3 commercialinteriordesign.comContentsApr-May 2026 50 SPECIAL REPORT: FF&E SUPPLIERS A dive into the wonderful world of furniture, xtures and equipment IN THIS ISSUE 10 MAKE WAY FOR MILAN What to expect at this year’s Salone del Mobile 14 CREATING A LEGACY The story of Al Sharawi Interiors and where the rm is heading next 18 FIGHTING FIT(OUT) The 2026 Fit-Out Firm Power List is revealed in all its glory 34 GREEN WITH ENVY 4SPACE designs The Matcha Project in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall 38 A CASE FOR REPEAT BUSINESS How Roar has turned one big client into serial returning customers 44 CHILD’S PLAY A close look at what it takes to create spaces with children in mind April-May 2026 On the cover: Photograph y: Aji th Narendra4 commercialinteriordesign.comContentsApr-May 2026 40 56 WORLD VIEW InterContinental makes its way to Phuket, Thalian RESIDENTIAL Travel to Turkey to step inside a stunning villa REGULARS 06 BIG IDEA A peek at Riyadh Air’s airport lounge ahead of the airline’s launch 08 DESIGN NEWS The CID edit of what’s going on across the region 74 SEVEN LESSONS Career advice from a specialist5 commercialinteriordesign.com Camille Dubuis-Welch Editor LAYERING A narrative Published by and © 2026 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Geneva, London, Mumbai & Riyadh ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi MANAGING DIRECTOR Martin Chambers DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR Holly Sands HEAD OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL EDITOR Camille Dubuis-Welch EDITOR, HOSPITALITY & DESIGN SAUDI Safa Hassan CONTRIBUTOR Holly Byrne ADVERTISING CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 Email: sally.whittam@itp.com COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Richard Mobbs Tel: +971 52 393 2862 Email: richard.mobbs@itp.com COMMERCIAL MANAGER Tamara Moufarrej Tel: +971 55 249 1820 Email: tamara.moufarrej@itp.com COMMERCIAL MANAGER, SAUDI Abdulelah Aldawish Tel: +966 11 512 2581 Email: abdulelah.aldawish@itp.com COMMERCIAL ADMIN EXECUTIVE Janet Comia Email: janet.comia@itp.com ART SENIOR DESIGNER Gillian Fletcher JUNIOR DESIGNER Celine Iskandar-Elhachem GROUP VIDEO EDITOR Bharat Tahiliani VIDEOGRAPHER Karan Sumadari VIDEOGRAPHER & EDITOR Sumeet Katira MARKETING HEAD OF EVENTS Eleanor Ashton SENIOR EVENTS MANAGER Kate Galaktionova EVENTS MANAGER Gavin Moeketsi ASSOCIATE EVENTS MANAGER Vrinali Nazareth ASSOCIATE EVENTS MANAGER Maria Trishina EVENTS COORDINATOR Bobbie Rosario EVENTS SALES ASSISTANT Joyce Salonga events@itp.com PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION SENIOR PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Balasubramanian P PRODUCTION MANAGER Anand Sundaram DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Avinash Pereira CIRCULATION EXECUTIVE Rajesh Pillai ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Subscribe at www.commercialinteriordesign.com The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader's particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. AS I WRITE , rain is pouring and the mood in the region is rather unsettled. So, an uplifting issue of CID is in order. Around the world, April is synonymous with a seasonal, spring-like shift. Design in itself is a journey and adaptable by nature. We build for the present, often speaking to the past, but more importantly, for the future. If there has ever been a moment to shift the focus, it has been over the past few weeks, and the region has been doing so with determination and positivity. Projects such as Yabu Pushelberg’s Hafawa Lounge for Riyadh Air demonstrate the skill of balancing technical design innovation with comfort. The space is beautiful, thoughtful, and a testament to Saudi hospitality. We also look to Thailand and inside Phuket’s new InterContinental hotel, bringing luxury living to the island. It is the precise layering of design elements that creates a unique journey. The difference that a well-placed pendant light, bespoke fixture or one-of-a-kind tile finish can make to a space is difficult to put into words. Refined details signal the difference between cohesive interiors and something veering towards broken. Worse still, plain. When it comes to moments to congregate, we are eagerly anticipating Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile this month. A preview guide can be found from page 10. With new dates set for Art Dubai and INDEX, there are plenty of in-person events coming up for the industry, a testament to your unwavering commitment to keep calm and carry on with sharp adaptability and refreshing hope.6 commercialinteriordesign.comApr-May 2026Big idea Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, Riyadh Air’s Hafawa Lounge introduces a design-led, technology-integrated space shaped by Saudi hospitality WHERE TRAVEL FINDS STILLNESS7 commercialinteriordesign.comApr-May 2026Big idea RIYADH AIR HAS launched the Hafawa Lounge, its rst premium airport lounge at King Khalid International Airport, in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio Yabu Pushelberg. Positioned as more than a waiting area, the lounge represents