At Buro247 Middle East, we are committed to showcasing and celebrating the extraordinary talent in the Arab world. With our column, #BuroSpotlights, we bring you stories of pioneering artists, innovative designers, tech trailblazers, cinematic visionaries, sports stars, and more.
This week, #BuroSpotlights Lebanese Artist Nada Debs.
Nada Debs stands out in today’s design landscape not just for what she creates, but for how she creates it. Rooted in Beirut yet shaped by a life lived between Japan, the United States, and countless cultures beyond, Nada approaches craft as a language spoken through the human hand, steeped in history, emotion, and connection.
Growing up in Japan, Nada absorbed a profound respect for craftsmanship, precision, and the quiet poetry of handmade objects. Yet she also grappled with the experience of being a ‘third culture kid,’ navigating the complex space between two identities that rarely felt fully aligned. This tension became a catalyst for exploring how different cultural narratives can coexist within a single piece of design.
Her work isn’t confined to a single medium or discipline. From bespoke furniture and product design to one-off art commissions, interior concepts, and even jewelry, Nada’s projects share a common thread: an unwavering respect for craftsmanship as a vessel of storytelling. She sees the hand as the original storyteller, capable of preserving memories, cultures, and identities across generations. To Nada, every piece is “handmade and heartmade” — born from skilled hands but animated by intention, feeling, and narrative.
At the heart of her studio in Beirut’s creative district of Gemmayze, a dedicated team of 20 designers collaborates closely with master craftsmen and trusted suppliers. This synergy ensures that every detail — from the curve of a chair leg to the finish of a tabletop — carries meaning beyond aesthetics. Nada believes materials themselves are storytellers, capable of evoking emotions and unexpected dialogues through texture and form. Whether she pairs contrasting elements or celebrates purity of line, her work is a tactile conversation between past and present.
Geometry is a vital tool in Nada’s craft. For her, it transcends decoration to become a visual philosophy, encoding complex cultural ideas into elegant, simple forms. This language of shapes helps her translate intangible concepts — belonging, memory, identity — into objects you can see, touch, and live with.
Her commitment to craft goes beyond technique; it is a philosophy of design that connects us across borders and eras. Nada’s creations do not merely serve function or style but they evoke feelings, anchor us to our roots, and create space for personal and collective stories to unfold. This deep respect for craft as the emotional archive is what sets her apart.
From her globally stocked furniture collections to custom commissions and immersive art installations, Nada Debs’ work is a reminder that design at its best is a craft that carries memory, identity, and heart, handed down through generations and reimagined for today.
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