< PreviousOpinion commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 10 Timeless tastes: The evolution of classical interior design in the Middle East By Seema Al Mansoory, co-founder and CEO of EVA Interiors A s seen with the entire design industry, vintage and traditional styles always make a comeback within modern designs, and that only proves how timeless they are. In the current interior design industry, we are witnessing an ever-growing demand for classical and neoclassical interior designs, as customers are demanding more balanced and harmonious designs. Classical designs are certainly a favourite for our royalty and celebrity customers, who have a more elegant and settled taste preference. These designs are known for royal colours and atmospheres of reliability and imperial dignity. Furthermore, it is important to note that creating a true classical design is never an easy job, and it’s always one of our most time-consuming and intensive projects, it's not just about adding a vintage element, or a classical frame on the walls – it is about the very small details, the colours, the contrast in elements and the top-to-bottom fi nishing of the space. Furthermore, despite the strict rules of classical designs, it has been manifested in many ways across the world. In France, it was full of splendour and lustre, in England, it was infl uenced by rationalism and rigour, and in the Middle East, it has manifested itself with traditional and cultural designs that are creative and bold. Classical designs tend to adapt to the Classic interiors are a celeb favouriteOpinion 11 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com play a big role in the overall feel of the classical design, the main fabrics used are silk, brocade and satin, which both refl ect the light in the room and brighten the atmosphere. Lighting Lighting plays a very important role in the overall look of the room; with the right positioning, it spotlights all the beautiful elements in a room and brings them to life. In a classical design, the illumination in the room is often the main masterpiece, often using crystal chandeliers and lamps made of expensive material. One of the most important techniques to adding illumination in such designs is the uniform diffusion and distribution of light across the room, creating an elegant and welcoming atmosphere. It is evident that classical designs are not for those looking for an economic design, it is a very intricate type of design and requires true attention to detail and true knowledge of classical designs. Everything is carefully designed from top to bottom, that includes the ceilings, the walls, the fl oors, the doors, and all the important fi nishing elements that bring the room to life and creating a rich, but always balanced atmosphere. local design elements depending on the culture and tradition of the region, but it always keeps the essence of the classic Roman and Greek elements of design. Hence, ensuring that your infl uenced design can still present itself as a true classical design and not lose its essence, is very important. Classical designs have manifested themselves in Middle Eastern designs in many ways and there are several elements that come in to play when trying to implement these designs for our clients. Colours While the traditional classical design is all about calm and neutral shades of colour, its adoption in the Middle East has added more vibrant and royal colours and contrast into the classical design mix, creating a beautiful mixture of classical design with a local twist, but keeping the overall elegance and serenity of the room. Furniture & textiles The best part about creating a classical design is putting together the furniture in the room and watching it create a masterpiece. Classical designs give clients a chance to have state-of-the-art furniture in their homes that they can also see at a museum. The furniture is always comfortable and functional, but still very elegant. The textures used also In 2009, EVA Interiors was founded by architect Seema Al Mansoory and engineer Ahmad Gabir. Today, EVA Interiors has expanded to include EVA Casa, EVA Designs, and EVA Projects. EVA Interiors is in the UAE and UK, with regional and international offi ces overlooking the entire UAE, GCC and UK markets. About Eva Interiors: Crystal chandeliers Neutral shades meet 'royal' colours Seema Al MansooryFirst look commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 12 SPA LIFE IZIL SPA IN THE DUBAI MALL BY BRAND CREATIVE Images: Michael Kruger PhotographyFirst look 13 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com First look commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 14 I zil, the well-established beauty retail experience in The Dubai Mall by Brand Creative, has evolved into a calming oasis that transports visitors to a Moroccan escape. With a very loyal female following locally and regionally, Izil grew from a small kiosk in The Dubai Mall to sell its natural beauty products both online and within its chic new fl agship boutique on a fi rst fl oor of the shopping complex. Now it has expanded further to add a health and wellness concept, offering personal care experiences derived from ancient practices of hammams and bathhouses in a setting that's described by the designers as a "soulful celebration of the nomadic." Earthy qualities Amazigh symbols, traditionally worn by women to cure illness or protect against the evil eye, here adorn walls and fl oors encompassed with natural lime-based Tadelakt plaster, allowing for an