FOR Nadine Bitar, discovering her talent was easy. It all began the day she decorated her home, as Bitar headed from one furniture shop to the next, searching for ways to liven up her house. Lamps seemed like the perfect source, not only for light but also as a means to give atmosphere and add beauty to her household.
Having heard so much about the brilliant work of Nadine Bitar, I was eager to visit her exhibition, which was held in Al-Khozama Center in Riyadh. The lamps, which were displayed in all sizes, shapes and forms, were dazzling. Every lamp was in a class of its own.
"Being fond of antiques, I noticed that many of the precious pieces I had can be transformed into new styles of lamps," said Bitar. "I began to assemble my first piece and I was very happy with the outcome. I then designed my second piece, which was made for my best friend on her wedding," she added. Her family and friends also encouraged Bitar to design lamps and chandeliers. "I personally love the idea of adding brightness and light to people’s lives and that is how I got into this business," Bitar added.
The material Bitar uses for her lamps vary from bronze, brass and chrome to suit different tastes and moods. "I shop for antiques in almost every part of the world and then try to put them together to create a lamp. The color of light bulbs I use is determined later," she said. Bitar suggests decorating the house with lamps of various colors or using a dominant color surrounded by matching shades. This, in her opinion, gives the room a unique atmosphere.
Nadine has never produced a piece that disappointed her customers, for she takes into account all the little details that may go unnoticed. "There are times when I am almost done with a piece but then I decide to reassemble it all over again to make it as beautiful as it can be," she said.
Bitar’s designs are a mixture of classical and contemporary styles, with a hint of French elegance and Arab taste. "My multicultural background and my studies are all reflected in my pieces. I would like to describe my style as East meets West," said Bitar, who majored in psychology and later pursued her studies in social science. "This certainly grabs the attention of all buyers from different cultures," she added.
Bitar produces only one kind of each lamp. "It is usually hard to find two identical antiques. Plus I want to make every lamp so special that it could be passed from mother to daughter or even to a special friend," she said. Pointing at one of the corners in her office, where two lamps were standing on a table, she continued, "The two lamps over there have taken up a lot of my time. I searched for two identical crowns to adapt them, but then I decided to design them as the lamps of the king and the queen, each with a different crown."
Bitar’s exhibition was a success, as crowds of people assembled to marvel at her work. The event also inspired Bitar to do more; to innovate and widen her horizons. She also gained a clearer insight into what consumers desire in a product. "When it comes to lamps, most people are bored with the classical ones with a shade. But I have also noticed that many women love statue lamps. They are also attracted to different shades of light such as blue and green. This has all given me a better understanding of what the market needs," she said.
Nadine Bitar has clear and determined plans; one, is a workshop to produce accessories, design lamps and release collections under her name displayed in "a corner at one of the prestigious antique shops."
