Today I’d like to share with you the lovely and inspired work of Nada Debs, what do you say?
I recently visited Beirut, Lebanon while on my latest trip to Dubai and came across beautiful home accessories while I was out shopping. You can visit Nada Debs’ website to follow her latest designs and releases. I loved the shop and took note of it as soon as I got home, and wrote to Nada asking if she would like to share her work on burrs & berries because it’s so very inspirational. I’m happy that she gave me permission to do so, and she also agreed to answer a few questions in a rather informal interview that would allow me to understand her style and inspirations a little bit better.
Nada is originally Lebanese, but grew up in Japan. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in Interior Architecture, which led her to start her own company in the UK “designing and producing custom furniture.” Nada created “East and East” in 2000, using her multi-cultural background to design furniture that appeals to a global market, and through which she designs, manufactures and sells her own furniture line. What an inspiration!
“East and East” has grown to two retail outlets based in Beirut, the Nada Debs Gallery displays the collection and the Nada Debs boutique carries her home accessories. And even on a global stage, Nada’s products are represented in New York, London, Rome and Dubai.
1. How would you describe your decorating style? I would say modern arabesque—arabesque touches in modern form.
2. What inspires your collections? My inspirations come from the past and the present—I look at the past for the beautiful handcraftmanship and I look at the present for new materials and new concepts.
3. How has your multi cultural background affected your decor? Fusing the different cultures I have experienced (Japanese and Lebanese as well as USA and the UK) has given me the opportunity to learn from each and apply it in my designs. Japan for minimalism, USA for functionality, UK for European sophistication, Lebanon for traditional craftsmanship.
4. Where do you like to shop for your home items? I collect all kinds of objects, modern and antique…what I would say defines them is the fact that there is some kind of craft—whether modern or old.
5. What are your plans for Nada Debs furniture and design? As a brand from the Middle East, I would like my furniture and home accessories to reach the masses, especially in the Arab world…so an expansion of my Home Accessories Boutique and Gallery is one of the directions that we are pursuing. Another is working on interesting private projects and customized furniture.
6. What are 3 decorating tips you’d like to share with burrs & berries readers?
- CONTRAST –mix old and new—because old looks beautiful against new and vice versa.
- Remember that when you are decorating a home, it is YOURS, so choose things you like and don’t always follow magazines.
- COMFORT – choose things you will use and not just something you will look at and make sure it’s comfortable! You’ll love it more!
Thank you so much Nada for sharing your decorating tips and beautiful work with us today!
I love the concept of blending crafts, getting inspiration from different backgrounds and creating something unique, which is at the heart of her work. Nada Debs uses the rich Middle Eastern craft with the Far-Eastern ideals of purity of line, which explains “East and East”. Also using materials like acrylic and concrete demonstrates the commitment to quality workmanship. So tell me friends, after a little trip into Nada’s world, what do you find personally inspiring?
(images: nada debs)
