Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was a bachelor apartment furnished in as much time. If common conjecture is to be believed, it could take much more time for the latter. “Bachelors have better things to do than to go around looking for crockery and bed-linens,” astutely points out Caitlin Nation, general manager at Move-in Dubai, the all-purpose turnkey solution that, according to Nation, “does all the hard work for you. That means the meticulous selection of furniture, electrical appliances, utensils and table settings, bed and bathroom kit as well as decorative accessories and art work. Basically, everything but the kitchen sink; though the washing machine, toaster and fridge certainly come as part of the package.
The brainchild of Australian architect Zahava Elenberg Frasier, the company’s managing director, Move-in specialises in providing complete furniture packages. Set up in Melbourne, Australia, in 1996, the idea came as a result of an offhanded request. “Zahava Elenberg Frasier’s architect company was working on some high-rise buildings at the time, when a client asked her if she would be able to help furnish the apartment on a limited budget,” explains Nation. Frasier found it to be an irresistible challenge. The project proved to be so successful that she decided to make a living out of it. Within a couple of years, Move-in went from being a start-up to a multimillion USD company. Move-in also provides services for large scale multi-room facilities and works with hotels and service apartments to help them develop a unique style. It has already created the display suites for Dubai’s The Lagoons, Business Bay and White Bay Resort properties.
By early 2007, Frasier and her colleagues were ready to make the leap to Dubai, a location that promised a growth in business due in large part to an extensive number of executives flocking to the Emirate on a yearly basis. “We have a very large office in Australia,” admits Nation. “But we saw the opportunity of developing the business here. It makes sense to be here at this time, as well as [Dubai] being a very interesting part of the world to be in,” she says.
Move-in works well because it closely follows a set formula where time is of the essence. “We’re not an interior design firm. We are a furniture package company. Our aim is to get people moved into their apartments as quickly as possible, generally within two weeks,” explains Nation. Clients have a choice between the Urban Package and the more varied Luxe Collection where you can select items to furnish your home for a starting price of about 10,000 USD for a one-bedroom apartment. Most of the furniture is designed and made in-house, though the company also has a wide range of contacts throughout the UAE if you are looking for a particular item. There are about 20 packages on-hand and in stock so as not to create any delays. Inclusive within the cost is delivery and installation, none of which you’ll have to wait around for. Move-in will also make sure it hands over an apartment that “not only looks clean but also smells clean. We think of every detail upon delivery, even down to the toilet rolls,” says Nation.
Back to the bachelor pad, how would Move-in make it look different to let’s say a family home? “After the client has provided a floor plan we would suggest the look be quite clean and fresh. Then the bachelor can slowly build on the basics. We would use much more masculine and simple pieces such as black resin bowls” advises Nation. “Perhaps even greenery that stays alive,” she jokes.
Contact
Move-in
Dubai, UAE
Tel +971 4 340 1994
HYPERLINK "http://www.move-in-dubai.com" www.move-in-dubai.com
