Najwa Zakareya Yamani is a Saudi woman designer. She mixes the old and new in her work which adds a beautiful elegant sense. She relied on mixing the old with the new in her exhibition “East Open Gallery” with her husband Abdul Rahman Al-Hasan. In the exhibition of her designs there is beautiful woodwork with traditional designs and colors that suggest the past.
Najwa said, “I did not study decoration but I have the ability to design something related to the past. The idea came from my house because I love to design things for my house. My designs were welcomed by women who love old designs and antiques. Their enthusiasm motivated me to transform my ideas into a private exhibition.” She went on to explain, “In my designs, I try to connect the past with the present. Sometimes I use ceramics and sometimes I introduce crystals to add luxury to the piece. I get help from the best available woodcarvers.”
Wood adds warm feeling to her work. Lighting is also of great importance since strong light and weak light give different feelings and produce different atmospheres. Accessories are part of the beauty of the old Arab house. Old accessories give a sense of beauty from the past. It is a main part of the decoration in a Saudi house, especially those that include verses from the Qur’an.
