Dalia El Abd, Author at Destination KSA

Spatial Reasons to #STAYHOME

The designers behind interiors you love.

Admit it, the quarantine has probably had you re-evaluating your living arrangement and sparked a dozen home improvement projects.

As we spend more time indoors, we’re all inspired to reinvent our spaces to make more room or simply give it a new flair. Need an interior design consult? We’re bringing the masters of space to you:

To make a house look more spacious, you can maximize the natural light in the area and have different sources of lighting in one space. – Rawan Al Sahsah

RIS INTERIORS
by Rawan AlSahsah

Located in Jeddah, Ris Interiors is an interior design studio and home furnishing retail shop that delivers quality and diversity to Jeddah’s end consumers with premier standards.

Founder Rawan’s first steps to making use of all the space in a home are to list all the functions needed for each space, and the measurements required in order to place everything strategically. “I then identify the main passages of the space for the circulation and flow of the house. But for smaller areas, I combine functions by having multi-function spaces.” She also recommends we create as much storage space as possible to manage clutter.

“To make a house look more spacious, you can maximize the natural light in the area and have different sources of lighting in one space. Also, using curtains from the ceiling to the floor gives the illusion of a high ceiling. I recommend using bold stripes on the flooring to give the illusion of continuity, as well as large rugs. Don’t be afraid to use large statement pieces and make sure to display your artwork closer to the ceiling to trick the eye and expand the height of the room just a little.”

Sourced Photo

Rawan adds that interior gardens can offer spaces of relaxation and tranquility. ”Black color is the new neutral; it brings the drama to your space and works really well with contemporary styles. It can be used on walls, metals, kitchen surfaces, toilet fixtures, and furniture.” Bright colors usually make the house look more spacious and breathable, but the trick is to use a dark color on one wall, so they contrast and give the room an edgy look.

Rawan also highlighted other 2020 trends: marbles, mirrors, architectural arcs, velvet and corduroy fabrics, canopy beds, earthy tones, ‘maximalism’ designs which are big, bold, and bright colors/patterns, biophilia design, and matte finishes.

Location: Unit No 5, 3388 Al Rawdah St., Jeddah
Mob: +966-508644551
Web: www.ris.co
Instagram: risinteriors

Sourced Photo

GRID DESIGN OFFICE

Grid Design Office is an innovative design studio located in Jeddah that offers custom design solutions for every lifestyle. Their main concept is integrating beauty in a functional space.

Jawahir Al Moarawi, CEO and Chief Designer of Grid Design Office says about their process: “We come up with a concept and a style then we look at the spaces that are neglected and can be used for display or storage. Then we project the design and style through them.”

In regards to acquiring a spacious look, Jawahir agrees that adding mirrors, greenery, and painting one strong wall color versus bright colors for the rest of the walls are a great way to convey your home space. Hanging big wall art is always a good solution when asking for a spacious view. Jawahir’s top wall color picks for 2020 are white, green, blue, and grey as they can never be outdated. “Adding the colored rug will also add a nice contrast, especially with reds, pinks, and blues.”

Location: Al Imam Malik, AR Rawdah Dist, Jeddah
Tel: +966-12-2751673
Web: grid-ides.com
Instagram: griddesignoffice

We come up with a concept and a style then we look at the spaces that are neglected and can be used for display or storage. Then we project the design and style through them. – Jawahir Al Moarawi

At Home, At Large: Kids

Keep the kids at bay.

The school closures in the Kingdom have sent a ripple effect into parent communities as many battle to find ways to smoothly transition kids into at-home life. Now that many parents have started adjusting to the new homeschooling system, they have found their children bored most of the time. This is why we’ve listed different activities to keep your kids both educated and entertained during their lockdown.

Here is a list of Online Resources for educational activities

Brainpop

Brainpop is an animated educational site for kids, covering the subjects of science, English, social studies, math, arts and music. You can get free access to it for now. The website contains educational games, quizzes and engaging activities to keep the children’s attention focused.

Website: https://www.brainpop.com/

Outschool

This website offers a free access of online classes for ages 3-18 given by qualified teachers. They follow a social and safe learning experience, where they engage the kids in a fun way to educate them.

Website: https://outschool.com/

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization that creates a set of online tools to educate students. The organization makes short lessons in the form of videos and provides practice exercises and materials for educators.

