air quality.

Proper and effective ventilation of a home therefore becomes a prime consideration to get the right environment for a healthy living. Here, KDK ceiling and ventilating fans play an important role by removing volatile organic compounds emitted by hair sprays, paints, lacquers, finishes, cleaning solvents, pesticides, etc. to ensure proper indoor circulation and exchange between indoor and outdoor air.

KDK’s range of ventilating fans covers every conceivable home application including exhaust systems, range hoods, air curtains, ceiling fans, table/desk/pedestal fans, dehumidifiers and in-line duct fans all aimed at providing the user a cleaner, environmentally

living HealthyIn Oman, the name KDK remains synonymous with high quality, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly ceiling and ventilation fans


friendly and more comfortable atmosphere in the home, office or factory. KDK’s commitment to quality begins with rigorous inspection starting from the development stage, with each finished product subjected to a series of environmental and durability tests to ensure quality before it leaves the factory.

The manufacturing lines incorporate cutting edge technologies that assure efficient mass production. The factory has earned the internationally recognized ISO-14001 certification for management systems aimed at the vital task of conserving our global environment.

Attention to customer needs has led KDK to constantly innovate, with the ceiling fan being the latest product to be completely revolutionized. With Malaysia being the center of excellence for ceiling fan technology and manufacture, come February 2011 all KDK ceiling fans sold in Oman will be supplied from their

Malaysian factory. They will also come with the revolutionary safety features as illustrated above.

KDK is marketed by Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC and available at all leading electrical dealers and stores in Oman.

FEATURE - INTERIORS

Francis Edwin

General Manager,

Electrical & Electronics Division

Contact: 24732400

www.mhdoman.com

kdk’s range of ventilating fans covers every conceivable home application

dossier - english - november 2010

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