a de ned stage within the Riyadh Air journey and is shaped around the concept of Hafawa, a Saudi cultural value centred on warmth and generosity, supported by technology integration. It spans nearly 2,000 sq m and can accommodate aaround 370 Business Elite and Business Class guests. Glenn Pushelberg, co-founder of Yabu Pushelberg, said: “Our goal was to create a space that supports the emotional side of travel. Through the carefully considered use of light, textures, spaces, and atmosphere, the Hafawa Lounge offers a sense of calm, generosity, and freedom to move before guests take ight.” Concept and strategic positioning It comes as Riyadh Air preparaes for its commercial launch, placing design and innovation at the centre of operations. Mody Alkhalaf, director of guest experience at Riyadh Air, said: “The Hafawa Lounge re ects our belief that design and technology play an important role in shaping the guest experience – elements which are part of every step of the guest’s journey with Riyadh Air. Working with Yabu Pushelberg allowed us to bring together the traditional warmth of Saudi hospitality with contemporary, future-forward design to offer a space that supports comfort, emotional wellbeing, and generosity throughout the journey.” Design approach and spatial experience The design draws inspiration from the Saudi desert landscape, exploring contrasts between grounded and ethereal elements, as well as tactile and technologically advanced materials. A material palette of limestone, oak and textured plaster establishes the environment, which unfolds progressively as guests move through the space. Lighting plays a central role, with a circadian system shifting throughout the day, moving from warm tones at dawn to cooler tones at midday and returning to warm tones at dusk, re ecting the rhythms of desert light. Accents of peach, lavender and indigo are introduced at key points within the lounge, referencing Riyadh Air’s brand palette and contributing to orientation and spatial de nition. George Yabu, co-founder of the design rm, added: “Rather than designing a single environment, we envisioned the lounge as a home made up of distinct rooms. Each space has its own character and purpose, allowing guests to shape their own experience.” A de ned arrival zone marks the transition from the airport terminal into the lounge. From there, guests enter the central Pantry, The Balcony Café, positioned along runway- facing windows, provides a social setting, while quieter areas, including The Study and The Parlor are conceived as private living room-style spaces intended for longer stays. Additional areas include the Cabinet and the Cellar, designed as layered destinations for social engagement. Tech integration and brand alignment Technology is integrated throughout the space through way nding systems, media installations and service touchpoints intended to streamline the guest journey while maintaining human interaction. Guests are welcomed with Saudi coffee and premium dates, aligning the arrival experience with the concept of Hafawa.8 commercialinteriordesign.comNewsApr-May 2026 DESIGN NEWS / APRIL INDEX GETS UPDATED SEPTEMBER DATES AND NEW DUBAI LOCATION INDEX will take place September 28 to 30 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City Dubai, after originally being planned to run from June 2 to 4. INDEX is a space where emerging talent is celebrated and worldly innovation given a stage. As a meeting point for global brands, architects, buyers and developers, the date change will also help ensure international participation is maximised, allowing organisers to accommodate logistical challenges the UAE is currently facing with international travel and freight shipments. Showcasing premium products, INDEX hosts 11 sectors, including furnishing fabrics, lighting, architectural hardware, outdoor living and design and t-out. It is where design innovation and commercial strategy unite, delivering key insights and market information across MENA to inform and inspire industry professionals. There is no change to existing registrations, and exhibitor commitments will transfer to the amended date. ART DUBAI RETURNS IN MAY WITH A “FLEXIBLE AND FOCUSED” FORMAT Art Dubai has announced it will return to Madinat Jumeirah from May 14 to 17 2026 in a revised format. The fair had previously been scheduled to take place from April 17 to 19. The 2026 edition will proceed in an adapted format, designed to be more focused and exible. Rather than a traditional fair structure, it will bring together a curated mix of gallery presentations, collaborative initiatives and public programming. Held annually, Art Dubai has a programme spanning contemporary, modern and digital work, alongside talks, commissions and educational initiatives. The revised 2026 format signals a more agile approach, aimed at maintaining opportunities for visibility, exchange and engagement while responding to current conditions across the region. The shift also comes at a time when cultural events across the UAE are navigating broader uncertainty, with organisers placing increased emphasis on adaptability and continuity.Next >