I am amazed by the creative talent of early Muslim artists that generated breath taking geometric mosaic designs that we are still fascinated with to this day. See below the mosaic work on the Dome of the rock in Jerusalem. Doesn’t this look amazing! Mosaic art existed way before Islam but Muslim artists, governed by […]
5 Tips to Create Floor Seating In Your Contemporary Style Home
I’m not sure about you but I love the look of traditional style floor seating. Its cosy. It’s comfortable. It’s relaxing. Traditional floor seating (also known as Jalsa or Divan) is popular in the Muslim world (See why here ). While each region has its own traditional style floor seating, the basic idea behind them […]
7 Tips to Add A Middle Eastern Charm To Your Home
The Middle Eastern style is about wealth and luxury, but also about simplicity and comfort. My decorating style blends the traditional Middle Eastern style with contemporary elegance. If you want to add a Middle Eastern charm to your home, here are 7 tips to follow: Select rich warm colors such as red, gold, green, brown, or […]
Middle Eastern Decorating Style: The Origin
In 1992 I immigrated from Jordan to the United States. While it was exciting to experience something new, it wasn’t long before I started to feel homesick. To ease my loneliness, I began surrounding myself with family photos, books, home accents and artwork from Jordan. My apartment became my sanctuary where I felt comfortable and […]
This Is The Original Islamic Calligraphy Style
I recently shared an article where we took a closer look at Arabic calligraphy and how it evolved through the Islamic dynasties. Today I will explore the original Islamic calligraphy style from which all the calligraphy styles evolved. Can you guess which one it was? Here are some hints: It was named after a city in Iraq. The […]
Can You Name 5 Arabic Calligraphy Styles?
When I ask my customers which calligraphy style they prefer for their stencil custom order, most of them have no idea about the different styles of Arabic calligraphy. I briefly mentioned them in this article but today I would like you to join me as I take a closer look at Arabic calligraphy as it evolved during the Islamic civilization. It is an […]
Decorating A Muslim Home: 8 Things You Must Know
Ever since I launched my business for Arabic calligraphy stencils & Middle Eastern home decor, I can’t find the time to practice my hobby (decorating) like I used to. So when I receive emails from readers asking for quick decorating solutions, I get very excited! One of the emails I received was unlike all the others. This […]
Arabian Luxury Living
Image Credit: Jacques Pépion/ANM Many people across the world consider Arabs as show offs in the way they display their social status. As an Arab I can understand why this would be the case. If you visit my home country of Jordan you will often hear a new kind of language referred to as Arabizi; a mix […]
The Many Sides Of Islamic Lamps & Lanterns
Did you know that lamps were described in the Quran? (Aya 35 from Surat Al Nur) God is the Light of the heavens and the earth.The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp, the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant […]
8 Contemporary Spaces Inspired By Islamic Design
If you have been following my blog (and facebook page), then you already know that I am fond of the eclectic style of decorating that mixes contemporary with Islamic design elements. I have mentioned some of those elements in my exploring islamic design post. Arches, Jali screens, mosaics, Islamic calligraphy, lanterns, geometric patterns and arabesque are […]
Design Inspiration-Arabic Calligraffiti of eL Seed
I am familiar with Calligraphy. I am familiar with Graffiti. But I was not familiar with Calligraffiti, until it was brought up to my attention recently by one of my Etsy shop customers. I have seen the art before, but did not recognize it as calligraffiti. So, what is calligraffiti? Basically, it is… Traditional handwriting with […]
A Collage of Islamic Patterns-Then and Now
Salam everyone! If you have been following my blog, then you would know about my fascination with Islamic patterns, especially the Islamic star pattern [see how I stenciled it on my end table here ]. For today’s post, I thought it would be fun to see how ancient Islamic patterns are reinterpreted into modern home decor. […]
In Love With Nooks-Islamic style Nooks In Particular
No I am not talking about the Nook tablet (I don’t think they come in styles!). I am talking about these nooks…. Palais Namaskar Hotel
Why Floor Pillows are Part of the Arabic Style of Decorating
You might wonder why the Arabic style of decorating usually includes low seating, floor pillows or poufs? Four Points by Sheraton Sheik Zayed Actually, that is not entirely an Arabic look! Floor seating can be seen all over the muslim world.
Traditional Arabic Style Seating
I am sure many of you are familiar with this type of seating-The bedouin style seating. Bedouins are nomadic people who wander the desert searching for water, and sustenance. Since they are constantly on the move, their homes accommodate their lifestyle. Many traditional Bedouin live in tents of goat and camel-hair panels that the women […]
Islamic Style Window Screens
I mentioned in my introductory post, Exploring Islamic Interior design that privacy is particularly important in Islam. Hence, Muslim architects designed homes to provide privacy while preserving the comfort of home. And so, latticed window screens became a features of Islamic architecture that provide privacy, climate control, and of course, aesthetics. Source: flickr.com via Lama […]
Dream On! 6 Gorgeous Mirrors In The Arabic Style
Dream On! was a weekly series I started last year about products that I’d like to own in my dream home. It also covers different interior design styles , and places that I dream to visit one day. Basically, I am sharing my dreams with you all through Dream on! Note: I will not be […]
The Art Of Palestinian Embroidery
Salam everyone. How are you? I took some time off to recover from my trip to Umra during spring break . I feel better now and ready to get back to work. 🙂 Today, I want to share with you something that I find special and unique. Something that I did not appreciate when I […]
I Spy Islamic Style Designs {Trip to Umra}
During Spring break, my family and I took a trip to Saudi Arabia to do Umra. This was our first visit to the holly land, so we were all very excited. As someone who is passionate about Arabic and Islamic style design , I could spot them everywhere. 🙂 I spy……….Islamic Calligraphy
Moroccan Style Bathroom In Cape Cod, Massachusetts
A client in Cape Cod requested a Moroccan style bathroom from designer Kyle Timothy Blood. To create this amazing retreat, the designer read several books on Morocco to understand the basics of the Moroccan style. In an interview with House Beautiful magazine he said: “Islamic Design is all about one space unfolding into another, but […]