Sharjah, an emirate deeply committed to preserving its rich heritage while embracing modern living, offers a captivating array of stores where you can find Emirati home decor. These items range from traditional handicrafts that tell a story of Bedouin life to contemporary pieces inspired by local aesthetics, ensuring you can infuse your home with authentic Arabian charm.
Souq Al Arsah: Traditional Handicrafts and Palm Frond Weaving
For truly authentic Emirati home decor, a visit to Souq Al Arsah in the Heart of Sharjah is absolutely essential. This meticulously restored heritage souk is a treasure trove of traditional crafts. You’ll discover shops specializing in Al Khous, which are intricate items woven from dried palm fronds. This includes beautifully crafted baskets of various sizes, decorative mats, and traditional hand fans that double as wall art. Many pieces, like the “safafa” (a circular mat) or “jafair” (a large storage basket), were once essential to daily Emirati life and now make for unique decorative accents. The souk’s vendors often source directly from local artisans, ensuring the authenticity and traditional craftsmanship of each piece, giving your home a genuine piece of the UAE’s past.
Sharjah Central Souk (Blue Souk): Carpets, Antiques, and Ornate Pieces
The iconic Sharjah Central Souk, globally recognized as the Blue Souk, is a sprawling marketplace where you can find a diverse range of items for your home, many with a distinct Middle Eastern flair. While it’s famous for jewelry and textiles, the upper floors and certain sections house vendors selling traditional carpets and kilims that, while not exclusively Emirati, often feature designs and colors popular in the region. You’ll also encounter shops offering antique brass and copperware, including ornate coffee pots (dallah), incense burners (mabkhara), and decorative trays, all of which are staples in Emirati homes. Some vendors specialize in traditional wooden chests (mandoos), intricately carved and often adorned with brass studs, which serve as striking statement pieces or practical storage. These items add a touch of Arabian grandeur and history to any living space.
Sharjah Heritage Days: A Showcase of Artisanal Home Goods
If your visit coincides with Sharjah Heritage Days, typically held from mid-February to early March each year, you’re in for a treat when it comes to Emirati home decor. This grand festival, primarily celebrated in the Heart of Sharjah, features numerous pavilions and stalls dedicated to traditional crafts from the UAE and beyond. You’ll find artisans demonstrating and selling a wide range of handmade home accessories, including beautifully embroidered cushions, traditional pottery, intricate wall hangings, and decorative calligraphic art. It’s an exceptional opportunity to acquire unique pieces directly from the creators, learning about their craft and the cultural significance behind each item, ensuring your decor is not just beautiful but also meaningful.
Al Shaab Village: Local Shops for Traditional Furnishings
Al Shaab Village offers a different kind of shopping experience, blending modern conveniences with a more traditional market feel. Within this complex, you’ll discover numerous smaller, independent shops specializing in traditional Emirati and Arabian home furnishings. This includes stores that sell Majlis seating – the low, comfortable floor seating characteristic of Arab hospitality – often featuring rich fabrics and intricate patterns. You might also find shops offering traditional curtains, cushions, and other textile-based decor that embodies local aesthetics. While not every store is exclusively Emirati, many cater to the local population’s preferences for traditional designs, making it a good spot to find authentic elements for your home.
Modern Malls with Boutique Stores: Contemporary Emirati Design
Sharjah’s modern shopping centers, such as Zero 6 Mall and City Centre Al Zahia, are increasingly becoming platforms for contemporary Emirati designers and brands that infuse traditional elements into modern home decor. While you’ll find international chains like Home Centre or Pottery Barn, look for smaller, boutique stores or pop-up concepts within these malls. These shops might offer abstract art inspired by local landscapes, minimalist ceramics with Arabian motifs, or textiles that reinterpret traditional patterns in a modern context. Some might even feature furniture pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with sleek, contemporary designs. It requires a bit more searching, but these malls showcase the evolving face of Emirati design in a sophisticated setting.
Cultural Institutions’ Gift Shops: Curated Artistic Decor
Institutions like the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization often feature well-curated gift shops that extend beyond simple souvenirs. These shops frequently stock home decor items created by local artists and designers, reflecting the cultural and artistic heritage of Sharjah. You might find exquisite calligraphy-inspired decorative pieces, unique ceramic tableware, or art prints that subtly incorporate Emirati themes. These items are typically of high quality and offer a refined approach to Emirati home decor, blending artistry with functionality. Visiting these shops not only allows you to purchase beautiful items but also supports the cultural initiatives within the emirate.
An Editor’s Perspective from www.few.ae
From the perspective of the www.few.ae team, decorating a home with Emirati decor is about creating a space that feels warm, welcoming, and deeply connected to the rich heritage of the UAE. It’s about more than just buying objects; it’s about investing in stories and traditions. We’ve always been captivated by how traditional palm-frond weaving can transform a modern interior, or how a single ornate brass dallah can become a conversation starter. These pieces add a layer of soul and authenticity that mass-produced items simply cannot replicate. Embracing Emirati decor is truly an experience in cultural immersion within your own living space.
Crafting Your Home with Sharjah’s Spirit
In summary, Sharjah offers a vibrant tapestry of options for discovering and acquiring Emirati home decor, catering to various tastes and preferences. Whether you seek the deeply traditional handicrafts of Souq Al Arsah and Sharjah Heritage Days, the diverse treasures of the Sharjah Central Souk, the locally focused offerings of Al Shaab Village, or the contemporary interpretations found in modern malls and cultural institutions, you’ll find countless ways to imbue your home with the unique charm and heritage of the UAE.
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