This residential project was created for an important collector of design, in downtown Beirut in a post-war renovated building. The mood for the style of the home was intended to be a love letter to Beirut nights and the long venerated reputation of Lebanese hospitality. If one has ever visited the capital, it can be decidedly described as a beautiful, chaotic mess — with its inhabitants left to create something inviting and comfortable for their guests, which is always done with warmness, style, and generosity in abundance. Seen through the lens of paying homage to Beirut nights, the dining room might exemplify this idea most literally. The custom table, over four meters long, reminds one of a Hollywood dressing room or an energetic nightclub, with rows of lights installed inside the glass top to create an illusion of a hallway of lights going on into infinity. Part of the Lebanese hospitality always includes a trip to a shiny disco and dancing, and this table exudes a night on the town. Behind the table, is a black lacquered credenza, with bronze handles, which was also designed custom by Gregory. A wall of vintage mirrors were found for the area, and pendant lights by Bethan Laura Wood hang above the table. Many pieces from the client’s collection were sourced from Galerie Yves Gastou, and Gregory worked closely alongside the collector to choose works that are highly collectible, and can stand the test of time. In the entry way, a console by Gerard Kuijpers made of Belgian black marble was chosen. Another piece by Ado Chale, is the four pieced table “Josephine” which fits together in a jigsaw formation topped with a bronze plane. The lamp, “Riflessione” by Claudio Salocchi, from the 1970s, sits with Chale’s tables in the same area, behind a custom made sofa by Gregory. Three other pieces by the late designer Philippe Hiquily were chosen from Galerie Yves Gastou; his biomorphic designs and surrealist style set a playful mood for any space. The hammered brass lamp “Nenuphar” is a limited edition piece, with only 8 examples made.The vision between Gregory and his client, was able to be realized through the long standing relationship with the gallerist Yves Gastou. The group of pieces sourced for the project is an eclectic mix of pieces, that also make sense in the context of the location of this project.
Beirut, 2018