Website: https://www.khanacademy.org/

Creativebug

With a free trial period, you can access this website and view all the unconventional learning techniques and subjects they offer.

Website: https://www.creativebug.com/

Tynker

Tynker is an easy and informative coding website for children above 5 years to learn computer programming. This website offers a free access to their premium coding courses during the school closures.

Website: https://www.tynker.com/

Beast Academy

Beas Academy is an illustrated online math curriculum for ages 8-13. The website offers plenty of dynamic problem-solving skills and fun puzzles to keep kids engaged while learning.

Website: https://beastacademy.com/

British Council Saudi Arabia

The British Council Saudi Arabia website is offering English courses for children. Click here to explore more.

Here is also a list of some Youtube Channels that are informative and fun for kids:

Crash Course Kids
Science Max
National Geographic Kids
Free School
Geography Focus
TheBrainScoop
Kids Learning Tube

Attention Surfaces!

The things you should clean every day and probably don’t.

We’ve all neglected cleaning a few items in our homes at some point. There are things we know we have to clean daily but always put it off. Well, now is the time to go back to whatever it is you wanted to get to but couldn’t find the time. Roll up your sleeves and let’s get our deep cleaning mode on.

Remote Controls

Similar to our phones, we touch our remotes every day, spreading germs and dead skin cells all around. Wipe it down with disinfectant wipe or rub it with a piece of cloth and rubbing alcohol.

Light Switches

Imagine how many times a day we touch those? Whether our hands are clean or not, each time we touch a light switch we are spreading germs. Just go over it with a piece of cloth and rubbing alcohol and you’re good to go.

Door Knobs

I don’t even have to mention the importance of this one. When was the last time you attended to your door knobs? Come on, go give it a quick wipe right now, you know you want to.

Cushions

You should take off the cushion covers in your living area and dry clean them at least once a week. Our living area is probably the most place we sit and chill in, so the cushions are heavily used on a daily basis.

Windows

Our windows carry a lot of dust and microbes. We must clean them at least a couple of times per week so we don’t allow the bacteria to enter our homes.

The Fridge

How many times have we overlooked this task and ended up with spoiled food in the fridge? Attend to your fridge daily, check on your food and clean the inner and outer areas to maintain cleanliness.

The Trash Can

It’s not just taking out the trash and replacing a new garbage bag that counts, you must clean the actual trash can with soap and water to make sure there aren’t any remains or germs lingering on from last night’s waste.

Laptop/ Computer keyboard

In addition to the germs on your hands, your keyboard collects food crumbs, hair and dead skin cells. Use compressed air to get all the crumbs out, and then use a cotton swab dabbed in rubbing alcohol to wipe between the keys.

Dish Towels

It’s highly recommended to wash your dish towels every day. Since they’re regularly used to dry hands, clean up your countertop, and wipe down surfaces, dish towels pick up huge amounts of bacteria on a daily basis.

Hairbrushes

Even if you pull the hair out of your hairbrushes, you should still give them a good rinse off. Soak them overnight in warm water and baking soda to have them feeling brand new.

Coffee Maker

You should clean your coffee maker after every use. The reservoir in coffee makers hold a great number of bacteria and mold. To keep it clean, run a vinegar and water solution through it. Use the same solution to wipe it down when you’re done using it for the day.

Microwaves

Microwaves are used so often, but we tend to always forget about cleaning them after. An easy way to clean your microwave is to wipe the inside with a vinegar and water solution.

Reading While Staying Comfy Our Top Picks for a Fun Quarantine Read

Since we’re all stuck in our homes for the next 21 days, we thought we’d recommend our top 5 books to keep you all accommodated during these shutdown days. Stay safe and entertained, everyone!

Married to a Bedouin by Marguerite van Geldermalsen

This is a true story of a New Zealand born nurse’s marriage to Mohammad Abdallah Othman, a Bedouin souvenir-seller from Petra in Jordan. This read is a very interesting look into Bedouin culture, and the best part is the narrative.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

A novel that explores the unexpected connections of our lives, and the idea that heaven is more than just a place. It follows the life and death of a man who is killed and sent to heaven, where he encounters five people who had a significant impact on his life.

