Interview with Ammar Basheir

March 17, 2020

In his decade long career, Ammar Basheir has carved out a niche for himself as the go to designer of atmospheric spaces for some of the Persian Gulf’s most discerning tastemakers. Basheir managed to build a multi-million dollar business entirely through word of mouth. Despite this, his status as a best-kept secret in the region is about to change thanks to a string of high profile projects.

  • Please tells us about your start how and why did you choose this domain?

    I started at an early age, i never wanted to be an interior designer, i always dreamt of being a fashion designer, but at the time Fashion Design was not really an option that appealed , so i tried to go to the next best thing which is interior design, and finally i combined my love for fashion through my design for fashion retail projects.

  • What makes your work different from other interior?

    Design is very subjective and I believe every piece of work is successful if it provoked an emotion in you, if it did that means it actually succeeded but for me I care a lot about creating homes rather than creating houses, the livable space is very important to how you will react and respond to, and how it enhances your life.

  • Can you describe your evolution of work from the day you started till today?

    I was lucky enough to have my education in London and i think i was very drawn to ultra modern lines, and edgy interiors, as i grew older i appreciated more materials like brass, marble, bronze and stone which all falls into the category of timeless.

  • What do you think is the most effective way of presenting a project?

    I always refuse to present a project through an e mail or prints only, I feel you must talk about the phases and explain the reasons that made you take these decisions based on the character of the client, this human connection is a part that is integral and to engage your senses is very important.

  • Who is your favourite interior designer and why?

    My favorite interior designer is Christian Liagre, he has a refine eye, and a sense of interiors that doesn’t overwhelm you, yet it takes your breath away.

  • What are your future plans?

    I believe that every ten years one should reinvent themselves and to me I believe after being nearly for two decades in the interior design my next challenge is to become a hotelier and to have my own boutique hotel in south of Italy.

  • What are your thoughts on architectural culture in the middle east and what makes it different from the west?

    Architecture in the Middle East used to be very rich and grand, and unfortunately it has taken a very predictable direction and very typical, I feel creativity is no longer there and we are very much based on visual references, we have kind of lost the originality, when i look at the old mosques and palaces around I admire how it looked to be yet I feel so sad how it took a different route now .

Projects by Ammar Basheir

www.ammarbasheir.com

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