earthy, textural and calming quality to the interior. Aided by the addition of faux windows, custom lighting is utilised to emulate rays of sunlight, casting a seamless natural glow throughout the space. Wandering through the retail space to the treatment area, you pass customers trialling natural customised products highlighted through the demonstration bar and complimented by integrated experience zones. An organic-shaped central basin is positioned to allow visitors to engage with staff at a customisation area that showcases raw natural ingredients used to make bespoke potions. Mosaic fountains As you continue along the path, you're embraced with the sounds of trickling water contained in mosaic fountains and wall features that are designed and strategically placed to set your mind at ease. Meeting the foot of the mosaic fountain are regal arches graced by light sheer curtains that create a sense of ancient luxury and mystery. The cave-like treatment rooms are designed to transport your imagination far from the bustling city that surrounds the everyday. The curved and contoured walls express natural earthy tones that envelope you whilst the oversized heated hammam bed, sculpturally carved and waterproof, and has an anti-slip, smooth surface comprised of natural stone. Concentric frames Lounge areas have been dotted throughout the space to provide moments of rest between treatments. Extra dense cushions and decorative Berber inspired throws bring a sense of warmth yet the neutral tones of these areas keep the aesthetic modern and luxurious. Carefully curated décor and lighting selected from the souks of Rabat and Fez are used to adorn built in illuminated niches and corners. Roman arches with Regal arches greet the mosaic fountain Neutral toned throws Sit down and relaxFirst look 15 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com large concentric frames allude to the ancient infl uence that other civilisations had on the Moroccan and Andalusion cities of the past. Introspective design Ultimately, the core purpose of Izil's uniquely personal interiors is to dispel the clichés and misinterpretations of the Moroccan culture and tradition. This is done through introspective design that encapsulates the Berber culture in a modern way. Filled with memories of brand founder Mouna Abassi's grandfather's home – an earthy, cavernous grand dwelling intertwined with environmentally sustainable materials – Izil Spa defi nes itself as a premium hammam experience with a tangible sensation of wonder and rejuvenation in the heart of the city. Roman arches An earthy interior Need to know Design BRAND CREATIVE Fit-out SADECO Completed OCTOBER, 2021KSA THE TIME IS NOW SAUDI ARABIA'S INTERIOR DESIGN MARKET IS THRIVING Cover feature commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 16 LONDONRIYADHMassive opportunities for commercial interior design and fit-out are to be found in Saudi Arabia. CID speaks to key players from the region who have recently tapped into the competitive market of KSA to hear what opportunities and challenges are presented… Cover feature 17 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com DUBAICover feature commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 18 G igaprojects abound and a tourism infl ux is driving a focus on hospitality-related projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's push to attract regional headquarters is also boosting the commercial property sector, after an announcement in 2021 that the Saudi government will stop giving contracts to any company that has its regional headquarters outside the kingdom from 2024. Following the decision, multinational companies, including PepsiCo, Baker Hughes, Halliburton, Philips, Schlumberger and Novartis, relocated their regional headquarters there. Saudi Arabia has plans to transform the capital Riyadh into a major global city economy by 2030, doubling its population to 15 million–20 million, while increasing the number of visitors to more than 40 million by 2030, the board of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City said. Global consultancy Knight Frank said in a report that close to three million square metres of new offi ce space is also being built in the capital, along with more than 12,000 hotel rooms, spread across mega projects worth an estimated USD 63 billion (SAR 236bn). An increase in the number of real estate projects for retail, commercial, and hospitality along with increasing demand for residential properties combined with government initiatives to develop infrastructure is expected to drive the interiors market throughout 2022. HUGE DEVELOPMENTS Market analysts Mordor Intelligence notes that projects such as the Avenues Mall and King Abdullah Financial District are investing around USD 10.7b (SAR 40.14bn) in the construction of various residential, and commercial projects. As construction booms, Saudi's interior design market is thriving, with a diverse range of projects taking place across the country. Huge development such as the Red Sea Development and King Abdullah Economic City are attracting international and regional interiors and fi t-out fi rms. Diversity of a different kind is also refl ected in the workplace of the fi rms behind these enterprises; the labour force participation rate for women in Saudi Arabia increased from 20% to 33% in two years, according to American research group the Brookings Institution. Kristina Zanic Image credit: Kristina Zanic ConsultantsInterior design renders for a contemporary hotel lobby in Jeddah Amani Al IbrahimNext >