Where the Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens

This part crime drama novel is centered around Kya, a wild girl. The book centers around the ups and downs of her life. She lives a lonely life, but her story is a hopeful one as well. With a little help, she’s able to survive.

When Breathe Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This book is a memoir of Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon at Stanford University, who is diagnosed with lung cancer in his mid-thirties. The author shares his ideas on how to approach death with grace and what it means to be alive.

One Minute Out by Mark Greaney

This is a thriller featuring the world’s most dangerous assassin: The Gray Man. While on a mission to Croatia, Court Gentry uncovers a human trafficking operation. Court is determined to shut it down, but his CIA handlers have other plans.

That’s a Stretch

Keep your fitness focus going with this list of virtual trainings.

The COVID-19 pandemic has obliged many people to adjust to life indoors. Meaning that many companies and businesses have adapted to the ‘work from home’ method, including gyms and fitness trainers. With all the social media platforms we now have access to, trainers can virtually train their customers. That’s great news for us because, well, we have to burn off all the quarantine calories at some point. Here is a list of trainers and studios/gyms you want to follow to maintain your aptness level intact.

Down Dog

This app offers yoga, ballet and high intensity workouts that you can practice through the app from wherever you are. Due to the current outbreak, they are so generous as to offer their classes for free until April 1st. Down Dog is available on App Store and Google Play.

Sourced Photo

Karama

This well-known yoga studio is now available online. Karama’s classes are live on Instagram for everyone to participate in right from their yoga mat at home.

Location: AlKhaludiah, Al Khalidiyyah, Jeddah
Mob: +966-508686446
Email: support@karamastudio.com
Instagram: Karama_yoga

Razan Al Sabbagh

Razan is a coach and personal trainer based in Riyadh that is an expert in calisthenics, spinning, Pilates, bodybuilding and yoga classes. she is also offering classes online anywhere in the Kingdom.

Instagram: razz_fit_in

Spectrum

Spectrum is a women’s gym located in Khobar and Riyadh that offers a diverse range of fitness classes. Their instructors are currently offering online classes for trainees to keep their fitness momentum going.

Location:
No. 64, Al Olaya, Riyadh
Baseel Tower, Firas Ibn Al Nudur St, Olaya, Al Khobar
Tel: +966-112165522
Instagram: Spectrum4women

Sourced Photo

Taufiq Bamatraf

Taufiq is a life and executive coach, an EQi practitioner at coREACH and also an ambassador of FitnessFirst KSA. He’s currently providing online tutorials on his page as well.

Location: Pearl Building, Uthman Ibn Affan Branch, Riyadh
Instagram: Taufiqstyler

Be Well Crossfit Box

Founder of Be Well Crossfit in Jeddah, Lamia, is offering online tutorials and workout instructions for her clients. Get in touch with her through her instagram page and get your fitness mode back on.

Mob: +966-541226649
Instagram: Lamia_be_well

Sourced Photo

Pulse Studio

Co founder and master trainer of Pulse Studio, Hala, is offering live classes on her Instagram page. Wherever you are in the Kingdom, you can easily access the classes and enjoy a yoga/Pilates mix like no other.

Location: Prince Saud Al Faisal, U Shape Center, Jeddah
Instagram: Hd_fitness

Sourced Photo

Suliman Abdeljwaad

Instructor Suliman is offering highly intense workout plans and tutorials on his page. He has your go to workout for burning all the quarantine snacks you just devoured.

Instagram: Suleefit

Sourced Photo

SheFit Gym

Shefit’s crossfit and calisthenics instructor, Najia Alfadl is reaching out to her trainees to provide them with a collection of home workout videos.

Location: An Naeem St, Al Naeem, Jeddah
Instagram: jiaalfadl / Shefit_gym

Coughee, Bless You!

Let’s be real, we all need our caffeine fix no matter where we are working from.

Going to a coffee house to get your favorite drink right now goes against the rationale of working from home, so instead we brought the coffee to you. Here are a few creative and simple coffee recipes to try at home.

