Tour a Beirut Home That’s Modern and Traditional at Once

Every designer dreams of starting with a blank slate—at least that’s what you’d think. But when it came to the neat white box three bedroom situated in Herzog & de Meuron’s swanky new Beirut high-rise, the building’s bare nature proved tricky. “The apartment had white walls and floors, and that’s it,” David Raffoul, one half of the design firm David/Nicolas , says of fashioning its interiors for his Lebanese Egyptian husband-and-wife clients. “So we had this challenge of building an identity.”

That began with the first item chosen for the apartment: a massive living room Ziegler rug, sourced directly from an antique shop in Beirut. It was of major importance to the wife, whose passion for antique rugs meant she knew exactly what she was looking for.

As it happened, Raffoul and partner Nicolas Moussallem were already somewhat familiar with their clients’ aesthetic, after creating their daughter’s Paris apartment. “It was different,” Moussallem reflects, “but [there were] similar sensibilities.” In this case, the couple wanted an inviting space that married modern– but not too modern —elements with traditional pieces. First and foremost, it had to still feel like a home. “Their houses have very good energy when you enter,” notes Raffoul. “Very welcoming and warm.”

To capture this spirit, the pair came up with the defining element of the space: a series of wooden panels cladding opposing walls of the living room. Each piece is handcrafted and carved with a tiny triangle motif that nods to the clients’ Egyptian heritage. Between the panels are carefully devised slats that make for easy hanging along the walls. A custom table by the architects in the corner seamlessly ties the room together, with triangular engravings along the side and a rich red base that complements the hues of the Ziegler rug.

The wood cladding continues onto the back wall of the primary bedroom, this time stripped down and un-detailed. Alongside it stands a structural column that they decisively painted in a soft tone of blush pink. The goal was to continue the aura of warmth, creating a cozy space amid all the glass. “I think this is why we put so much emphasis on the curtains as well,” notes Moussallem, opting for a sheer set with detailed trimming all around the apartment. “It creates a bit of intimacy.”

The kitchen, on the other hand, took a bit more maneuvering. It was already complete, but its glossy white tone didn’t quite fit the rest of the space. The duo decided to strip down some of the cabinetry and change the counter stone to a dark gray marble. An ornamental cast-iron Parisian garden set catches the light in the corner and makes for the perfect finishing touch.

Throughout the entire home, one thing remains clear: Raffoul and Moussallem's familiarity with and fondness for their clients allowed them to perfectly capture their collective character. And despite the apartment’s contemporary bones, the home is imbued with a storied charm. Yes, it’s modern—but certainly not too modern. “Sure, we were the designers, but our intervention was also a dialogue with them,” remarks Raffoul of the process. “We’re not here to just change their way of living. We want to adapt, together.”

A look inside the living room. The sculpture in the corner arrived in pieces and was assembled by the team by hand.

A trio of bronze nesting tables by French furniture maker Franck Evennou add further artistic flair.

A Fornasetti cabinet stands against the back wall of the living room. The wooden panels were handcrafted by artisans, with engraved triangle motifs inspired by the sculpture of Egypt.

A seating nook inside the same area of the apartment.

A chandelier from Nilufar Gallery hangs over the dining area. The table is a David/Nicolas creation, which was designed for Carpenters Workshop Gallery .

An idyllic seating area at the foot of the kitchen.

“The wife has always been very joyful—she doesn’t like black,” says Raffoul, who enlivened this bedroom with a cheerful blue wall. Sleek red sconces from Galerie Kreo hang on either side of the bed. A painting by Pierre Malbec ties the space together.

Raffoul and Moussallem crafted a cozy custom bed to complete the primary bedroom.

The architects opted for a large circular mirror in order to create a subtle partition between the bathroom and the dressing room. A handmade chair sourced locally commands the back wall.

The view from the balcony overlooks downtown Beirut.

The apartment is located in a strikingly modern apartment complex by Herzog and de Meuron.

David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem, pictured inside the home.