The corner: Mona Jamal
Mona Jamal, CEO and Founder of Mona J Salon invites us into a space that is close to her heart
Mona Jamal, CEO and Founder of Mona J Salon invites us into a space that is close to her heart — her brand new, creative corner where she feels most calm and inspired
As we walk into Mona Jamal’s unconventional office, we spot a large glass window that covers the wall, acting as a natural lamp, allowing the sun’s rays to light up the space. Through the window, bright green plants add vibrancy and create a calm, and almost liberating atmosphere. The hospitable Jamal greets us and escorts us into her office, ensuring we are comfortable. Jamal talks to us about her favourite corner, explaining the theory behind the glass window and corrects us for referring to her creative space as an office.
“We as artists are meant to be creative species, observant yet sensitive, so we need to be close to nature in order to get the creativity rolling. If you are tired or stressed then creative ideas don’t come easy. I wanted a space where I could relax, feel inspired and let new ideas flow in right before a shoot, a colour treatment, or a experimental haircut. That’s why for me nature is very important. When artists say they are taking inspiration from nature it doesn’t mean they are copying the sky, or a tree, it means they are relaxed and are letting ideas flow in. You can see the sky through those large glass windows, and may have noticed that I don’t have a table or a chair — the reason being that it is an artist’s office. I don’t even call it an office, I call it my ‘creative space’, where I can think outside-the-box, and beyond my limits.”
Designed to perfection by the talented Naheed Mashooqullah, Jamal uses her creative space for meetings, to spend time with friends and for a quiet moment on occasion. It acts as her second home and encompasses a pristine white, en suite bathroom which she is extremely particular about. Here cupboards with full-length mirrors catch the reflection of her favourite glass window and a television mounted on a textured wall is placed for her kids, who often visit. We notice the brown wooden flooring and a beige monotone sofa, with complementing navy blue cushions, adding a splash of colour and a hint of excitement, almost teasing the serenity of the space. Our eye then moves to a pair of faded lime green chairs with oval backrests, which introduce another vibrant palette into the room. Jamal catches us taking in the details and adds: “When you look around you’ll feel a lot of texture, you may not see it as a whole but you’ll find it when you look closely. It is so interesting, particularly the use of various textured wallpapers that are sensibly placed together, eliminating the risk of clutter. It really gets you thinking and gets your mind in that zone.”
When we ask Jamal how her space resonates with her personality, she gleamingly says that describing herself is actually unnecessary. In Jamal’s words: “You’ll feel a charge of positive energy from the moment you enter the salon. I don’t have to describe myself, the people who come in, do it for me. As soon as you walk in, you will feel passionate, energetic and you will feel like doing something great!”
As we walk into Mona Jamal’s unconventional office, we spot a large glass window that covers the wall, acting as a natural lamp, allowing the sun’s rays to light up the space. Through the window, bright green plants add vibrancy and create a calm, and almost liberating atmosphere. The hospitable Jamal greets us and escorts us into her office, ensuring we are comfortable. Jamal talks to us about her favourite corner, explaining the theory behind the glass window and corrects us for referring to her creative space as an office.
“We as artists are meant to be creative species, observant yet sensitive, so we need to be close to nature in order to get the creativity rolling. If you are tired or stressed then creative ideas don’t come easy. I wanted a space where I could relax, feel inspired and let new ideas flow in right before a shoot, a colour treatment, or a experimental haircut. That’s why for me nature is very important. When artists say they are taking inspiration from nature it doesn’t mean they are copying the sky, or a tree, it means they are relaxed and are letting ideas flow in. You can see the sky through those large glass windows, and may have noticed that I don’t have a table or a chair — the reason being that it is an artist’s office. I don’t even call it an office, I call it my ‘creative space’, where I can think outside-the-box, and beyond my limits.”
Designed to perfection by the talented Naheed Mashooqullah, Jamal uses her creative space for meetings, to spend time with friends and for a quiet moment on occasion. It acts as her second home and encompasses a pristine white, en suite bathroom which she is extremely particular about. Here cupboards with full-length mirrors catch the reflection of her favourite glass window and a television mounted on a textured wall is placed for her kids, who often visit. We notice the brown wooden flooring and a beige monotone sofa, with complementing navy blue cushions, adding a splash of colour and a hint of excitement, almost teasing the serenity of the space. Our eye then moves to a pair of faded lime green chairs with oval backrests, which introduce another vibrant palette into the room. Jamal catches us taking in the details and adds: “When you look around you’ll feel a lot of texture, you may not see it as a whole but you’ll find it when you look closely. It is so interesting, particularly the use of various textured wallpapers that are sensibly placed together, eliminating the risk of clutter. It really gets you thinking and gets your mind in that zone.”
When we ask Jamal how her space resonates with her personality, she gleamingly says that describing herself is actually unnecessary. In Jamal’s words: “You’ll feel a charge of positive energy from the moment you enter the salon. I don’t have to describe myself, the people who come in, do it for me. As soon as you walk in, you will feel passionate, energetic and you will feel like doing something great!”