< Previous“I enjoy the way a minor change can rejuvenate a tired-looking house” Na z z y B e g l a r i From left: Nazzy is a collector of vintage vases; A colourful tablescape enlivens the outdoors From left: A series of artworks capture the staircase; Multicoloured beads and peacock feathers merge for a statement light fi xture 90 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Winter 2023 HBI_059_86-95_AFL-Naazi_13097681.indd 9005/12/2023 13:16 Your LIFE Your LIFE Repetition, intricate motifs and strong hues defi ne the room HBI_059_86-95_AFL-Naazi_13097681.indd 9105/12/2023 11:35 Your LIFE Every element in the dining room carries a storied sense of place and personality HBI_059_86-95_AFL-Naazi_13097681.indd 9205/12/2023 11:35Th e walls of Nazzy’s home are painted several fun shades that evoke joy and optimism – pink, blue, green, and yellow. A colour lover by nature, she swears by bright hues: “Colour is life and nature is full of colours. In places like Morocco, India and Central Asia, colour is a design staple. Not pastel colours, but bold colours like pink, purple and crimson. Even men wear colour and jewellery; that doesn’t diminish their manhood, but rather adds to their personality.” Nazzy swears by self-expression through colour; it’s easy and inexpensive to paint walls, and change textiles and accessories, she suggests. “Repainting the walls – which I do from time to time – is like an instant upgrade. I also follow the feng shui philosophy, whether designing one room or the entire house. Th e bottom line is, don’t be afraid of colours and don’t block the fl ow of energy. No white walls and grey furniture for me.” From ikat to hand-blocked cotton and suzani, Nazzy’s love of textiles is evident in her furniture and headboards too, most of which she tailor-made herself. In fact, her latest venture involves hand-blocked, hand-stitched curtains, tablecloths and summer and winter blankets – all of them colourful, of course. A statement coff ee table, sofa and side table by Kuwaiti designer Bibi Abdullah Alghanim also adorn the abode. “Bibi blends old-school mother-of-pearl with new designs and materials like metal,” says Nazzy. “When I travel, I hunt for unique and vintage pieces and when I fi nd one, I grab it.” It’s obvious Nazzy is a collector of keepsakes – art, beautiful tomes, vases and, especially, tableware; she confesses she just can’t resist a good dinner plate. “I love creating vibrant and beautiful table settings – whether for a group of guests or just for my husband and I. A colourful table adds so much to the pleasure of eating. I enjoy cooking and sharing food. Cooking is like a cultural activity; I forget everything else in the world when I cook. Th e best part is the presentation that can be theatrical and can resemble an art installation.” Like art, there’s no rulebook in Nazzy’s home. It’s an ever-changing, culture-inspired place where storytelling comes together with freedom; an eclectic haven where monotony is left at the door, and all forms of creative experimentation are welcome inside. Clockwise from top left: The screening room is Nazzy’s favourite space in the home; Nazzy Beglari’s collection of coats displayed at the Asia NOW Art Fair in Paris; The designer follows feng shui to ensure energetic alignment in her home; The backyard is a green haven 93 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Winter 2023 HBI_059_86-95_AFL-Naazi_13097681.indd 9305/12/2023 11:36“Don’t block the fl ow of energy. No white walls and grey furniture for me” Nazzy Beglari From top: A custom headboard grabs the limelight in the bedroom; Floral motifs on a dark canvas shroud the statement chairs Complementary colours harmonise in elaborate manifestations 94 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Winter 2023 HBI_059_86-95_AFL-Naazi_13097681.indd 9405/12/2023 11:36 Your LIFE The bedroom exudes maximalist charm with a dominating pink scheme Reversible coat; Top; Shoes; Sunglasses; Jewellery, all Nazzy’s own HBI_059_86-95_AFL-Naazi_13097681.indd 9505/12/2023 11:36 Your LIFE 96 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Winter 2023 Snow is a world-class art collector who boldly embraces a vibrant and lively aesthetic HBI_059_96-105_Snow li_13087815.indd 9605/12/2023 11:38 Your LIFE 97 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Winter 2023 CREDIT HERE EXCESS ALL AR EAS Words by NATASHA FARUQUE Photography by AASIYA JAGADEESH Art enthusiast Snow Li ’s eclectic Abu Dhabi penthouse showcases a meticulously curated collection spotlighting regional creatives HBI_059_96-105_Snow li_13087815.indd 9705/12/2023 11:38 Your LIFE 98 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Winter 2023 The powerful business executive has amassed a collection of hundreds of signifi cant pieces from both regional and international artists HBI_059_96-105_Snow li_13087815.indd 9805/12/2023 11:38 Your LIFE 99 HarpersBazaarArabia.com/Culture/Interiors Winter 2023 I got stuck here as the borders shut due to Covid,” Snow Feinan Li laughs when recounting how she came to call the UAE home from her spectacular penthouse apartment in the country’s capital. “Th e hotel I was in also shut down due to the pandemic, so I rented a place at the Vida Residences in Downtown Dubai and the walls were so bare,” the global traveller tells us. She adds, “I got bored and started buying art and design pieces. I began exploring the local art scene and immersing myself in the culture and everything that surrounds me.” And that was how one of the most impressive collections in the region was born – in under three years the Chinese native has amassed over 200 pieces. Th e investor and manufacturing titan – she’s now established the region’s largest valve-making facility in Abu Dhabi – had originally arrived as a tourist; part of the mayor of Shanghai’s offi cial delegation, and had visited just two key sites, EXPO 2020 and Louvre Abu Dhabi before fi nding herself grounded. But instead of despairing, she threw herself into establishing herself, embedding herself in the country’s social scene as a noted art expert, and creating a strong network of friends who are always popping into her ground fl oor space in the nation’s capital – that spans over 500 square metres – to sit around the Lazy Susan, enjoying sumptuous feasts. WRITTEN IN THE STARS It may seem impulsive to buy a multi-million dollar apartment in a country that you’ve inadvertently started calling home. Still, when Snow’s astrologer suggested she set up roots in Abu Dhabi – and gave her a specifi c day to make her property purchase, she moved swiftly – even though she needed to complete viewings and confi rm her transaction within 24 hours to fulfi l the deadline. Using all her powers of persuasion, Snow managed to fi nd the perfect place – in the newly launched One Reem Island by SAAS Properties – even though the particular unit she was after wasn’t originally off ered for purchase. “Th e six-metre high ceilings, and the fact that it off ers breathtaking views of the mangroves from all three bedrooms,” she replies, when asked what fi rst attracted her to the apartment she now resides in. Another key draw? Th e spacious living and dining area, plus the wrap-around balcony which extends across all living spaces and past the bedrooms. When asked if she had any misgivings when taking such a huge leap of faith, Snow quickly replies, “I am not afraid of change because it is leading me to a new beginning.” HBI_059_96-105_Snow li_13087815.indd 9905/12/2023 12:17Next >