A Letter From The Editor | Harper’s Bazaar Interiors Winter 2022
Bazaar’s Ayesha S. Shehmir pens a letter for the Winter issue: ‘Painterly Beauty’
A reaction against the famous ‘less is more’ expression, maximalist design is taking over the homes of many in the modern world. Yet still, there continues to be a common misconception that the style just means more things and excessive accessories, without any cohesiveness. Proving this idea is just not true is Dubai designer Jennifer Black’s playful abode, and baker Amirah Kassem’s pink paradise in Los Angeles.
Fashion, design and profession all meld beautifully within the eclectic spaces of these businesswomen, with one major shared thread in the styling process – an unapologetic love for art and colours that invite life and joy.
As we step into the holidays, consider the interior updates that encapsulate the sentiments of the season: togetherness, celebration and relaxation. Our top tips to revamp the home into a distinctive winter wonderland? Forget the classic palette, cultivate a cosy environment with soft furnishings, invite Art-Deco glamour, pay close attention to the dining room, and, my personal favourite, go big on festive florals.
The exclusive D’ASCOLI x Cabana capsule collection on the cover – a celebration of the decorative arts and diverse cultures – is perfect inspiration. As is La DoubleJ’s tribute to Italy, the new Roman Holiday homeware collection. The pieces reimagine the ordinary setting in rich hues that recall romantic nights in Rome; the floral Lilium prints in saffron yellow and emerald green are a love letter to serene strolls in the Borghese Gardens, while the stunning geometric duomo motif nods to the dramatic architecture of the city’s ancient cupolas and domes.
Elsewhere, with the return of Dubai Design Week’s eighth edition, we spoke to ten formidable female forces inspiring environmental empathy and challenging traditional design thinking, all the while reminding us of the power of purposeful design. From Reem Al Bustani’s depiction of the Suhail star and its significance in Arab history and Ahed Al Kathiri’s journey of belonging in her installation, Home Dreaming, to Bokja’s take on climate change in Let’s Talk About The Weather, the list of women demanding change and fighting for a better tomorrow – and rightfully so – was endless.
This issue is an ode to innovation, expressive details, and, most of all, to turning design dreams into reality.
Editor’s Picks
Clockwise from left: Silver trailing star decoration, Rockett St George; Pine and eucalyptus room spray, Jo Malone London; Paradox large vase, Jonathan Adler; Maxime swivel club chair in Olympus Oatmeal shade, Jonathan Adler; Vintage mocktail glass, Rockett St George
From the Winter 2022 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Interiors.