< Previous30 ED IT O R ’S L E T T ER I AM OFTEN ASKED WHAT THE BEST PART OF MY JOB IS. THERE ARE THREE: being invited into the homes and studios of inspiring people; the privilege of seeing landmark cultural projects before they open; and charting the zeitgeist by captur- ing the best the world has to offer. My trip to Saudi Arabia in November for this issue’s cover story managed to tick all three boxes. At At-Turaif, the historic mud brick citadel that lies at the heart of Diriyah (and forms the linchpin of an ambitious plan to attract tourists to the Kingdom) I felt that I was witnessing history in the making. The birthplace of the fi rst Saudi state, Diriyah has been the site of dazzling state visits and cultural placemaking initiatives in recent months, includ- ing the Clash on the Dunes boxing match. But when I visited, the centuries-old Salwa Palace was gloriously deserted. Spending time there with the photog- rapher Alexander Wolfe to capture its time-worn beauty was truly a privilege. At-Turaif will soon be open to the public and I would encourage anyone who visits Saudi to Glittering Future FROM TOP: Salwa Palace; Boghossian earrings fi t for a queen; an exhibit at the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s 10,000 Years of Luxury show; Queen Nazli of Egypt resplendent in Van Cleef & Arpels jewels. P H O T O S : A L E X A ND ER W O L F E; IN G R ID R A S M U S S E N AD_30-32_Eds letter_11092173.indd 3010/12/2019 03:19:56 PMA TI M E L E S S SANC TU AR Y A secluded tropical island resort in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in Baa Atoll, blessed with timeless ocean views, white sandy beaches and nurtured by nature, Vakkaru Maldives offers a holistic approach to unassuming luxury and cherishable experiences in arguably one of the most desirable island destinations on the planet. vakkarumaldives.com AD ME-30_DEC 2019_DPS AD PAGES.indd 3609/12/2019 12:00:35 PM32 ED IT O R ’S L E T T ER P H O T O S : MAR K L U SCO M B E -WHY T E ; SAR A S HAKE E L ; CO LLE C T IO N AL THAN I / AD A G P, P A R IS 2 0 19 Talib Choudhry EDITOR-IN-CHIEF tour the site. As Gerald Inzerillo, the embuliant CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, put it, ‘this is one of the great archaeological wonders of the world’. Across town, at the smart new Riyadh Front, Saudi De- sign Week was taking place, and the energy was infectious. Innovative local design, an intruiging talks programme and fun, interactive installations (the theme was ‘design- ing happiness’) suggest that Saudi Arabia will become a leading light on the international design scene in the years to come. The Kingdom is open for business and tourism, and the excitement is palpable. The country is intelligently harnessing its two greatest cultural assets – its rich history and educated, young population – to con- found stereotypes and misconceptions. To depict this glit- tering future we worked with the Pakistani artist (and social media phenomenon Sara Shakeel) to give the cover her signature spin with thousands of crystals. The cover image is one of many highlights in this royal themed issue. Our digital editor Jumana travelled to Bah- rain to witness the beautiful transformation of a tradi- tional home on the Pearling Pathway into a boutique ho- tel. Under the guidance of HE Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa and HE Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, the architect Ammar Basheir has masterfully com- bined old and new (p126). The photographer Mark Lus- combe-Whtye journeyed to Istanbul to shoot the majestic Topkapi Palace for AD, including lavish rooms which are closed to the public (p142). In our Style section, be sure to read about Van Cleef & Arpels’ breathtaking Dubai exhi- bition of historic jewels, including pieces formerly owned by the Egyptian royal family (p76). Exceptional items are currently on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s 10,000 Years of Luxury show, too – one of the must-see sugges- tions on our new Agenda pages (p66). We also reveal the AD50, our list of the region’s best