THE

FOCUS

FUNCTION PAVES

WAY

NADA DEBS IS FROM

THE NEW GENRE OF
ARAB DESIGNERS WITH
A SENSE OF PURPOSE
AND LOVE FOR THE
EXTRAORDINARY
INFUSED WITH
PRACTICALITY. FROM
INTERIORS TO PRODUCT
DESIGN TO THE REFINED
REINTERPRETATION OF
DESIGN AS AN ART FORM
ARE HER WORKS
CHARACTERISTIC
HIGHLIGHTS.

FOR
L O N G - L A S T I N G

D E S
PAVED IN
Above: Concrete carpet by Nada Debs is a
collaboration with Huda Abi Fares of Khatt
Foundation.

36

GLAM INTERIORS + DESIGN

I G N S
ARABESQUE
Above: Nada Debs
poses sitting on one
of her signature
products.

THE

FOCUS

Debs almost subtle form of decorative

instincts can be traced to her
upbringing in Japan and her studies
in Interior Architecture at the Rhode
Island School of Design in the United
States.
Debs started
her own design
company in the
At the heart of her work remains an idea
UK designing
ever present in her designs that of
and producing
preserving ones cultural roots.
custom furniture,
blending the rich
Middle-Eastern
craft with the
Far-Eastern ideals of purity of line. Debs
is the creator of the East & East concept
in furniture design. The multiple Easts
represent the cool minimalism and
restraint of Japanese aesthetic combined
with the lavish warmth of Arab expression.
Her commitment to quality workmanship
ensures that each piece exudes the air of
an instant classic. She also remains at the
cutting edge of the international design
scene, using materials very much in vogue,
such as acrylic and concrete. At the heart
of her work remains an idea ever present
in her designs that of preserving ones
cultural roots, while forging the identity,
for herself, her compatriots, and for the
world, of the Modern Arab. GID quizzes
her on her design aesthetics.
Debs has had design collaborations with
artists and one of them has resulted in an
38

GLAM INTERIORS + DESIGN

EAST MEETS WEST

Left: Nada Debs vintage strand console.
Right: Vintage strand chairs, and Below: East
& East Diwan bench.

I am always concerned about the

human element, trying to evoke a
certain feeling through the pieces.

the interaction with the piece. I am always

concerned about the human element,
trying to evoke a certain feeling through
the pieces.

MODERNISM
Above: From the Draw
the Line collection of furniture.
Right: Rose cabinet and Below:
The famous Pebble low table
from East & East.

art form, which is also part of a museum

collection. Yet she still believes in the
fundamental that furniture designs should
have a purpose and a function, following
the need of the person who will use it.
How popular are Arab-inspired
designs?
Arab-inspired designs have a very distinct
voice and are becoming popular. In the
past, they had a more One Thousand and
One Nights feeling very cozy, dark and
romantic but now as we Arabs are exposed
to the West, a new identity is being forged.
What are your trends for the next year?
What are the designs that you feel will
work for a long time?
I keep exploring craft and try to push
the boundaries with it. We have a lot of
material and patterns to work with it is
about taking it and making it appealing to
the public in an inspiring and functional
way. When the objects are functional and
fulfil the needs of the people, the designs
will remain for a long time.

Designs transcend space, time and

material. Do you agree?
Definitely!
Who are the designers you love and
architects that you look up to?
I like designers whose work evokes
feelings of spirituality most of the
designers I like are Japanese such as
Tokujin Yoshioka or Naoto Fukasawa.
How important is product design in the
years to come?
People are becoming more and more
aware of design and are enjoying what
product design evokes in them.
How do you incorporate Arabic
elements in modern-day design? Did
the East & East originate from this
desire to bring Arabic elements to life?
Yes, I was interested in taking our
aesthetics such as the repetitive geometric
patterns that have been used for many
years in modern furniture using modern
materials.

Tell us about one important

collaboration you have had and the
lessons learnt from them?
I have designed a ring with a jeweller,
Wadih Sayegh, and we came up with a very
intricate piece. On a much larger scale, I
have also worked with Huda Abi Fares of
Khatt Foundation to create the concrete
carpet, which was shown at the Victoria
& Albert Museum and was bought by the
Arab Museum of Modern Art: Mathaf.
Should furniture be considered as art?
No, I believe it should remain functional.
The design motto you live by?
Listen and design. (Basically we should
listen to what peoples needs are and
design accordingly!)

What do you enjoy most, designing

spaces or furniture? How does each
satisfy you as a creator?
I enjoy designing furniture as we have to
consider the use of the human body and
GLAM INTERIORS + DESIGN

39