Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 36 (both).
Occupation: Designers, artists, and makers.
Instagram: @sayargaribeh
Hometown: Beirut.
Studio location: Beirut.
Describe what you make: As a dynamic duo, we collaborate closely to make imaginative and functional pieces that fuse our individual perspectives, personal touches, and creative energies. Our design approach is characterized by a delightful blend of experimentation, humor, and engagement with novel and traditional materials and forms. We draw inspiration from life experiences, skillfully weaving connections between local craftsmanship, the artisanal scene, and contemporary design to create pieces tailored to each project’s specific requirements.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: From our debut with “Bangle Plates” at Milan Design Week a decade ago to the works in the current exhibition “Broomlithic” at R & Company, each product represents a chapter in our evolving design journey. They represent important stages that encapsulate the skills and experiences we’ve acquired along the way.
Describe the problem your work solves: One key point in our projects is collaborating with local artisans and highlighting their know-how and talent. The production of most of our pieces takes place in Lebanon. We’re strongly committed to our roots and supporting the community here. Collaborating with Lebanese artisans helps with maintaining their workshops and preserving their crafts, which extend from generations.
Describe the project you are working on now: In this post-dream-come-true phase, we’re setting new life targets and delving into the discovery of traditional and forgotten crafts, enriching our creative pursuits. We’re also revamping our studio to accommodate a newer design lifestyle. Alongside these changes, we’re actively working on new pieces that will be revealed in the coming year.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: “Broomlithic” is our first solo exhibition. It launched last week at R & Company in New York and is on view until April 19.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Coffee (Charbel). Tea (Stephanie). Music, scented candles, chocolate, toys, and colored pens (both).
What you do when you’re not working: We enjoy cooking and savoring coffee in the sun, often exploring new places and wandering around vibrant city streets. Yet what sets our lifestyle apart is the seamless fusion of work and leisure. Our personal and professional lives are so intertwined that we hardly notice the difference. Whether we’re working or simply enjoying daily activities, there’s a seamless flow between the two aspects of life. Previously, we enjoyed these activities on our own, but now we share them with our little baby, adding a delightful layer to our everyday experiences.
Sources of creative envy: What’s intriguing is that each of us has a unique approach to creation. Stephanie draws inspiration from the world around her, while Charbel’s creative wellspring flows from his inner thoughts. It’s like one of us creates with eyes closed, while the other creates with a wide-open heart. We really like the approach of designers such as Gaetano Pesce, Wendell Castle, Ettore Sottsass, the Campana Brothers, and Porky Hefer.
The distraction you want to eliminate: We constantly make sure to eliminate all kinds of distraction. For instance, we don’t have a TV, we don’t read the news daily, and we have removed our website contact form.
Concrete or marble? Both, depending on the context.
High-rise or townhouse? Six months in a townhouse, six months in a high-rise.
Remember or forget? Wish to remember but always forget (Charbel). Always remember but wish to forget (Stephanie).
Aliens or ghosts? Both (Charbel). Aliens (Stephanie).
Dark or light? Light.
All images courtesy of R & Company.
