The ultimate guide to getting things made in Dubai
Good magazine has a guide to where to get things made in Dubai, from dresses to diamonds including contact details and more.
From dresses to diamonds, treehouses to table linen, you can get just about anything made here in the UAE. Our pals over at Good magazine have teamed up with the ever clever Sassy Mama Dubai to share their favourite places for all things custom.
Soft furnishings and curtains
Al Raisi Furniture
Jacob Boothapati’s company Al Raisi Furniture is our go-to for getting the windows blacked out and beautiful. Give Jacob your budget and he’ll arrive promptly at your door with fabric samples to match – we love the natural linens and linen/cotton mix. He’s equally happy to work with whatever fabric you have purchased yourself and will give you measurements. Curtains, roman blinds, venetian blinds – Jacob and his team can do it all. And the best part? You won’t be waiting for weeks – these guys are seriously snappy!
Tel: (055) 7026462 or e-mail jacobscurtains@gmail.com
IKEA
Good old IKEA – if you’re not looking for anything too complicated and need a guarantee that prices won’t spiral, this is the place to go. With fabrics ranging from plain to patterned, there’s something for every area – plus they can black-out and alter their pre-made curtains. Too easy.
Festival City and Yas Island. ikea.com
Azores Furniture
Good quality, decently priced and nice to deal with, this company ticks all the boxes. The team is also quite quick if time is a factor, and can also get any of your old furniture re-upholstered and looking fab again and have got a good reputation for making made-to-fit covers to stop your outdoor furniture getting sun damaged.
Tel: (04) 3493323
Sense Furnishings
Don’t be fooled by the basic interior, this store might look less than flash but stocks almost all of the good fabric books plus some gorgeous wallpapers – oh and they make fabulous loose sofa covers if you’re looking to revamp a tired old couch. Ask for Asif or Faisal, both are brilliant at sorting your curtains, carpets, blinds and upholstery needs.
Tel: (04) 3494877
Al Sharafi Upholstery
Stocking high-end soft furnishings and fabrics for curtains, blinds, cushions plus a super upholstery service – ask Mohamed to breathe new life into your sofa or chair – this company will diagnose and make-over based on your budget and taste. These pros have a giant stock of globally sourced fabrics and can also order in anything you want. The fabrics and the service can come to your home – and they’ll take away any furniture that needs a facelift and deliver again within a really reasonable timeframe. Not mega cheap but you get what you pay for here.
Tel: (04) 3496220
Clothing
We all have our favourites – from Bur Dubai to Satwa and all around Dubai there are some very talented tailors busy at work creating and copying for our wardrobes. Very professional and super fast, take your fabrics to Stitch in Time tailors, opposite the Municipality Office (Tel: 04 3449822) if you want something copied or made from scratch – they are absolute geniuses at creating gorgeous little baby clothes. Or, for a slightly higher price, if you are after evening wear, an outfit for a special occasion or even a bridal gown – head for Montexa Tailoring near Emirates NBD bank (Tel: 04 3494037) where British owner Anne will take great care over any of your tailoring requirements.
Coventry Tailoring
A tiny little place hidden down one of Satwa’s little alleys (opposite Satwa Clinic), Coventry has earned itself an excellent reputation for producing lovely tailor-made clothing without leaving your wallet empty – whether you want something copied or created from scratch. We love that this is a family business where service is doled out with a huge smile, and the owner and his sons will do their utmost to make sure their bespoke pieces are finished to the highest standards and that their customers are happy.
Tel: (04) 3447563. coventrytailoring.com
Royal Fashion
Looking to get the hubby kitted out in some decent fitting shirts? Royal Fashion is the place to go for dapper gents clothing – their selection of shirt and suit materials is as amazing as their work – and while it might look very conservative and traditional, they’ve got a few Liberty-esque prints that look fab on the inside of collars and cuffs and they do some awesome monogramming. We love their Karama outlet best (because it’s near Ravi’s – great for a post-fitting curry!).
Tel: (04) 3968282. royalfashion.biz
Fabricandmore
This awesome business has been set up by sassy mama Simone and is the Middle East’s first online fabric store as well as offering custom-made clothing with a ‘perfect fit guarantee’. To get a quote you just upload up to five images of your chosen garment images – photos, scans, your own little pencil doodle – they will accept them all (obviously the more detailed the better), then wait for your quote and attend a measurement appointment in one of three locations. The website lets you browse fabrics by use or by content (silk, cotton etc). and even has a range of patterns if you fancy getting stuck into the sewing yourself. We love.
fabricandmore.net
Picture Frames
Desert Frames
Have a family photo or piece of art by your budding little Picasso that needs framing? Head to this Plant Street store and speak to Rachel who’ll guide you through a huge range of frames and mounts – and for a super quick turnaround (only three days for most framing and up to six days for big orders). Prices are really reasonable, starting at approximately Dhs40 for A4 size.
Tel: (04) 3447266
Hammad Co.
Family owned and operated, the crew at Hammad Co in Karama can frame just about anything (their box frames are beautiful if you have an object to display), combining old techniques with modern technology and coming up with unique ideas if you’re looking to create an artsy abode. Our items were ready quickly and the prices were reasonable too – win/win.
