Sawsan Chammas Haber’s Vibrant Style Makes A Striking Statement In Her New Home
An unexpected blend of dramatic shades, textured walls and abstract art, interior designer Sawsan Chammas Haber’s Dubai home reveals a wealth of her personal style
Sawsan Chammas Haber was born into the world of interior design, a dream her mother had projected on her while they were living in a small village in Lebanon.
“I used to think, what’s so hard about this? Anyone can do this,” laughs Sawsan, revealing her initial impression of the field of interior design. “At that time, there was no internet and no Instagram.”
And so through visits to the school library, Sawsan buried herself in books detailing the nuances of the profession. “Oh. My. God. That’s when I realised it’s not only about placing a chair, table and just some flowers. The rest was history.”
Her passion didn’t end there and really flourished in her first year of university – Sawsan was determined to leave her mark by rebelling against conformity and being as unique as she could. “I wanted to be different than others,” she expresses.
“I had this in my mind because I always thought, if I’m going to do what everyone else is doing, I’m not going to be special – I’m not the only interior designer in the world, there are so many people studying and doing the same job as me.”
Her persistence was key, landing her an internship in an interior design firm in her hometown, where her sole task was to erase drawings to save paper. “Can you imagine, we used to show the client [the design] and then I would erase it so we can save paper?” she recalls in amazement.
“But while I was erasing, I was also observing the style that the firm owner likes in his office, and I immediately understood it.” And sure enough, after two years of erasing renderings on paper, she was the one in charge of the designs.
“But I decided that I’m not a person who will be an employee,” she says. “I wanted to establish my own firm.” In 2003, Sawsan launched K-Kids, an interior design firm which specialised in kids’ rooms. “It was a success story, to be honest,” she admits.
Then in 2007, Sawsan established Dipiugi, an interior-architecture firm based in Business Bay, Dubai, dedicated to residential and corporate projects. After the recession hit in 2009, she made the heart-breaking decision to close down K-Kids – but this was only the beginning of Dipiugi.
“Residential projects had stopped because of the recession. The rent went down and so many firms moved location,” she says. “So we took on so many corporate projects.
We took clinics, ladies’ salons and showrooms. It was all businesses during that phase. And then in 2013, houses kicked back in again.”
After researching Dipiugi’s work, it’s clear that no two projects are the same. “I love having the ability to create a different experience for every project and for me, this is the real challenge,” she expresses.
“I don’t like to repeat myself.” This design philosophy is repeated in her own home, situated in the affluent Al Barari neighbourhood.
A representation of herself, the space is bold yet subtle, rich in design yet not overdone. The objective behind the design? “I wanted to do something that shows the power of statement pieces,” answers Sawsan.
The large chandelier atop the geometric staircase, designed to resemble rainfall, is just one testament to this.
I wanted to show that you could be minimalistic, luxurious, and also bold. For me, each room has its own place in my heart because I designed every corner of this house and I am in love with every piece, every perspective of the home.” The design of the space took one month to envision, while execution took up to three.
In each corner of the entrance is a statement piece enlivening the space, characterised by an expressively daring gold, black and silver colour theme. “I challenged myself with so many things in the house,” says the designer. “I have this tendency to mix and match elements.”
The master bedroom upstairs comprises a mix of black and antique gold metals, with a light-beige sofa area towered by a stylishly imposing, dark grey wall. “The room looks cosy and classical but you have this super modern wall which contrasts everything,” says Sawsan. “It’s a nice combination. I wanted every piece to pop out and say hello.”
Although the villa is drenched in natural sunlight, choosing the right lighting pieces was of utmost importance. “For each area, I customised the lights to be a statement piece,” explains Sawsan.
Most of the lights have been sourced from renowned brands in Italy, including the likes of Lodes, Nemo and Foscarini.
Several pieces by Egyptian designer Karim Rashid adorn the space, including a dramatic white sculptural bench which is placed near the front door to make a statement as guests walk in. “I have so many of his design pieces in my house, such as the stools in my kitchen and the bar outside.”
Most of the outdoor furniture, including the pots and stools, is by Spanish brand VONDOM, while the inside is dotted with accessories by Jonathan Adler, Bonaldo and Karman, to name a few. Each piece was chosen with a balance of the colours black, grey and beige in mind.
“But then you will see these pops of colour all over the house too,” smiles Sawsan. The abstract artworks which hang around the abode, created by several different artists, have been custom-made to complement the surrounding design and nature. “In my projects, if the client is a collector, then I will select collector pieces.
I’ll try to take those pieces and create the surrounding,” she explains. “In my house, it was different. I’m not a collector so the power of the design itself was my main focus, and I wanted the pieces to highlight that and complement the house.”
Two large-scale canvases by local artist Mireille Salti hang side-by-side on the ground floor, painted with the colours of nature. Elsewhere sees the work of Shadab Khan, a contemporary artist known for using contrasting shapes and vibrant colours.
“When you drive into Al Barari, you see green everywhere, right?” Sawsan asks. “The colour makes you feel something when you reach. This is what I wanted people to feel when they open my door – I wanted to link the aqua blue of the pool and I wanted to marry the outdoor to the indoor.
In the paintings, you see the green, you see the yellow of the sun and the blue of the pool. And then you also find black, gold and silver.” This strategic combination is the base of all colours throughout the ground floor.
Rich in design and architectural detail, each room has a story to tell. “I think and feel every house should have two things: It should be the fruit of the surroundings and a reflection of the person who is living in it,” advises Sawsan.
“It has to blend in with the surrounding and the homeowner. If the person is funky and loves colours, it should reflect his or her personality.”
Her secret to succeeding in the interior design world? “Do not copy. Get inspired by everything around you and compete with your previous self.
Let every project compete with the previous one.” After touring Sawsan’s eclectic, masterfully designed home, it’s obvious this quest for originality has done no less than wonders for her.
Photography by Mohammad Adel Rashid
From Harpers Bazaar Arabia July-August 2021 Issue