Style & Taste
Notes on a softer existence.
Style & Taste is the Soft Existence journal — slow reading on considered living in Dubai and the wider UAE. We write about scented soy candles and how fragrance behaves in air-conditioned rooms, about woven cotton baskets and the quiet work of home organisation, and about the kitchen storage that keeps a warm, humid kitchen calm. Everything here is written for homes in this climate, not imported from another one.
The pieces are practical rather than aspirational: fixing a candle that has tunnelled, storing flour and rice through summer, styling a shelf without buying anything new, preparing a majlis for guests. New stories are added most weeks — start with the latest below, or follow the tag on any story to read by theme, from candles and scent to storage, styling and care.
Latest
How to Fix Candle Tunnelling - and Stop It Coming Back
A candle that burns down the middle and leaves a wall of wax is tunnelling. Why it happens, how to rescue one that has already done it, and the single habit that prevents it.
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Why Is My Candle Smoking, Sweating or Leaving Soot?
Black smoke, soot on the glass, beads of oil on the surface. Four common candle complaints, what each one is telling you, and how to put it right.
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Do Candle Warmers Actually Make Candles Last Longer?
Warmer lamps promise a flameless candle that lasts far longer. Whether that is true, what you give up in scent throw, and the cheaper habits that add more hours.
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How to Make Your Home Smell Good - Without Plug-Ins or Synthetic Sprays
Air freshener masks. A well-scented home does something quieter. How to build layers of natural fragrance that last all day, starting with the smells you remove.
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How to Store Bread So It Actually Stays Fresh
The fridge is the worst place for it, and the plastic bag is the second worst. How bread actually goes stale, and the storage that slows it down.
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Housewarming Gifts for a New Home: 12 Ideas That Actually Get Used
Most housewarming gifts end up in a cupboard. A guide to the ones that survive the first year, what to spend, and how to give something useful without giving something dull.
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Eid Gift Ideas for the Home
Gifts for the house rather than the person. What to give at Eid for friends, family, colleagues and hosts, with notes on presentation and on what to spend.
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Soy Wax, Explained: Why It Burns Cleaner, Slower and Truer
What soy wax actually is, how it differs from paraffin, and why it matters in a warm, air conditioned home. Plus how to read a candle label honestly.
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The Considered Gift: What to Bring When You Are Invited Home
A short guide to house gifts that are actually used. What to bring to a first invitation, a housewarming or an iftar, and how to put together a gift basket that does not look like a hamper.
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Scented Candles in Dubai: How to Choose One Worth Living With
Heat and air conditioning change the way fragrance behaves. A practical guide to choosing scented candles in Dubai, from wax and wick to the right scent for each room.
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How to Store Flour, Rice and Sugar in a Hot, Humid Kitchen
Paper bags fail quickly in this climate. How long dry goods really keep, how to store flour so it does not attract weevils, and what to decant into what.
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Kitchen Counter Organisation: How to Keep Surfaces Clear
A clear worktop is a decision about what earns its place, not a tidying habit. The one-metre rule, the tray trick, and what to do in a small kitchen with no pantry.
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