Cold Brew Coffee Recipes

Vanilla Iced Coffee (1 serving)

1 espresso shot or 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
1 teaspoon honey
½ cup coconut/ almond or regular milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
6-8 ice cubes

Chocolate Milk Iced Mocha (2-3 servings)

1-2 espresso shots
2 tablespoons vanilla powder
3 ½ cups of cold water
3 to 4 cups of chocolate syrup
1 cup cold chocolate milk
8-10 ice cubes

Iced Caramel Macchiato with Coconut Milk

1 cup of ice cubes
1 ½ cups of coconut milk
2 espresso shots
Unsweetened coconut flakes
2 tablespoons caramel syrup
2 teaspoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons boiling water

Nutella Coffee Frappuccino

¾ cup coconut milk
¾ cup of vanilla greek yogurt
1 frozen banana
1 cup of ice
1-2 espresso shots
1 ½ tablespoons Nutella

Hot Coffee Recipes

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

2 shots espresso
½ cup milk
Cinnamon dolce syrup mix:
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 4 cinnamon sticks

Peppermint Mocha Latte

¾ cup almond milk
1 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons mint syrup:
– 1 cup boiling water
– ½ cup sugar or honey
– 1 tablespoon mint extract
2 espresso shots
Light whipped cream (optional)
½ crushed candy cane.

Basic Caramel Latte

1-2 shots of coffee
2 tablespoons hot water
2 tablespoons caramel syrup/ sauce
2 cups of almond or regular milk
Add whipped cream for topping

White Chocolate Mocha

3 tablespoons white chocolate sauce (white chocolate chips)
1 espresso shot
1 cup milk
Add whipped cream for topping

Social Distancing: Finally, introverts have an excuse!

What you need to know about flattening the curve and social distancing.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to make headlines, offices and work spaces are developing work from home policies to contain the disease and prevent further spread within the Kingdom. Schools and universities have already shifted to e-learning, restaurants have closed in-house dining options, and malls have shut down, all in the efforts to flatten the curve and increase social distancing.

Flattening the curve means that if infection is not contained and a large number of people get sick all at once, hospitals and medical institutions will become overwhelmed, causing many ill patients to go by without treatment. However, if we all practice social distancing, not so many people will get sick all at once and hospitals will have a better chance to provide the necessary care for those in need. It is estimated now that if we come together to make this work, we’ll achieve adequate containment within the upcoming two weeks.

Now, what does social distancing entail? For the extremely comfortable introverts out there, your superpowers are serving mankind today, and for all the extroverts panicking about their staycation period, well, this is your chance to delve into an introvert’s world and see what it’s like to be one. Disclaimer: there is a light at the end of the tunnel, don’t worry, boredom won’t get to you first.

Aside from being good news to our introverts, social distancing helps communities slow down the transmission of viruses, which is the Kingdom’s key objective at the moment. Here is what we can all do as one nation to socially distance ourselves in a way that can save lives:

Stay at home

This seems like a given, since it’s called social “distancing,” but some people have trouble staying in. Seriously, don’t go out unless extremely necessary. Refer to our Quarantine To-Do-List article for ideas on how to have fun while on lockdown.

Don’t shake hands, Kiss or Hug

Follow the footsteps of our beloved introverts and try to keep a good distance when interacting with other people. There is no need to shake on it, hug or kiss during these critical times.

Wash your hands, especially when touching anything or anyone

Yes, it does work and indeed is very effective. Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds will reduce your chances of catching the virus, especially if you shook hands with someone or touched an infected hard surface. In other words, try to be a bit OCD when it comes cleanliness.

Avoid crowded areas at all costs

Generally, you want to stay away from any place that is overcrowded. This won’t be a problem if we follow instruction number one. Also, restrict guest access to your home and avoid social large gatherings.

#To_containment_and_not_spread!
We are all at home! You should be too.

Jihad Al Khalidi: New CEO of the Music Authority in Saudi

Minister of Culture appointed first-time Music Authority CEO to develop the music sector in KSA.

His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture in Saudi Arabia, issued a decision appointing Saudi Musician Jihad Al-Khalidi as CEO of the Saudi Music Authority for the first time in the Kingdom as an initial step to develop the music sector in all its aspects.

Jihad Al-Khalidi has more than 33 years worth of experience in the music field, where she worked as a violinist within the Egyptian Orchestra for 8 years, and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in music theory from the Conservatoire- Higher Institute of Music in Cairo, along with her experience and administrative knowledge throughout the years.

