DRINKING Arabic coffee is a custom in the Kingdom. It is a sign of hospitality and generosity. People often compete with their neighbors in the preparation of coffee and various attempts are made to produce something unique though of course, it is all coffee in the end. Nowadays the coffee ceremony is not just about the coffee; it’s where you pour your coffee from and what you serve it in. Some people prefer gold and silver Arabic coffee cups while others prefer the more traditional white ones with a matching coffee pot served on a special tray with dates and chocolate.
The difficulty in finding matching tableware and home accessories led 32-year-old Noier Al-Nuzhh, a psychology major, and her brother, Saleh, a chemical engineer, to follow their interest in home décor and find unique pieces for the shop they opened, Finery, on Rawdah Street two years ago.
What the shop offers, Noier explained, “is everything you could design, mix and match to suit your home in a way that satisfies you.” She said she had been inspired after she saw some ideas from an Arab country, and then was greatly encouraged when she met Ali Al-Hafi, an interior designer who was willing to share his experience and make both their dreams come true.
From family to family, the business became successful. She said, “We now take orders and deliver to Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa and even Nigeria.” From having three designers, they now have five and go to different places where their targeted buyers — women — meet and come together. Having originally opened on Rawdah Street, they later moved to Tahlia Center which is a popular area that gave them greater exposure. “Before when we took orders, we were able to finish them within three to five days but now, with the amount of work we have, it sometimes takes 30 days,” Saleh explained. He added that the time needed depended upon the number of pieces ordered and the materials used. Some sets are as much as SR10,000 but the number of pieces bought is up to the customer. The work takes hours and the materials are all imported so that everything has the right kind of finish.
Noier admitted that the prices may sometimes be high but they offer their customers a warranty for as long as the shop is in business. If anything (up to five cups) breaks the shop will replace it free of charge. It is even possible for customers who have ordered things in one color to change them if they grow tired of the color — for only half price.
Their only advice to a customer after a purchase is not to put the pieces in a dishwasher. If you take proper care of your original pieces and keep them away from heat, they will last longer. “We tell this to everyone because we want to be honest with them and gain their trust. Fortunately, up to now, nobody has come back with a broken cup!” she said with a smile.
“People do not have to go with what we offer in the shop; they can bring their old tableware and tea or coffee cups and we will add our touch to it, giving it a new look. They can see up to three different designs on a piece for free,” she said.
The choice of the color and design can be left to the designers’ or the customer’s ideas. The shop is open to suggestions. It also welcomes ideas and is willing to decorate the customer’s house including walls and accessories.
“We love painting and we can do anything as long as it’s paintable,” said Saleh. “People can bring us a pillow and we’ll design a whole matching set to go with it. There are no limits when it comes to painting.”
In addition to tableware, the shop also does baby shower accessories with matching gift boxes. Also on offer is designing and coloring abayas. Armoires and furniture are also available at the shop, which is located on the second floor on Tahlia Center, telephone 02-2634753, e-mail: [email protected].
