noting how more over-the-top requests pushed the
pair to experiment early on in their careers, and their
fabricator, in turn, to create more complex pieces. ‘We
bounce ideas off each other, as though we’re playing
a game of ping-pong. They have learned a lot with us
and we have learned a lot from them,’ says Moussallem.
The duo’s recent projects include a collaboration
with Belgian fashion designer Carine Gilson on her
Brussels boutique, and an interiors concept for Beirut
restaurant Kaléo (W*219). A few years ago, they
designed the Parisian apartment of Cherine Magrebi,
founder of House of Today, an organisation that
promotes Lebanese designers and their work. For both
Raffoul and Moussallem, clients and collaborators
become family the longer they work together.
It is a system they believe has made their studio
stronger, and they would happily continue creating
together for the rest of their lives. On their current
trajectory, there’s no reason they won’t. ‘What make us
work well together is honesty, and a common dream.’ ∂
‘David/Nicolas: Supernova’, Carpenters Workshop Gallery,
Paris, 6 September-6 October, carpentersworkshopgallery.comspaceships or robots,’ says Moussallem. The space
theme is also reflected in the choice of materials, which
includes glass (derived from sand, a further nod to
the supernova trajectory) and travertine, whose porous
surface reminds the pair of the surface of the moon.
Recurring features include scalloped edges, on
marble and wood, the juxtaposition of volumes and
combinations of materials. Up to 15 artisans worked
on each piece in the exhibition, which was developed
across 21 workshops scattered around Treviso, northern
Italy. Each element of the design was worked on by
a specialist to achieve the best results. The hinges
holding the glass part of the Monocle series’ ‘M030’
cabinet, for example, were made by a jewellery
workshop. Production of the collections was overseen
by Nilufar and managed by Raffoul and Moussallem’s
long-term fabricator, Italian company Atelier F.
While quick to acknowledge Atelier F’s support
over the years, the designers add that clients have also
been pivotal to their development. ‘Clients are the
people who bring you somewhere. They are part of
the evolution, they are our inspiration,’ says Raffoul,SPACE MISSION
THE SERIES IS CHARACTERISED BY
THE JUXTAPOSITION OF VOLUMES
AND COMBINATIONS OF MATERIALS.
THE USE OF TRAVERTINE NODS
TO THE SURFACE OF THE MOON01020301
‘M030’ CABINET, IN
ROSEWOOD, FUSION
WOW MARBLE, GLASS,
PARCHMENT AND BRONZE
02
‘C040’ COFFEE TABLE, IN
TRAVERTINO BRONZO, WITH
STAINLESS STEEL INLAYS03
‘C070’ DINING TABLE,
IN TRAVERTINO NAVONA
WITH SILVERED BRASS186 ∑
Design