de- signers and architects, in this issue. The pages are brim- ming with inspiring work which underlines that the Mid- dle East is blessed with world-class talent and an optimistic outlook. The future looks bright. FROM TOP: Sara Shakeel’s shiny makeover of an Emirates jet; the stunning Topkapi Palace; the late 14th Maharajah of Indore, profi led on p96; A regal Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda gown, p94. AD_30-32_Eds letter_11092173.indd 3210/12/2019 03:20:30 PMDUBAI LIGHTING SHOWROOOM Building 8, Ground Floor - Showroom R07 D3 - Dubai Design District · DUBAI - UAE Phone: 00971 4 3527317 enquiry@maisonlamassu.com @maisonlamassu www.maisonlamassu.com OFFICIAL LIGHTING AGENCY GCC Business Point Tower Office 608 · DUBAI -UAE Phone: 00971 4 2945692 office@atlelectricals.com @atlelectricals www.atlelectricals.com A T L E L E C T R I C A L S lladrocontract.comInteriorsFurnitureUAEInteriorsfurniture.comInteriorsUAE AD ME-30_DEC 2019_DPS AD PAGES.indd 1713/11/2019 10:53:31 AM35 “I STARTED CREATING ILLUSIONS BY MAKING OVER BUILDINGS. LITTLE DID I KNOW, THE WORLD WAS WAITING FOR IT” Radar 60 IM A G E : SAR A S HAKE E L AD_35_RADAR_Opener_11080703.indd 3509/12/2019 01:12:55 PMOne Minute Delft Blue vase by Marcel Wanders marcelwanders. com Medea armchair by Sicis sicis.com Garden Vine tank creamer, Ralph Lauren x Burleigh ralphlauren. com Porcelain wallpaper by Studio Ditte studioditte.com 36 Blue Print Designers are giving porcelain-inspired prints a bold new spin RA D A R / T re n d Blue tulip vase by Royal Delft scullyand- scully.com Lion toile de jouy cushion, Dior Maison dior.com The breakfast room at New Orleans hotel Maison de la Luz, decorated by Pamela Shamshiri Delft Blue Plate carpet by Marcel Wanders for Moooi moooicarpets.com LI B E R T I N E S S 2 0 AD_36_Radar_Trend China_11065138.indd 3610/12/2019 03:17:34 PMRA D A R / D e b u t 37 Floor Show Fashion designer Mary Katrantzou makes her home furnishings debut with The Rug Company WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER FOR A MOTHER and a background in architecture (she studied at the Rhode Island School of Design before pivoting into fashion at Central Saint Martins), it was only a matter of time before the Greek-born, London-based fashion designer Mary Katrantzou began repurposing her pattern-happy creations for the home. This season she launches a collection of six wool-and-silk floor coverings with The Rug Company, featuring scaled-up florals, sunray squiggles, and graphic paint-by-numbers patterns inspired by ‘childhood nostalgia’. therugcompany.com – HANNAH MAR TIN AD_37_Style_News Mary Rug Co_11077109.indd 3709/12/2019 01:13:52 PM38 RA D A R / T re n d Rotonda lamp by Adrian Cruz Elements adorno. design Ombra screen by Chiara Provasi artemest.com Wonga outdoor cushion by Missoni Home amara.com Resin sculptures by Zuza Mengham (zuzamengham.com) Saraille wallpaper by Designers Guild designersguild.com Vintage ombré lucite light sculptures by Norman Mercer 1stdibs.com Ombré Glass Chair by Germans Ermics germansermics.com BA L L Y SS 2 0 Play Grade Joyful, ombré-effect designs add a hit of rainbow brightness Gradient console by Facture Studio facturestudio.com Seeing Glass Big Round mirror by Sabine Marcelis and Brit van Nerven 1stdibs.com AD_38_Radar Trend 2 Ombre_10932645.indd 3809/12/2019 01:15:36 PMFEEL THE BLUES Colour has the power to enhance our moods, and Jotun’s recently unveiled palette for 2020 contains 12 new hues which refl ect the optimism that an in-coming decade can bring. Curated under the theme of ‘celebrating colours’ the sophisticated shades range from lively reds to lush, nature-inspired greens. Our favourites are Free Spirit, a beautifully balanced blue-green; the on-trend Statement Blue; and Exhale, a relaxing, muted mint. Better still, they have been paired with existing Jotun colours to make decorating a breeze. Jotun.com RA D A R / D e c o ra ti n g 39 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Exhale; Statement Blue; Serene Blue; Free Spirit. AD_39_Radar_Jotun_10962724.indd 3909/12/2019 01:16:22 PMNext >