Nakkash Gallery

Wajih Nakkash

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When the civil war broke out in Lebanon in 1975 it forced many Lebanese people to seek new opportunities. For Wajih Nakkash those new opportunities were in the UAE. As a young designer – equipped with a degree in architecture from the Académie libanaise des Beaux-Arts in Beirut, and a masters in interior design gained in Florence, Italy – Nakkash wanted to create a small showroom in which to produce a live catalogue of his work, style and ideas for clients to engage with. “I wanted to create an experience rather than produce a brochure,” he reflects. When his eponymous Gallery was established in 1978, Nakkash admits there was little in the way of a design scene. “There was a dominant type of furniture at that time which was influenced by a heavy baroque and rococo style. Personally, I felt as though I was ushering in the only alternative.”

This new design culture, and the philosophy of curating and designing spaces, would provide the foundation for Nakkash Gallery across three decades. During its 15-year occupancy in Garhoud, the Gallery showroom extended from both sides as tenants left the area. “It was like something out of Ali Baba’s cave, with different levels and corners profiling different styles and creating an element of surprise, says Nakkash.” Elegance was a by-word, reflecting the proprietor’s sensibilities. “When I design I’m always very conscious of respecting the nobility of form and material; my intention is to produce pure, refined and elegant designs.” This was visibly demonstrated in 2016 when he debuted his limited edition design pieces, which were co-designed with his son Omar. Showcased during Design Days Dubai, the sleek, seamless Luna bookcase and