Saudi Gazette “Interior Design is the art of arranging beautiful things, comfortably.” — Billy Baldwin Who would be better capable of decorating homes in the Kingdom, by combining a contemporary style with the traditional Arabic designs, than a young Saudi woman herself? Who would be best able to cater to the needs of Saudi families who want a modern look but still hold their cultural heritage close to their hearts? She dips her paintbrush in black paint and draws a large Arabic alphabet to create an elegant, unique and beautiful calligraphy. Mona Sunbol, an interior designer from Makkah, has the drive, taste and knowledge of traditional Arabic patterns, excellent calligraphic skills, and exceptional experience on what is acceptable and desirable in the Saudi culture. Her trademark is class, simplicity, and originality, and she often incorporates calligraphy in her designs to give an added effect. Her clients in Jeddeh keep her busy decorating their homes, spacious villas, offices, shops, and boutiques. “There is an increased interest in Saudi society for interior décor and art collection. As more and more families are employing professional interior decorators, I push myself to keep coming up with new ideas and something special for each family. My most important rule in design is that the end result is calm and relaxing to the eye and not over stimulating. That is why I almost never mix more than three colors in my wall designs,” said Sunbol. She attributes her success to her participation in the Deco Fair Exhibition that took place in Jeddah three years in a row; it showcased furniture, home décor accessories, and works of art from over 200 designers and companies. Sunbol, then, took a huge step and started her own interior designing business. She said, “I picked ‘Cushion' as the name of my business because in my opinion, the cushion is the most versatile of the accessories in home décor. An attractive cushion can be used in the living room, guests' parlor, and bedroom. It adds a personal and colorful touch to almost any room. I consult my clients to inquire about their preferences and I take charge of the wall painting, murals, ceiling décor, and furniture accessories.” Saudi businessmen/women and homemakers want an interesting artistic appeal in their homes. This may be due to traveling abroad, attending art and interior design exhibitions, or by simply being impressed by renovated homes of their relatives and friends. Consumer behavior studies have shown that customers are more likely to purchase items from a shop where the design, layout, colors, and overall atmosphere of the shop is attractive. __
