Design 19
Expressing art in furniture with metal and leather lines.
KARACHI:
“With Karachiites still stuck in the colonial era using wood furniture in their homes,” Rita Sabiha Hasan’s work brings out a touch of class in her exquisite furniture pieces; each one holding its own definitive niche with intricate designs and a poise that draws in consumers. Running under the banner of Design 19, the showroom displays a wide range of mantel furniture with tapestries from Dubai to brass and metal bed sets.
Design 19 is located in DHA Phase IV off Sunset Boulevard. The designer talks at length in an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, about her design style, inspiration and the concept behind the fusion of wooden art deco of old 19th century and modern pieces of the contemporary times
When did you launch Design 19 and what is the reason behind the name?
I launched the brand in mid-December 2010. Design 19 is a furniture design boutique, which basically curtails 19th Century Art Deco infused with modern and contemporary design hence the furniture pieces are a fusion of sorts. Design 19 is where I get to express myself, without charging mile high prices.
How did you get into designing furniture?
Professionally I started 12 years ago. But five years before that I was into it on a personal level and did a couple of houses and offices as well. I find that the majority of people in Karachi are looking out for typical wood furniture and are stuck in the colonial era. But there are those who look for funky leather sofas — they come to me for it. Hence, this grew as a business venture.
What does the concept ‘Furniture Studio Boutique’ mean?
It means picking an exclusive and selective piece of furniture. I make a collage of different pieces together and make an art form and they flow together as art pieces. The concept comes from Toronto’s famous Hazelton Lane. Fusion is my thing and I do furniture pieces as an old concept in the new contemporary times.
(I believe) I am bringing Karachiites out of the dark ages by experimenting with new ideas and concepts as far as designing is concerned.
The concept is very new to Pakistan, how do you plan to make an accustomed project here in Karachi?
I am ready to do it head-on. With clients I see that I need to teach them and tell them that not every piece can look like twins or even siblings for that matter; every piece has an individuality of its own. It’s a collage of art work and cannot be a self portrait, where every piece resembles the other.
I believe that your home should reflect you. It is very crucial to do your interior which reflects your individuality. One should not be stagnant when it comes to designing.
What materials do you work with? Do these differ from other companies? My work definitely differs from other companies. I work with lucite, brass, metal, mahogany wood and a funky version of leather; as I want to keep it fun and light.
A home should be a place where you go to relax hence I design keeping this concept in mind, as this upgrades your lifestyle.
Who is your target
market?
Ideally young couples who know what they want but don’t know what kind of designs (best suit their lifestyle) and they don’t have the time to do it themselves. These are people who travel a lot but they know what they want.
You have renovated hotels as well as private homes — which do you prefer and why?
With hotels it has always been very professional but I prefer to do homes because it takes a lot of personal effort to tell a client what will suit them best and to work with them on a one to one basis.
What future plans do you have for Design 19?
I have too many plans and too much energy; I would like to do more futuristic designing for sure. But one quick advice to everyone, enjoy your home space and live up. You should know how to use every space in your home and must learn to enjoy living in it.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2011.
“With Karachiites still stuck in the colonial era using wood furniture in their homes,” Rita Sabiha Hasan’s work brings out a touch of class in her exquisite furniture pieces; each one holding its own definitive niche with intricate designs and a poise that draws in consumers. Running under the banner of Design 19, the showroom displays a wide range of mantel furniture with tapestries from Dubai to brass and metal bed sets.
Design 19 is located in DHA Phase IV off Sunset Boulevard. The designer talks at length in an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, about her design style, inspiration and the concept behind the fusion of wooden art deco of old 19th century and modern pieces of the contemporary times
When did you launch Design 19 and what is the reason behind the name?
I launched the brand in mid-December 2010. Design 19 is a furniture design boutique, which basically curtails 19th Century Art Deco infused with modern and contemporary design hence the furniture pieces are a fusion of sorts. Design 19 is where I get to express myself, without charging mile high prices.
How did you get into designing furniture?
Professionally I started 12 years ago. But five years before that I was into it on a personal level and did a couple of houses and offices as well. I find that the majority of people in Karachi are looking out for typical wood furniture and are stuck in the colonial era. But there are those who look for funky leather sofas — they come to me for it. Hence, this grew as a business venture.
What does the concept ‘Furniture Studio Boutique’ mean?
It means picking an exclusive and selective piece of furniture. I make a collage of different pieces together and make an art form and they flow together as art pieces. The concept comes from Toronto’s famous Hazelton Lane. Fusion is my thing and I do furniture pieces as an old concept in the new contemporary times.
(I believe) I am bringing Karachiites out of the dark ages by experimenting with new ideas and concepts as far as designing is concerned.
The concept is very new to Pakistan, how do you plan to make an accustomed project here in Karachi?
I am ready to do it head-on. With clients I see that I need to teach them and tell them that not every piece can look like twins or even siblings for that matter; every piece has an individuality of its own. It’s a collage of art work and cannot be a self portrait, where every piece resembles the other.
I believe that your home should reflect you. It is very crucial to do your interior which reflects your individuality. One should not be stagnant when it comes to designing.
What materials do you work with? Do these differ from other companies? My work definitely differs from other companies. I work with lucite, brass, metal, mahogany wood and a funky version of leather; as I want to keep it fun and light.
A home should be a place where you go to relax hence I design keeping this concept in mind, as this upgrades your lifestyle.
Who is your target
market?
Ideally young couples who know what they want but don’t know what kind of designs (best suit their lifestyle) and they don’t have the time to do it themselves. These are people who travel a lot but they know what they want.
You have renovated hotels as well as private homes — which do you prefer and why?
With hotels it has always been very professional but I prefer to do homes because it takes a lot of personal effort to tell a client what will suit them best and to work with them on a one to one basis.
What future plans do you have for Design 19?
I have too many plans and too much energy; I would like to do more futuristic designing for sure. But one quick advice to everyone, enjoy your home space and live up. You should know how to use every space in your home and must learn to enjoy living in it.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2011.