The Ministry of Culture, through the Music Authority, seeks to regulate and develop the music sector in the Kingdom to support and encourage practitioners in it. They will also be working with the relevant authorities to support the protection of intellectual property rights in areas related to music. The Music Authority will be organizing training courses, adopting relevant professional programs, as well as encouraging activists in the field to produce and develop musical content.

The Music Authority is one of 11 new commissions launched by the Ministry of Culture in efforts to serve and develop the sub-cultural sectors stated in their vision, which was announced last March.

Top 5 Restaurants for 2020

You voted – here are the top restaurants to watch out for this year.

Our New Year’s resolutions have been made and we usually feel ready to conquer the world this time of year. Since we are finally in 2020, it’s only fair to start it right with the top restaurant picks so you don’t have to go through crummy food experiences. According to the voices of our audience on social media, these are the top places in the Kingdom for your 2020 food checklist. The categories were divided into: Casual dining, Breakfast spots, Cafés, and breakthrough places that opened within last year.

Sourced Photo

Breakfast

Petit Parry
Petit Parry is a family-style restaurant located in Khobar that offers a wide range of breakfast varieties to help start your day. Their waffles are firm on the outside and soft on the inside, which is the textbook definition of an impeccable waffle. It’s safe to say this is Khobar’s go-to restaurant for breakfast.

Location: Al Khobar Al Shamalia, Al Khobar
Mob: +966-558282438
Instagram: petitparry.ksa

Sourced Photo

Casual Dining

Parker’s
Parker’s is an American restaurant in Khobar best known for their exclusive juicy coffee burgers and sizzling truffle
fries. It’s good to exit your comfort zone and try bold dishes every once in a while, and Parker’s is definitely the place
to explore that.

Location: Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Rd, Khobar
Mob: +966-13-882 0253
Instagram: parkers

Favorite Newcomer

Oriya
A sea-view tropical restaurant in Khobar? Sign us up! Focusing on an exotic vibe, Oriya’s modern tropical architecture with vibrant colors and plants gives us a rather tranquil feel. While it’s still in soft opening, Oriya has already built its crowd and is quickly becoming a hit spot in Khobar. They only take five bookings per day, so make sure to save your place and indulge in their chicken risotto dish and eggplant with Labnah.

Location: 6493 Corniche Rd, Al Khobar
Mob: +966-557446589
Instagram: oriya.sa

Sourced Photo

Café

Three Seeds Coffee
This is a shoutout to all coffee addicts in Khobar who voted for this exquisite coffee shop that brews coffee right before your eyes. Presenting a cozy atmosphere, their Spanish Latte is the ideal boost to your day.

Location: King Saud St, Cross 10, Al Khobar
Instagram: 3seedscoffee

Sourced Photo

Editor’s Picks

Madeleine
This French pastry store located in Sharqiyah is our favored sweet temptation. Their tiramisu date cake is absolutely delicious and the good news is that you can order the cake you like from their menu via WhatsApp and have it reserved just for you. If you’ve ever wondered what a pomegranate and pistachio cake would taste like, you can find out now and satisfy your taste buds at Madeleine.

Location: King Fahd Rd, Green belt, Al Khobar
Mob: +966-556837770
Instagram: madeleineksa

Top 7 Restaurants for 2020

You voted – here are the top restaurants to watch out for this year.

Sourced Photo

Casual Dining

Hualan
This Asian fusion restaurant was voted top casual restaurant in Riyadh, offering high end Chinese fusion food. The interior of Hualan took inspiration from traditional Chinese gardens infused with geometrical structures, making it look modishly conventional. The kitchen is open for anyone who wishes to watch their meal being prepared. The grilled honey seabass is quite intriguing along with their fried prawn with pumpkin sauce.

Location: Olaya St., Centria Mall, Riyadh
Tel: +966-11-2110999
Instagram: hualan_restaurant

Sourced Photo

Section B
Delicious burgers dripping with cheese and sauce is the comfort food we all seek. If you like to indulge in juicy beef patties then the “B” burger is your choice, whereas if you’re into golden friend chicken then you’re a “C” sandwich type of person. Whatever burger you prefer, Section B has you covered.

Location: PR. Turki Alawwal St. Riyadh
Mob: +966-551239785
Instagram: sectionb_sa

Sourced Photo