Tel: (04) 3374528. hammadco.com
Art House Dubai
If you’re looking for very high quality framing for all your special pics, Art House Dubai in Jumeira are pretty darn amazing at creating bespoke borders for everything from sports memorabilia to maps and anything in between. Get your piccies looking professional on canvas and then surrounded by a floating frame (yup, they do all that too).
Tel: (04) 3448004. arthousedubai.com
Playhouses and treehouses
Creations
Creations is owned and run by British couple Hannah and Tom, whose bespoke carpentry business specialises in custom made playhouses for children that look so gorgeous we could seriously consider living in one (check out ‘the cottage’ design on their website – a mini sized version of our dream home). They also make custom-made bunk beds, children’s furniture and storage solutions for your child’s playroom and bedroom as well as garden structures including pergolas, gazebos and storage chests to make the most of your outside space. All built to the very highest standards by a British master carpenter of course.
Tel: (04) 8831615. creationsuae.com
Moonkids
From timber playhouses in a huge array of different sizes, designs, styles and colours, Moonkids can design and create anything from an individual play space to an entire village for your precious little peeps. They also do teepees, cushions, beanbags, furniture and much more. If you’re ever lucky enough to stay at the Zaya Nurai Island in Abu Dhabi, these guys are responsible for their dreamy kids play area. Oh why can’t we be little again?
Tel: (055) 5910112. moonkids.ae
Carpets & Rugs
From Jaipur With Love
Founded and run by stylish Dubai mama Elizabeth Morrison, From Jaipur With Love is a small company dedicated to sourcing the most beautifully hand crafted dhurries from Rajasthan. Hand loomed by skilled artisans and made from 100 percent Indian cotton, any colour and size is available – give Elizabeth a colour swatch, picture of your room or fabric sample and she’ll be able to suggest and commission your ideal piece. From elegant greys to vibrant pinks – we’re more than a little obsessed by her latest offerings including carefully woven in gold and silver thread. There are also hemp versions that are as beautiful on your front porch as they are at the foot of the bed. We only wish we had more floor space.
Tel: (050) 6248846
Mostafawi Stores
Sometimes tiles just won’t do (for any European mamas out there, having carpet underfoot is what makes a home). Mostafawi Furniture, Carpets & Curtains is the place to go if carpet is your thing – they can also create rugs of any size by binding carpet edges, ideal for making your space a little cosier.
mostafawi.com
Table/Linenware
The Linen Souk
One of our very favourite mama-run businesses in Dubai, The Linen Souk makes ridiculously gorgeous customised linenware, specialising in bespoke orders (weddings, baby showers, christenings, parties or just some pretty accessories for your home – founder Caroline has you covered). Items range from embroidered linen invitation bags to jasmine cushions, personalised napkins and branded embroidered tableware for hotels and restaurants. We love the linen tea towels (ours are embroidered with camels), beautiful hand towels and personalised place-mats (and that’s just for starters).
Tel: (050) 4582382. thelinensouk.com
Jewellery
For the real deal, we’re big fans of Dubai’s Gold & Diamond Park and specifically of Monili or Cara – silver, gold, rose gold, diamonds, pearls and all that glitters, need we say more? Push present anyone?
For semi-precious or costume jewels, Annie’s store in Dragonmart is like a treasure trove and a magpie’s dream. Tell Annie that you’re a friend of Sassy Mama Kaya or Fiona for special prices on handmade, totally bespoke semi-precious jewellery. Believe it or not this place is very child friendly, the kids are often given a bag of beads to thread onto string while Annie and her team create stunning necklaces, bracelets and lots more.
Carpentry/Furniture
Safita
A great place for wooden furniture and unusual pieces, Safita (opposite the workshop side of the Toyota showroom in Al Quoz) will also help you to revamp, paint or varnish an existing piece of furniture, making it look exactly as you wanted (great for transforming those dubizzle bargains).
Tel: (050) 6797709
Al Jumeirah Carpentry
Have an awkward staircase or space that needs a baby gate? These are the people to turn to. Feeling creative? Design your own furniture and have them whip it up. Bookcases, cabinets, dressing tables, shelves, beds… The team bring wood samples and stain colours to your home – all you need to do is choose (that’s the hard bit).
Tel: (04) 338323
Pier Import
A real treasure trove, this store is a fantastic mix of old and new with a similar feel to Marina or The One, tucked away in The Mazaya Centre. Items range from custom-made pieces (cupboards made to look like an English telephone box anyone?), investment pieces including beautiful wall clocks, shabby chic style chairs, tables and everyday essentials with a difference. If you see something you like but need it amended, they can do that – and if you have a piece of furniture you’re seriously coveting but just can’t find anywhere, these guys can make it for you. Sofas, chairs, bed frames – you name it, they can do it.
Tel: (04) 3432002. pierimport-me.com
Home Accessories
Titania Tents
Once you see these enchanting bespoke garden tents, shades, umbrellas and even teeny tents for the tots you’ll want one – or two. Made using stunning Indian textiles, owner Anouk can get orders customised according to your every wish.
titaniatents.com
Sharky Knows
A self-proclaimed crochet addict, this mama is super nifty with a needle, making unique baby blankets and other crochet items in stunning patterns and colours.
sharky-knows.blogspot.ae
*About Sassy Mama Dubai
These modern mothers scour Dubai and beyond for essential info, useful insights and expert advice, sharing online articles on everything from summer camps to savvy shopping. sassymamadubai.com
