DUBAI, 1 December 2006 — The Dubai Ideal Home Show was opened yesterday at the Dubai Expo by Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality.
The show has attracted a host of celebrities from around the world and prominent exhibitors from the fields of interior, design, landscaping, architecture as well as lifestyle experts and internationally reputed chefs.
Lootah walked around the exhibition hall and interacted with the exhibitors as well as spoke to the celebrities.
“The Middle East construction boom estimated to be around $1 trillion has provided a boost to allied industries and augurs well for interior and exterior design, kitchen, table and dining products, home technology, arts and crafts for the home, and garden & outdoor living that seek to reach out to the region through Dubai,” he said.
“The Dubai Ideal Home Show 2006 provides the best opportunity for auxiliary businesses to thrive,” said Messe Frankfurt’s Exhibition director, Christopher Hudson. Among the chefs demonstrating their culinary skills will be Ainsley Harriott, the exuberant presenter of BBC’s “Ready, Steady, Cook” and “Off the Menu” television shows.
World renowned celebrity chef, Sanjeev Kapoor, will also be a star attraction and needs little introduction as the best known face of Indian cuisine.
Providing a regional flavor to the proceedings will be Chef Osama El Sayed, popular host of the live daily TV shows Ma Osama Atyab (It’s More Delicious with Osama) and Bilhanna Wa Shiffa (With Joy and Good Health).
Prominent among the interior design style team will be Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, flamboyant presenter of a number of BBC programs, including; “Sunday Home” and “Garden and Home Front.”
Other top names on hand offering advice and ideas include Gordon Russell, Mary Gilliat and Paul Bishop. Gordon Russell is an award winning interior designer whose clients have included Lord Rothschild, Mick Jagger and Bob Hoskins. Mary Gilliat is a famous author and TV presenter renowned for her work with fabrics, wall covering and tableware.
Paul Bishop is one of Dubai’s foremost interior stylists and anyone who has been in the city for any length of time will have undoubtedly enjoyed one of his unique designs.
Jury Selects Winners
A jury of international experts met last week in Palermo, Italy and selected 12 winners for the sixth cycle of the Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment.
The jury met during the meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership of Local and Regional Authorities.
The selection was made from a list of 48 initiatives, short-listed out of 715 submissions. The winners were all deemed to have made outstanding contributions to improving the quality of life in cities and communities.
