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Onar Circular Cabinet by Chi Wing Lo : The Onar has wooden shelves, a wooden frame and a mirrored back panel, but its best feature is the leather revolving door, allowing access to one part of the cabinet, while everything else is hidden away, in style, of course. -
Desk by Keno Bros : The brothers are award-winning and world-renowned furniture appraisers, in the business of recasting the best elements of antique furniture for today’s consumer. -
Hookah pipe by Karim Rashid : It wouldn’t be Dubai without a hookah pipe. These were designed by Karim Rashid for Gaia & Gino. We all know smoking even for recreation is not the best thing for one’s health, but if one must, it should always be this stylish. -
Carpets by Hoosein Razvani : Here at VISI we love magic carpets, and we love a bit of design innovation when it comes to them. When it comes to variations on the traditional Persian carpet, these Iran-made beauties by Hoosein Rezvani stay winning. -
Brass lamp by India Madhavi : To all you world-travelling loved ones, Christmas is around the corner, and this here brass lamp by India Madhavi would bring so much light into my life. It is available at Pouenat, in Moulins, France. Thank you, as you were. -
Baskets by Pinneti : Love these leather baskets by Italian design house Pinneti. My home deserves them! -
Electric bicycle by Cykno : I wished I could take this leather-trimmed electric bicycle back to Cape Town with me, so I could be the hipster above all other hipsters! Although I’d probably get into trouble for the leather. As we all know, true hipsters are vegan. -
Ink Stool by Crjos Design : Behold the Ink Stool from Milan-based Crjos Design. I didn’t test it out for fear that it might have a weight limit, but I do love its rather delicate design. -
Bar by Lamellux : Also by Lamellux, this wall-hanging mini bar is a decorative piece all on its own. If you’re gonna drink at home (#nojudgement), there’s no reason to be shabby about, do it in style. -
Sideboard by Dilmos : Flower power! Something about this piece by Milan-based furniture designers Dilmos makes me feel instantly happy. -
Stools by Guillaume Delvigne : Although they don’t scream practicality (I do love a bit of back support), any home could do with these wooden stools by upcoming designer Guillaume Delvigne. -
Dressing table by Khalid Shafar : The dressing table is making a comeback, I promise. I love this leather, marble and wood one by Dubai-based designer Khalid Shafar. It was a little disappointing that he was the only Dubai designer on show. -
Dressing table by Lamellux : Yes, the dressing table is definitely back. This beauty from French manufacturer Lamellux with light around the mirror would definitely make me feel like a star every morning, and make me want to offer a signed autograph to the first person I see. -
Candleholders by De Vecchi : Perhaps the simplest and least extravagant pieces I noticed at Downtown Design. I absolutely love these candleholders by Milan-based De Vecchi, and I want one in each colour.
WORDS & PHOTOS Malibongwe Tyilo
Last week VISI’s intrepid editor-at-large Malibongwe Tyilo visited Dubai to attend the inaugural Downtown Design festival, held at the foot of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. He fell in love with the city and is putting together an article about its eye-popping architecture that we’ll publish later this week. In the meantime, here’s his highlights from the furniture fair. Says Malibongwe:
Aside from living the Dubai high life, dining and lunching five-star at various Dubai venues, including a private lounge atop the world-famous Burj Khalifa (as one does), I also got to see some truly stunning pieces at the design festival. These were my favourite pieces. Dubai is also known for its incredible architecture, so do come back later this week to see some of my favourite architectural moments.
