Rabih Hage trained as both an architect and interior designer, graduating from Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1991. He worked in France for several years before moving to London where he began to concentrate on interiors and new-build architecture schemes.
Best Interior Designers have met with Rabih Hage to an exclusive interview! The Top Interior Designer Rabih Hage talks about her career and her journey, as well as about some personal preferences.
What is your philosophy in the field of creation?
My philosophy is authenticity. It’s all about showing the truth in a building, showing the design as it is in its raw form and functionality however covered with a layer of beautiful finishes.
In interior design , how would you describe your style? What inspires you? How do you create an interior design project, whether it is a commercial one or a home?
I create an interior design project based on the same philosophy that I have above which is authenticity. Trying to show the personality of the client whilst working with the volumes and the spaces that we have available and to come out with something that is unexpected and special yet reflecting what the client is all about.
When it comes to commercial projects, this is the same. I imagine a target user of the space and design it around him.
Radisson edwardian guildford hotel, england, 2011
What are some of your most popular designs/projects? Tell us a bit about some of your designs/projects and what you love about them. What’s your favourite and why?
My favourite design project is the Rough Luxe hotel, it’s all about the authenticity of the place and the true luxury which is in the mind and the spirit of the people taking advantage of historical buildings, yet using it within a contemporary setting. This contrast makes it the best interior and it’s all about contrast.
Rough Luxe Hotel London, England 2008
How about product design? Tell us a bit about the objects you design?
Product design is all about putting all your mind in one object to outlive you and to be special and different. It is very difficult to design a new chair. When designers create a new chair every year for a fair, I really don’t understand why they do it, as this exercise is impossible. It’s very rare that you create something that stands out. So I only design the object that is worth designing. I have worked on a collection with Corian two years ago which is exactly the same philosophy that I put into every design. It’s about choosing the best material for each object but at the same time making the aesthetic evocative and unforgettable.
The Leftover Collection for DuPont™ Corian®
For DuPont™ Corian® , Rabih Hage has created The Leftover Collection, a series of furniture designed for Corian® Colour Evolution . Introducing some of the new European Corian® tones (Imperial Yellow, Blooming Green, Noble Ecru, Light Ash and Absolute Beige), the collection is based on the use of leftover material and its reuse, treating the off-cuts and discarded planks used in the building of furniture as a “noble material”, reused in new luxurious furniture pieces.
In this video Rabih Hage walks us through The Leftover Collection designed for Corian® Colour Evolution – Clarendon Fabrications.
What colours, textures and furniture pieces do you love the most?
I love velvet and aubergine.
In your opinion, which will be the top trends in interior design for 2014?
The top trend in design for 2014 is to forget about digital. Digital is passé. It’s all about manual.
Rough Luxe Hotel London Room
Is there anything exciting that you are working on at the moment that you can tell us about?
It’s all very hush hush, it’s confidential.
