Mariam Abulhasan majored in Interior Design at the American University in London, Westminster. After over nine years of mastering her craft, Mariam re turned to Saudi Arabia to launch a career as an interior designer.
The road was rough and clients were not use to local talents. She often saw reactions from local clients implying, “Locals can never achieve the precision of western talents.” Unintimidated by these comments,Mariam comments, “If you want to encourage your fellow countrymen to excel, then you need to be open to what they have to offer.” She confesses that,today, things are starting to change slowly.
“Interior design is more about zoning, and understanding humanbehaviour in spaces,” she asserts.
Her focus: Commercial Design.
“I feel a sense of freedom when it comes to designing for commercialclients. This freedom is not achievable in residentialdesign. I also enjoy the challenges of designing a commercial space, because I find the structure of corporateworld appealing. The thought that I can have a positive effect on somebody’s business is exhilarating.”
Mariam was responsible for revamping the auto mobile service department at Haji Husein Alireza & Co. Ltd in Al Khobar. Coincidently, Mariam has nowfound a new passion that focuses on interior accessories,particularly mirrors. Her background as an interior designer plays a huge role in planning her pieces.“I try to imagine as many uses and spaces that can benefit from mirrors.”
She showcases mirrors that can be used in all sorts of commercial spaces, homes and gardens. She firstcame up with this idea when someone from her familycommissioned her to design a living space. Everythingin the process was going smoothly, until she reached the bathroom.
She could not find the right mirror in the market to satisfy her customer’s demands.Thus, she decided to customize a design for that person. “You’ll be surprised to know how difficultit is for people to find the right kind of mirror for theirspace. Don’t forget that a mirror is a reflection – a reflectionof one’s self.
” In a click, this incident pushed TOP 3 DESIGNERS - Mariam Abulhasan to seek a businessopportunity by designing herown line of mirrors. Her mirrordesigns range from artdeco to art novo to progressive.
“Modern and simplelines guide a lot of my work,even though I might be inspiredby very complex and organic elements .” She often plays with different mediums and materials.
Generally, Mariam avoids woodbecause she feels that carpentryin Jeddah is relativelyweak and lacks proper tools.“I refuse to have imperfector low-quality products.
I believe in the need to setstandards for customers so Ican establish a relationship of trust.
” She would rather work with steel, because locally,welders and craftsmenare more perceptive to workingwith or bending steel.
She also uses crystals, broken mirrors, and stones formany of her mirror designs.Her work, at times, follows avery clear line of logic,
“But I also like to break the rulesslightly. My mirrors are likeportrait frames and the personlooking through them islike an art piece. Therefore,each mirror must complimentit subject; it’s a simple but deep logic.
” Mariam Abulhasan has a custom linethat she created. “I organizemy mirror designs into col lections.An element of bluemust appear at least once ineach collection.”
Mariam thrives on being ambitious and constantly work ing,no matter what. According to her, every bit of
knowledge and experience she gains only expands herhorizons and helps perfecther craft. With that in mind, she hopes to expand her mirrorline to interior accessoriesin the long run.
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